Oxidation of acetaminophen to N-acetyl-p-aminobenzoquinone imine by human CYP3A4

We have investigated: (a) the formation of N-acetyl-p-aminobenzoquinone imine (NAPQI) from acetaminophen (APAP) by reconstituted human liver CYP3A4, (b) the kinetics of NAPQI formation in microsomes prepared from four human livers varying in CYP1A2, 2E1 and 3A4 content determined by Western blot analysis, (c) the contribution of CYP3A4 to the total formation of NAPQI from 0.1 mM APAP in human liver microsomes using troleandomycin as a specific inhibitor, and (d) the relationship between the contribution of CYP3A4 to NAPQI formation and relative CYP3A4 content. The Km of CYP3A4 for APAP was found to be approximately 0.15 mM, similar to concentrations observed in humans after therapeutic doses of the drug. The kinetics of formation of NAPQI in human liver microsomes were complex; the lower Km was similar to that found for reconstituted CYP3A4. The contribution of CYP3A4 to total NAPQI formation varied from 1 to 20% among livers, and correlated with the relative CYP3A4 content, r2 = 0.88, P < 0.05. Our findings indicate that CYP3A4, the major P450 isoform in human liver and enterocytes, contributes appreciably to the formation of the cytotoxic metabolite NAPQI at therapeutically relevant concentrations of APAP and suggest that APAP may be a previously unrecognized inhibitor of this enzyme.

Use of diethyldithiocarbamate for quantitative determination of tellurite uptake by bacteria

We have developed a simple method for the quantitative determination of tellurite in biological media. This assay is suitable for studying tellurite uptake in bacteria and overcomes the problems of older techniques which are time consuming and labor intensive. In earlier protocols diethyldithiocarbamate was reacted with tellurite and the resulting complex was extracted into organic solvents before spectrophotometric determination. In this study, diethyldithiocarbamate was incubated with tellurite at neutral pH to form a yellow colloidal solution. The absorbance of the aqueous yellow sol was used to determine tellurite concentrations in the range of 1 to 50 micrograms/ml (4 to 200 microM) without the need for solvent extraction.

Antiulcer mechanism of action of rebamipide, a novel antiulcer compound, on diethyldithiocarbamate-induced antral gastric ulcers in rats

The mechanism of the inhibitory action of rebamipide, a new mucosal protective drug, was studied using rats with diethyldithiocarbamate-induced gastric antral ulcers. Rebamipide reduced ulcer formation and inhibited the elevation in lipid peroxide concentration in the gastric mucosa. Rebamipide inhibited both luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils activated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Rebamipide did not alter the reduction of cytochrome c induced by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system or the NADPH-dependent microsomal lipid peroxidation in the liver. These findings suggest that rebamipide prevents diethyldithiocarbamate-induced gastric ulcer formation by inhibiting neutrophil activation.

Duodenal ulcers induced by diethyldithiocarbamate, a superoxide dismutase inhibitor, in the rat: role of antioxidative system in the pathogenesis

Pathogenesis of duodenal ulcers induced by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), a superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitor, was investigated in the rat. Repeated s.c. administration of DDC (750 mg/kg) every 12 hr induced duodenal ulcers in the fed rats, and the severity of the ulcers reached the maximum after three injections. DDC not only reduced basal acid output but also impaired duodenal alkaline secretion. These ulcers were significantly prevented by antioxidative agents such as SOD (50000 units/kg, s.c.), allopurinol (50 mg/kg, s.c.) or glutathione (200 mg/kg, s.c.) as well as the antisecretory agent cimetidine (100 mg/kg, s.c.). The impaired HCO3- response caused by DDC was partially but significantly reversed by either SOD (15000 units/kg/hr, i.v.), allopurinol or glutathione; and SOD by itself significantly elevated the rate of basal alkaline secretion. 16,16-Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (10 micrograms/kg, s.c.) increased duodenal HCO3- output in the presence of DDC and significantly prevented the development of duodenal ulcers in response to DDC. These results suggest that the mucosal antioxidative system including SOD may play a role in the regulatory process of alkaline secretion and contribute to the mucosal defensive ability in the duodenum. The insufficiency of this system may be involved in the pathogenesis of DDC-induced duodenal ulcers.

rCBF-SPECT in brain infarction: when does it predict outcome?

We prospectively studied 26 patients with ischemic stroke within 24 hr, after 2 wk, and after 6 mo with thallium-201-diethyldithiocarbamate single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and neurologic and functional assessments. The admission flow deficits correlated with outcome. The admission and 6-mo scores correlated with clinical conditions at each time. At 2 wk, the flow deficits were smaller and did not correlate with clinical parameters. Nor did the presence or absence of hyperfixation of the radiopharmaceutical. Six months after the infarct, the flow defect had decreased in 9 of 15 patients in whom three serial scans were available, with better clinical improvement than in the remaining six whose flow deficits increased. More patients in the first group had been treated randomly with the calcium-entry blocker flunarizine. SPECT imaging of rCBF within 24 hr after stroke correlates with clinical outcome and condition, whereas rCBF imaging at 2 wk after the stroke shows no clinical correlation.

NMR method for superoxide dismutase assay in brain and liver homogenates

A method for copper- and manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (Cu- and MnSOD) assay in tissue homogenates such as liver and brain, based on the measurement of the longitudinal nuclear relaxation time (T1) of F-, has been developed as a preliminary approach to in vivo measurement of these enzymes. The relaxation rate of F-, which increases linearly with the SOD concentration, also depends on the oxidation state of the metal ion present in the active site of the enzyme. The relaxivity values of the oxidized, reduced and turnovering CuSOD were found to be 9.6 x 10(6), much less than 1 x 10(2) and 5.2 x 10(6) M-1 s-1, respectively, while for MnSOD the corresponding values were 2.9 x 10(6), 4.2 x 10(6) and 3.6 x 10(6) M-1 s-1, respectively. These high relaxivity values allow the detection of SODs in brain and liver homogenates where, under aerobic conditions, these enzymes appear in the steady-state. The contribution of the two types of SOD to the F- relaxation rate in the homogenates was measured by addition of either diethyldithiocarbamate or cyanide, both of which selectively inhibit the CuSOD. The comparison between NMR and activity data confirmed the possibility of carrying out accurate and precise measurements of SODs in homogenates by NMR.

Reactions of prostaglandin H synthase in the presence of the stabilizing agents diethyldithiocarbamate and glycerol

Both cyclooxygenase and peroxidase reactions of prostaglandin H synthase were studied in the presence and absence of diethyldithiocarbamate and glycerol at 4 degrees C in phosphate buffer (pH 8.0). Diethyldithiocarbamate reacts with the high oxidation state intermediates of prostaglandin H synthase; it protects the enzyme from bleaching and loss of activity by its ability to act as a reducing agent. For the reaction of diethyldithiocarbamate with compound I, the second-order rate constant k2,app, was found to fall within the range of 5.8 x 10(6) +/- 0.4 x 10(6) M-1.s-1 less than k2,app less than 1.8 x 10(7) +/- 0.1 x 10(7) M-1.s-1. The reaction of diethyldithiocarbamate with compound II showed saturation behavior suggesting enzyme-substrate complex formation, with kcat = 22 +/- 3 s-1, Km = 67 +/- 10 microM, and the second-order rate constant k3,app = 2.0 x 10(5) +/- 0.2 x 10(5) M-1.s-1. In the presence of both diethyldithiocarbamate and 30% glycerol, the parameters for compound II are kcat = 8.8 +/- 0.5 s-1, Km = 49 +/- 7 microM, and k3,app = 1.03 x 10(5) +/- 0.07 x 10(5) M-1.s-1. The spontaneous decay rate constants of compounds I and II (in the absence of diethyldithiocarbamate) are 83 +/- 5 and 0.52 +/- 0.05 s-1, respectively, in the absence of glycerol; in the presence of 30% glycerol they are 78 +/- 5 and 0.33 +/- 0.02 s-1, respectively. Neither cyclooxygenase activity nor the rate constant for compound I formation using 5-phenyl-4-pentenyl-1-hydroperoxide is altered by the presence of diethyldithiocarbamate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Studies on oxygen-derived free radicals in acute pancreatic damage in rats--pancreatic damage experimentally induced by diethyldithiocarbamate]

In order to investigate the role of the oxygen-derived free radicals in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, an experimentally induced pancreatic damage was prepared in rats by the injection of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), which was known to be an inhibitor of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD). Male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g received a single subcutaneous injection of DDC at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. Serum activities of amylase were significantly increased at 3 and 5 hours after the injection of DDC. Thiobarbituric acid reactants (TBA reactants) concentrations in the pancreatic tissue were increased at 30 minutes after the injection of DDC. At 7 hours after the injections of DDC, focal necrosis and degeneration of pancreatic acinar cells were observed. Peroral administration of allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, before the injection of DDC suppressed the increase of TBA reactants concentration in the pancreatic tissue, but did not suppress the increase of serum activities of amylase. These results indicate that oxygen-derived free radicals may play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatic damage. However, since allopurinol did not suppress the increase of serum activities of amylase, further examination is needed to analyze the mechanism of DDC-induced pancreatic damage.

SPET brain imaging with 201 diethyldithiocarbamate in acute ischaemic stroke

Thirty-five patients with acute ischaemic stroke were studied within 24 h after hospital admission with thallium 201 diethyldithiocarbamate single photon emission tomography (201Tl-DDC SPET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT). 201Tl-DDC is a non-redistributing agent that allows postponed imaging after early administration and early therapeutic intervention. In 16 patients both investigations were performed within 24 h after stroke onset. The sensitivity of SPET was 94% and of CT 81% in the first 24 h, when hypodensity and obliteration of sulci were used as CT reading criteria. When only hypodensity was used as a criterion, the sensitivity of CT was 50% in this group. Sensitivity of CT compared with SPET became increasingly better in patients with older infarcts (1-18 days). In two-thirds of patients, the lesion demonstrated on SPET was larger than that on CT, and this was especially so with older infarcts. Crossed cerebellar diaschisis occurred in 69% of patients. The high sensitivity of 201Tl-DDC SPET in the first 24 h after ischaemic stroke and the favourable properties of this radiopharmaceutical make it a method of interest in the assessment of initial perfusion defects in early experimental stroke therapies.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of ultrafilterable cisplatin species detectable by derivatization with diethyldithiocarbamate or atomic absorption spectroscopy

The pharmacokinetics of the cisplatin (DDP) species detected by measurement of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC)-reactive species (DDTC-DDP) were compared to the pharmacokinetics of the species detected by measurement of total ultrafilterable platinum in patients receiving DDP alone or in combination with the nephroprotective agent sodium thiosulfate. The doses of DDP studied were 100 mg/m2 (11 courses given to eight patients) and 202.5 mg/m2 (five courses given to four patients) given as 2 h i.v. infusions, the latter with concurrent thiosulfate. When DDP was given alone (100 mg/m2) the two assays yielded the same area under the curve (AUC) values for DDTC-DDP and total ultrafilterable platinum during the first 4 h after the start of infusion; however, beyond 4 h post-infusion, the AUC for total ultrafilterable platinum was consistently greater than that for DDTC-DDP. When DDP was given with thiosulfate (202.5 mg/m2), the AUC for total ultrafilterable platinum was significantly greater than that of DDTC-DDP during the whole sampling period. The ratio of the AUC for total ultrafilterable platinum to DDTC-DDP, when DDP was given with thiosulfate, was barely significantly greater than that when DDP was given alone. These data indicate that during and immediately following a short infusion of DDP the major platinum-containing species present in plasma ultrafiltrate are still capable of reacting with nucleophilic sites on molecules such as DDTC; however, as the reactive species are eliminated, longer half-lived non-reactive ultrafilterable platinum species begin to predominate. They also indicate that although thiosulfate does neutralize a measurable amount of DDP in the plasma on the schedule employed, this degree of neutralization is not sufficient to explain the protection against DDP-induced nephrotoxicity produced by thiosulfate.

Intracellular localization of 99Tcm-d,l-HMPAO and 201Tl-DDC in rat brain

The intracellular localization and relative distribution of 99Tcm-hexamethylpropyleneamine-oxime (99Tcm-d, l-HMPAO) and 201Tl-diethyldithiocarbamate (201Tl-DDC), which have been used to assess regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in man, were investigated in rat brain. 99Tcm-d, l-HMPAO was found attached mainly to cell organelles whilst 201Tl-DDC was localized mainly in free state in the cytosolic fraction. Isolation of neuronal and glial nuclei showed that there is higher uptake of 99Tcm-d, l-HMPAO in neuronal nuclei than in glial nuclei for all the different regions of the rat brain investigated. These data demonstrate a different subcellular localization of the two lipophilic agents studied. In view of their proposed clinical utility, this difference merits further investigation.

Electron microscopy studies of alpha 2-macroglobulin conformational intermediates obtained by derivatization with cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II)

The structure of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) after reaction with cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) (cis-DDP) was studied by electron microscopy. The cis-DDP stabilized a novel conformation of the native inhibitor resembling a doughnut surrounded by two, three, of four well defined spherules. When only two spherules were present, these structures were usually oriented on opposite sides of the doughnut. The protein region joining a spherule to the central structure did not include sufficient mass to exclude stain and was, therefore, invisible. Other images showed spherules that were partially superimposed on the doughnut. A comparison of many molecules suggested great flexibility of the peripheral spherules relative to the central structure. The cis-DDP prevented complete conformational change when the alpha 2M was reacted with trypsin. The products of this reaction included apparent conformational intermediates. These intermediates most closely resembled either native alpha 2M or the well established "H" structure of alpha 2M-proteinase, depending on the initial conditions used to modify the alpha 2 M with cis-DDP. When cis-DDP-treated alpha 2M was reacted with trypsin, purified by chromatography and subsequently treated with diethyldithiocarbamate, complete conformational change was observed. Based on an analysis of the alpha 2M structural intermediates obtained using the chemical modification procedures described here, a new model of alpha 2M conformational change was developed. We postulate that conformational change initially involves contraction of the peripheral spherules towards the central doughnut. These spherules then unfold and elongate in the perpendicular direction to form the lateral walls of the proteinase transformed alpha 2M H structure.

Benzylhydrazine as a pseudo-substrate of bovine serum amine oxidase

Bovine serum amine oxidase is inhibited by benzylhydrazine (BHy), but recovers full activity after a few hours incubation [Hucko-Haas & Reed (1970) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 38, 396-400]. The first phase of the process, requiring about 15 min, was found to consist of a mechanism-based hydrazine-transfer reaction leading to formation of the hydrazine-bound enzyme, benzaldehyde and H2O2. At variance with the enzymic process, the reaction with O2 preceded the benzaldehyde release. Two reaction intermediates could be characterized by optical spectroscopy and were assigned as the azo derivative and the benzaldehyde hydrazone, the latter one probably being involved in the reaction with O2. No reduction of Cu was detected at any stage. The hydrazine adduct could also be obtained by stoichiometric reaction of hydrazine with the native enzyme. The decay of this species occurred in about 8 h and was not studied in detail. The Cu-binding inhibitor NN-diethyldithiocarbamate affected the BHy reaction by stabilizing the benzaldehyde hydrazone form as against the azo derivative and the reaction with O2. However, under these same conditions the initial spectroscopic properties of the diethyldithiocarbamate adduct were recovered if the oxidase was left overnight. The reaction with O2 was abolished only upon removal of at least one Cu atom from the enzyme. On the basis of the failure to detect any change of Cu redox state and the enzyme behaviour in the presence of inhibitors, a reaction mechanism involving the formation of a hydroperoxy intermediate, as in the FAD-containing enzymes, is tentatively proposed.

FIA-extraction applied to the limit test for heavy metals

A method is presented that allows rapid determination of the total concentration of heavy metals in a sample. The method is based on FIA-extraction and photometric measurement of the metals as their dithiocarbamate complexes. The analytical parameters have been chosen such that the sensitivities for toxic elements are enhanced compared with those of less toxic heavy metals. The sampling capacity of the system is 40 samples h-1 and the repeatability (RSD) is 1.9% at 0.1 mg 1(-1). Raw materials for the production of pharmaceuticals as well as analytical grade salts and household commodities have been tested.

Quantitative local cerebral blood flow measurements with technetium-99m HM-PAO: evaluation using multiple radionuclide digital quantitative autoradiography

We investigated d,1 [99mTc]hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime complex (HM-PAO) as a tracer for quantitative measurement of local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) in a series of awake male rats. LCBF measurements with HM-PAO were compared to those of two other tracers, [14C] iodoantipyrine (IAP) and [201Tl]diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), using quantitative double and triple tracer digital autoradiography. LCBF values with HM-PAO averaged 64% those of IAP and were generally linearly related. Detailed analysis suggested that the underestimation of LCBF by HM-PAO was related to blood constituent binding and/or rapid conversion to a noncerebrophilic compound, as well as noninstantaneous cerebral trapping, rather than to diffusion limitation.

Inhibition of multistage tumor promotion in mouse skin by diethyldithiocarbamate

Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) injected i.p. inhibits remarkably and in a dose-dependent manner 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-decreased glutathione (GSH) peroxidase and TPA-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activities in mouse epidermis in vivo. DDTC is more potent in inhibiting these effects of TPA than 16 other antioxidants, free radical scavengers, thiol-containing compounds, and reduced glutathione (GSH) level-raising agents, even though some of these treatments are applied directly to the TPA-treated skin. DDTC also inhibits the effects of several structurally different tumor promoters and the greater GSH peroxidase and ODC responses produced by repeated TPA treatments. The inhibitory effects of DDTC on TPA-decreased GSH peroxidase and TPA-induced ODC activities are additive with those of Na2SeO3 and D-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). Interestingly, DDTC is a more effective inhibitor when it is administered after TPA, suggesting that DDTC may supplement, facilitate, and/or enhance the activity of the natural GSH-dependent detoxifying system protecting the epidermis against the oxidative challenge presumably linked to the tumor-promoting activity of TPA. When tested in the initiation-promotion protocols, DDTC inhibits to the same degree complete tumor promotion by TPA and stage 2 tumor promotion by mezerein, in relation with its identical inhibition of the GSH peroxidase and ODC responses to both TPA and mezerein. Moreover, the inhibition of the first stage tumor-promoting activity of TPA by DDTC may be attributed to its ability to inhibit TPA-induced DNA synthesis, a postulated component of the conversion phase of skin carcinogenesis when TPA is used as a stage 1 tumor promoter.

Myocardial uptake of thallium-201 diethyldithiocarbamate (201T1-DDC) in cultured heart cells and in humans

We assessed the feasibility of SPECT imaging with 201T1-diethyldithiocarbamate (201T1-DDC), a new cerebral blood flow tracer with little distribution, expecting to observe less extensive redistribution than with 201T1-chloride. Myocardial sections were obtained in three patients presenting with documented coronary artery disease and injected at peak exercise with 100 MBq 201T1-DDC. In two patients there was a clear redistribution phenomenon at four h after injection. In cultured myocardial cells of newborn rats, the uptake and washout of 201T1-chloride and 201T1-DDC were compared. The 201T1-DDC uptake was lower than 201T1-chloride (transmembrane gradients were respectively 89 +/- 10 and 4.1 +/- 0.2, mean +/- sem, n = 14, P less than 0.001). After 2 h washout in a T1 free medium, the retention of 201T1-chloride in the cells was 4% vs 19% for 201T1-DDC. It is concluded that although myocardial imaging is feasible with 201T1-DDC, this agent redistributes significantly with time.

Chemical reactivity of cisplatin bound to human plasma proteins

Human plasma was incubated with cisplatin over 24 h. Ultrafilterable platinum and platinum reactive with DDTC were determined at regular time intervals during incubation. At each time point more platinum reacted with sodium N,N1-diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) than was available as ultrafilterable platinum. At 24 h 70% of total platinum (10% ultrafiltrable platinum and 60% protein-bound platinum) reacted with DDTC. This means that cisplatin bound to plasma proteins can--at least in part--still react with strong nucleophiles.

Functional imaging of the brain

The radionuclide tracer method is unique amongst all other imaging methodologies in its ability to trace organ or tissue function and metabolism. It derives this advantage from the nature of the signal used for image generation, and its single interaction with the organ or system under examination. Physical processes such as electron or proton density assessment or resonance, edge identification, electrical or ultrasonic impedence, do not pertain to the image generation process in nuclear medicine, and if so, only in a rather secondary manner. The nuclear medicine imaging study is primarily a study of the chemical nature, distribution and interaction of the tracer/radiopharmaceutical utilised with the cellular system which requires investigation: the thyroid cells with sodium iodide, the recticular endothelial cells with colloidal particles, the adrenal medulla cells with metaiodobenzylguanidine, and so on. In the two most recent areas of nuclear medicine expansion, oncology (with labelled monoclonal antibodies) and neurology and psychiatry (with a whole new series of lipid soluble radiopharmaceuticals), specific cell systems can also be targeted and hence imaged and investigated. The study of structure as masterly performed by Virchow and all his successors over more than a century, is now definitely the prerogative of such imaging systems which excel with spatial and contrast resolution (x-ray computed transmission tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic ultrasound). However the investigation of function and metabolism (as performed by Claude Bernard, Georg von Hevesy, and so many others), has clearly passed from the laboratory animal protocol and experiment to the direct investigation in man, this being the achievement of the radionuclide tracer methodology. In this article, we review present interest and developments in that part of nuclear medicine activity which is aimed at the study of the neurological or psychiatric patient.