Effects of sodium thiosulfate on the pharmacokinetics of unchanged cisplatin and on the distribution of platinum species in rat kidney: protective mechanism against cisplatin nephrotoxicity

To investigate the mechanism underlying the protective effect against cisplatin (CDDP) nephrotoxicity of its antidote, sodium thiosulfate (STS), the effects of STS on the pharmacokinetics of unchanged CDDP and on the distribution of unchanged CDDP and high and low molecular mass metabolites (fixed and mobile metabolites) in the kidney 1 min after a bolus injection of CDDP (5 mg/kg) to rats were studied. A decrease in the plasma concentration of unchanged CDDP and an increase in the plasma concentration of mobile metabolites were observed in the rats after the bolus injection of CDDP in combination with STS infusion for 30 min (1200 mg/kg). Although STS accelerated platinum excretion during the first 10 min after CDDP injection, unchanged CDDP was not excreted in the urine in the STS-treated rats. Total kidney platinum 1 min after the bolus injection of CDDP was detected mainly as unchanged CDDP (86% of the total platinum) in the rats given CDDP alone. However, in the STS-treated rats, the total kidney platinum was decreased to 62% of the level in the rats given CDDP alone, and the platinum species detected in the kidney were mainly mobile metabolites. Only 24% of the total kidney platinum was detected as unchanged CDDP in the STS-treated rats. The loss of body weight and increases in BUN and serum creatinine levels usually observed after a bolus injection of CDDP were completely prevented by STS coadministration. The present study provides information about unchanged CDDP pharmacokinetics and the distribution of unchanged CDDP and some of its generic metabolites in the kidney when STS is coadministered as an antidote. These results show that the protective effect of STS against CDDP nephrotoxicity can be attributed to the formation of inactive mobile metabolites by a direct reaction between unchanged CDDP and STS in the systemic circulation, resulting in a reduction in the amount of unchanged CDDP in the kidney.

[The effect of sodium cyanide and its antidotes on the isolated perfused rat heart]

The experiments were performed to investigate the effects of cyanide and several antidotes (sodium nitrite, DMAP, sodium thiosulfate and phentolamine) on isolated perfused rat heart to further elucidate the mechanism of action of cyanide and its antidotes. Sodium cyanide (40, 50 and 60 mg/ml) produced maximum effects on amplitude, heart rate and coronary flow, after 3 min, regardless of the event recorded. Some dose-dependence was noted, especially on the heart rate, somewhat less on amplitude and almost none on the coronary flow up to 15 min, but notable afterwards. Some spontaneous recovery occurred in each event, the most significant being that of the heart rate. Antidotes per se did not differ significantly in their action on isolated rat heart. All values, with some variations, were maintained within 10-20% of control. Antidotes, injected 1 min after sodium cyanide produced the most evident effects on amplitude and heart rate -- all antidotes practically and almost instantly neutralized the depressant effect of cyanide. Nitrite and particularly DMAP, were the most effective on coronary flow while other antidotes, although effective up to 3 min, did not much differ from cyanide alone throughout the rest of observation.

Effect of sodium thiosulfate on the photolysis of phenobarbital: evidence of complex formation

Photodegradation of phenobarbital in aqueous solutions exposed to short-wave ultraviolet light was studied in presence and in absence of sodium thiosulfate. The degradation process appeared to follow first-order kinetics and was found to be dependent on pH, buffer system and sodium thiosulfate concentration. Ionic strength did not have any appreciable effect. The rate of photodegradation was found to be inversely proportional to phenobarbital concentration, especially below 8 x 10(-4) M. Solutions of phenobarbital containing alcohol, propylene glycol and benzyl alcohol as cosolvents showed markedly improved stability under UV irradiation in absence of sodium thiosulfate. Complex formation between the thiosulfate anion and phenobarbital appeared to be primarily responsible for the photostabilization of the drug. The equilibrium constant for this complex was calculated to be 36.23 M-1.

Salicylate inhibits the renal transport of inorganic sulfate in rat membrane vesicle preparations

Salicylic acid (SA) administration produces a pronounced enhancement of the renal clearance of inorganic sulfate in rats. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if SA inhibits the renal transport of inorganic sulfate in rat kidney cortex brush border membrane (BBM) and basolateral membrane (BLM) vesicle preparations. Sodium-dependent cotransport of inorganic sulfate was examined in BBM, and the values for KM and Vmax, determined using nonlinear regression analysis, were 0.52 +/- 0.41 mM and 2.84 +/- 1.26 nmol/mg protein/10 sec, respectively (N = 7). Bicarbonate-dependent sulfate anion exchange was examined in BLM, and the values for KM and Vmax were 0.31 +/- 0.14 mM and 0.83 +/- 0.27 nmol/mg protein/10 sec, respectively (N = 5). SA inhibited sulfate transport into both BBM and BLM preparations. The Ki values, fitted using both competitive and noncompetitive inhibition models, were 19.4 +/- 9.2 and 26.3 +/- 12.2 mM (N = 3), respectively, for sodium/sulfate cotransport in BBM vesicles and 1.10 +/- 0.32 and 1.93 +/- 0.38 mM (N = 3), respectively, for bicarbonate-driven sulfate transport in BLM vesicles. Because SA did not transstimulate sulfate transport into vesicle preparations, this might suggest a noncompetitive inhibition mechanism. The inhibitory effect of SA appears to occur predominantly at the BLM membrane, due to the lower Ki observed in the transport studies. Therefore, the results demonstrate that SA predominantly inhibits the transport of inorganic sulfate across the renal BLM; this interaction may be responsible, at least in part, for the SA-induced increase in sulfate renal clearance that has been observed in vivo.

Expression of rat renal sulfate transport systems in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Functional characterization and molecular identification

Renal proximal tubular sulfate reabsorption is mediated by brush border membrane Na+/sulfate-cotransport and basolateral Na(+)-independent sulfate transport. Injection of rat kidney cortex mRNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes induced Na(+)-dependent as well as Na(+)-independent sulfate transport. The inhibition pattern of Na(+)-dependent uptake coincided with that known for the brush border membrane; the inhibition pattern of Na(+)-independent uptake suggested that this activity could be related to the basolateral cell surface. By Northern blot hybridization of size-fractionated mRNA, we provide evidence that the Na(+)-dependent uptake is induced by an mRNA species related to a recently cloned cDNA encoding rat renal cortex Na+/SO4 cotransport (NaSi-1; Markovich, D., Forgo, J., Stange, G., Biber, J., and Murer, H. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 8073-8077); the Na(+)-independent sulfate transport activity seems to be related to an mRNA species encoding a rat liver Na(+)-independent sulfate transporter (Bissig, M., Hagenbuch, B., Stieger, B., Koller, T., and Meier, P. J. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 3017-3021). Hybrid depletion experiments using antisense oligonucleotides provided further evidence for the association of the expressed transport activities to NaSi-1 and sat-1, respectively.

Adducts of mitomycin C and DNA in EMT6 mouse mammary tumor cells: effects of hypoxia and dicumarol on adduct patterns

6-CH3-3H-Mitomycin C (MC) was used to identify MC-DNA adducts formed in EMT6 mouse mammary tumor cells. DNA was isolated from cells treated with 3H-MC. The DNA was enzymatically digested, and the digest was analyzed for 3H-labeled adducts by high performance liquid chromatography. All four major adducts previously isolated and characterized in cell-free systems were detected: two different monoadducts and two bisadducts forming DNA-interstrand and DNA-intrastrand cross-links, respectively. No MC-DNA adducts other than the DNA interstrand cross-link had been shown previously to be formed in living cells. A MC-deoxyguanosine adduct of unknown structure was also detected in DNA from EMT6 cells; this adduct was also formed with purified EMT6 DNA. High performance liquid chromatography analysis was further applied to study the relationship between DNA adducts and cytotoxicity. The number of adducts increased with the concentration of MC in both aerobic and hypoxic cells. At a constant drug level, more adducts were observed in cells treated under hypoxic conditions than in cells treated aerobically; at 2 microM MC, 4.8 x 10(-7) and 3.1 x 10(-7) adducts/nucleotide were observed under hypoxic and aerobic conditions, respectively. The increased adduct frequency under hypoxia correlates with the known increased cytotoxicity of MC to EMT6 cells under hypoxic conditions. In addition, a higher ratio of cross-linked adducts to monoadducts was observed in hypoxic cells. The high performance liquid chromatography techniques were also used to examine the effects of dicumarol (DIC) on adduct patterns in cells treated simultaneously with 3H-MC. The MC-DNA adduct frequencies in DIC-treated cells were increased 1.5-fold under hypoxia and decreased 1.6-fold under aerobic conditions from those observed without DIC. This finding correlates with the known DIC-induced increase and decrease in the cytotoxicity of MC in hypoxic and aerobic EMT6 cells, respectively. The monoadduct resulting from monofunctionally activated MC was suppressed by DIC under both hypoxic and aerobic conditions. In addition, DIC induced the selective formation of an unknown DNA-associated radiolabeled substance in hypoxic cells; this is hypothesized to be a cytotoxic DNA lesion produced by a DIC-stimulated oxido-reductase. The methodology developed to measure MC adduct patterns may be useful as an indicator of distinct enzymatic activation processes for this drug.

Cloning of the phs genetic locus from Salmonella typhimurium and a role for a phs product in its own induction

The Salmonella typhimurium phs chromosomal locus essential for the reduction of thiosulfate to hydrogen sulfide was cloned, and some features of its regulation were examined. The phs locus conferred H2S production on Escherichia coli, suggesting that it contains the structural gene for thiosulfate reductase. H2S production by the E. coli host was, as in S. typhimurium, suppressed by nitrate or glucose in the growth medium. The presence of plasmid-borne phs genes in a S. typhimurium chl+ host containing a chromosomal phs::lacZ operon fusion was found to significantly increase the relative induction efficiency of beta-galactosidase by thiosulfate. These results are consistent with a model for phs regulation in which the true inducer is not thiosulfate per se and in which the action of a phs-encoded molybdoprotein, possibly the reductase itself, converts thiosulfate into a compound that resembles the true inducer more closely than does thiosulfate.

Cyanide and methemoglobin kinetics in smoke inhalation victims treated with the cyanide antidote kit

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate serial cyanide, methemoglobin, and carbon monoxide levels in smoke inhalation patients.

SETTING

Regional poison center and regional toxicology treatment center.

PARTICIPANTS

Seven critically ill smoke inhalation patients referred to the regional poison center.

INTERVENTIONS

Peak level and half-life were determined by obtaining serial carboxyhemoglobin, cyanide, and methemoglobin levels.

RESULTS

The mean observed half-life of cyanide was 3.0 +/- 0.6 hours. Methemoglobinemia was evaluated in four patients after sodium nitrite administration. The peak measured methemoglobin levels (mean, 10.5% +/- 2%; range, 7.9% to 13.4%) did not occur until a mean of 50 minutes (range, 35 to 70 minutes) following administration of sodium nitrite. The total oxygen-carrying capacity reduced by the combination of carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin was never more than 21% (range, 10% to 21%) in this series.

CONCLUSION

The administration of sodium nitrite to smoke inhalation patients in the presence of concomitant carbon monoxide poisoning may be relatively safe.

Antimicrobial effect of chlorine on Yersinia enterocolitica

The effects of chlorine at varying pH, culture media and incubation temperatures on one type and two wild type strains of Yersinia enterocolitica were studied. Exposure to 1 and 5 mg 1(-1) did not diminish viability, even after prolonged exposure. A level of 10 mg 1(-1) was required to achieve a 5-log reduction in 120 s for the type strain and 80 s for the wild strains. There was an increase of more than 30% in the rate of disinfection with a 10 degrees C rise, a remarkable increase in antimicrobial activity at pH 5-log reduction in 20 s, as well as marked neutralization of the effect in the presence of 0.1% peptone. Younger cells were more susceptible than older ones, and those from liquid medium more resistant than those from solid medium. Incubation temperature of a 24-h inoculum failed to show any influence. Lastly, there was a noteworthy demand for free chlorine by bacterial biomass, with agreement of the curve depicting the drop in free chlorine in the presence of inoculum with biphasic kinetics of survival curves.

Thermally perturbed rhodanese can be protected from inactivation by self-association

A fluorescence-detected structural transition occurs in the enzyme rhodanese between 30-40 degrees C that leads to inactivation and aggregation, which anomalously decrease with increasing protein concentration. Rhodanese at 8 micrograms/ml is inactivated at 40 degrees C after 50 min of incubation, but it is protected as its concentration is raised, such that above 200 micrograms/ml, there is only slight inactivation for at least 70 min. Inactivation is increased by lauryl maltoside, or by low concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol. The enzyme is protected by high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol or by the substrate, thiosulfate. The fluorescence of 1,8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonate reports the appearance of hydrophobic sites between 30-40 degrees C. Light scattering kinetics at 40 degrees C shows three phases: an initial lag, a relatively rapid increase, and then a more gradual increase. The light scattering decreases under several conditions; at increased protein concentration; at high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol; with lauryl maltoside; or with thiosulfate. Aggregated enzyme is inactive, although enzyme can inactivate without significant aggregation. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking shows that rhodanese can form dimers, and that higher molecular weight species are formed at 40 degrees C but not at 23 degrees C. Precipitates formed at 40 degrees C contain monomers with disulfide bonds, dimers, and multimers. We propose that thermally perturbed rhodanese has increased hydrophobic exposure, and it can either: (a) aggregate after a rate-limiting inactivation; or (b) reversibly dimerize and protect itself from inactivation and the formation of large aggregates.

Protection against paraquat-induced toxicity with sulfite or thiosulfate in mice

The toxicity of the herbicide paraquat in mice, measured by the single dose LD50 after 7 days, was significantly decreased by coinjection of thiosulfite (1 g/kg; one time per day for 3 days) or sulfite (0.2 g/kg; one time per day for 3 days). However, the toxicity of paraquat was not changed by coinjection of sulfate (1 g/kg; one time per day for 3 days). The body weight of mice was significantly decreased by paraquat treatment (30 mg/kg, i.p.). However, the decrease of body weight was abolished by coinjection of thiosulfate or sulfite but not by coinjection of sulfate. On the other hand, paraquat significantly decreased reduced glutathione contents in liver. The depletion of the glutathione contents was also abolished by coinjection of thiosulfate or sulfite but not by coinjection of sulfate. These results suggest that the preventive effect against paraquat-induced toxicity with thiosulfate or sulfite may involve the glutathione-dependent detoxication in mice.

Sulfane-activated reduction of cytochrome c by glutathione

The inorganic sulfane tetrathionate (-O3SSSSO3-) resembles glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG) in that it remarkably activates the reduction of cytochrome c by GSH, both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. These observations can be explained by the formation of the persulfide GSS-, due to nucleophilic displacements of sulfane sulfur. The GSS- species has previously been proposed to act as a chain carrier in the catalytic reduction of cytochrome c, and perthiyl radicals GSS., formed in the reduction step, were thought to recycle to sulfane via dimerization to GSSSSG.2 The present study provides some arguments in favour of a chain mechanism involving the GSS. + GS-<-->(GSSSG).- equilibrium and sulfane regeneration by a second electron transfer from (GSSSG).- to cytochrome c. Thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (rhodanese) is shown to act as a cytochrome c reductase in the presence of thiosulfate and GSH, and again the generation of GSS- can be envisaged to explain this result.

The in vivo effects of cyanide and its antidotes on rat brain cytochrome oxidase activity

The in vivo effects of sodium cyanide and its antidotes, sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate and 4-dimethylaminophenol (DMAP), as well as the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent phentolamine, on rat brain cytochrome oxidase were studied. The course of inhibition was time-dependent and a peak of 40% was attained between 15 and 20 min after the s.c. injection of 1.3 LD50 (12 mg/kg) of cyanide. Pronounced dose-dependence was observed in the inhibition of the enzyme, at this relatively low, but lethal dose. Further observation was impossible because of rapidly lethal effects of cyanide. In animals artificially ventilated with room air, observation was possible up to 60 min. However, maximum inhibition was also 40%. When antidotes were applied 30 min after 20 mg/kg of cyanide, marked reactivation of cytochrome oxidase activity was observed with all antidotes (particularly with thiosulfate) except for phentolamine which had no effect. Prevention of methemoglobin forming with toluidine blue did not affect the reactivating ability of nitrite or DMAP, thus suggesting more complex protective mechanisms then simple methemoglobin formation. The high efficacy of thiosulfate may be attributed to its rhodanese catalyzed, direct binding to free blood cyanide, leading thus to its dissociation from cytochrome oxidase. The theory that cytochrome oxidase inhibition is a basic mechanism of cyanide toxicity could not be disproved.

A mechanism involved in the plaque enhancement effect of sodium thiosulfate for foot-and-mouth disease viruses

A mechanism involved in the plaque enhancement effect of foot-and-mouth disease viruses (FMDV) by the addition of sodium thiosulfate (Hypo) in the agar overlay medium (AOM) previously reported was studied. It was experimentally proved that the diffusion of virus particles through agar overlay medium was enhanced when this salt was incorporated. Accordingly, the enlarged plaque formation was assumed to be caused by the enhanced diffusion of viral progenies produced in infectious centers during plaque assays.

Nitroprusside intoxication: protection of alpha-ketoglutarate and thiosulphate

Protection against the lethal effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was observed in mice after treatment with alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), either alone or in combination with sodium thiosulphate (STS). The LD50 of SNP was 12.0 (11.0-13.0) mg/kg in mice. Ip injection of AFG (500 mg/kg twice in 20 min) increased the LD50 1.7-fold in mice. STS (1 g/kg, ip) alone increased the LD50 5.5-fold. Furthermore, combined administration of AKG and STS increased the LD50 6.9-fold. SNP elicited increased cyanide levels in blood of mice in a dose-dependent manner. SNP (10 mg/kg, sc) administration gave rise to blood cyanide levels of 73.2 +/- 3.0 microM, 30 min after treatment. Ip injection of AKG significantly decreased blood cyanide levels by 30% in mice 30 min after treatment with 10 mg SNP/kg. A single injection of STS (1 g/kg) or a combination of AKG and STS reduced in blood cyanide levels by 88 or 98%, respectively, in mice after treatment with 10 mg SNP/kg. In addition, the increase in blood cyanide levels induced by injection of 50 mg SNP/kg was markedly inhibited by a combination of AKG and STS or (to a lesser extent) by STS alone. These results suggest that the combined administration of AKG and STS, by preventing the increase in blood cyanide levels induced by SNP, may afford protection against the toxic effects of SNP.

Effects of the modulating agent WR2721 and its main metabolites on the formation and stability of cisplatin-DNA adducts in vitro in comparison to the effects of thiosulphate and diethyldithiocarbamate

The influence of the modulating agent WR2721, its active thiol-metabolite WR1065 and the symmetrical disulphide WR33278 on the in vitro formation and stability of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin, CDDP)-DNA adducts was investigated and compared with the effects of the highly nucleophilic modulating agents diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) and thiosulphate (TS). Salmon sperm DNA (0.5 mg/mL) was incubated with 25 micrograms/mL (83 microM) cisplatin for 1 hr in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.2 at 37 degrees in the absence or presence of modulating agent. DDTC and TS were potent inhibitors of the platination of the DNA (95 and 89%, respectively, with 4.2 mM of modulating agent). The WR-compounds were also remarkably active in the inhibition of DNA platination. Prevention of adduct formation in the presence of 4.2 mM WR-compound decreased in the order WR1065 (74%) greater than WR33278 (63%) greater than WR2721 (51%). The prevention of CDDP-DNA adduct formation by WR1065 was strongly concentration-dependent up to 4.2 mM but at higher concentrations this protection hardly increased at all. In the presence of the modulating agents, increased levels of CDDP monofunctionally bound to a guanine residue were observed with a simultaneous decrease in the relative abundance of bifunctional adducts. All modulators were also able to reverse part of the CDDP-DNA adducts formed. After a 2-hr incubation of already platinated salmon sperm DNA with 4.2 mM of modulating agent, the removal of Pt from DNA amounted to about 43% with DDTC, 28% with WR1065 and 13-14% with TS, WR2721 and WR33278. Even CDDP bifunctionally bound to two adjacent guanines in the same DNA strand, which is considered to be a very stable adduct, was partly reversed. Our observations suggest that WR2721, especially when administered prior to or concomitantly with CDDP, can be expected to protect those tissues from CDDP-induced damage to DNA that are able to efficiently dephosphorylate WR2721 followed by uptake of the thiol metabolite WR1065. This stresses the importance of a selective formation and uptake of WR1065 by non-tumour tissues for the successful use of WR2721 as a protective agent in combination with platinum-based cancer chemotherapy.

Reaction kinetics of cisplatin and its monoaquated species with the modulating agents (di)mesna and thiosulphate

The reactive and rapidly excreted thiol mesna (2-mercaptoethane-sulphonate sodium) has the potential to reduce the dose-limiting nephrotoxicity of cisplatin by chemical neutralisation of the latter in the kidney. The reaction kinetics of cisplatin with mesna and its disulphide, dimesna, was studied at 37 degrees C in unbuffered 0.15 mol/l NaCl (pH 5.3) and in 0.15 mol/l NaCl buffered with 0.02 mol/l Hepes (pH 7.4). The reaction mixtures were analysed for intact cisplatin. In the presence of mesna or dimesna 0.5 mol/l as anticipated in urine for conditions of renal protection, the half-life (t1/2) of 0.2 mmol/l cisplatin was less than 6 min. t1/2 of 151 and 629 min were found in the presence of mesna and dimesna concentrations of 5 mmol/l and 3 mmol/l, respectively, anticipated in plasma under conditions of renal protection. Cis-diamminemonoaquamonochloroplatinum(II) 0.2 mmol/l reacted rapidly with 50 mmol thiosulphate and 0.5 mol/l (di)mesna (t1/2 less than or equal to 1 min). This platinum species also reacted rapidly with 2.6 mmol/l thiosulphate (t1/2 less than 1 min), a concentration reached in plasma for conditions under renal protection. Reaction of the monoaquated form of cisplatin proceeded slowly in the presence of dimesna or mesna concentrations (less than 5 mmol/l), as anticipated in plasma under renal protecting conditions. It is hypothesised that renal protection by the strong nucleophiles, thiosulphate, mesna and dimesna occurs rather by neutralisation of the aquated species in the lumen of the renal tubulus than by neutralisation of intact cisplatin, and that neutralisation of these species in plasma contributes significantly to the protecting effect.

The cysP promoter of Salmonella typhimurium: characterization of two binding sites for CysB protein, studies of in vivo transcription initiation, and demonstration of the anti-inducer effects of thiosulfate

The cysPTWA operons of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium encode components of periplasmic transport systems for sulfate and thiosulfate and are regulated as part of the cysteine regulons. In vitro transcription initiation from the cysP promoter was shown to require both CysB protein and either O-acetyl-L-serine or N-acetyl-L-serine, which act as inducers, and was inhibited by the anti-inducer sulfide. Thiosulfate was found to be even more potent than sulfide as an anti-inducer. DNase I protection experiments showed two discrete binding sites for CysB protein in the presence of N-acetyl-L-serine. CBS-P1 is located between positions -85 and -41 relative to the major transcription start site, and CBS-P2 is located between positions -19 and +25. Without N-acetyl-L-serine, the CysB protein protected the region between positions -63 and -11, which was designated CBS-P3. In gel mobility shift assays, the mobility of CysB protein-cysP promoter complexes was increased by O-acetyl-L-serine, N-Acetyl-L-serine had no effect in gel shift experiments, presumably because its anionic charge results in its rapid removal from the complex during electrophoresis. Comparison of DNA fragments differing with respect to binding site position indicated that complexes with CysB protein contain DNA that is bent somewhere between CBS-P1 and CBS-P2 and that O-acetyl-L-serine decreases DNA bending. Binding studies with fragments containing either CBS-P2 alone, CBS-P1 alone, or the entire cysP promoter region suggest a model in which the complex of bent DNA observed in the absence of O-acetyl-L-serine contains a single CysB protein molecule bound to CBS-P3. At relatively low CysB protein concentrations, O-acetyl-L-serine would cause a single CysB protein molecule to bind tightly to CBS-P1, rather than to CBS-P3, thereby decreasing DNA bending and increasing complex electrophoretic mobility. At higher CysB protein concentrations, O-acetyl-L-serine would cause a second molecule to bind at CBS-P2, giving a more slowly migrating complex.

[Chlorine coatings on skin surfaces. II. Parameters influencing the coating strength]

Although active chlorine compounds have been used for more than 140 years (Semmelweis, 1848) as a skin disinfectant the phenomenon of the "chlorine covers" not earlier than 1988 has been described for the first time (Hyg. + Med. 13 (1988) 157). It deals with a chemical alteration of the uppermost skin layer which comes apparent in an oxydizing action against aqueous iodide. Its origin is chlorine covalently bound in the form of N-Cl functions to the protein matrix of the horny skin. Since the chlorine covers exhibit a persistant disinfecting activity which might be important for practice, the factors influencing their strength have been established. The most important are: the kind of the chlorine system, the concentration (oxydation capacity), pH, temperature and the volume of the used solution, the time of action, the application technique and the state of the skin. Variations of the latter can be observed at different skin areas of one and the same person as well as at the same areas of different persons, and result in differences of the cover strength up to 100%. The stability on dry skin is very good, showing a decomposition rate of approximately 1.2% per hour. However on skin surfaces moistened by sweat (e.g. hands covered by surgeons gloves) the chlorine cover is disingrated much more faster (decomposition rate: 40-50% per hour). Washing with soap as well as the action of alcohols cause virtually no decrease in the cover strength, while wetting by solutions of reducing agents (e.g. thiosulfate, cysteine, iodide) provokes a fast decomposition suitable for removing the chlorine covers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Glutamate dehydrogenase activity in the pancreatic tissue in acute experimental pancreatitis and under the action of sodium thiosulphate]

It has been established that the development of acute pancreatitis is accompanied by the reduced activity of glutamate dehydrogenase in the mitochondrial fraction of pancreas, pronounced in the focus of tissue necrosis and less expressed in the reactive inflammation focus. Besides this in the pancreas redistribution of enzyme, activity in the subcellular organelles takes place and enzyme activity emerges in the cytosol and further--in the blood and peritoneum liquid. Sodium thiosulfate has a marked correlation effect.

Regeneration experiments of the platinated enzyme fumarase, using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, thiourea, and sodium thiosulfate

The enzyme fumarase is inhibited by [cis-Pt(NH3)2(H2O)2] (NO3)2. The Pt compound most likely binds at a S-methionine site. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (Naddtc) appears to be a powerful regenerator of enzymatic activity. Thiourea is less active, while sodium thiosulfate (STS) is almost inactive in restoring the activity of the enzyme. The regeneration phenomena are based on the dissociation of the Pt-S bonds of the methionine type, and formation of species like [Pt(ddtc)2]. In the model adduct [Pt(dien)GS-Me]2+ Naddtc, thiourea and STS easily break the Pt-S bond of the methionine type. It is concluded that the model system for Naddtc and thiourea does resemble fumarase quite well. S-donor ligands, which may be used as rescue agents in Pt antitumor therapy, are known to suppress nephrotoxicity caused by [cis-PtCl2(NH3)2]. A parallel is drawn between the enzyme reactivation, modeled by fumarase, and the [cis-PtCl2(NH3)2] nephrotoxicity suppression by rescue agents. It is proposed that a Pt-methionine type binding is broken by the rescue agents Naddtc and thiourea, but that the rescue agent STS only inhibits the nephrotoxicity by inactivating unbound Pt species in the cell.

In vitro effect of cyanide, thiosulphate and S-adenosyl-L-methionine on the activity of rhodanese and other enzymes

1. Some in vitro studies were performed to elucidate the action of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) and thiosulphate on liver rhodanese, delta-amino-levulinic acid dehydratase (Al A-D) and cytochrome oxidase affected by cyanide in the experimental conditions. 2. SAM was unable to interact with the sulfur substituted rhodanese complex suggesting that SAM would blockade the thiosulphate binding sites on rhodanese. 3. Cyanide and thiosulphate inhibited ALA-D activity when both compounds were present in the incubation or the preincubation mixture. Cyanide binding on the enzyme was irreversible. 4. Cyanide inhibited cytochrome oxidase activity and the reversible nature of the binding was demonstrated by gel filtration. 5. SAM had no effect on either ALA-D or cytochrome oxidase activities.

[The effect of sulfur-containing preparations on the development of immediate allergization]

The effects of sulfur-containing drugs and an inhibitor of sulfhydryl groups on the development of allergization of immediate type were studied. In experiments on rabbits and guinea pigs it was shown that the effects of sulfur-containing drugs depend on the dose, the stage of the allergic process. The donors of sulfhydryl groups significantly reduce anaphylactic shock and repeated allergic reactions of immediate type. The inhibitor of sulfhydryl groups produces the dose-dependent increase or decrease of the allergic reaction. The studied drugs change the dynamics of the content of sulfhydryl groups during sensitization.

The effect of sodium tetrathionate on cyanide conversion to thiocyanate by enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms

Sodium tetrathionate has been proposed as a cyanide antidote despite its reported toxicology and inhibitory effect on rhodanese. We investigated the effect of tetrathionate and an analog, dithionite, on rhodanese activity because of their structural similarity to thiosulfate, a known sulfane sulfur donor for this enzyme. Rhodanese activity of guinea pig liver homogenate was assayed by measuring the formation of ferric thiocyanate complex at 460 nm. With thiosulfate as a substrate, the Km for rhodanese was 6.7 mM and the Vmax was 0.67 mumol thiocyanate min-1 mg-1 protein. The conversion of cyanide to thiocyanate by rhodanese was inhibited in the presence of tetrathionate at the millimolar concentration (e.g. 1 mM) range. Dithionite had a negligible effect on rhodanese activity. Neither thiosulfate (1-100 mM) nor dithionite produced significant amounts of thiocyanate from cyanide spontaneously (i.e. non-enzymatically). However, in the absence of rhodanese, tetrathionate (1.0, 10.0 and 100.0 mM) produced a dose-dependent increase in thiocyanate. These data suggest that tetrathionate detoxifies cyanide non-enzymatically, which may, in part, account for its antidotal effects.

Characterization of the requirements and substrates for reductive dehalogenation by strain DCB-1

An obligately anaerobic bacterium known as strain DCB-1 was grown under a variety of conditions to determine the requirements for dehalogenation as well as factors which stimulated or inhibited the process. Dechlorination was obligately anaerobic since introduction of O2 immediately inhibited the reaction. Sulfuroxy anions, which also serve as electron acceptors for DCB-1, inhibited dechlorination but NO3- and fumarate did not. The optimum growth medium for dechlorination was 0.2% Na pyruvate and 20% rumen fluid in basal salts. Media with either pyruvate or rumen fluid alone did not support dechlorination. DCB-1 also consumed H2 but typical substrate concentrations of H2 (80 kPa) delayed dechlorination. Once the H2 concentration was reduced to less than 20 microM (2.67 kPa), dechlorination resumed. Dehalogenation by DCB-1 was restricted to the meta substituted benzoates as halogens in other positions and chloroaromatic compounds with other functional groups were not dechlorinated.

cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)-induced sister-chromatid exchanges and chromosome aberration formation in cultured human lymphocytes and their inhibition by sodium thiosulfate

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP)-induced sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosome aberration formation were studied in human lymphocytes. The mitotic index decreased abruptly at 2 X 10(-6) M cis-DDP and the frequency of SCEs was dose-related; a marked increase was recorded at 10(-6) M cis-DDP. A dose-dependent effect was also found for chromosome aberration formation at concentrations between 10(-11) and 4 X 10(-6) M. The aberrations observed were primarily chromatid breaks and gaps. We also examined the inhibition of these genotoxicities by treating the cells with sodium thiosulfate (STS). Simultaneous treatment with 10(-4)-10(-3) M STS (100-1000-fold molar ratio to cis-DDP) significantly reduced the frequency of SCEs induced by 10(-6) M cis-DDP. Furthermore, a 3-h delay in treating with STS significantly reduced cis-DDP-induced SCEs, but not chromosome aberration formation.

Protection against cyanide-induced convulsions with alpha-ketoglutarate

Protection against convulsions induced by cyanide was observed after treatment with alpha-ketoglutarate, either alone or in combination with sodium thiosulfate, a classical antagonist for cyanide intoxication. However, sodium thiosulfate alone did not protect against cyanide (30 mg/kg)-induced convulsions. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in brain were decreased by 31% in KCN-treated mice exhibiting convulsions. The combined administration of alpha-ketoglutarate and sodium thiosulfate completely abolished the decrease of GABA levels induced by cyanide. Furthermore, sodium thiosulfate alone also completely abolished the decrease of GABA levels. These results suggest that the depletion of brain GABA levels may not directly contribute to the development of convulsions induced by cyanide. On the other hand, cyanide increased calcium levels by 32% in brain crude mitochondrial fractions in mice with convulsions. The increased calcium levels were completely abolished by the combined administration of alpha-ketoglutarate and sodium thiosulfate, but not affected by sodium thiosulfate alone. These findings support the hypothesis proposed by Johnson et al. (Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol., 84 (1986) 464) and Robinson et al. (Toxicology, 35 (1985) 59) that calcium may play an important role in mediating cyanide neurotoxicity.

An interaction between selenate and a sulfate transporter in the lactating rat mammary gland

The efficacy of selenate and other divalent anions to stimulate the efflux of radiolabeled sulfate from lactating rat mammary tissue slices has been examined. Both selenate and sulfate markedly increased the fractional release of sulfate via a system that is temperature-sensitive and sensitive to the anion-exchange inhibitor DIDS. The effect of selenate on sulfate efflux was saturable with an apparent affinity constant of approximately 0.27 mM. In addition, molybdate and thiosulfate were also found to increase sulfate efflux from the trans-aspect. It is concluded that sulfate and selenate share a pathway for transport in the lactating rat mammary gland.

Reaction kinetics of cisplatin and its monoaquated species with the (potential) renal protecting agents (di)mesna and thiosulfate. Estimation of the effect of protecting agents on the plasma and peritoneal AUCs of CDDP

Using simple kinetic modelling, we estimated the effect of nucleophilic (renal) protecting agents (thiosulfate, mesna, diethyldithiocarbamate) on the half-life and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) in plasma and peritoneum. Our basic assumptions were that (a) under non-protecting conditions, the elimination of intact CDDP from plasma and peritoneum is a first-order process determined by the elimination-rate constant (k), and (b) under conditions of renal protection the elimination of CDDP is a first-order process determined by kCDDP,P = kCDDP+kN.[N], with kCDDP,P representing kCDDP under conditions of protection; kN, the second-order rate constant for direct interaction of the protecting nucleophile (N) and CDDP; and [N], the (steady-state) concentration of N. Half-lives under conditions of protection were 0.693/kCDDP,P. AUCs were obtained by integration of the first-order equations. The inactivation-indicating parameter was defined as being the ratio of the AUC under protecting conditions to the AUC under non-protecting conditions (Rinact). Rinact is approximately given by kCDDP/kCDDP,P. For renal protection with i.v. thiosulfate (TS, 2 g m-2h), the estimates of Rinact were 0.61 in plasma and 0.7 in the peritoneal cavity for i.p. injected CDDP and 0.87 in plasma for i.v. CDDP, indicating inactivation of CDDP under such conditions. Estimates of Rinact were 0.84 or 0.96 in plasma and 0.87 in the peritoneal cavity for supposed conditions of renal protection by systemic mesna (4.4 g m-2 h), suggesting only minor inactivation of i.p. or i.v. injected CDDP under such conditions. Under reported conditions of protection achieved with 4.4 g m-2 h systemic diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC). Rinact was greater than 0.65 or 0.87 in plasma and greater than 0.75 in the peritoneal cavity for i.p. or i.v. injected CDDP, respectively. Thus, DDTC inactivates CDDP to a comparable or lesser extent than does TS.

Effects of various known and potential cyanide antagonists and a glutathione depletor on acute toxicity of cyanide in mice

To compare the protective potencies of a large number of known and potential cyanide antagonists in one stock of mice, groups (N = 10) of male CF-1 Swiss-Webster mice were given a single maximal or near-maximal intraperitoneal injection of each substance. Ethyl maleate, a glutathione (GSH) depletor and potential enhancer of cyanide toxicity, was given to other groups. Thirty min later, the mice were given subcutaneous injections of graded doses of KCN. In untreated control mice, the 24-hr median lethal dose (LD50) of KCN was 11 mg/kg of body weight (potency ratio, PR = 1.0). In comparison, protective effects of traditional antagonists thiosulfate and nitrite produced PR values of 1.48 and 2.95, respectively. Tetrathionate, sulfate, dithionite, methionine, hydroxocobalamin, ascorbate, pyridoxal phosphate, alpha-ketoglutarate, alpha-ketobutyrate, GSH, GSH disulfide (GSSG) and selenite were similar in efficacy to thiosulfate (P less than 0.05; PR values 1.35-1.59). Cysteine, diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDC), and cobaltous chloride were more effective than thiosulfate (PR values 1.68, 1.69, and 1.85, respectively). Phentolamine and dicobalt EDTA were ineffective, whereas papaverine enhanced toxicity (PR 0.72). Agents with significant PR values (greater than or equal to 1.14) but which were less effective than thiosulfate included sulfite, dimercaptosuccinic acid, pyruvate, citrate, alpha-ketovalerate, naloxone, and corn oil. Ethyl maleate in corn oil markedly enhanced KCN lethality (PR 0.57 compared to corn oil alone), and caused prolonged illness in several mice. Vitamin E in corn oil had no effect. Dual mixtures of thiosulfate with other selected substances were also tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyanide intoxication--III. On the analogous and different effects provoked by non-lethal and lethal challenged doses

1. The effect of acute cyanide administration to mice in a lethal and a non-lethal dose and the anti-cyanide effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) and thiosulphate were investigated. 2. The poisoning action was determined by measuring cytochrome oxidase, rhodanese and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity. 3. The toxic metabolizing degree was investigated by measuring plasma and urine thiocyanate levels. 4. The state of the sulfane sulfur pool was investigated by determining cyanide labile-sulfur levels. 5. These results support the belief that rhodanese plays a fundamental role in the detoxification process only when high levels of cyanide are administered.

Inactivation of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) in blood by sodium thiosulfate

The mode of inactivation of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (DDP) in the bloodstream by sodium thiosulfate (STS) was investigated experimentally and clinically by a bioassay system using the phytohemagglutinin stimulation assay of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Active DDP in the plasma of dogs after 3 mg/kg of DDP injection, assessed by the bioassay system, was almost completely inactivated, when the level of STS in the plasma was more than 500 times higher at molar STS/DDP ratios than that of DDP. In 6 patients with hepatic malignancies who were treated with hepatic artery infusion of 3 mg/kg DDP and systemic STS, active DDP in the plasma was not detectable in the concurrent presence of STS at molar ratios of more than 500. Severe DDP toxicity in these patients was completely protected. The results indicate that an inactivation of DDP in the bloodstream after DDP injection and, further, an effective protection against DDP toxicity can be achieved by the concurrent presence of STS at molar ratios of more than 500 in the plasma of these patients.

Studies on selenate and selenite absorption by sheep ileum using an everted sac method and an isolated, vascularly perfused system

1. Using everted sacs of sheep ileum, selenate uptake was shown to be more rapid than selenite uptake. 2. Sulphate, thiosulphate and ouabain all inhibited the uptake of selenate. A Na+K(+)-ATPase is probably responsible for energizing the ileal brush-border transport of selenate. 3. The isolated, vascularly perfused ileum was shown to absorb selenate more rapidly than selenite. 4. The perfusion system described would appear to be a useful tool for studying the kinetics of intestinal absorption and the measurement of metabolic transformations within the mucosa.

The effect of cyanide intoxication on hepatic rhodanese kinetics

1. Results of studies on the kinetics of hepatic rhodanese and the effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) on these kinetic parameters in cyanide-treated and non-treated mice are reported here. 2. The enzyme exhibited typical Michaelis-Menten behaviour with cyanide inhibition at concentrations higher than 50 mM. Km values of 4.74 and 0.85 mM were obtained for thiosulphate and cyanide, respectively, in control mice. 3. These results stress the biological importance of the rhodanese reaction for cyanide detoxification. 4. Km values were not significantly modified when the animals were intoxicated with a lethal (20 mg/kg) or a non-lethal (4 mg/kg) dose of cyanide. 5. SAM treatment either in control or in cyanide-poisoned animals doubled the Km's for cyanide.

Protection of gastric mucosa against hypertonic sodium chloride by 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 or sodium thiosulfate in the rat: evidence for decreased mucosal penetration of damaging agent

Protection of the gastric mucosa may be the result of either increased cellular resistance to injury (cytoprotection) or, alternatively, decreased exposure of mucosal cells to the damaging agent. To determine whether decreased exposure of mucosal cells to damaging agents plays a role in mucosal protection by 16,16-dm PGE2 or sodium thiosulfate, we estimated the intramucosal concentration of 22NaCl and measured its absorption from the gastric lumen into the systemic circulation 1 and 5 min after intragastric administration of hypertonic (25% w/v) 22NaCl. In an attempt to explain the differences observed, we also measured the net transmucosal water flux in control animals and rats pretreated with the protective agents. Administration of hypertonic NaCl rapidly (within 1 min) induced extensive hemorrhagic mucosal lesions that were significantly reduced by pretreatment with 16,16-dm PGE2 or sodium thiosulfate. Ultra-low temperature autoradiography indicated that luminal hypertonic 22NaCl penetrates the upper layers of the mucosa in relatively high concentrations (12.5% w/v) within 1 min but its concentration decreases rapidly and reached low levels (3.12% w/v) by 5 min. Absorption of NaCl from the gastric lumen into the systemic circulation 1 and 5 min after hypertonic NaCl was lower in both pretreatment groups than in the control. Net gastric transmucosal water flux (from serosa to mucosa) increased (P less than 0.05) from 100 +/- 2 in controls, to 1470 +/- 8 and 715 +/- 9 microliters in rats pretreated with 16,16-dm PGE2 and sodium thiosulfate, respectively. We conclude that 16,16-dm PGE2 and sodium thiosulfate protect the gastric mucosa against hypertonic NaCl, diminish mucosal penetration of NaCl, decrease mucosal absorption of NaCl, and significantly increase serosal to mucosal transmucosal water flux.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Kinetic discrimination of two substrate binding sites of the reconstituted dicarboxylate carrier from rat liver mitochondria

The kinetic interaction of various substrates and inhibitors with the dicarboxylate carrier from rat liver mitochondria was investigated using the isolated and reconstituted carrier protein. Due to their inhibitory interrelation the ligands could be divided into two classes: dicarboxylates, sulphate, sulphite and butylmalonate on the one hand and phosphate, thiosulphate and arsenate on the other. The mutual inhibition of substrates or inhibitors taken from one single class was found to be competitive, whereas the kinetic interaction of ligands when taken from the two different classes could be described as purely non-competitive. The half-saturation transport constants Km and the corresponding inhibition constants Ki of one single ligand, either used as substrate or as inhibitor, respectively, were found to be very similar. These kinetic data strongly support the presence of two different binding sites at the dicarboxylate carrier for the two different classes of substrates considering the external side of the reconstituted protein. When these two sites were saturated simultaneously with malate and phosphate, the turnover of the carrier was considerably reduced, hence indicating that a non-catalytic ternary complex is formed by the two substrates and the carrier molecule.

The effect of thiosulphate and other inhibitors of autotrophic nitrification on heterotrophic nitrifiers

It has been found that heterotrophic nitrification by Thiosphaera pantotropha can be inhibited by thiosulphate in batch and chemostat cultures. Allythiourea and nitrapyrin, both classically considered to be specific inhibitors of autotrophic nitrification, inhibited nitrification by Tsa. pantotropha in short-term experiments with resting cell suspensions. Hydroxylamine inhibited ammonia oxidation in chemostat cultures, but was itself fully oxidized. Thus the total nitrification rate for the culture remained the same. Heterotrophic nitrification by another organism, a strain of "Pseudomonas denitrificans" has also been shown to be inhibited by thiosulphate in short term experiments and in the chemostat. During these experiments it became evident that this strain is able to grow mixotrophically (with acetate) and autotrophically in a chemostat with thiosulphate as the energy source.

Effect of sodium thiosulfate on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of cisplatin

Concurrent administration of sodium thiosulfate (STS) can protect against the nephrotoxic effects of even very-high-dose cisplatin (CDDP) (i.e., 270 mg/m2 given intraperitoneally). The effect of STS on the pharmacology and toxicity of CDDP was investigated in patients receiving at each treatment 90 mg of CDDP/m2 intraperitoneally, with STS given concurrently on alternate cycles by the intravenous route. The patients received a total of 38 courses of therapy, 21 without STS and 17 with STS. STS reduced the total exposure to diethyldithiocarbamate-reactive CDDP for the peritoneal cavity and plasma by 36% and 25%, respectively. When given alone, CDDP caused a statistically significant acute reduction in creatinine clearance levels; this reduction was less evident when STS was given. We conclude that, whereas STS does reduce systemic exposure, the magnitude of this effect was not sufficient to account for the ability of STS to protect against high-dose CDDP.

Chemical modification of chalcone isomerase by mercurials and tetrathionate. Evidence for a single cysteine residue in the active site

Chalcone isomerase from soybean is inactivated by stoichiometric amounts of p-mercuribenzoate or HgCl2. Spectral titration of the enzyme with p-mercuribenzoate indicates that a single thiol group is modified. Treatment of modified enzyme with KCN or thiols results in a complete restoration of enzyme activity demonstrating that the inactivation is not due to irreversible protein denaturation. A product of the enzymatic reaction, naringenin, provides complete kinetic protection against inactivation by both mercurials. The binding constant (33 microM) for naringenin determined from the concentration dependence of the protection agrees with the inhibition constant (34 microM) for naringenin as a competitive inhibitor of the catalytic reaction. This agreement demonstrates that the observed kinetic protection results from the specific binding of naringenin to the active site. Incubation of native chalcone isomerase with sodium tetrathionate (0.1 M) results in a slow time-dependent loss of enzymatic activity. The inactivation of chalcone isomerase by tetrathionate and N-ethylmaleimide becomes very rapid in the presence of 6 M urea, indicating that the native tertiary structure is responsible for the low reactivity of the enzymatic thiol. The stoichiometric modification of reduced and denatured chalcone isomerase by [3H] N-ethylmaleimide indicates that the enzyme contains only a single cysteine residue and does not contain any disulfides. The evidence presented suggests that the only half-cystine residue in chalcone isomerase is located in the active site and thereby provides the first clue to the location of the active site in chalcone isomerase.

[The development of a method of nitrosoguanidine inactivation in the mutagenic treatment of bacteria]

A simple method for the inactivation of nitrosoguanidine, a mutagenic agent permitting the simplification and acceleration of the procedure used for obtaining bacterial mutants, is described. This method is based on the addition of unithiol to nitrosoguanidine solution to a final concentration of 0.25-0.5% and the subsequent normalization of the pH of the medium with 0.1 N NaOH solution.

Cyanide metabolism in the isolated, perfused, bloodless hindlimbs or liver of the rat

Female CD1 rats weighing 250-300 g were anesthetized with ip pentobarbital, 50 mg/kg, and either the liver or the hindlimbs were surgically isolated and perfused in situ with a Krebs-Henseleit buffer, pH 7.4, at 38 degrees C, containing 40 g/liter dextran and 30 mg/liter papaverine. Perfusion pressure was continuously monitored, and in most experiments, flow was maintained at the physiological rate of 8.5 ml/min. In-line Clark-type electrodes allowed the continuous measurement of oxygen extraction. Potassium cyanide to 0.15 mM was usually added to the perfusate just prior to the start of a run. After a period of equilibration, samples of the perfusate were taken periodically for cyanide (CN) and thiocyanate (SCN) analyses. The results were used to determine CN extraction ratios or clearance and rates of SCN formation. When it was apparent that a steady state had been reached with respect to the above, sodium thiosulfate (TS) was added to the perfusate (to 0.1, 1.0, or 2.0 mM), and periodic samples were again collected after an equilibration period. In the absence of albumin, TS rapidly and significantly increased the rate of conversion of CN to SCN in both the liver and the hindlimbs. The rate of CN clearance in milliliters per minute per kilogram perfused tissue was 20-fold greater in the liver than in the hindlimbs. However, when the results from hindlimbs were extrapolated to the total body skeletal muscle mass, the rate of CN clearance by the total liver mass was only 1.5-fold greater than in total muscle mass. In the absence of TS, total muscle mass cleared CN at a rate that was 2.6-fold greater than the total liver mass, but the rates in both tissues were very much less than in the presence of TS. The extraction ratio for CN in the liver was 0.8 and the clearance was dependent on the flow rate. The extraction ratio for CN in the hindlimbs was 0.2, and the clearance was independent of the flow rate. Thus, CN clearance by the liver probably increases (within limits) with increasing portal blood flow. Evidence was obtained for the existence of a significant CN "sink," particularly in the liver, which presumably represents reversible binding to unknown tissue constituents.

Oxidative inactivation of rhodanese by hydrogen peroxide produces states that show differential reactivation

Controlled conditions have been found that give complete reactivation and long term stabilization of rhodanese (EC 2.8.1.1) after oxidative inactivation by hydrogen peroxide. Inactivated rhodanese was completely reactivated by reductants such as thioglycolic acid (TGA) (100 mM) and dithiothreitol (DTT) (100 mM) or the substrate thiosulfate (100 mM) if these reagents were added soon after inactivation. Reactivability fell in a biphasic first order process. At pH 7.5, in the presence of DTT inactive rhodanese lost 40% of its reactivability in less than 5 min, and the remaining 60% was lost more gradually (t 1/2 = 3.5 h). TGA reactivated better than DTT, and the rapid phase was much less prominent. If excess reagents were removed by gel filtration immediately after inactivation, there was time-independent and complete reactivability with TGA for at least 24 h, and the resulting samples were stable. Reactivable enzyme was resistant to proteolysis and had a fluorescence maximum at 335 nm, just as the native protein. Oxidized rhodanese, Partially reactivated by DTT, was unstable and lost activity upon further incubation. This inactive enzyme was fully reactivated by 200 mM TGA. Also, the enzyme could be reactivated by arsenite and high concentrations of cyanide. Addition of hydrogen peroxide (40-fold molar excess) to inactive rhodanese after column chromatography initiated a time-dependent loss of reactivability. This inactivation was a single first order process (t 1/2 = 25 min). Sulfhydryl titers showed that enzyme could be fully reactivated after the loss of either one or two sulfhydryl groups. Irreversibly inactivated enzyme showed the loss of one sulfhydryl group even after extensive reduction with TGA. The results are consistent with a two-stage oxidation of rhodanese. In the first stage there can form sulfenyl and/or disulfide derivative(s) at the active site sulfhydryl that are reducible by thioglycolate. A second stage could give alternate or additional oxidation states that are not easily reducible by reagents tried to date.

Physiological characterization of strain DCB-1, a unique dehalogenating sulfidogenic bacterium

Strain DCB-1 is an obligately anaerobic bacterium which carries out the reductive dehalogenation of halobenzoates and was previously known to grow only on pyruvate plus 20% ruminal fluid. When various electron acceptors were supplied, thiosulfate and sulfite were found to stimulate growth. Sulfide was produced from thiosulfate. Cytochrome c and desulfoviridin were detected. The mol% G+C was 49 (at the thermal denaturation temperature). Of 55 carbon sources tested, only pyruvate supported growth as the sole carbon source in mineral medium. Lactate, acetate, L- and D-malate, glycerol, and L- and D-arabinose stimulated growth when supplemented with 10% ruminal fluid and 20 mM thiosulfate. In mineral medium, pyruvate was converted to acetate and lactate, with small amounts of succinate and fumarate accumulating transiently. During growth with thiosulfate, all of these products accumulated transiently. Addition of excess hydrogen to pyruvate-grown cultures resulted in diversion of carbon to formate, lactate, and butyrate, which caused a decrease in cell yield. We conclude that strain DCB-1 is a new type of sulfidogenic bacterium.

[The influence of sodium thiosulfate on the antitumor effect of cisplatin in human gastric cancer cell lines]

It is well known that the sodium thiosulfate (STS) decrease not only the nephrotoxicity which is a dose limiting factor of cisplatin (CDDP) chemotherapy but also its antitumor activity. Therefore, we examined the antitumor effect of CDDP in the human gastric cancer cell lines under various concentrations of STS. The cell lines used were KATO-III, MKN 28, MKN 45 and MKN 74. The consistency of STS in relation to CDDP (2.0 ng/ml) was 25-250 fold-molar ratio. The chemosensitivity of CDDP was positive in the 3 cell lines, KATO-III, MKN 28 and KATO-III in order. When STS was used with 50 fold-molar ratio in KATO-III and MKN 28 and 100 fold in MKN 45, a CDDP colony inhibition rate of more than 80% was maintained. This results suggest that the antitumor effect of CDDP will not be suppressed not so much when the low dose of STS was used in CDDP with STS chemotherapy, even though used through the same route of administration and simultaneously.

Effects of fosfomycin, mesna, and sodium thiosulfate on the toxicity and antitumor activity of cisplatin

Fosfomycin and mesna were investigated in rats and mice concerning their detoxifying effects on cisplatin toxicity in comparison to sodium thiosulfate, a known protector against cisplatin nephrotoxicity. After separate i.p. injection of cisplatin and fosfomycin (500 mg/kg) or mesna (800 mg/kg) a slight increase in the 50% lethal dose of cisplatin was found in all animals. In mice sodium thiosulfate proved to be far more effective in preventing lethal toxicity and nephrotoxicity as measured by blood urea nitrogen increase. Fosfomycin and mesna were almost without influence on cisplatin treatment of L-1210 leukemia whereas their inhibition of the antitumor effect against S-180 ascites sarcoma (increase of in cisplatin dose to cure 50% of animals from 2.0 mg/kg to 3.5/4.7 mg/kg cisplatin) was similar to thiosulfate, which showed a strong inhibiting effect in the treatment of both tumors. In rats fosfomycin distinctively reduced the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin against Yoshida ascites sarcoma. Thus the concurrent injection of fosfomycin and mesna reduced both the toxicity and the antitumor activity of cisplatin. Therefore their simultaneous administration in addition to cisplatin via the same injection route should be avoided. Due to the weak detoxifying efficacy of fosfomycin and mesna they cannot be used instead of sodium thiosulfate for renal protection against cisplatin toxicity in local i.p. treatment modalities.

Role of hydrogen in the activation and regulation of hydrogen oxidation by the soluble hydrogenase from Alcaligenes eutrophus H16

The activation kinetics of the H2-oxidizing activity of the soluble hydrogenase from Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 were investigated. Activation with Na2S2O4 plus 101 kPa H2 resulted in a rapid increase in activity over 1 h and constant activity after 3 h incubation. Less-stable activations were achieved if enzyme was incubated with Na2S2O4 under 1 kPa H2 or 101 kPa N2. The enzyme could also be partly activated either with NADH alone or with H2 alone. The level of activity obtained with both 101 kPa H2 and NADH present was greater than that obtained with either 101 kPa H2 or NADH alone. Activation with H2 plus NADH was virtually independent of NADH concentration but highly dependent on H2 concentration. The effects of various concentrations of H2 and constant concentration of NADH on the level of activation were the same whether H2 oxidation was assayed by H2-dependent Methylene Blue or NAD+ reduction. Diaphorase activity did not require activation and was little affected by the treatments that activated H2-oxidizing activity. The results suggest that H2 plays an important role in regulating the level of H2-oxidizing activity in this soluble hydrogenase.

[Low molecular weight and protein dinitrosyl complexes of non-heme iron as inhibitors of platelet aggregation]

Dinitrosyl complexes of ferrum with thiosulfate or reduced glutathione were found to inhibit completely aggregation of human thrombocytes, suspended in artificial protein-free medium. The inhibitory effect appears to occur as a result of activating action of nitrogen oxide derived from the complexes and affecting the thrombocyte guanylate cyclase.