Estimation of estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities of selected pesticides by MCF-7 cell proliferation assay

Estrogenic activities of 20 selected pesticides-which are used for agricultural production as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides-were examined by estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent MCF-7 cell proliferation assay. Among them, chlordecone, dicofol, methoxychlor, gamma-HCH, fenarimol, EPN, triadimefon, and triadimenol had estrogenic activities, all of which were suppressed by the addition of pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780. The first 5 compounds exhibited binding capacities to ERalpha. The antiestrogenic activity of a compound was examined by estimating its suppressive effect on cell proliferation induced by 30 pM 17beta-estradiol. Strongly suspected antiestrogens were captan and myclobutanil, both of which were found to have the capacity to bind to ERalpha and which might exert their activities by competing at the level of ERalpha. Antiestrogenic activities of nitrofen, fenitrothion, fenarimol and triadimefon were also suggested. Affinities of the compounds for ERalpha and/or androgen receptor (AR) were lower than those of synthetic estrogen (diethylstilbestrol) and testosterone (mibolerone), respectively. Fenitrothion had the highest affinity to AR. Chlordecone, dicofol, methoxychlor, nitrofen, fenarimol, myclobutanil and pyridate had capacities to bind both ERalpha and AR. Chlordecone and pyridate were much more effective as competitors of estrogen binding to ERalpha than androgen binding to AR and, conversely, nitrofen was a more effective competitor of androgen binding to AR.

Vitamin D deficiency rickets due to soybean milk

We describe vitamin D deficiency rickets in an infant nursed with soybean milk (not specifically designed for infants) instead of cow's milk-based infant formula. Symptoms included irritability and carpopedal spasm when crying. The infant's condition improved with nutrition by vitamin-enriched cow's milk-based infant formula, oral administration 1 alpha-hydroxy vitamin D3 and exposure to sunlight. Content analysis of the milk showed very low calcium, phosphate, magnesium and vitamin D levels compared to cow's milk-based infant milk formulas. This case highlights the unsuitability of soybean milk as the sole provider of infant nutrition and demonstrates the false perception that soybean milk is a healthy food for infants. It is necessary to be cautious about not only health claims for soybean milk, but also today's health and natural food booms. Social enlightenment and correction of such misperceptions are necessary.

Construction of porphyrin-cyclodextrin self-assembly with molecular wedge

A new host porphyrin bearing four permethyl-beta-cyclodextrin moieties for multi-porphyrin assembly forms a unique 2 : 2 assembly with the tetra-anion of tetrakis(p-sulfonylphenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) in aqueous solution.

Convenient scaffold for forming heteroporphyrin arrays in aqueous media

A new methodology for preparing heteroporphyrin arrays in aqueous solution has been presented. The present method is based on the extremely strong ability of heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (TMe-beta-CD) to include 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(p-substituted-phenyl)porphyrins (Por) affording trans-type 1:2 complexes of the porphyrins and TMe-beta-CD. Two different Por-per-O-methylated beta-CD (per-Me-beta-CD) conjugates were synthesized. Conjugate 2 was prepared by an S(N)2 reaction of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(p-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin and per-O-methylated beta-cyclodextrin having one primary OTs group. Four per-Me-beta-CD moieties are attached to the meso positions of 2. Conjugate 3, synthesized from 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)porphyrin and monotosylated per-O-methylated beta-cyclodextrin, has one per-Me-beta-CD moiety at the periphery of the porphyrin. Conjugate 2 yields a stable 1:4 complex with the zinc complex of 5-phenyl-10,15,20-tris(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)porphyrin (8) in the dissociated form. In this system, the energy transfer from photoexcited Zn-8 to free base 2 occurs with 85% efficiency. Conjugate 3 forms a very stable 1:1 complex with Zn-8 (K = (7.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(5) dm(3) mol(-1)) with an energy transfer efficiency (93%) larger than that obtained in the case of 2. The structure of the 3-Zn-8 complex, which can account for the efficient energy transfer, was deduced from (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Intramolecular fluorescence quenching of 2 and 3 by Fe(III)-8 also occurred through an electron-transfer process as the main quenching mechanism. The present method is a very simple and convenient means to construct various heteroporphyrin arrays in aqueous solution.

Effect of fluvastatin and dipyridamole on proteinuria and renal function in childhood IgA nephropathy with mild histological findings and moderate proteinuria

AIM

In recent reports, some kinds of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors were able to decrease proteinuria and to improve renal function. Here we aimed to clarify the effect of fluvastatin (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) on proteinuria and renal function in children with mild IgA nephropathy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective controlled study of 30 children who had been recently diagnosed with normocholesterolemic IgA nephropathy following the detection of a minor lesion or of focal mesangial proliferation and moderate proteinuria. The 30 patients were randomly assigned to receive both of 20 mg of fluvastatin and 5 mg/kg of dipyridamole (group 1), or 5 mg/kg of dipyridamole only (group 2) for 1 year.

RESULTS

By the end of the trial, urinary protein, hematuria, BUN and serum creatinine levels had significantly decreased in the patients of group 1 as compared to baseline. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels had significantly decreased, while serum total protein and albumin, and creatinine clearance had significantly increased in group 1 as compared to baseline and group 2. The urinary protein level had significantly decreased in the group 2 patients as compared to baseline, but only slightly.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that fluvastatin and dipyridamole treatment yields an antiproteinuric effect and leads to the amelioration of renal function in moderately proteinuric patients with mild histological IgA nephropathy.

Cell death induced by the phenolic antioxidant tert-butylhydroquinone and its metabolite tert-butylquinone in human monocytic leukemia U937 cells

2-tert-Butyl-4-hydroquinone (TBHQ), a phenolic antioxidant used as a food additive, and its metabolite 2-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (TBQ) were both cytotoxic in human monocytic leukemia U937 cells, TBQ being the more strongly cytotoxic. Both compounds induced caspase activity towards DEVD-MCA as a substrate and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in cells. Enzyme activities of caspase-3,-7,-6 and -9 seemed to be induced, and procaspases-3 and-7 were processed to active forms in cells treated with TBHQ and TBQ. They induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in some cells. Electron microscopic examination revealed severe disruption of mitochondrial structure and the formation of intracellular vacuoles. Morphological changes were more marked in the cells treated with TBHQ than TBQ. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was disrupted. Cytochrome c was released from mitochondria to cytosol and ATP level was moderately decreased by the treatment of cells with these chemicals. Cellular glutathione (GSH) appeared to contribute to defense against cell death induced by TBQ, but its contribution was not marked in the case of TBHQ. TBHQ and TBQ exhibited the apoptotic features in various assays, but the mode of cell death may not be defined as a typical apoptosis or necrosis.

Structural modulation of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands by the bridgehead alkyl groups

Structures of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands RL = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methane (HL), 1,1,1-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)ethane (MeL), and 1,1,1-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)propane (EtL), [Cu(RL)(MeCN)]PF(6) (1-3), [Cu(RL)(SO(4))] (4-6), and [Cu(RL)(NO(3))(2)] (7-9), have been explored in the solid state and in solution to gain some insights into modulation of the copper coordination structures by bridgehead alkyl groups (CH, CMe, and CEt). The crystal structures of 1-9 show that RL binds a copper ion in a tridentate facial-capping mode, except for 3, where EtL chelates in a bidentate mode with two pyridyl nitrogen atoms. To avoid the steric repulsion between the bridgehead alkyl group and the 3-H(py) atoms, the pyridine rings in Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of MeL and EtL shift toward the Cu side as compared to those in Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of HL, leading to the significant differences in the nonbonding interatomic distances, H.H (between the 3-H(py) atoms), N.N (between the N(py) atoms), and C.C (between the 6-Me carbon atoms), the Cu-N(py), Cu-N(MeCN), and Cu-O bond distances, and the tilt of the pyridine rings. The copper coordination geometries in 4-6, where a SO(4) ligand chelates in a bidentate mode, are varied from a square pyramid of 4 to distorted trigonal bipyramids of 5 and 6. Such structural differences are not observed for 7-9, where two NO(3) ligands coordinate in a monodentate mode. The structures of 1-9 in solution are investigated by means of the electronic, (1)H NMR, and ESR spectroscopy. The (1)H NMR spectra show that the structures of 1-3 in the solid state are kept in solution with rapid coordination exchange of the pyridine rings. The electronic and the ESR spectra reveal the structural changes of 5 and 6 in solution. The bridgehead alkyl groups and 6-Me groups in the sterically hindered tripyridine ligand play important roles in modulating the copper coordination structures.

Development of efficient strategies for the production of genetically modified pigs

Although pronuclear DNA micro-injection has long been the most reliable method to produce transgenic pigs, the efficiency of production of transgenic offspring is generally plagued by 1% of the DNA-injected embryos. Therefore, a problem with this method is the need for large numbers of pronuclear stage embryos. One great advancement would be the use of in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes for the purpose of transgenic pig production. High developmental competence of IVM oocytes was proven by transfer of parthenogenetic IVM oocytes. A combined method of sperm vectors with the IVM of oocytes would make the production of transgenic pigs remarkably feasible. Rate of blastocyst formation following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) by frozen sperm was over 20%, and transgene was expressed in approximately 50% of blastocysts generated. Somatic cell nuclear transfer would enable more efficient and sophisticated genetic modification of the pig. Simultaneous comparison between two nuclear transfer methods by electro-fusion and intracytoplasmic injection revealed clear differences in the pattern of nuclear remodeling and development of the reconstructed embryos. To specify the donor cell type that allows efficient genetic modification and easy reprogramming or to establish such cell lines is a critical issue in pig cloning. We tested pre-adipocytes from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of adult pigs for nuclear transfer. Cell cycle synchronization by differentiation induction is unique to the pre-adipocytes. Frequency of apoptosis was low in the cells synchronized by differentiation induction compared with other synchronization methods, including serum starvation, confluency, and chemical treatment. It would be of great worth if cryopreserved clone embryos were available. We have demonstrated that cryopreservation of in vitro-produced porcine embryos as well as clone blastocysts is possible by our unique method.

Bone growth oscillation: longitudinal metabolic process of bone growth in congenital adrenal hyperplasia and nonendocrine short stature

To clarify the longitudinal metabolic process of bone growth in children, we observed the relationship between the level of serum osteocalcin (OC), a marker of bone metabolism, and growth velocity in 10 prepubertal patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and 9 prepubertal patients with nonendocrine short stature (NESS), but no major hormonal abnormalities influencing bone metabolism. Observations were made every 6 months over a 7-year period. In patients with CAH who exhibited a wide variation in growth velocity during the course of the investigation, the levels of OC fluctuated over a wide range, suggesting metabolically variable bone growth. In contrast, in patients with NESS who exhibited a relatively stable growth velocity, the OC level remained within a narrow range, suggesting metabolically stable bone growth. The meaning of such divergent metabolic processes of bone growth observed in CAH and NESS and its relationship to actual bone structure or bone intensity should be further investigated.

Static and dynamic behavior of 2:1 inclusion complexes of cyclodextrins and charged porphyrins in aqueous organic media

Two heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (TMe-beta-CD) molecules strongly include the peripheral substituents at the 5- and 15-positions of the charged meso-tetrasubstituted porphyrins, PorSub(4) [TPPS(4) (Sub = p-C(6)H(4)-SO(3)(-)), TPPOC3PS (p-C(6)H(4)-O-(CH(2))(3)-p-C(6)H(4)-SO(3)(-)), TCPP (Sub = p-C(6)H(4)-CO(2)(-)), and TPPOC3Py (p-C(6)H(4)-O-(CH(2))(3)-Py(+)Br(-)), where Py(+) = N-alkylpyridinium] in aqueous ethylene glycol. The binding constants (K(1) and K(2)) and the rate constants (k(1) and k(2)) for formation of the 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of TMe-beta-CD and PorSub(4) were determined. Both the binding constants and the rate constants for anionic TPPS(4), TCPP, and TPPOC3PS were much larger than those for cationic TPPOC3Py. The smaller k(1) and k(2) values for TPPOC3Py indicate a higher barrier for penetration of a cationic guest into the TMe-beta-CD cavity. The methyl groups at the rims and the cavity wall of the host are positively polarized due to the inductive effect of the ethereal oxygens. The positively polarized rims and interior of the host cavity should prevent the penetration of the cationic substituent of TPPOC3Py into the TMe-beta-CD cavity. The 2:1 TMe-beta-CD-PorSub(4) complexes are extraordinary stable in aqueous solutions, even in the case of cationic TPPOC3Py. Formation of both 1:1 and 2:1 complexes is promoted by negative and large enthalpy changes, suggesting a strong van der Waals interaction as the main binding force.

Production of active bovine cathepsin C (dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I) in the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii

The heterologous production of active bovine cathepsin C (CTC; dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I) was investigated. Attempts to express CTC in Escherichia coli were hampered by formation of inclusion bodies that were partially degraded. To overcome this impediment, secretion of recombinant CTC was attempted in the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii. A DNA fragment encoding bovine procathepsin C was synthesized based on preferred codon usage in C. boidinii and placed downstream of the C. boidinii proteinase A signal sequence resulting in secretion of active CTC into the culture medium. The gene was expressed under the control of the methanol-inducible formate dehydrogenase gene promoter. Production levels were significantly improved by using a protease-deficient strain, changing medium composition, and by lowering the temperature of induction. When the recombinant C. boidinii was grown for 90 h in a jar-fermenter, active CTC was secreted with a yield of up to approximately 12 mg/l.

2-Amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphthoquinone affects the end-product profile of bifidobacteria through the mediated oxidation of NAD(P)H

Glucose metabolism of bifidobacteria in the presence of 2-amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (ACNQ), a specific growth stimulator for bifidobacteria, and ferricyanide (Fe(CN)(6)(3-)) as an extracellular electron acceptor was examined using resting cells of Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve. NAD(P)H in the cells is oxidized by ACNQ with the aid of diaphorase activity, and reduced ACNQ donates the electron to Fe(CN)(6)(3-). Exogenous oxidation of NADH by the ACNQ/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) system suppresses the endogenous lactate dehydrogenase reaction competitively, which results in the remarkable generation of pyruvate and a decrease in lactate production. In addition, a decrease in acetate generation is also observed in the presence of ACNQ and Fe(CN)(6)(3-). This phenomenon could not be explained in terms of the fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase pathway, but suggests rather that glucose is partially metabolized via the hexose monophosphate pathway. This was verified by NADP(+)-induced reduction of Fe(CN)(6)(3-) in cell-free extracts in the presence of ACNQ. Effects of the ACNQ/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) system on anaerobically harvested cells were also examined. Stoichiometric analysis of the metabolites from the pyruvate-formate lyase pathway suggests that exogenous oxidation of NADH is an efficient method to produce ATP in this pathway.