Effects of prenatal X-irradiation: studies on the mechanism of X-irradiation-induced inhibition of microsomal enzyme development in rat liver

Exposure of pregnant rats to 25 R of x-irradiation on the fourteenth gestation day has produced in the male offspring an impairment of the development of the hepatic microsomal enzyme system which metabolizes hexobarbital. However, irradiation did not suppress the increase of enzyme activity brought about by the administration of chemical inducers (pheno-barbital). Actinomycin, on the other hand, inhibited to varying degrees both the ontogenic and phenobarbital-induced increases in enzyme activity. The effects on the enzyme system have been supported by in vivo measurements of the duration of hexobarbital hypnosis. The ontogenic increase in enzyme activity is hormone-dependent, while that following phenobarbital administration is independent of hormonal regulation as evidenced by the response in hypophysectomized or sexually immature animals. It is concluded from these results that the inhibitory effect of x-irradiation on the hepatic enzyme system is mediated through an action on the hormonal regulation of enzyme activity. Evidence for this hypothesis is discussed.

Flavan derivatives. XXIV. cis- and trans-3-Methoxyflavanones

Oxidation of three 2,3-cia-3,4-cis-3-methoxyflavan-4-ols with active manganese dioxide gave the corresponding 2,3-cis-3-methoxyflavanones which were equilibrated in deuterochloroform containing trifluoroacetic acid to mixtures of cis- (c.33%) and trans-3-methoxyflavanones (c.67%). Tominaga's base-catalysed cyclization of 2'-hydroxy-α-methoxycha1cones to 3-methoxyflavanones has been found to yield the 2,3-trans isomers. The higher stability of the 2,3-trans-configuration of 3-hydroxy- flavanones (dihydroflavonols) compared with 3-methoxyflavanones is attributed to hydrogen bonding; no cis-isomer was detected when acid-catalysed epimerization of a trans-3-hydroxyflavanone was attempted. M.m.r. data are reported for the compounds described.

Flavan derivatives. XVI. Acid-catalysed reactions of secondary benzyl alcohols and 1-tetralols in methanol

Under solvolytic conditions I-phenylpropan-1-01 and its p-methyl and p-methoxy derivatives gave 1 -arylprop- 1 -enes. 1 -(3,4-Dimethoxypheny1)propan- 1-01 behaved similarly, but in addition gave the known propene dimer di-isohomogenol (di-isoeugenol dimethyl ether). Ring-proton coupling constants (J 7.3 and 9.2 CIS) appear consistent with a staggered trans-trans-configuration for this dimer,$ in agreement with earlier interpretations of chemical evidence. 1-(2,4,6-Trimethoxy- pheny1)propan-1-01 proved very reactive and gave the symmetrical dibenzyl ether under very mild acid catalysis, but with higher acid concentration it gave the prop-1-ene accompanied by a 1,l-diarylpropane formed by electrophilic displace- ment of the propan-1-01 side-chain. Tetralin-1-01 and cis- and trans-tetralin-1,2-diols, which lack activating aromatic substituents, were stable towards methanolic acetic acid (3%) or hydrogen chloride (3%). 6-Methoxytetralin-1-01, however, gave 1,6-dimethoxytetralin with methanolic 0.001% acetic acid, but with higher tetra101 concentration it gave the symmetrical bis-tetralyl ether. 6-Methoxytetralin-1-01 gave 3,4-dihydro-6-methoxynaphthalene and its known dimer when heated with methanolic hydrogen chloride (1%). Nuclear magnetic resonance showed that the tetralins are conformationally mobile, and the spectra were consistent with rapid interconversion of two half-chair conformations. 3-Phenyltetralin-1-01 (tetralin analogue of flavan-3-01) was obtained in the l,3-cis-form and existed in the confor- mationally stable half-chair form with both substituents equatorial. Spin-spin coupling constants of cis- and trans-carbonates of tetralin-1,2-diols are close to values recorded for their flavandiol analogues.

Synthesis of the cis and trans isomers of 4-Chloro-L-proline, 4-Bromo-L-proline, and 4-Amino-L-proline

cis- and trans-4-Chloro- and 4-bromo-L-prolines have been synthesized stereospecifically, the key step being SN2 displacement of a free or substituted 4-hydroxyl group in suitably protected 4-hydroxy-L- prolines. Similar displacements with azide ion followed by reduction provide convenient routes to cis- and trans- 4-amino-L-proline. A less satisfactory pathway to cis-4-aminoproline is reduction of a 4- oximinoproline derivative. In the course of the syntheses, which involve a variety of protecting groups, 45 new L-proline derivatives have been prepared. Unexpected side reactions were the formation of cis-4-hydroxyprolinamide by the action of ammonia on trans-4- bromoproline, and the reduction by sodium borohydride of N- benzyloxycarbonyl-4-oximinoproline methyl ester to N-benzyloxycar- bonyl-4-oximinoprolinol.

Proton magnetic resonance spectra, configuration, and conformation of 4-substituted prolines

The proton magnetic resonance spectra of a series of 4-oxoprolines, and cis- and trans-4-substituted prolines, have been analysed. Correlations permitting assignment of configuration from the spectra are presented. The difficulty of deducing precise conformations from the spectral parameters is emphasized.

Flavan derivatives. X. 7,8,3',4'-Tetrahydroxyflavanone and 7,8,3',4'- Tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol from Acacia species

The dihydroflavonol previously isolated from Acacia excelsa is shown to be (�)-7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol. A. salicina wood is found to contain (-)-7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavanone, 7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol, and 7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavonol. The wood of A. cambagei contains the same flavonoids, principally the flavonol, and traces of melacacidin.