Biogenic aldehydes in brain: characteristics of a reaction between rat brain tissue and indole-3-acetaldehyde

Apoptosis of pancreatic cancer BXPC-3 cells induced by indole-3-acetic acid in combination with horseradish peroxidase

AIM: To explore the mechanisms underlying the apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer BXPC-3 cells induced by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in combination with horseradish peroxidase (HRP).

METHODS: BXPC-3 cells derived from human pancreatic cancer were exposed to 40 or 80 µmol/L IAA and 1.2 µg/mL HRP at different times. Then, MTT assay was used to detect the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze cell cycle. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay was used to detect apoptosis. 2,7-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate uptake was measured by confocal microscopy to determine free radicals. Level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by biochemical methods.

RESULTS: IAA/HRP initiated growth inhibition of BXPC-3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry revealed that the cells treated for 48 h were arrested at G1/G0. After exposure to 80 µmol/L IAA plus 1.2 µg/mL HRP for 72 h, the apoptosis rate increased to 72.5, which was nine times that of control. Content of MDA and activity of SOD increased respectively after treatment compared to control. Meanwhile, IAA/HRP stimulated the formation of free radicals.

CONCLUSION: The combination of IAA and HRP can inhibit the growth of human pancreatic cancer BXPC-3 cells in vitro by inducing apoptosis.

Reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase levels in the brain of patients with Down syndrome

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is a key enzyme in fructose, acetaldehyde and oxalate metabolism and represents a major detoxification system for reactive carbonyls and aldehydes. In the brain, ALDH exerts a major function in the metabolism of biogenic aldehydes, norepinephrine, dopamine and diamines and gamma-aminobutyric acid. Subtractive hybridization studies in Down Syndrome (DS) fetal brain showed that mRNA for ALDH are downregulated. Here we studied the protein levels in the brain of adult patients. The proteins from five brain regions of 9 aged patients with DS and 9 controls were analyzed by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. ALDH levels were reduced in the brain regions of at least half of the patients with Down Syndrome, as compared to controls. The decreased ALDH levels in the DS brain may result in accumulation of aldehydes which can lead to the formation of plaques and tangles reflecting abnormally cross-linked, insoluble and modified proteins, found in aged DS brain. Furthermore, we constructed a 2-Dmap including approximately 120 identified human brain proteins.

Mechanisms for plasma-mediated activation of human blood cell aldehyde dehydrogenase

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH; EC 1.2.1.3) activity assays were carried out on isolated human blood cells in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and in PBS mixed with human plasma. In assays with intact erythrocytes or sonicated leukocytes, the presence of 50% (v/v) or greater of plasma in the reaction mixtures produced a 2-fold increase in the rate of aldehyde oxidation. In corresponding assays with sonicated erythrocyte samples, the ALDH activity was enhanced on an average 1.5-fold, whereas a slight decrease was observed in assays with intact leukocytes. The ALDH inhibitor disulfiram almost completely abolished the enzyme activity both in the absence and presence of plasma. In assays with sonicated leukocytes, the activation effect could be antagonized by EDTA, indicating that it was caused largely by divalent cations. With sonicated erythrocytes, a significantly reduced ALDH activity was found only with the highest concentration of EDTA tested, and since a similar reduction was obtained also when plasma was omitted, the plasma-mediated activation of erythrocyte ALDH was suggested to be due to a different mechanism. After separation of plasma by gel filtration, an active fraction was identified by GC-MS and 1H-NMR to contain pyruvic acid, lactic acid and glucose. When tested at physiological plasma concentrations, pyruvic acid caused an increase in erythrocyte ALDH activity similar to that obtained with plasma, while lactic acid and glucose did not. Pyruvic acid did not activate the leukocyte ALDH. Based on these results, it is indicated that the plasma-mediated activation of erythrocyte ALDH is due to pyruvic acid, which reoxidizes NADH via lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) and, thereby, increases the rate of dissociation of NADH from the terminal enzyme-NADH complex, the rate-limiting step in the ALDH pathway.

Formation of thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid represents a main metabolic pathway of 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat brain

Incubation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) with rat brain homogenate resulted in the formation of (4R)-2-[3'-(5'-hydroxyindolyl)-methyl]-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxyl ic acid (5'-HITCA) as the major metabolite. The substance represents the condensation product of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde with L-cysteine. The chemical structure was confirmed by chromatographic and chemical methods as well as by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Incubation of 5-HT in the presence of L-cysteine yielded the thiazolidine as the main metabolite up to 4 h. Under these conditions, the concentration of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) amounted to about 20% and 57% of 5'-HITCA (0.5 h and 4 h, respectively). In contrast to these findings, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was identified as the major metabolite when tryptamine was incubated under similar conditions. (4R)-2-(3'-Indolylmethyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (ITCA) was found to be the main conversion product of tryptamine only during the first 30 min. To investigate the fate of the thiazolidines, radiolabelled and unlabelled ITCA was incubated with rat brain homogenate. The compound was degraded enzymatically and rapidly. Subcellular fractionation revealed that the enzyme activity was present mainly in the cytosolic fraction whereas the preparation of mitochondria showed less activity. The responsible enzyme is presumably a carbon-sulfur lyase (EC 4.4.1.-). The major metabolite was isolated by HPLC and identified by mass spectrometry as well as by comparison with reference compounds to be IAA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reactions of biogenic aldehydes with hemoglobin

The aldehyde derivatives of dopamine and serotonin, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde (5-HIAL), respectively, were incubated with human hemoglobin under physiological conditions. Both DOPAL and 5-HIAL, as well as dopamine, showed a time-dependent disappearance during the incubations, whereas this was not observed with serotonin. The amounts of free aldehydes recovered after incubation with hemoglobin, as analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, corresponded to the amounts of acid metabolites formed in enzymatic assays, when the samples instead were incubated with aldehyde dehydrogenase. Incubations with DOPAL, 5-HIAL, or dopamine, and hemoglobin also resulted in distinct increases in the absorption spectra between 250-350 nm, whereas no similar increase was observed with serotonin. Addition of sodium borohydride to the incubates, which is used to stabilize Schiff base adducts between aldehydes and proteins, resulted in reduction of DOPAL and 5-HIAL to their corresponding alcohol metabolites. However, a rapid initial disappearance of the aldehydes, as analysed from the recoveries of the alcohol metabolites, was observed, followed by a more slow disappearance rate throughout the incubation period.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in brain and liver of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson)

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was measured in brain and liver of rainbow trout by using 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL, the biogenic aldehyde derived from dopamine) as the substrate. The amount of the corresponding acid produced was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Both in brain and liver, the ALDH activity showed a high affinity for the substrate with an apparent Km of 3.7 microM in brain and 2.4 microM in liver. The kinetic experiments with brain ALDH also indicated the presence of an isozyme with a low affinity for DOPAL with a Km around 150 microM. The Vmax of the liver ALDH activity varied between 179 and 536 nmol/min.g, i.e., about 25-75 times higher than that of the low-Km activity in brain. The ALDH activity showed a maximum around pH 8.5, it was stimulated by Mg2+, and disulfiram was found to be a potent inhibitor of the enzyme. The results suggested that the majority of the ALDH activity was located in mitochondria (60-70% with regard to the brain and 70-80% with regard to the liver), while the remaining activity appeared to be cytosolic in both organs. No microsomal ALDH activity could be found.

Formation of a new biogenic aldehyde adduct by incubation of tryptamine with rat brain tissue

Tryptamine was degraded by incubation with rat brain homogenate to an unknown product. The reaction was stimulated by the nonionic detergents Triton X-100 and Lubrol PX and less by the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS). The same results were obtained with pig brain and bovine brain. The monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline inhibited the reaction strongly, indicating the participation of the enzyme on the reaction. Addition of 17,000 g supernatant from rat brain homogenate increased the formation effectively whereas phospholipids or chloroform/methanol (7:3) extract from the 17,000 g supernatant showed only little or no effect. Chromatographic and electrophoretic properties as well as the chemical reaction of the product with specific reagents suggest that the compound consists of an indole part and an amino acid part. The product could be identified by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and by comparison with the synthetic substance (4R)-2-(3-indolylmethyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. It is formed by the enzymatic oxidation of tryptamine producing indole-3-acetaldehyde which spontaneously cyclizes with free L-cysteine from the tissue. The results suggest that the reaction of biogenic aldehydes with brain macromolecules may proceed via an analogous reaction.

Organ distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson)

1. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity was measured in gills, muscle, brain, intestine, kidney, heart and liver of rainbow trout, using 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (the biogenic aldehyde derived from dopamine) as the substrate. 2. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity was found to be present in all of the organs studied. 3. The highest activity was found in the liver (276 nmol/min.g wet wt of tissue). 4. A remarkably high activity was found in the heart (117 nmol/min.g). 5. The gills showed the lowest activity (1.9 nmol/min.g).

A comparative study of aldehyde dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase activities in crucian carp and three other vertebrates: apparent adaptations to ethanol production

In the final step of the pathway producing ethanol in anoxic crucian carp (Carassius carassius L.), acetaldehyde is reduced to ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase. The presence of aldehyde dehydrogenase in the tissues responsible for ethanol production could cause an undesired oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetate coupled with a reduction of NAD+ to NADH. Moreover, acetaldehyde could competitively inhibit the oxidation of reactive biogenic aldehydes. In the present study, the distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase (measured with a biogenic aldehyde) and alcohol dehydrogenase (measured with acetaldehyde) were studied in organs of crucian carp, common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson), and Norwegian rat (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout). The results showed that alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities were almost completely spatially separated in the crucian carp. These enzymes occurred together in the other three vertebrates. In the crucian carp, alcohol dehydrogenase was only found in red and white skeletal muscle, while these tissues contained exceptionally low aldehyde dehydrogenase activities. Moreover, the low aldehyde dehydrogenase activity found in crucian carp red muscle was about 1000 times less sensitive to inhibition by acetaldehyde than that found in other tissues and other species. The results are interpreted as demonstrating adaptations to avoid a depletion of ethanol production, and possibly inhibition of biogenic aldehyde metabolism.

Effects of ethanol, acetaldehyde and disulfiram on the metabolism of biogenic aldehydes in isolated human blood cells and platelets

The effects of ethanol, acetaldehyde and disulfiram on the metabolism of biogenic aldehydes were measured in different human blood fractions. Intact erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) or 5-hydroxy-indole-3-acetaldehyde (5-HIAL), the aldehydes derived from dopamine and serotonin, respectively. The disappearance of the aldehyde and the formation of acid and alcohol metabolites were analysed in the presence of different concentrations of ethanol, acetaldehyde or disulfiram using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Ethanol at a concentration of 20 mM did not affect the biogenic aldehyde metabolism. High concentrations of acetaldehyde caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the disappearance rate of the biogenic aldehydes and of the formation rate of acid metabolites. In incubations with leukocytes or platelets, the inhibition of the acid formation was associated with a slight increase in the formation of the alcohol metabolites. Disulfiram at a concentration of 50 microM totally inhibited the metabolism of DOPAL and 5-HIAL in incubations with erythrocytes or platelets, whereas much less inhibition was observed in incubations with leukocytes.

Degradation of tryptamine in pig brain: identification of a new condensation product

Incubation of tryptamine with pig brain homogenate led to the formation of a product which is not identical with other known tryptamine metabolites. The same results were observed with rat brain tissue and bovine brain tissue. The compound has been isolated and identified by NMR spectroscopy, fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy, and by chemical synthesis as a thiazolidine derivative, (4R)-2-(3-indolylmethyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. It is formed by a condensation reaction of indole-3-acetaldehyde generated enzymatically from tryptamine and of free L-cysteine present in the tissue. The compound inhibited monoamine oxidase (preferentially type A) and the neuronal gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake.

Biogenic aldehydes in brain: on their preparation and reactions with rat brain tissue

When 1 mM serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine was incubated with a monoamine oxidase preparation (mitochondrial membranes) in the presence of 4 mM sodium bisulfite, 85-95% of the amines were oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes. In the absence of bisulfite, the recoveries were only approximately 30%, and dark colored products were formed during the incubations. The aldehydes derived from tyramine, octopamine, methoxytyramine, and normetanephrine were also prepared by the use of this method. The bisulfite-aldehyde compounds were stable during storage at -20 degrees C. Bisulfite-free aldehyde solutions were made by diethylether extraction. When the aldehydes derived from dopamine or serotonin were incubated with rat brain homogenates, they were found to disappear in an aldehyde dehydrogenase- and aldehyde reductase-independent manner. The disappearance of the latter aldehyde was more pronounced, and the results indicated that this aldehyde may react with both proteins and phospholipids.

Effects of biogenic aldehydes and aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors on rat brain tryptophan hydroxylase activity in vitro

The effect of indole-3-acetaldehyde, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde, disulfiram, diethyldithiocarbamate, coprine, and 1-amino-cyclopropanol on tryptophan hydroxylase activity was studied in vitro using high performance liquid chromatography with electro-chemical detection. With the analytical method developed, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid could be measured simultaneously. Indole-3-acetaldehyde (12-1200 microM) was found to cause a 6-33% inhibition of the enzyme. Dependent upon the nature of the sulfhydryl- or reducing-agent (dithiotreitol, glutathione, or ascorbate) present in the incubates, the degree of inhibition by disulfiram varied, probably due to the formation of various mixed disulfides. Also the presence of diethyldithiocarbamate (160-1600 microM) was found to inhibit tryptophan hydroxylase (28-91%), while 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde, coprine, or 1-aminocyclopropanol appeared to have no effect on the enzyme activity.

Metabolism of biogenic aldehydes in isolated human blood cells, platelets and in plasma

The metabolism of biogenic aldehydes was measured in different human blood fractions. Isolated erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and plasma were incubated with 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-acetaldehyde (DOPAL) or 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetaldehyde (5-HIAL), the aldehydes derived from dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine, respectively. The disappearance of the aldehydes and the formation of acid and alcohol metabolites were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The aldehydes were unstable in phosphate-buffered saline, but this nonenzymatic oxidation was prevented in the presence of EDTA, pyrophosphate or blood tissue. When DOPAL or 5-HIAL were incubated with erythrocytes, only acid metabolites were formed, whereas both acid and alcohol metabolites were formed in incubations with leukocytes or platelets. The amount of the acid metabolite exceeded that of the alcohol metabolite, both with leukocytes and platelets. No metabolites were formed when the aldehydes were incubated in plasma. The oxidation of the aldehydes in incubations with erythrocytes or platelets was totally inhibited in the presence of 50 microM of the aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor disulfiram. However, disulfiram did not inhibit the metabolism of DOPAL and 5-HIAL in incubations with leukocytes, suggesting that different isozymes of aldehyde dehydrogenase are present in leukocytes as compared to erythrocytes and platelets.

Electrophysiological effects of monoamine-derived aldehydes on single neurons in neocortex and cerebellum in rats

The electrophysiological effects of aldehydes derived from several monoamines were studied on single neurons in the cerebellum and neocortex of rats. The aldehydes derived from dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde) and serotonin (5-hydroxy-3-acetaldehyde) were prepared as stable disulfite complexes, from which free aldehydes were extracted. Serotonin and 5-hydroxy-3-acetaldehyde caused pronounced depression of firing rates both of cerebellar Purkinje neurons and neurons in prefrontal cortex. When locally applied from multibarrel micropipettes by pressure ejection, 5-hydroxy-3-acetaldehyde was twice as potent in the neocortex as in the cerebellum, and was equipotent with serotonin in both brain areas. The aldehyde of tryptamine also caused depressions of neuronal activity in cerebellum, but only at 5-fold higher doses than were effective for 5-hydroxy-3-acetaldehyde. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde was without effect in prefrontal cortex, but had mixed responses in the cerebellum. The results show that monoamine-derived aldehydes are physiologically active. It is possible that changes in the steady state level of these aldehydes caused by drugs such as ethanol and barbiturates might influence the electrophysiological properties of neurons in the central nervous system.