Diltiazem and verapamil reduce the loss of adenine nucleotide metabolites from hypoxic hearts

The present study was undertaken to elucidate possible mechanisms for a protection of myocardial cells from hypoxia-induced derangements in cardiac function and metabolism by calcium antagonists. For this purpose, rabbit hearts were perfused for 20 min under hypoxic conditions in the presence of 312 ng/ml diltiazem or 125 ng/ml verapamil, and then for 45 min under reoxygenated conditions. Metabolic changes in the myocardium and the perfusate were examined throughout. Hypoxia induced a marked decline in myocardial high-energy phosphates and an immediate release of ATP metabolites, such as adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine, from the perfused heart. These changes were effectively depressed by diltiazem and verapamil. Hypoxia and subsequent reoxygenation resulted in a release of creatine phosphokinase from the heart, which was completely inhibited by the treatment with either diltiazem or verapamil. Myocardial calcium contents were increased by 20 min-hypoxic perfusion. Both diltiazem and verapamil are capable of preventing hypoxia-induced increase in the transmembrane flux of cellular components, which may be beneficial for the preservation of substances necessary for the ATP regeneration after hypoxia and for the inhibition of calcium overload in cardiac cells.

Efficiency of rice bran for removal of organochlorine compounds and benzene from industrial wastewater

Rice bran was found to effectively adsorb several organic compounds, such as dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and benzene. Equilibrium adsorption isotherms conformed to the Freundlich type (log-log linear). The adsorption of dichloromethane and chloroform by rice bran was observed over the range of pH 1-11. Therefore, rice bran is applicable for treatment of wastewater over a wide pH range. Dichloromethane was successfully removed from water samples with an average removal efficiency of 70% after 60 min when rice bran was added to water samples containing from 0.006 to 100 mg/L dichloromethane. The removal of these organochlorine compounds and benzene by rice bran was attributed to the uptake by intracellular particles called spherosomes. Here, we report the results of a fundamental study of the efficiency of rice bran for removal of organochlorine compounds and benzene using a batch system on the laboratory scale, and describe elucidation of the mechanism of removal of these compounds by rice bran.

Studies on removal efficiency of chloroform from tap water by rice bran

Removal efficiency of chloroform from tap water by rice bran was investigated. The adsorption rate by rice bran was similar to activated carbon. The amount of chloroform adsorbed was plotted against the equilibrium concentration of chloroform in solution on a logarithmic scale. A linear relationship was obtained, indicating that the adsorption reaction was a Freundlich type. The adsorption of chloroform by rice bran was observed in the range of pH 1-11. Chloroform was successfully removed from tap water with average removal efficiency of 70% after 60 min when rice bran was applied to tap water that contained 0.0064 mg/L chloroform.