A simple, reliable, and reproducible fluorometric method for measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in serum is proposed, based on the reaction between malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiobarbituric acid. Formation of TBARS was complete at pH 2.4-2.6, but extraction with n-butanol proved complete only at lower pH, i.e., 1.6-1.7. Analytical recoveries of MDA added to serum were 94%-101%; within- and between-run CVs were 2.4-3.6% and 4.6-5.5%; and the detection limit for TBARS in serum was 0.10 mumol/L. Optimized conditions included: (a) collection of either serum or heparinized plasma, (b) preservation from in vitro autoxidation by glutathione and EDTA, and (c) storage at -20 degrees C up to 35 days. The mean (+/- SD) TBARS concentration in 47 healthy adults was 1.01 (0.21) mumol/L; no sex-related difference was observed. Higher concentrations were measured in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing hemodialysis and in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, or liver cirrhosis.
Although the importance of selenium for bone metabolism is unknown, some clinical conditions such as Kashin-Beck osteoarthropathy have been associated with selenium deficiency. Although selenium deficiency induces growth retardation in rats, it has not been established whether this growth inhibition is associated with changes in bone metabolism. We investigated the effect of selenium deficiency on bone metabolism in growing male rats fed a selenium-deficient diet for two generations (Se؊). In Se؊ rats, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity and plasma selenium concentration were strongly reduced compared with pair-fed selenium-adequate rats (Se؉). Weight and tail length were reduced by 31% and 13% in the Se؊ rats, respectively (p < 0.001). The Se؊ diet was associated with a 68% reduction of pituitary growth hormone (GH; p ؍ 0.01) and a 50% reduction of plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I; p < 0.001). Plasma calcium was lower and urinary calcium concentration was greater in Se؊ rats. This group had a 2-fold increase in parathyroid hormone (
Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) accumulate in the vascular wall and promote local inflammation, which contributes to the progression of the atheromatous plaque. The key role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in this process is related to its ability to modify APO B-100 in the intima and at the surface of endothelial cells. A series of 3-(aminoalkyl)-5-fluoroindole analogues was designed and synthesized by exploiting the structure-based docking of 5-fluorotryptamine, a known MPO inhibitor. In vitro assays were used to study the effects of these compounds on the inhibition of MPO-mediated taurine chlorination and oxidation of LDLs. The kinetics of the interaction between the MPO redox intermediates, Compounds I and II, and these inhibitors was also investigated. The most potent molecules possessed a 4- or 5-carbon aminoalkyl side chain and no substituent on the amino group. The mode of binding of these analogues and the mechanism of inhibition is discussed with respect to the structure of MPO and its halogenation and peroxidase cycles.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.