Novel dioxo-tungsten(VI) bis(1,2-benzenedithiolate) complexes with neighboring amide groups, as models for tungsten enzymes, (NEt4)2[W(VI)O2{1,2-S(2)-3,6-(RCONH)2C6H2}2] (R = CH3, t-Bu), were designed and synthesized. The presence of the NH...S hydrogen bond was confirmed through IR spectrometry and X-ray crystallographic analysis. In the W(VI)O2 complexes, the NH...S hydrogen bond trans to the oxo ligand is stronger than that cis to oxo. On the basis of comparisons with [W(VI)O2(1,2-S2C6H4)2](2-), the NH...S hydrogen bond positively shifted the W(VI)/W(V) redox potentials and depressed the reduction by benzoin or triphenylphosphine. These results suggest that the NH...S hydrogen bond stabilizes the oxo ligand through trans influence and regulates O-atom transfer in tungsten and molybdenum enzymes.

Human promonocytic cell line U937 cells can be induced to differentiate into macrophages by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). TPA treatment induced the expression of the monocytic differentiation markers CD11b and CD36, with concomitant morphological changes. Moreover, TPA enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in these cells, and phagocytic ability was also stimulated during differentiation. The antioxidant agent N-acetyl-L-cysteine inhibited the TPA-induced differentiation of U937 cells. TPA treatment decreased the expression level of catalase, which catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) to H 2 O and O 2 . In contrast, TPA increased the level of manganese superoxide dismutase, which catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide into H 2 O 2 and O 2 without affecting the levels of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase or glutathione peroxidase 1, which removes H 2 O 2 using glutathione as substrate. Treatment of U937 cells with catalase inhibited the enhancement of ROS generation induced by TPA, and blocked the TPA-induced differentiation of U937 cells. Human promyelocytic cell line HL60 cells were also induced to differentiate into macrophages by TPA. However, HP100-1 cells, its variant cell line overexpressing catalase, were resistant to TPA-induced differentiation. Our results suggest that catalase inhibits monocytic differentiation by TPA; the decrease in catalase level and the accumulation of H 2 O 2 are significant events for monocyte/ macrophage differentiation by TPA.

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Ascorbic acid is an effective antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Therefore, it is expected that ascorbic acid should act as a radioprotectant. We investigated the effects of post-radiation treatment with ascorbic acid on mouse survival. Mice received whole body irradiation (WBI) followed by intraperitoneal administration of ascorbic acid. Administration of 3 g/kg of ascorbic acid immediately after exposure significantly increased mouse survival after WBI at 7 to 8 Gy. However, administration of less than 3 g/kg of ascorbic acid was ineffective, and 4 or more g/kg was harmful to the mice. Post-exposure treatment with 3 g/kg of ascorbic acid reduced radiation-induced apoptosis in bone marrow cells and restored hematopoietic function. Treatment with ascorbic acid (3 g/kg) up to 24 h (1, 6, 12, or 24 h) after WBI at 7.5 Gy effectively improved mouse survival; however, treatments beyond 36 h were ineffective. Two treatments with ascorbic acid (1.5 g/kg × 2, immediately and 24 h after radiation, 3 g/kg in total) also improved mouse survival after WBI at 7.5 Gy, accompanied with suppression of radiation-induced free radical metabolites. In conclusion, administration of high-dose ascorbic acid might reduce radiation lethality in mice even after exposure.

In the case of nuclear incidents, radioiodine may be liberated. After incorporation it accumulates in the thyroid and by internal irradiation enhances the risk of cancer occurrence. By administering a large dose of non-radioactive iodine the uptake of radioiodine into the gland can be inhibited (“iodine blockade”). Biokinetic models using first order kinetics are not suited to simulate iodine blockade, as the uptake into the gland is mediated by a saturable active transport. Therefore, we integrated an uptake mechanism described by a Michaelis-Menten kinetic into a simple ICRP biokinetic model. We moreover added a total uptake blocking mechanism representing the Wolff-Chaikoff effect becoming active when the gland is saturated with iodine. The validity of the model was ascertained by comparison with IMBA software. The competition of radioiodine and stable iodine at the membrane carrier site was modeled according to the rate law for monomolecular reactions for competing substrates. Our simulations show that competition for the uptake at the membrane carrier site accounts for about 60% and the saturation of the gland with iodine for over 35% of the total protective efficacy that exceeds 95%. Following acute radioiodine exposure, it is preferable to administer a single large dose of stable iodine. In the case of continuous radioiodine exposure, a single dose of stable iodine is less effective than after an acute exposure and splitting the total available dose and shortening the dosage intervals enhance efficacy. Model-based simulations may be a useful tool to develop antidote dosage schemes for uncommon emergencies.

Of 143 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis receiving isoniazid therapy, 52 (36%) had a transient elevation in serum aminotransferases. Among 74 patients taking isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin, 35 (47%) had such an increase, while of 69 patients taking isoniazid, amino-salicylic acid and streptomycin, 17 (24%) did; this difference was significant. Isoniazid therapy could be continued in all patients with the abnormal test results. In 36 of the patients receiving isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin, isoniazid and its metabolites were studied in the serum and urine using high-performance liquid chromatography after the oral administration of 10 mg per kg of isoniazid. We had chosen for this test 18 patients with normal aminotransferase levels and 18 with abnormal levels. There were 14 rapid acetylators in the patients with abnormal aminotransferase levels and 7 rapid acetylators in the patients with normal levels; this difference was significant. These results indicate that liver dysfunction is more often caused by an isoniazid/rifampicin regimen, and patients who are rapid acetylators are more susceptible.

The first infinite 2D copper(II) complex with alternating “buckets” and upside down “buckets”, which form large cavities through interlayer π−π and C−H- - -OC hydrogen-bonding interactions, was obtained by self-assembly of copper(II) acetate with the 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (titmb) ligand.

The development of an effective therapy for radiation-induced gastrointestinal damage is important, because it is currently a major complication of treatment and there are few effective therapies available. Although we have recently demonstrated that pretreatment with ascorbic acid attenuates lethal gastrointestinal damage in irradiated mice, more than half of mice eventually died, thus indicating that better approach was needed. We then investigated a more effective therapy for radiation-induced gastrointestinal damage. Mice receiving abdominal radiation at 13 Gy were orally administered ascorbic acid (250 mg/kg/day) for three days before radiation (pretreatment), one shot of engulfment (250 mg/kg) at 8 h before radiation, or were administered the agent for seven days after radiation (post-treatment). None of the control mice survived the abdominal radiation at 13 Gy due to severe gastrointestinal damage (without bone marrow damage). Neither pretreatment with ascorbic acid (20% survival), engulfment (20%), nor post-treatment (0%) was effective in irradiated mice. However, combination therapy using ascorbic acid, including pretreatment, engulfment and post-treatment, rescued all of the mice from lethal abdominal radiation, and was accompanied by remarkable improvements in the gastrointestinal damage (100% survival). Omitting post-treatment from the combination therapy with ascorbic acid markedly reduced the mouse survival (20% survival), suggesting the importance of post-treatment with ascorbic acid. Combination therapy with ascorbic acid may be a potent therapeutic tool for radiation-induced gastrointestinal damage.