Kaiserslautern - Fachbereich Chemie
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The production of nylon-6.6 is one of the largest scale syntheses in industrial chemistry. The standard procedure is based on an energy consuming low-level conversion of cyclohexane to yield adipic acid in two steps that is converted to nylon-6.6 in a separate step. Therefore, there is a strong intent to optimize the synthetic route in an economic and ecologic matter. In this work, we present a one-pot oxygenation of cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide and a µ4-oxido-copper cluster catalyst to yield dicarboxylic acids with adipic acid as the main product.
Sustained Human Background Exposure to Acrolein Evidenced by Monitoring Urinary Exposure Biomarkers
(2019)
Scope
This study investigates a potential correlation between the intake of heat-processed food and the excretion of the acrolein (AC) biomarkers N-acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl)-l-cysteine (HPMA) and N-acetyl-S-(carboxyethyl)-l-cysteine (CEMA) based on two human studies.
Methods and Results
Human exposure to AC is monitored using the AC-related mercapturic acids HPMA and CEMA in the urine of a) non-smoking volunteers under defined living conditions and b) of non-smoking volunteers on unrestricted or vegan diet under free living conditions. Free living volunteers in part show markedly enhanced urinary excretions of HPMA and CEMA. The intake of heat-processed food does not influence AC-related biomarker excretion. Incidentally enhanced urinary exposure biomarker levels appear to suggest AC exposure possibly from open fire, barbecuing, or tobacco smoke. However, kinetics of urinary biomarkers related to tobacco and other potential smoke exposure, do not correlate with those observed for HPMA and CEMA.
Conclusion
This study is the first to convincingly show a sustained and substantial background exposure to AC in non-smoking humans, clearly independent from uptake of heat-processed foods. The data strongly point to endogenous AC generation by pathways of mammalian and/or microbial metabolism as yet not taken into consideration.
The consumption of red meat is associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). Multiple lines of evidence suggest
that heme iron as abundant constituent of red meat is responsible for its carcinogenic potential. However, the underlying
mechanisms are not fully understood and particularly the role of intestinal inflammation has not been investigated. To address
this important issue, we analyzed the impact of heme iron (0.25 μmol/g diet) on the intestinal microbiota, gut inflammation
and colorectal tumor formation in mice. An iron-balanced diet with ferric citrate (0.25 μmol/g diet) was used as reference.
16S rRNA sequencing revealed that dietary heme reduced α-diversity and caused a persistent intestinal dysbiosis, with a
continuous increase in gram-negative Proteobacteria. This was linked to chronic gut inflammation and hyperproliferation of
the intestinal epithelium as attested by mini-endoscopy, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Dietary heme triggered
the infiltration of myeloid cells into colorectal mucosa with an increased level of COX-2 positive cells. Furthermore, flow
cytometry-based phenotyping demonstrated an increased number of T cells and B cells in the lamina propria following heme
intake, while γδ-T cells were reduced in the intraepithelial compartment. Dietary heme iron catalyzed formation of fecal
N-nitroso compounds and was genotoxic in intestinal epithelial cells, yet suppressed intestinal apoptosis as evidenced by
confocal microscopy and western blot analysis. Finally, a chemically induced CRC mouse model showed persistent intestinal
dysbiosis, chronic gut inflammation and increased colorectal tumorigenesis following heme iron intake. Altogether, this study
unveiled intestinal inflammation as important driver in heme iron-associated colorectal carcinogenesis.
Employing site-directed spin labeling (SDSL), the structure of maltose-binding protein (MBP) had previously been studied in the native state by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Several spin-labeled double cysteine mutants were distributed all over the structure of this cysteine-free protein and revealed distance information between the nitroxide residues from double electron–electron resonance (DEER). The results were in good agreement with the known X-ray structure. We have now extended these studies to the molten globule (MG) state, a folding intermediate, which can be stabilized around pH 3 and that is characterized by secondary but hardly any tertiary structure. Instead of clearly defined distance features as found in the native state, several additional characteristics indicate that the MG structure of MBP contains different polypeptide chain and domain orientations. MBP is also known to bind its substrate maltose even in MG state although with lower affinity. Additionally, we have now created new mutants allowing for spin labeling at or near the active site. Our data confirm an already preformed ligand site structure in the MG explaining its substrate binding capability and thus most probably serving as a nucleation center for the final native structure.
1,2-unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural plant constituents comprising more than 600 different structures. A major source of human exposure is thought to be cross-contamination of food, feed and phytomedicines with PA plants. In humans, laboratory and farm animals, certain PAs exert pronounced liver toxicity and can induce malignant liver tumors in rodents. Here, we investigated the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of eleven PAs belonging to different structural classes. Although all PAs were negative in the fluctuation Ames test in Salmonella, they were cytotoxic and induced micronuclei in human HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells over-expressing human cytochrome P450 3A4. Lasiocarpine and cyclic diesters except monocrotaline were the most potent congeners both in cytotoxicity and micronucleus assays with concentrations below 3 μM inducing a doubling in micronuclei counts. Other open di-esters and all monoesters exhibited weaker or much weaker geno- and cytotoxicity. The findings were in agreement with recently suggested interim Relative Potency (iREP) factors with the exceptions of europine and monocrotaline. A more detailed micronuclei analysis at low concentrations of lasiocarpine, retrorsine or senecionine indicated that pronounced hypolinearity of the concentration–response curves was evident for retrorsine and senecionine but not for lasiocarpine. Our findings show that the genotoxic and cytotoxic potencies of PAs in a human hepatic cell line vary in a structure-dependent manner. Both the low potency of monoesters and the shape of prototype concentration–response relationships warrant a substance- and structure-specific approach in the risk assessment of PAs.
The weight of evidence pro/contra classifying the process-related food contaminant (PRC) acrylamide (AA) as a genotoxic carcinogen is reviewed. Current dietary AA exposure estimates reflect margins of exposure (MOEs) < 500. Several arguments support the view that AA may not act as a genotoxic carcinogen, especially not at consumer-relevant exposure levels: Biotransformation of AA into genotoxic glycidamide (GA) in primary rat hepatocytes is markedly slower than detoxifying coupling to glutathione (GS). Repeated feeding of rats with AA containing foods, bringing about uptake of 100 µg/kg/day of AA, resulted in dose x time-related buildup of AA-hemoglobin (Hb) adducts, whereas GA-Hb adducts remained within the background. Since hepatic oxidative biotransformation of AA into GA was proven by simultaneous urinary mercapturic acid monitoring it can be concluded that at this nutritional intake level any GA formed in the liver from AA is quantitatively coupled to GS to be excreted as mercapturic acid in urine. In an oral single dose–response study in rats, AA induced DNA N7-GA-Gua adducts dose-dependently in the high dose range (> 100 µg/kg b w). At variance, in the dose range below 100 µg/kg b.w. down to levels of average consumers exposure, DNA N7 -Gua lesions were found only sporadically, without dose dependence, and at levels close to the lower bound of similar human background DNA N7-Gua lesions. No DNA damage was detected by the comet assay within this low dose range. GA is a very weak mutagen, known to predominantly induce DNA N7-GA-Gua adducts, especially in the lower dose range. There is consensus that DNA N7-GA-Gua adducts exhibit rather low mutagenic potency. The low mutagenic potential of GA has further been evidenced by comparison to preactivated forms of other process-related contaminants, such as N-Nitroso compounds or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, potent food borne mutagens/carcinogens. Toxicogenomic studies provide no evidence supporting a genotoxic mode of action (MOA), rather indicate effects on calcium signalling and cytoskeletal functions in rodent target organs. Rodent carcinogenicity studies show induction of strain- and species-specific neoplasms, with MOAs not considered likely predictive for human cancer risk. In summary, the overall evidence clearly argues for a nongenotoxic/nonmutagenic MOA underlying the neoplastic effects of AA in rodents. In consequence, a tolerable intake level (TDI) may be defined, guided by mechanistic elucidation of key adverse effects and supported by biomarker-based dosimetry in experimental systems and humans.
Purpose
We investigated the cytosolic and membrane-associated contents of polyphenols after 4 hours of incubation (50 μM of each polyphenol) in the colon carcinoma cell line T84 using a novel, rapid, and convenient method based on permeabilization of the cell membrane using digitonin. The colon carcinoma cell line was used to investigate the intestinal uptake of polyphenols present in apple products.
Recent Findings
The results showed that hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic and 5-caffeoylquinic acid) were only detected in the cytosolic fractions. In contrast, 0.3 to 8.2% of the initial concentrations (50 μM) of the flavonoids phloretin, quercetin, phloretin 2′-O-glucoside, and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside were found in the membrane-associated fractions. In the cytosolic fractions, 0.2–2.9% of these compounds were detected, corresponding to 25 to 40% of the total cell-associated (cytosolic plus membrane-associated fractions) polyphenol content.
Summary
Our results showed that after uptake, polyphenols were present in the cytosolic fraction of the cells as well as associated with the cell membrane. The presented method provides a useful in vitro tool for determining biologically active compounds in cellular fractions.
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an enzyme located at the endoplasmic reticulum, which is responsible for the degradation of cellular heme into ferrous iron, carbon monoxide and biliverdin-IXa. In addition to this main function, the enzyme is involved in many other homeostatic, toxic and cancer-related mechanisms. In this review, we first summarize the importance of HO-1 in
physiology and pathophysiology with a focus on the digestive system. We then detail its structure and function, followed by a section on the regulatory mechanisms that control HO-1 expression and activity. Moreover, HO-2 as important further HO isoform is discussed, highlighting the similarities
and differences with regard to HO-1. Subsequently, we describe the direct and indirect cytoprotective functions of HO-1 and its breakdown products carbon monoxide and biliverdin-IXa, but also highlight possible pro-inflammatory effects. Finally, we address the role of HO-1 in cancer with a particular
focus on colorectal cancer. Here, relevant pathways and mechanisms are presented, through which HO-1 impacts tumor induction and tumor progression. These include oxidative stress and DNA damage, ferroptosis, cell cycle progression and apoptosis as well as migration, proliferation, and
epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
The present thesis reports on studies of atomically precise, size-selected tantalum
cluster ions \(Ta_n^±\) under cryogenic conditions in a FT-ICR mass spectrometer with respect to surface adsorbate interactions at the fundamental level, focusing on \(N_2\) and \(H_2\) adsorption and activation. The wealth of results presented here is the result of systematic studies that have revealed valuable kinetic, spectroscopic, and quantum chemical information, which together paint a comprehensive picture of the elementary adsorption steps and mechanisms in detail.
The \(N_2\) and \(H_2\) adsorption processes to \(Ta_n^+\) clusters exhibit dependencies on cluster size n and on adsorbate load. In terms of \(N_2\) adsorption, there is evidence for spontaneous \(N_2\) activation and cleavage by \(Ta_2^+\) - \(Ta_4^+\), while it appears to be suppressedby \(Ta_5^+\) - \(Ta_8^+\). The activation and cleavage of \(N_2\) molecules proceeds across
surmountable barriers and along much-involved multidimensional reaction paths.
Underlying reaction processes and involved intermediates are elucidated. Two different processes are characteristic of \(H_2\) adsorption: There are fast adsoprtion processes without competing desorption reactions at low \(H_2\) loadings, indicating dissociative adsorption processes, followed by slow adsorption reactions accompanied by multiple desorption reactions at high \(H_2\) loadings, indicating molecular \(H_2\) adsorption. The threshold is the completion of the first adsorbate shell. The \(N_2\) adsorption study of \(Ta_n^-\) clusters revealed that the \(N_2\) adsorption ability of anionic tantalum clusters depends strongly on cluster size n. The cluster size n = 9 is the minimum size for \(N_2\) adsorption onto \(Ta_n^-\) clusters to yield stable and detectable cluster adsorbate species \([Ta_n(N_2)_m]^-\).
Toxicology, the study of the adverse effects of chemicals and physical agents on living organisms, is a critical process in chemical and drug development. The low throughput, high costs, limited predictivity and ethical concerns related to traditional animal-based toxicity studies render them impractical to assess the growing number and complexity of both existing and new compounds and their formulations. These factors together with the increasing implementation of more demanding regulations, evidence the current need to develop innovative, reliable, cost effective and high throughput toxicological methods.
The use of metabolomics in vitro presents the powerful combination of a human relevant system with a multiparametric approach that allows assessing multiple endpoints in a single biological sample. Applying metabolomics in a cell-based system offers an alternative to both, the ethical concerns and relevance of animal testing and the restraining nature of single endpoint evaluations characteristic of conventional toxicological in vitro assays. However, there are still challenges that hamper the expansion of metabolomics beyond a research tool to a feasible and implementable technology for toxicology assessment.
The aim of this dissertation is to advance the applications of in vitro metabolomics in toxicology by addressing three major challenges that have limited its widespread implementation in the field. In chapter 2 the restrictive high cost and low throughput of in vitro metabolomics was addressed through the development, standardization and proof of concept of a high throughput targeted LC-MS/MS in vitro metabolomics platform for the characterization of hepatotoxicity. In chapter 3, the use of the developed in vitro metabolomics system was expanded beyond hazard identification, to its implementation for deriving dose- and time response metrics that were shown useful for Point of departure (PoD) estimations for human risk assessment. Finally, in chapter 4 in order to increase the reliance and confidence of using in vitro metabolomics data for risk assessment, the human relevance of the metabolomics in vitro assays was attempted to be improved by the implementation and evaluation of in vitro metabolomics in a hiPSCs-derived 3D liver organoid system.
The work developed here demonstrates the suitable of in vitro metabolomics for mechanistic-based hazard identification and risk assessment. By advancing the applications of metabolomics in toxicology, this work has significantly contributed to the aim of toxicology of the 21st century for a human-relevant non-animal toxicological testing, supporting the toxicology task of protecting human health and the environment.