Showing papers on "Ascorbic acid published in 1985"

Human bone cells in vitro.

Abstract: Human bone cell cultures were established by maintaining collagenase-treated, bone fragments in low Ca++ medium. The resulting cell cultures exhibited a high level of alkaline phosphatase activity and produced a significant increase in intracellular cAMP when exposed to the 1-34 fragment of human parathyroid hormone. With continued culture, the cells formed a thick, extracellular matrix that mineralized when cultures were provided daily with normal levels of calcium, fresh ascorbic acid (50 μg/ml) and 10 mM β-glycerol phosphate. Biosynthetically, these cells produced type I collagen (without any type III collagen), and the bone-specific protein, osteonectin. In addition, the cells produced sulfated macromolecules electrophoretically identical to those positively identified as the bone proteoglycan in parallel cultures of fetal bovine bone cells. This technique provides a useful system for the study of osteoblast metabolismin vitro.

High-dose vitamin C versus placebo in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer who have had no prior chemotherapy. A randomized double-blind comparison.

Abstract: It has been claimed that high-dose vitamin C is beneficial in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, especially patients who have had no prior chemotherapy. In a double-blind study 100 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to treatment with either high-dose vitamin C (10 g daily) or placebo. Overall, these patients were in very good general condition, with minimal symptoms. None had received any previous treatment with cytotoxic drugs. Vitamin C therapy showed no advantage over placebo therapy with regard to either the interval between the beginning of treatment and disease progression or patient survival. Among patients with measurable disease, none had objective improvement. On the basis of this and our previous randomized study, it can be concluded that high-dose vitamin C therapy is not effective against advanced malignant disease regardless of whether the patient has had any prior chemotherapy.

VITAMIN E: Interactions With Free Radicals and Ascorbate

Abstract: The association of the tocopherols with lipid peroxidation in biological systems began in the early days of investigations on the chemical nature of these substances (25). Since then a great deal of work has attempted to relate the symptoms of vitamin E deficiency with peroxidative degradation of lipids, primarily those associated with membranous organelles. The signs of vitamin E deficiency in various species of animals are diverse, involving different tissues with different manifestations and different degrees of severity. Thus, it seems clear that the biological function of this vitamin is not specific in the sense of its being a cofactor for an enzymic reaction (as is the case for the B-complex vitamins). Given the appropriate species and certain dietary and environmental conditions, essentially any tissue can be made to develop characteristic signs as a result of a deficiency of this vitamin. In some human disease states, supple­ mentation of vitamin E at levels far exceeding those normally required amelio­ rates or improves the condition. Because of this multiplicity of effects, a common denominator that might explain the effects of a deficiency or excess of this vitamin is not obvious. A common denominator to consider, however, is

Host Factors Affecting the Growth of Carcinogen-induced Rat Mammary Carcinomas: A Review and Tribute to Charles Brenton Huggins

Abstract: The carcinogen-induced rat mammary carcinoma model, developed a quarter of a century ago by Dr. Charles Brenton Huggins, is today the standard laboratory animal model in the study of human breast cancer. This model has a number of features that make it particularly attractive to the experimental oncologist, e.g., tumor induction ease and reliability, organ site specificity, tumors of ductal origin, tumors of predominantly carcinomatous histopathological characteristics, tumors of varying growth factor and/or hormone responsiveness, and the potential to examine tumor initiation and promotion processes. Since the development of this model, an extensive literature describing the biological behavior and responsiveness of these tumors has been provided. The purpose of this communication is to condense, summarize, and integrate this vast literature into a single review with the intent on facilitating information acquisition and conceptualism by both the new and the established experimental oncologist. In addition, and equally important, this communication is a tribute to Dr. Huggins, whose pioneering efforts in the development of this model and whose scientific contributions and dedication to the oncological sciences in general have made an important and lasting impact on us all.

Nutrient sources in the American diet: quantitative data from the NHANES II survey. I. Vitamins and minerals.

Abstract: Dietary data from 11,658 adult respondents in the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to provide quantitative information regarding the contribution of specific foods to the total population intake of the following 10 nutrients: vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, iron, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, and potassium. Data are reported in the companion paper regarding the number of adults in the US population consuming each of 147 food items, representing all foods reported by these respondents. The percentage of total nutrient intake which each food provides is presented for the top 50 contributors of each of the nutrients listed above. Foods sometimes overlooked as important sources are found in some instances to be quantitatively important to population intake, such as spaghetti dishes as an independent source of carotenoids. These data should be useful to epidemiologists with a substantive interest in dietary etiologies or a methodological interest in the development of dietary assessment instruments. In addition, they may be useful to health care planners or nutrition educators.

[3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin binding to pre- and postsynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine sites in various regions of the rat brain.

Abstract: The specific binding of [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ([ 3H]8-OH-DPAT) to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-related sites was investigated in several regions of the rat brain. Marked differences were observed in the characteristics of binding to membranes from hippocampus, striatum, and cerebral cortex. Hippocampal sites exhibited the highest affinity (KD approximately 2 nM) followed by the cerebral cortex (KD approximately 6 nM) and the striatum (KD approximately 10 nM). Ascorbic acid inhibited specific [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding in all three regions but millimolar concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ enhanced specific binding to hippocampal membranes, whereas only Mn2+ increased it in the cerebral cortex and all three cations inhibited specific binding to striatal membranes. Guanine nucleotides (0.1 mM GDP, GTP) inhibited binding to hippocampal and cortical membranes only. As intracerebral 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine markedly decreased [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding sites in the striatum, but not in the hippocampus, the striatal sites appear to be on serotoninergic afferent fibers. In contrast, in the hippocampus the sites appear to be on postsynaptic 5-HT target cells, as local injection of kainic acid decreased their density. Both types of sites appear to be present in the cerebral cortex. The postsynaptic hippocampal [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding sites are probably identical to the 5-HT1A subsites, but the relationship between the presynaptic binding sites and the presynaptic autoreceptors controlling 5-HT release deserves further investigation.

A two‐step control of basic and acidic peroxidases and its significance for growth and development

Abstract: A generalized two-step and interdependent control of basic and acidic peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) is observed in plant responses to different physical and chemical stimuli. An interpretative model consisting of a pathway of reactions is presented on the basis of our own data and the literature. Stress-induced membrane depolarization would generate different species of free radicals and peroxides, which in turn initiate lipid peroxidation. The degradation of cell membranes is suggested to bring about rapid changes in ionic fluxes (especially release of K+ which would result in an enhanced endogenous Ca/K ratio) and in leakage of solutes (among them electron donors such as ascorbic acid and phenolic substances). The increased intracellular relative calcium level results in: 1) activated secretion of basic peroxidases into the free space where, in association with the electron donors and maybe with the circulating indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), they eliminate the peroxides; and 2) facilitated binding of basic peroxidases to membrane structures allowing a role as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)-oxidases. The resulting IAA and ACC oxidase-mediated changes in ethylene production would further induce (this time through the protein synthesis machinery) an increase in activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.31.5) and acidic peroxidases. The resulting lignification and cell wall rigidification determines the growth and/or the developmental response to the initial stress.

Dietary factors and the incidence of cancer of the stomach

Abstract: A case-control study of diet and stomach cancer was conducted during 1979-1982 in Toronto, Winnipeg, and St. John's Canada. Two hundred forty-six histologically verified cancer cases were individually matched by age, sex, and area of residence to 246 randomly selected population controls. Daily nutrient consumption values were calculated from quantitative diet history questionnaire data through use of the US Department of Agriculture Food Composition Data Bank, which was extended and modified for Canadian items. For the analysis, continuous conditional logistic regression methods were used. It was found that consumption of dietary fiber was associated with decreased risk of gastric cancer; the odds ratio estimate of trend was 0.40/10 g average daily intake of fiber (i.e., 0.40(1.5)/15 g, etc.) (p less than 10(-8)). Also, average daily consumption of nitrite, chocolate, and carbohydrate was associated with increasing trends in risk, with odds ratio estimates, respectively, 2.6/mg (p less than 10(-4)), 1.8/10 g (p less than 10(-4)), and 1.5/100 g (p = 0.015). While citrus fruit intake appeared to be somewhat protective (odds ratio = 0.75/100 g daily average, p = 0.0056), vitamin C intake was less so, and vitamin E not at all. Thus, a number of dietary components seem to be implicated in the pathogenesis of stomach cancer.

Influence of Acidosis on Lipid Peroxidation in Brain Tissues In Vitro

Abstract: To study the influence of acidosis on free radical formation and lipid peroxidation in brain tissues, homogenates fortified with ferrous ions and, in some experiments, with ascorbic acid were equilibrated with 5–15% O2 at pH values of 7.0, 6.5, 6.0, and 5.0, with subsequent measurements of thiobarbituric acid-reactive (TBAR) material, as well as of water- and lipid-soluble antioxidants (glutathione, ascorbate, and α-tocopherol) and phospholipid-bound fatty acids (FAs). Moderate to marked acidosis (pH 6.5–6.0) was found to grossly exaggerate the formation of TBAR material and the decrease in α-tocopherol content and to enhance degradation of phospholipid-bound, polyenoic FAs. These effects were reversed at pH 5.0, suggesting a pH optimum at pH 6.0–6.5. It is concluded that acidosis of a degree encountered in ischemic brain tissues has the potential of triggering increased free radical formation. This effect may involve increased formation of the protonated form of superoxide radicals, which is strongly prooxidant and lipid soluble, and/or the decompartmentalization of iron bound to cellular macromolecules like ferritin. (Less)

Elevated Levels of Dietary Ascorbic Acid Increase Immune Responses in Channel Catfish

Abstract: Channel catfish fingerlings were fed purified diets containing 0 to 3000 mg/kg of ascorbic acid until external signs of scurvy were seen in the fish fed the ascorbic acid-deficient diet. At this time, resistance to bacterial infection, antibody production, complement activity and phagocytic activity were assessed for fish from the various dietary treatments. Mortality rates of fish experimentally infected with Edwardsiella ictaluri, the bacterium causing enteric septicemia in channel catfish, decreased with increases in dietary ascorbic acid doses, ranging from 100% for fish fed the ascorbic acid-deficient diet to 15% for fish fed 300 mg ascorbic acid per kilo gram diet and 0 for fish fed 3000 mg ascorbic acid per kilogram diet. Antibody response to E. ictaluri antigen, hemolysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes by comple ment activity and phagocytic engulfment of E. ictaluri by peripheral phagocytes were each impaired in fish fed the diet without supplemental ascorbic acid; intracellular bactericidal activity of the phagocytes was not affected by ascorbic acid deficiency. There were no differences in antibody production, complement activity, or phago cytic activities among fish fed diets containing 30-300 mg ascorbic acid/kg of diet. However, the dose level of 3000 mg ascorbic acid/kg significantly enhanced antibody production and complement activity. J. Nutr. 115: 123-131, 1985.

Regional lipid peroxidation in rat brain in vitro: possible role of endogenous iron

Abstract: Lipoperoxidative capacity of various brain areas of aging rats was examined in vitro using the thiobarbituric acid test. Significant regional differences in the generation of lipid peroxides were found in freshly prepared homogenates from different areas of brain incubated under air. Incubation under oxygen resulted in marked stimulation of lipid peroxidation, with highest increases in hypothalamus (144%). Addition of exogenous Fe2+ and ascorbic acid resulted in stimulation of lipid peroxidation ranging from 10-fold in cortex to 20-fold in hypothalamus homogenates during incubation in air. A linear relationship was found between endogenous iron content in brain regions and their ability to produce lipid peroxides in vitro under oxygen for all areas except striatum. Several iron chelating agents effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation under hyperbaric oxygen whereas oxygenfree radical scavengers, as well as catalase and superoxide dismutase were not effective. It is concluded that regional differences in lipoperoxidative capacity of brain areas in vitro are in part governed by local endogenous iron content and may indicate regional susceptibility to oxidative damage.

Human indolylamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Its tissue distribution, and characterization of the placental enzyme

Abstract: The presence of indolylamine 2,3-dioxygenase was examined in human subjects by determining its activity with L-tryptophan as substrate. Enzyme activity was detected in various tissues, and was relatively high in the lung, small intestine and placenta. Human indolylamine 2,3-dioxygenase, partially purified from the placenta, had an Mr of about 40 000 by gel filtration and exhibited a single pI of 6.9. The human enzyme required a reducing system, ascorbic acid and Methylene Blue, for maximal activity and was able to oxidize D-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan as well as L-tryptophan, but kinetic studies indicated that the best substrate of the enzyme was L-tryptophan.

Cyclic voltammetry and anodic stripping voltammetry with mercury ultramicroelectrodes

Abstract: A method for the preparation of mercury microvoltammetric electrodes of hemispherical geometry with radii of 2.3-7.3 ..mu..m has been developed. Mercury is electrodeposited from solutions of Hg(I) onto a microvoltammetric platinum disk electrode at a constant potential sufficient to ensure diffusion limited conditions. The radius of the deposited mercury electrode is a function of the square root of the deposition time and was experimentally evaluated by applying the equation for steady-state limiting current at a hemispherical electrode to the reduction of Ru(NH/sub 3/)/sub 6//sup 3 +/ at the mercury electrode. The mercury microvoltammetric electrode has been employed in several unique applications. Anodic stripping voltammetry with these electrodes can be performed with a quiescent solution during deposition due to the enhanced mass transfer resulting from nonlinear diffusion. The stripping peaks are as narrow as those expected for thin films, and the peak current for the stripping of lead was found to be linear over the concentration range of 7 x 10/sup -10/ M to 1 x 10/sup -7/ M (5-min preconcentration interval) and to have higher precision than conventional stripping techniques. Mercury microvoltammetric electrodes also are demonstrated to be of value in fast scan cyclic voltammetry in aqueous solution. A well-definedmore » wave can be obtained for the oxidized form of ascorbic acid at pH 7.0 at a scan rate greater than 1 kV s/sup -1/. 26 references, 3 figures, 2 tables.« less

The protective effect of ascorbate in retinal light damage of rats.

Abstract: Cyclic light and dark-reared rats were exposed to intense visible light for various periods and then rhodopsin-measured following recovery in darkness for up to 14 days. Animals were injected with ascorbic acid or ascorbate derivatives at various doses prior to light exposure in green Plexiglas chambers. The results show that ascorbic acid administration elevates retinal ascorbate and reduces the loss of rhodopsin and photoreceptor cell nuclei resulting from intense light. When given in comparable doses, L-ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, and dehydroascorbate were equally effective in preserving rhodopsin. The ascorbate protective effect in the retina is also dose dependent in both cyclic light and dark-reared rats and exhibits a requirement for the L-stereoisomer of the vitamin. Ascorbic acid is effective when administered before, but not after, light exposure, suggesting that protection from light damage in the retina occurs during the light period. In some experiments, rod outer segments were isolated from rats immediately after light exposure, lipids extracted, and fatty acid composition determined. As judged by the preservation of rod outer segment docosahexaenoic acid in rats given ascorbate, the vitamin may act in an antioxidative fashion by inhibiting oxidation of membrane lipids during intense light.

Oral Iron, Dietary Ligands and Zinc Absorption

Abstract: The effect of iron on zinc absorption in humans was investigated by using 65Zn and whole-body counting after 2 wk. Increasing the molar ratio of ferrous iron (with ascorbic acid) to zinc from 1:1 to 2.5:1 did not affect absorption of zinc from water when given in a fasting state; 59 and 58% was absorbed, respectively. However, at an Fe:Zn ratio of 25:1, zinc absorption from water decreased significantly to 34%. When oral iron in the same ratio to zinc was given with a meal, no inhibitory effect was observed (25, 23 and 22%, respectively). Addition of the zinc ligand, histidine, to the water solution decreased the inhibitory effect of the higher dose of iron, resulting in a zinc absorption of 47%. Two weeks of iron preloading did not affect zinc absorption from water. The results demonstrate that when a multimineral supplement is taken on an empty stomach, excessive iron levels can negatively affect zinc absorption. Intake of the supplement with a meal or with a zinc ligand (such as histidine) may overcome this inhibitory effect.

Oxidation of lipids. VIII. Synergistic inhibition of oxidation of phosphatidylcholine liposome in aqueous dispersion by vitamin E and vitamin C.

Abstract: Vitamin E acted as an efficient antioxidant in the oxidation of soybean phosphatidylcholine liposome in an aqueous dispersion initiated by free radicals generated initially either in the aqueous phase or in the lipid phase. Vitamin E decayed linearly with time, and when it was exhausted, the oxidation proceeded rapidly at a similar rate to that in the absence of vitamin E. Vitamin C was also effective by itself in scavenging radicals in an aqueous phase, but it could not scavenge the radicals efficiently in a lipid bilayer. However, when vitamin E was located in phosphatidylcholine bilayer, the addition of vitamin C into an aqueous phase prolonged the period of suppression of oxidation and vitamin C reduced the rate of decay of vitamin E markedly even when the radicals were generated initially in the lipid region. Vitamin C was predominantly consumed linearly at first and vitamin E began to decay after vitamin C was exhausted. It was suggested that vitamin C could regenerate vitamin E by reacting with vit...

Effects of intraindividual and interindividual variation in repeated dietary records

Abstract: In this study 5,115 daily diet records were collected from 151 women on two randomly selected days per sampling month (29 days) over a two-year period. Yearly estimates of the ratios of intraindividual (sigma w2) and interindividual (sigma b2) variance components were calculated for dietary intake of 15 nutrients and for dietary intake + vitamin/mineral supplements. From one year to the next, corresponding ratios of sigma w2/sigma b2 were nearly identical. Intraindividual variation in dietary intake of all 15 nutrients was greater than interindividual variation (sigma w2/sigma b2 greater than 1). Variance component ratios for highly supplemented nutrients such as iron, vitamin C and B vitamins were less than one (sigma w2/sigma b2 less than 1). Using the ratios of sigma w2/sigma b2, it was calculated that between six and 99 repeated records measuring dietary intake and between two and 31 records measuring total intake may be needed per individual to ensure that the estimate of the population correlation (rho DF) between an individual's "usual" dietary intake or total intake of a dietary risk factor and an individual's mean or usual level of a physiologic risk factor was within 10% of the true population correlation coefficient (rho xy). It was also found that twice as many dietary records per individual were required to estimate the population slope (beta xy) within 10%. These results have serious implications for the design and analysis of prospective nutritional studies.

Production of 2-Keto-L-Gulonate, an Intermediate in L-Ascorbate Synthesis, by a Genetically Modified Erwinia herbicola

Abstract: A new metabolic pathway has been created in the microorganism Erwinia herbicola that gives it the ability to produce 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, an important intermediate in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid. Initially, a Corynebacterium enzyme that could stereoselectively reduce 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid to 2-keto-L-gulonic acid was identified and purified. DNA probes based on amino acid sequence information from 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase were then used to isolate the gene for this enzyme from a Corynebacterium genomic library. The 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase coding region was fused to the Escherichia coli trp promoter and a synthetic ribosome binding site and was then introduced into E. herbicola on a multicopy plasmid. Erwinia herbicola naturally produces 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid via glucose oxidation, and when recombinant cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reductase were grown in the presence of glucose, 2-keto-L-gulonic acid was made and released into the culture medium. The data demonstrate the feasibility of creating novel in vivo routes for the synthesis of important specialty chemicals by combining useful metabolic traits from diverse sources in a single organism.

Candidate reference method for determination of total bilirubin in serum: development and validation.

Abstract: This candidate Reference Method for measuring total bilirubin in serum is based on the Jendrassik-Grof principle (Clin Chem 29: 297-301, 1983). Standard Reference Material no. 916 bilirubin (National Bureau of Standards) is used as the standard. Bilirubin standard solutions may be prepared either in human serum or in 40 g/L albumin solution (human or bovine), because we found the molar absorptivity of the azopigment at 598 nm to be identical in these media. The absorptivities of the unconjugated and conjugated azopigments appear to be identical, but the conjugated azopigment is completely hydrolyzed in the final reaction mixture. Bilirubin added to serum from adults or neonates was quantitatively accounted for. Interference by hemoglobin (up to 2 g/L), ascorbic acid (up to 20 mg/L), or zinc (at physiological concentrations) is negligible. Of the therapeutic drugs we tested, only L-dopa and alpha-methyldopa interfere. We established normal adult reference values for total bilirubin and examined the intraindividual variation in 19 subjects.

Bioassay of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s): inactivation by catecholamines

Abstract: A bioassay technique was developed to analyze the effect of vasoactive substance(s) released from endothelial cells. Canine femoral arteries with or without endothelium were perfused with physiological salt solution at 37 degrees C. The perfusate was bioassayed with a ring of coronary artery without endothelium. A substance(s) released by the endothelial cells under basal conditions caused relaxation of unstimulated coronary arteries or relaxation of those contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha. The release of the relaxing substance(s) was augmented by acetylcholine. The relaxation induced by acetylcholine was biphasic: an initial rapid phase followed by a partial recovery and a slowly developing prolonged relaxation; the half-life of the substance(s) causing the initial phase averaged 6.3 s. Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and ascorbic acid, given downstream of the femoral artery, reversibly prevented the second phase but only attenuated the initial relaxation. These observations indicate that an endothelium-derived relaxing substance(s) is released into the lumen of the femoral artery under basal conditions and during stimulation with acetylcholine. Catecholamines can inactivate the relaxing substance(s) but do not prevent either its production by endothelial cells or its action on vascular smooth muscle.

Capsicum production, technology, chemistry, and quality. Part 1: History, botany, cultivation, and primary processing.

Abstract: The genus Capsicum (Fam Solanaceae) was known to ancient cultures and was more recently historically associated with the discovery of the New World This genus provides many species and varieties used in flavoring foods popular in the cuisines of many parts of the world From the pungent chilli to the colorful paprika and the bell pepper, with its remarkable aroma, the genus is of great interest for its chemistry, sensory attributes, and physiological action The Capsicums, among the spices, are second only to black pepper in trade both in volume and value The production of the different pungency forms, the processed seasonings, and the concentrated oleoresins, through technologically advanced processes and in specified standard grades, are critically reviewed The pungency of Capsicum fruits, its evaluation, chemical structure relationship, its increasing acceptance and preference by a variety of populations are of great research interest The wide traditional use in the growing regions and its intense physiological effects have attracted the attention of researchers of many different disciplines These aspects are reviewed in four sequential parts Part I deals with history, botany, cultivation, and primary processing