SUPEROXIDE RADICAL AND TOXICITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL NICKEL EXPOSURE

Three nickel compounds were tested for pancreatic, hepatic and osteogenic damage in rats by a single i.m. injection Ni++ (7 mg kg(-1)). The nickel induced biochemical alterations included significantly increased levels of serum alkaline phosphatase in rats with NiS (75%) and NiO (50%). Amylase and aspartate transaminase were also increased, and lipoperoxide was increased in rats with NiO (5.6-fold) and NiS (3.4-fold). No serum changes were observed with NiCl2. Daily injection of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) conjugated with polyethylene glycol prevented the serum level changes, indicating that superoxide radical is an important intermediate in toxicity of nickel insoluble compounds.

Utilization of Spirillum volutans for monitoring the toxicity of effluents of a cellulose and paper industry

The motility of Spirillum volutans was used for monitoring the toxicity of effluents of a cellulose and paper industry. Results indicated that there was no correlation between organic content and the toxic effects of the residues in the effluents. The effluents from the chlorination step and from the sludge ponds presented the highest toxicity. on the other hand, the final effluent from the biological treatment basin had no toxic agent. This bioassay showed to be a simple and reliable technique that can be used for adequately monitoring the toxicity of effluents.

Physicochemical parameters involved in the lethal toxicity of N,N-[(dimethylamino)ethyl]-4-substituted benzoate hydrochlorides: A QSAR study

A set of sixteen para-substituted N,N-[(dimethylamino)ethyl] benzoate hydrochlorides structurally related to procaine was synthesized. The apparent partition coefficients were determined by either shake-flask or HPLC methods and were taken as hydrophobic parameters. The IR stretching frequencies of the carbonyl group were determined in chloroform and taken as one of the electronic parameters. Additional physicochemical parameters were either taken from the literature: pi, sigma, T and R, MR4, or calculated: log P. The lethal potency was determined in the mouse via the LD50. In order to verify the nature and the relative contributions of the physicochemical parameters to lethal toxicity, QSAR equations were derived using regression analysis. A major contribution of hydrophobicity to ether with a smaller but still significant contribution of electronic or polar properties was found to a describe the toxicity within this set of compounds.

Generation of copper nanoparticles induced by fs-laser irradiation in borosilicate glass

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Synthesis, structure, and electronic and EPR spectra of copper(II) complexes containing the [CuBr4]2- anion and triphenylarsine oxide

The preparation and characterization of (Ph3AsOH)2[CuBr4] and [Cu(Ph3AsO)4][CuBr4] are reported (Ph3AsO = triphenylarsine oxide). Crystallographic analysis of the monoclinic crystals of (Ph3AsOH)2[CuBr4] (space group C2/c, a = 17.569 (3) Å, b = 13.090 (2) Å, c = 16.933 (2) Å, and β = 105.64 (2)°, R = 0.055 and Rw = 0.057) revealed the presence of compressed [CuBr4]2- tetrahedra of C2 symmetry with Cu-Br distances of 2.340 (1) and 2.437 (1) Å and trans-Br-Cu-Br angles of 139.2 (1) and 122.4 (1)°. The oxonium cations hydrogen bond to the bromine atoms involved in the longer Cu-Br bonds and the smaller trans-Br-Cu-Br angle. Single-crystal electronic and EPR spectra are interpreted in terms of the observed [CuBr4]2- geometry. Analysis of the electronic and EPR spectra of [Cu(Ph3AsO)4][CuBr4] led to the postulation of the presence of planar [Cu(Ph3AsO)4]2+ cations and distorted tetrahedral [CuBr4]2- anions. © 1992 American Chemical Society.

Adsorption and structure of copper(II) complexes on a silica gel surface chemically modified with 2-aminothiazole

The isotherms of adsorption of CuX2 (X=Cl-, Br-, ClO- 4) by silica gel chemically modified with 2-aminothiazole were studied in acetone and EtOH solutions, at 25°C. The 2-aminothiazole molecule, covalently bond to the silica gel surface, adsorbs CuX2 from solvent by forming a surface complex. At low loading, the electronic and E.S.R. spectral parameters indicate that the Cu2+ complexes have a distorted tetragonal symmetry. The d-d eletronic transition spectra show that for ClO- 4 complex, the peak of absorption do not change for any degree of metal loading whilst for Cl- and Br- complexes, the peak maxima shift to higher energy with lower metal loading. © Elsevier Science Ltd.

Effect of α-tocopherol on superoxide radical and toxicity of cadmium exposure

Contamination with cadmium compounds poses high potential risk for the health of populations and for this reason the treatment of their toxic effects should urgently be established. The present study was carried out to determine whether α-tocopherol intake can protect tissues against damage induced by cadmium, and to clarify the contribution of superoxide radicals (O 2 -) in this process. Cadmium chloride was tested for tissue damage by a single intraperitoneal injection of Cd 2+ ions (2 mg Kg -1). To determine the potential therapeutic effect of vitamin E, a group of Cd 2+-treated rats received a drinking solution of α-tocopherol (40 mg l -1) for 15 days. Cadmium induced increased serum creatinine and total lactate dehydrogenase, reflecting renal and cardiac damage. The increased lipoperoxide and decreased Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase levels indicated the generation of superoxide radicals in cadmium-treated rats. Tocopherol induced increased serum high-density lipoprotein and depressed the toxic effects of Ca 2+ alone, since creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase determinations were recovered to the control values. Tocopherol decreased lipoperoxide and led the superoxide dismutase activities to approach those of the control values. We concluded that superoxide radicals are produced as mediators of cadmium toxicity. Tocopherol possesses a significant anti-radical activity and inhibits the cadmium effect on superoxide dismutase activity. Tocopherol also protected tissues from the toxic effects of cadmium by a direct antioxidant action which decreased lipoperoxide formation.

Toxicity of synthetic piperonyl compounds to leaf-cutting ants and their symbiotic fungus

The development of Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the fungus cultured by the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens was inhibited in vitro by synthetic compounds containing the piperonyl group. In addition, worker ants that were fed daily on an artificial diet to which these compounds were added had a higher mortality rate than the controls. The inhibition of the fungal growth increased with the size of the carbon side chain ranging from C1 through C8 and decreasing thereafter. 1-(3,4-Methylenedioxybenzyloxy)octane (compound 5) was the most active compound and inhibited the fungal development by 80% at a concentration of 15 μg m1-1. With worker ants the toxic effects started with compound 5 and increased with the number of carbons in the side chain. Thus, for the same concentration (100 μg m1-1) the mortality rates observed after 8 days of diet ingestion were 82%, 66% and 42%, for 1-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyloxy)decane, 1-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyloxy)dodecane and compound 5, respectively, whereas with commercial piperonyl butoxide the mortality was 68%. The latter compound, which is known as a synergist insecticide, was as inhibitory to the symbiotic fungus as the synthetic compound 5. The possibility of controlling these insects in the future using compounds that can target simultaneously both organisms is discussed. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.