Induction by xenobiotics of phase I and phase II enzyme activities in the human keratinocyte cell line NCTC 2544.

This study analyses the expression and induction of several drug-metabolising enzyme activities involved in either phase I or phase II biotransformations in NCTC 2544 human keratinocytes. The phase I activities 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD), 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depenthylase (PROD) were easily detectable in basal conditions. During incubations lasting up to 144 h in the presence of the classical cytochrome P450 inducers beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) and phenobarbital (PB), a considerable and significant increase in all the three activities was observed.

An "in vitro" approach to water pollution monitoring.

Pollutants of River Lambro, a tributary River Po, were monitored by their potential to induce 1A1 isoform of cytochrome P450 in the FaO hepatoma cell line. Extracts of water samples taken during different months over about one year were fractionated by reverse phase HPLC technique. Six fractions of decreasing polarity were collected, concentrated, freeze-dried and suspended in DMSO for the treatment of the cells.

Esters of 1,3,3,-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo [2.2.2]octan-6-ols: synthesis, odour evaluation and in vitro preliminary toxicity assays.

Synopsis The synthesis of a series of alkyl and arylesters of 1,3,3,-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6-ols (2-cineolylols) is described.

Lack of DNA alterations induced by orotic acid in rat liver as evaluated with two DNA unwinding methods.

One percent orotic acid supplemented diet is a promoting treatment in the rat model of liver carcinogenesis. After treatment with this type of diet, DNA alterations were observed using alkaline sucrose gradients and alkaline elution methods. In this work we have utilized two unwinding methods for the detection of DNA fragmentation.