Synthesis of allylic hydroperoxides and EPR spin-trapping studies on the formation of radicals in iron systems as potential initiators of the sensitizing pathway.

Many terpenes used as fragrance compounds autoxidize when exposed to air, forming allylic hydroperoxides that have the potential to be skin contact allergens. To trigger the immunotoxicity process that characterizes contact allergy, these hydroperoxides are supposed to bind covalently to proteins in the skin via radical pathways. We investigated the formation of reactive radical intermediates from 7-hydroperoxy-3,7-dimethylocta-1,5-dien-3-ol and 2-hydroperoxylimonene, responsible for the sensitizing potential acquired by autoxidized linalool and limonene.

Cocaine induces the expression of homer 1b/c, homer 3a/b, and hsp 27 proteins in rat cerebellum.

The long homer proteins 1b/c, 2a/b, and 3a/b play an important role in postsynaptic neurons by clustering glutamate receptors and by coupling the receptors with various intracellular effectors. Using immunohistochemistry and Western-blot analysis, this study shows that the expression of the long homer isoforms 1b/c and 3a/b was induced in rat cerebellum in response to cocaine administration. Acute treatment produced a very robust induction of both constitutive isoforms, whereas repeated treatment for 10 days induced a large expression of homer 1b/c and a more modest increase in the expression of the 3a/b isoform.