Neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects of -methyl-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)propan-2-amine (methamnetamine) and 1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinylpentane (prolintane).

Two synthetic phenylethylamines, N-methyl-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)propan-2-amine (MNA) and 1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinylpentane (prolintane), are being abused by people seeking hallucinogens for pleasure. These new psychotropic substances may provoke problems because there is no existing information about their toxicity and pharmacological behaviors. Therefore, we evaluated the safety of nerves and cardiovascular systems by determining toxicity after MNA and prolintane drugs administrations to mice and rat.

Percutaneous absorption, disposition, and exposure assessment of homosalate, a UV filtering agent, in rats.

Homosalate (HMS) is an ultraviolet (UV) filtering agent used in sunscreens and other cosmetics for skin protection purposes. Despite the widespread use of these products, absorption, disposition, and in vivo endocrine disrupting potential of HMS have not been characterized. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the percutaneous absorption, disposition, and exposure assessment of HMS in rats.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in Korean human milk: contamination levels and infant risk assessment.

The levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in 50 samples of Korean human milk. POPs include organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) [aldrin, chlordanes, dieldrin, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), endrins, heptachlors, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), mirex, and toxaphenes] and marker PCBs (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB138, PCB153 and PCB180). In all samples, p,p'-DDE were determined as 75.

Plant cell wall polysaccharides as potential resources for the development of novel prebiotics.

Prebiotic oligosaccharides, with a degree of polymerization (DP) of mostly less than 10, exhibit diverse biological activities that contribute to human health. Currently available prebiotics are mostly derived from disaccharides and simple polysaccharides found in plants. Subtle differences in the structures of oligosaccharides can cause significant differences in their prebiotic proper-ties.

Simultaneous analysis and monitoring of 16 UV filters in cosmetics by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Sixteen UV filters were simultaneously analyzed using the high-performance liquid chromatographic method. They were drometrizole (USAN Drometrizole), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (USAN Enzacamene), menthyl anthranilate (USAN Menthyl anthranilate), benzophenone-3 (USAN Oxybenzone), benzophenone-8 (USAN Dioxybenzone), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (USAN Avobenzone), ethylhexyl triazone (USAN Octyl triazone), octocrylene (USAN Octocrylene), ethylhexyl dimethyl p-aminobenzoic acid (USAN Padimate O), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (USAN Octinoxate), p-aminobenzoic acid (USAN Aminobenzoic acid), 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (USAN Ensulizole), isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate (USAN Amiloxate), and recent UV filters such as diethylhexyl butamidotriazone (USAN Iscotrizinol), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (USAN Bisoctrizole), and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid (USAN Ecamsule). Separation of the UV filters was carried out in a C(18) column with a gradient of methanol-phosphate buffer, and the UV detection was at 300, 320, or 360 nm without any interference.

Genetic polymorphisms in metabolism of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine.

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are naturally produced during common cooking processes for meats and fish. HCAs are metabolized by various enzymes, including cytochromes P450, N-acetyl transferases, and sulfotransferases, and their bioactivated metabolites are considered to bind to DNA or protein to show carcinogenic effects. More than 20 HCAs have been identified, of which 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) is classified as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen' to develop cancers in breast, colon and prostate.

Comparative metabolism and disposition of trichloroethylene in Cyp2e1-/-and wild-type mice.

Trichloroethylene (TCE)1 is an important environmental contaminant, a well established rodent carcinogen, and a "probable human carcinogen". Metabolism of TCE occurs primarily via cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent oxidation. In vitro studies suggested that CYP2E1 is the principal high-affinity enzyme responsible for TCE metabolism.

The methylerythritol phosphate pathway contributes to carotenoid but not phytol biosynthesis in Euglena gracilis.

The biosynthesis of diadinoxanthin and beta-carotene in Euglena gracilis was examined using [1-13C]-D-glucose and [5,5-2H2]-1-deoxy-D-xylulose. In contrast to previous studies on isoprenoid biosynthesis in E. gracilis, the results demonstrate a role for the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, along with the mevalonate pathway, in carotenoid biosynthesis.