Phagomimetic action of antibiotics: Revisited. How do antibiotics know where to go?

Phagocytic cells know exactly where an infection is by following chemotactic signals. The phagocytosis of bacteria results in a 'respiratory burst' in which superoxide radicals are released. We have previously compared the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by antibiotics, during electron transfer reactions, to this event.

Toxicity of imine-iminium dyes and pigments: electron transfer, radicals, oxidative stress and other physiological effects.

Although conjugation is well known as an important contributor to color, there is scant recognition concerning involvement of imine and iminium functions in the physiological effects of this class of dyes and pigments. The group includes the dyes methylene blue, rhodamine, malachite green, fuchsin, crystal violet, auramine and cyanins, in addition to the pigments consisting of pyocyanine, phthalocyanine and pheophytin. The physiological effects consist of both toxicity and beneficial aspects.

Nitroaromatic compounds: Environmental toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, therapy and mechanism.

Vehicle pollution is an increasing problem in the industrial world. Aromatic nitro compounds comprise a significant portion of the threat. In this review, the class includes nitro derivatives of benzene, biphenyls, naphthalenes, benzanthrone and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plus nitroheteroaromatic compounds.

Benzodiazepines: electron affinity, receptors and cell signaling - a multifaceted approach.

This report entails a multifaceted approach to benzodiazepine (BZ) action, involving electron affinity, receptors, cell signaling and other aspects. Computations of the electron affinities (EAs) of different BZs have been carried out to establish the effect of various substituents on their EA. These computations were undertaken to serve as a first step in determining what role electron transfer (ET) plays in BZ activity.

Cell signaling, receptors, electrical effects and therapy in circadian rhythm.

Circadian rhythm has been the object of much attention. This review addresses the aspects of cell signaling, receptors, therapy and electrical effects in a multifaceted fashion. The pineal gland, which produces the important hormones melatonin and serotonin, exerts a prominent influence, in addition to the supraschiasmatic nucleus.

Nanoparticles: toxicity, radicals, electron transfer, and antioxidants.

In recent years, nanoparticles have received increasing attention in research and technology, including a variety of practical applications. The bioactivity appears to be related to the small particle size, in addition to inherent chemical activity as electron transfer (ET) agents, generators of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with subsequent oxidative stress (OS), and as antioxidants (AOs). The mechanism of toxicity, therapeutic action, and AO property is addressed based on the ET-ROS-OS approach.

Redox processes in neurodegenerative disease involving reactive oxygen species.

Much attention has been devoted to neurodegenerative diseases involving redox processes. This review comprises an update involving redox processes reported in the considerable literature in recent years. The mechanism involves reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, usually in the brain.

Propoxur: a novel mechanism for insecticidal action and toxicity.

Propoxur is a carbamate insecticide that has recently attracted considerable attention as a possible treatment option for addressing the bedbug epidemic. The generally accepted mechanism of toxicity for propoxur involves the inhibition of ChE, as is the case for many agents in the category. Considerable research supports the concept that most physiologically active substances induce their effects through multi-faceted action.

Cell signaling and receptors in toxicity of advanced glycation end products (AGEs): α-dicarbonyls, radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidants.

Considerable attention has been paid to the toxicity of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), including relation to various illnesses. AGEs, generated nonenzymatically from carbohydrates and proteins, comprises large numbers of simple and more complicated compounds. Many reports deal with a role for receptors (RAGE) and cell signaling, including illnesses and aging.

Recent developments in the mechanism of anticancer agents based on electron transfer, reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress.

Extensive evidence supports involvement of electron transfer (ET), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS) in the mechanism of many anticancer drugs. The common ET functionalities, usually present in the drug metabolites, are quinones (or precursors), metal complexes (or complexors), hydroxylamine and nitroso from ArNO2 or ArNH2, and conjugated imines (or iminium species). The ET agents function catalytically in redox cycling with formation of ROS from oxygen.

Cell signaling and receptors with resorcinols and flavonoids: redox, reactive oxygen species, and physiological effects.

There have been appreciable numbers of reviews on monophenols, catechols, and hydroquinones. However, the resorcinol class has received less attention. This review deals with resorcinols and flavonoids.

Novel electrostatic mechanism for mode of action by N-acetylated proteins: cell signaling and phosphorylation.

Although extensive literature exists for N-acetylated proteins, scant knowledge is available concerning resultant mode of action. This review presents a novel mechanism based on electrostatics and cell signaling. There is substantial increase in the amide dipole and electrostatic field (EF) in contrast with the primary amino of the lysine precursor.

Integrated approach to nitric oxide in animals and plants (mechanism and bioactivity): cell signaling and radicals.

Nitric oxide was first the object of extensive investigation in animals. It has been designated as the most widespread signaling molecule. An overview is presented with emphasis on cell signaling, mechanism, and physiological activity.

Biomechanisms of nanoparticles (toxicants, antioxidants and therapeutics): electron transfer and reactive oxygen species.

In recent years, nanoparticles have received increasing attention in research and technology, including a variety of practical applications. The bioactivity appears to be related to the small particle size, in addition to inherent chemical activity as electron transfer (ET) agents, generators of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with subsequent oxidative stress (OS) and as antioxidants (AOs). The mechanism of toxicity, therapeutic action and AO property is addressed based on the ET-ROS-OS approach.

Hydroxyurea (therapeutics and mechanism): metabolism, carbamoyl nitroso, nitroxyl, radicals, cell signaling and clinical applications.

During a century, hydroxyurea has received much attention in relation to its physiological properties. This review mainly deals with the metabolism, mechanism, cell signaling, therapeutic properties, bioactivity, receptors, and toxicity. Metabolism provides insight concerning the mechanism.

Multifaceted approach to resveratrol bioactivity: Focus on antioxidant action, cell signaling and safety.

Resveratrol (RVT) is a naturally occurring trihydroxy stilbene that displays a wide spectrum of physiological activity. Its ability to behave therapeutically as a component of red wine has attracted wide attention. The phenol acts as a protective agent involving various body constituents.

Clinical physiology and mechanism of dizocilpine (MK-801): electron transfer, radicals, redox metabolites and bioactivity.

Dizocilpine (MK-801), an extensively investigated drug possessing secondary amine and benzenoid functions, displays a wide array of biological properties, including anticonvulsant and anesthetic. There is scant discussion of biomechanism. A relevant, important finding is formation of oxidative metabolites in the hydroxylamine and phenolic categories.

Novel, unifying mechanism for mescaline in the central nervous system: electrochemistry, catechol redox metabolite, receptor, cell signaling and structure activity relationships.

A unifying mechanism for abused drugs has been proposed previously from the standpoint of electron transfer. Mescaline can be accommodated within the theoretical framework based on redox cycling by the catechol metabolite with its quinone counterpart. Electron transfer may play a role in electrical effects involving the nervous system in the brain.

Hydroxamic acids (therapeutics and mechanism): chemistry, acyl nitroso, nitroxyl, reactive oxygen species, and cell signaling.

The hydroxamic acid functionality, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has received much attention in relation to its physiological properties. This review mainly deals with the chemistry, mechanism, cell signaling, therapeutic properties, clinical trials, and toxicity. The chemistry provides insight concerning the mechanism.

Electromagnetic fields: mechanism, cell signaling, other bioprocesses, toxicity, radicals, antioxidants and beneficial effects.

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) played a role in the initiation of living systems, as well as subsequent evolution. The more recent literature on electrochemistry is documented, as well as magnetism. The large numbers of reports on interaction with living systems and the consequences are presented.

How safe is bisphenol A? Fundamentals of toxicity: metabolism, electron transfer and oxidative stress.

The FDA recently announced concern about the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) and the need for more research. In the current controversy, scant attention is being paid to toxicity at the fundamental, molecular level, which is the topic of this report. Important information is provided by extensive studies on metabolism.

Integrated approach to the mechanisms of thyroid toxins: electron transfer, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, cell signaling, receptors, and antioxidants.

Although considerable numbers of reviews are available on toxicity of major body organs based on electron transfer (ET), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and oxidative stress (OS), the integrated concept has been less applied to glands. This review represents an interdisciplinary approach to thyroid toxicity, involving ET, ROS, OS, cell signaling, receptors, toxicants, and beneficial effects of antioxidants (AOs). The introductory portion includes general function of the thyroid as well as the mechanism of thyroxine synthesis entailing participation of oxidative events, including the role of iodine.

Bioelectrochemistry, reactive oxygen species, receptors, and cell signaling: how interrelated?

Electrochemistry and cell signaling are widely involved in the operation of biochemical systems. This article discusses the relationship of the two, as well as interconnection with a variety of other aspects, such as free radicals, receptors, and stereochemistry. Both endogenous and exogenous agents are involved.

Unifying mechanism for metals in toxicity, carcinogenicity and therapeutic action: integrated approach involving electron transfer, oxidative stress, antioxidants, cell signaling and receptors.

This comprehensive review of biometals involves the unifying theme of electron transfer, reactive oxygen species, and oxidative stress (OS) applied to toxicity, carcinogenicity, and therapeutic action. The beneficial effect of antioxidants supports the participation of OS. The metals involved are mainly in the heavier category.

Zolpidem, a clinical hypnotic that affects electronic transfer, alters synaptic activity through potential GABA receptors in the nervous system without significant free radical generation.

Zolpidem (trade name Ambien) has attracted much interest as a sleep-inducing agent and also in research. Attention has been centered mainly on receptor binding and electrochemistry in the central nervous system which are briefly addressed herein. A novel integrated approach to mode of action is presented.