Effects Of Sulfur-containing Amino Acids Research Articles

Effects of Sulfur Amino Acids on Cardiodynamic Parameters of Isolated Rat Heart

Abstract Sulfur-containing amino acids are integral part of molecular mechanisms which underlie many aspects of cellular function and homeostasis, facilitated by reversible changes in oxidation states of sulfur atoms. Dysregulation of these pathways is associated with diverse pathologies, notably of the cardiovascular system, which are typically characterized by inappropriate plasma levels of sulfur-containing amino acids. The aim of this study was to assess the acute, direct effects of sulfur-containing amino acids and inorganic NaHS, as H2S donor, on cardiodynamic parameters in homocysteine treated rats. Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia did not cause significant decrease in myocardial contractility, but our findings suggest that NaHS and L-methionine cause negative effects on cardiac function in hearts of the rats treated with homocysteine, even in a single administration. Further investigations need to be carried out with purpose of better understanding and highlightening the impact of Hcy and sulphur amino acids on cardiac function.

Effects of Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids and High Hydrostatic Pressure on Structure and Gelation Properties of Sweet Potato Protein

The structural modification and gelation properties of sweet potato protein (SPP) affected by sulfur-containing amino acids (L-cysteine or L-cystine) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) were investigated. Additives altered the denaturation temperature and reduced the denaturation enthalpy of SPP. Higher α-helical contents were observed in untreated or HHP-treated SPP with L-cysteine or L-cystine, while β-sheet and random coil structure unit were decreased. FTIR spectra showed a weak absorbance in HHP-treated SPP with L-cysteine and L-cystine. Storage modulus (G′) of untreated or HHP-treated SPP was enhanced by L-cysteine and L-cystine. Textural properties of SPP gels were improved by sulfur-containing amino acids and HHP, especially for L-cysteine. Decrease in T2b relaxation time and increase in A21 proportion peak area by low-field NMR suggested that water bound more closely to SPP molecules in the presence of L-cysteine and L-cystine, and more immobilized water fraction was trapped in SPP gel matrix.

The effect of derivatives of sulfur-containing amino acids (ademetionine, taurine and glutathione) on survival of animals with acute kidney injury of various genesis

Aim. To study the nephroprotective effect of sulfur-containing amino acids (ademetionine, taurine and glutathione) on different models of acute kidney injury (AKI) by the integral index of the survival rate of animals.Materials and methods. The experiments were performed on 105 non-linear mature white laboratory rats and 35 mice. The drugs studied – ademetionine (Geptral, Abbott SpA, Italy) in the dose of 20 mg/kg, glutathione (TAD 600, Biomedica Foscama, Italy) in the dose of 30 mg/kg and taurine (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) in the dose of dose 100 mg/kg – were injected intraperitoneally 3-7 days before AKI modeling. Rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI was modeled by the intramuscular injection of 50 % glycerol solution in the dose of 10 ml/kg, toxic AKI – by the injection of gentamicin solution in the dose of 80 mg/kg and the subcutaneous injection of ethylene glycol in the dose of 10 ml/kg. Simulation of renal ischemia was performed under general anesthesia (ethaminal sodium, 40 mg/kg) by clamping of both renal pedicles for a period of 60 min, followed by reperfusion for 24 h.Results and discusion. The experimental results show a significant improvement in the survival of animals under the effect of the drugs of derivatives of sulfur-containing amino acids studied in conditions of various models of AKI. Ademetionine, taurine and glutathione reduced the lethality of animals on models of rhabdomyolytic, gentamicin, ischemia-reperfusion AKI. In conditions of ethylene glycol intoxication the highest nephroprotective activity by the survival criterion was shown by glutathione (57.1 % survival at 48 h after administration of ethylene glycol against 100 % of mortality in the control group (p < 0.05).Conclusions. All derivatives of sulfur-containing amino acids studied (ademetionine, taurine and glutathione) exhibit the nephroprotective activity by the criterion of survival of animals on various models of AKI. Glutathione demonstrates the best survival of animals with acute kidney injury of various genesis, while ademetionine has the lowest survival.

The effect of sulfur-containing amino acids on the biosynthesis of lincomycin

Lincomycin, a clinically important antibiotic for the treatment of diseases caused by Gram-positive bacteria, is formed by a bifurcated biosynthetic pathway. The latest research reported that two low-molecular-weight thiols, mycothiol and ergothioneine were discovered in the sulfur of lincomycin. The coupling of two bacterial thiols could be biosynthesized by histidine, cysteine and methionine, which indicates the relationship between the three amino acids and the enhancement of the two thiols in the lincomycin biosynthesis. In 15-l stirred bioreactor, methionine and the combination of the three amino acids were added, and the lincomycin productions were increased by 24.6 and 47.5% compared with control (6051 μ/ml). Along with last S-methylation gene lmbG, the key biosynthesis genes of mycothiol and ergothioneine and the cyclic regeneration genes in lincomycin biosynthesis, mshA, egtD, lmbT, lmbV and lmbE, were analyzed by real-time-quantitative PCR, and the results shown the expression levels of these genes were higher than the control.

The Beneficial Effects of Sulfur-containing Amino Acids on Cisplatininduced Cardiotoxicity and Neurotoxicity in Rodents.

Cisplatin is one the most frequently used chemotherapeutic drugs for several decades. Although its antineoplastic effect has been reported in treatment of numerous malignances, various adverse effects seem to be the crucial limiting factor for its administration. Beside the most commonly described nephro- and hepatotoxicity, cisplatin therapy is also accompanied with gastrointestinal, reproductive, hematological, cardiovascular and neurological side effects. Since it has been reported that cisplatin induce oxidative damage in various tissues, it seems reasonable to investigate an antioxidant supplementation as potential therapeutical approach for attenuation of cisplatin toxicities. We performed a structured search of bibliographic databases for research literature using a focused review question and inclusion/exclusion criteria. The quality of retrieved papers (101 in total) was appraised using standard tools. Numerous antioxidants (such as thiol compounds, polyphenols, vitamins, etc.) had been reported for their beneficial effects on cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity. The effects of various antioxidants, including sulfur-containing amino acids, have also been explored for mitigation of cisplatin neurotoxicity. However, the results for antioxidant supplementation in reduction of cisplatin-induced toxicities are still to be applied in clinical trials. Considering the facts that sulfur-containing amino acids: (a) do not interfere with chemotherapeutics antitumor action; (b) do not exhibit any toxic effect (unless applied in dose several times above the recommended); and (c) produce significant protective effects on some cisplatin-induced toxicities connected to augmentation of oxidative damage - it seems that their administration can be harmless and protective supplementation against numerous adverse effects of certain antineoplastic agents.

Effect of sulfur-containing amino acids and peptides on the free-radical fragmentation of biologically active phospho derivatives of glycerol

The effects of sulfur-containing amino acids and peptides (cysteine, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), methionine, methionine sulfoxide (MetO), taurine (Tau), glutathione (GSH, GSSH), cysteinylglycine, and glutamylcysteine) on the free-radical degradation of glycero-1-phosphate and dimiristoyl phosphatidylglycerol with phosphoether bond rupture induced by γ-radiation or the Fe2+(EDTA)(Cu2+)–H2O2–(ascorbate) systems have been studied. In the case of a radiation-initiated process, thiols exert the greatest radioprotective effect in a concentration-dependent manner, and the action of MetO and Tau is neutral. In the case of Cu2+- mediated fragmentation, all of the test compounds with exception of Tau and NAC inhibit the process. The action of the test compounds on the fragmentation mediated by the Fe2+/EDTA–H2O2 (Fe2+–H2O2–ascorbate) systems can be either anti(pro)oxidant or neutral. In this case, all of the thiols other than glutamylcysteine exert an activating effect.

L-Cysteine-induced up-regulation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor is mediated via a transforming growth factor-alpha signalling pathway

Sulphur-containing amino acids regulate plasma cholesterol levels in animals and humans. However, their mechanism of action remains unclear. Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) plays an important role in cholesterol metabolism. We therefore investigated the effects of sulphur-containing amino acids on the expression of LDLR in hepatocytes. HepG2 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium with or without sulphur-containing amino acids and cysteine-containing compounds. We found that l-cysteine increased LDLR mRNA and enhanced LDLR gene promoter activity through the extracellular-signal-related kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways in HepG2 cells. Moreover, we observed that l-cysteine stimulated the release of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) and that TGF-α increased the LDLR mRNA levels. This study provides a report of the l-cysteine mediated up-regulation of the LDLR expression via TGF-α signalling pathway. Our findings provide insights into cholesterol homeostasis and amino acid signalling.

Cholesterol Lowering Effect of Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids Added to a Soybean Protein Diet in Rats

The cholesterol-lowering action of soybean protein was studied with rats from the aspect of sulfur-containing amino acids using casein as a counterpart. Weanling rats were fed for 3 wk on a soybean protein isolate (SPI) or casein diet. Serum cholesterol levels did not differ between the two diet groups, but were lowered by supplementing methionine to a 10% SPI diet or cystine to an amino acid mixture diet, equivalent to a 10% SPI or to a 20% SPI diet. By adding methionine or cystine to a 10% SPI diet, cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity was elevated concomitantly with elevated hepatic glutathione (GSH) level, while hydroxyl methyl-glutalyl coenzyme A reductase activity was reduced by methionine, regardless of GSH levels. Excretion of fecal steroid was not significantly changed by addition of either amino acid, as expressed per body weight. These results indicate that the relative amount of methionine and cystine in a diet affected cholesterol metabolizing enzyme activity in a way not parallel to GSH concentration.

Effect of sulfur-containing amino acids on the corrosion of mild steel in sulfide-polluted sulfuric acid solutions

The influence of cysteine (RSH) and cystine (RSSR) on the corrosion behavior of mild steel in sulfide-polluted H2SO4 solutions was studied by potentiodynamic polarization methods and AC impedance technique. The results show that S2− accelerates the corrosion process markedly, especially the anodic dissolution of iron. Tafel polarization curves show that RSH and RSSR act mainly as anodic-type inhibitors without affecting the mechanism of the hydrogen evolution reaction or iron dissolution. Adsorption of RSH and RSSR in most sulfide-polluted H2SO4 solutions obeys Temkin’s isotherm. Impedance studies indicate that in the inhibited and uninhibited solutions, charge transfer controls the corrosion process either at Ecorr or at 30 mV vs Ecorr. Potentiodynamic anodic polarization curves show that RSSR effectively inhibits the steel dissolution both in the active and passive states and greatly reduces the current oscillations observed in the passive region.

Effect of amino acids containing sulfur on dithiolopyrrolone antibiotic productions by Saccharothrix algeriensis NRRL B-24137

To study the effect of sulfur-containing amino acids (L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-methionine and DL-ethionine) on the production of dithiolopyrrolone antibiotics by Saccharothrix algeriensis NRRL B-24137. The production levels of dithiolopyrrolones were investigated by using high performance liquid chromatography in a chemically semi-synthetic medium. The production of the studied antibiotics depends upon the nature, concentration and the time of addition of these sources in the culture medium. Both cysteine and cystine favoured the specific productions of dithiolopyrrolones; iso-butyryl-pyrrothine (ISP) by cysteine, however butanoyl-pyrrothine, senecioyl-pyrrothine and tigloyl-pyrrothine by cystine, when added initially to the culture medium. The maximum specific productions of dithiolopyrrolones were observed in the presence of 5 mmol l(-1) cystine for thiolutin, 5 mmol l(-1) cysteine for ISP, and 10 mmol l(-1) cystine for others studied dithiolopyrrolones as shown in Fig. 3. The production of these antibiotics was decreased when the concentrations of cysteine and cystine were in excess. All dithiolopyrrolone specific productions were strongly inhibited by addition of methionine and ethionine, without inhibition of mycelial growth. Among all studied amino acids, cystine and cysteine can be used as supplements for improvement the production of dithiolopyrrolone antibiotics by S. algeriensis NRRL B-24137. Dithiolopyrrolone antibiotics have many important applications for employing them as medicaments, particularly in the treatment of human and animal cancers. In the present work, the influence of containing-sulfur amino acids on dithiolopyrrolone antibiotic productions was studied. The obtained results can be employed for the optimization of the culture medium for the dithiolopyrrolone productions in higher quantities.

Inhibitory effect of sulfur-containing amino acids on burnt off-flavours in canned liver sausages

The sensory quality of canned liver sausages is limited by a negative burnt high-temperature-heated flavour, caused by Maillard reaction products between amino acids and sugars. In experiments with liver sausage, reduced glutathione in concentrations of 0.01-0.30% had no positive effect on taste and color. N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an acylated derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine, was tested in concentrations between 0.03-0.50%; a concentration of 0.15% was optimal for the inhibition of the burnt flavour. An acid taste caused by lower pH was corrected by the addition of 0.25% diphosphate. When 0.15% N-acetyl-L-cysteine and 0.25% diphosphate were added to the sausage preparations, the heat-induced changes in amino acids and glucose were the same as in the control. Moreover, under different sterilization conditions, the additive mixture was shown to be an excellent inhibitor of the burnt flavour.

Urinary calcium and calcium balance in young women affected by high protein diet of soy protein isolate and adding sulfur-containing amino acids and/or potassium.

The effects of sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA) and potassium (K) on urinary excretion and retention of calcium (Ca) of 27 young Japanese women were studied. A basal diet low in protein level (50 g per day) was fortified by meat or soy protein isolate (SPI) to a protein level of 100 g per day, and effects of addition of apple to these high protein diets, and addition of SAA and/or potassium (K) to the high SPI diet, especially on urinary Ca excretion, were studied. The addition of meat which increased protein intake to 100 g caused the increase in apparent absorption and urinary excretion of Ca with increased excretion of urinary sulfur (S), phosphate, ammonia, and titratable acids (TA), whereas addition of SPI did not. The addition of apple to high meat diet decreased absorption and urinary excretion of Ca. Urinary Ca, S, K, ammonia, and TA excretion increased by the addition of SAA to high SPI diet in a manner similar to the meat diet. Consequently, SAA-supplemented diet had a significantly negative effect on Ca retention. In SPI+SAA,K diet period, urinary K excretion markedly increased, and increments in urinary Ca, ammonia, and TA excretion were reversed. These changes observed in SPI+SAA, K diet period were similar to those by adding apple to meat diet without any effect on Ca absorption. The results suggest that the hypercalciuria induced by high meat diet is mainly caused by high content of SAA and may be reversed by the ingestion of K-rich foodstuffs, and soy protein does not induce hypercalciuria because of it contains less SAA than animal protein.

Modifying role of dietary factors on the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B 1: in vitro effect of sulphur-containing amino acids

Sulphur-containing amino acids including some derivatives have been tested for their effectiveness in suppressing the mutagenic activity of aflatoxin B 1 in Salmonella typhimurium strains provided with a rat liver activation system. Cysteine and N-acetylcysteine have been found to be most effective in the 2 strains tested (TA100 and TA98). Glutathione (oxidised and reduced forms) has shown partial activity, while cystine and methionine are found to be partially effective only in strain TA100. Inhibition of mutagenicity may be due to interaction of these substances with microsomal enzymes resulting in interference with the formation of ultimate mutagenic species.

Effects of Sulfur-containing Amino Acids and Glycine on Plasma Cholesterol Level in Rats Fed on a High Cholesterol Diet

The effects of the addition of individual amino acids on methionine-induced hypercholesterolemia (experiment 1), and the interacting effects of dietary protein level and sulfur-containing amino acids and glycine on plasma cholesterol concentration (experiment 2) were studied in growing rats fed on a high cholesterol diet. In experiment 1, rats were fed on a 25% casein-0.75% methionine (25CM) diet containing 2.5% of individual amino acids for 2 weeks. Methionine-induced hypercholesterolemia was prevented by the concurrent addition of glycine or serine, but the other amino acids tested (alanine, threonine, leucine, phenylalanine, lysine, arginine, and glutamic acid) had no effect. Histidine rather enhanced the hypercholesterolemia. In experiment 2, rats were fed on a 10%, 25%, or 50% casein diet containing 0.75% methionine, 0.60% cystine, 0.63% taurine, 2.5% glycine, or 0.75% methionine +2.5% glycine for 3 weeks. Dietary addition of 0.75% methionine increased the plasma cholesterol concentration for the 25% and 50% casein diets, but it decreased the plasma cholesterol for the 10% casein diet. When the addition level of methionine was doubled in the 10% casein diet, the plasma cholesterol concentration was significantly higher for the 1.5% methionine-added diet than for the 0.75% methionine-added diet. Cystine and taurine lowered plasma cholesterol for all dietary casein levels. Methionine-induced hypercholesterolemia with 25% and 50% casein diets was prevented by the glycine supplementation. These data suggest that sulfur-containing amino acids and glycine are important in plasma cholesterol regulation.

Effects of sulfur-containing amino acids and glycine on plasma cholesterol level in rats fed on a high cholesterol diet.

The effects of the addition of individual amino acids on methionine-induced hypercholesterolemia (experiment 1), and the interacting effects of dietary protein level and sulfur-containing amino acids and glycine on plasma cholesterol concentration (experiment 2) were studied in growing rats fed on a high cholesterol diet. In experiment 1, rats were fed on a 25% casein-0.75% methionine (25CM) diet containing 2.5% of individual amino acids for 2 weeks. Methionine-induced hypercholesterolemia was prevented by the concurrent addition of glycine or serine, but the other amino acids tested (alanine, threonine, leucine, phenylalanine, lysine, arginine, and glutamic acid) had no effect. Histidine rather enhanced the hypercholesterolemia. In experiment 2, rats were fed on a 10%, 25%, or 50% casein diet containing 0.75% methionine, 0.60% cystine, 0.63% taurine, 2.5% glycine, or 0.75% methionine +2.5% glycine for 3 weeks. Dietary addition of 0.75% methionine increased the plasma cholesterol concentration for the 25% and 50% casein diets, but it decreased the plasma cholesterol for the 10% casein diet. When the addition level of methionine was doubled in the 10% casein diet, the plasma cholesterol concentration was significantly higher for the 1.5% methionine-added diet than for the 0.75% methionine-added diet. Cystine and taurine lowered plasma cholesterol for all dietary casein levels. Methionine-induced hypercholesterolemia with 25% and 50% casein diets was prevented by the glycine supplementation. These data suggest that sulfur-containing amino acids and glycine are important in plasma cholesterol regulation.

Effect of force-feeding of protein-free diets supplemented with sulfur-containing amino acids and sulfur-compounds on liver fat and urinary nitrogen.

Experiments using rats force-fed a protein-free diet supplemented with methionine, leucine, threonine, cystine or sulfur-containing compounds were conducted to investigate the effects of sulfur-containing amino acids on fat content in the liver and on the excretion of urinary nitrogen. The addition of methionine to a protein-free diet produced fat accumulation in the liver and reduced the excretion of urinary nitrogen, but that of leucine or threonine did not affect them. The addition of methionine to the protein-free diet produced a remarkable decrease in the concentration of threonine in the liver along with the increase in the concentration of methionine. On the other hand, the further addition of leucine to the mehtionine supplemented diet apparently eliminated the nitrogen sparing action of methionine and the effect of the added methionine on the concentration of threonine in the liver, but did not bring about any changes in the fat accumulation. The addition of cystine demonstrated the effects simil...

Effects of sulfur-containing amino acids on the electrical activity of an identified giant neuron in subesophageal ganglia of the African giant snail, Achatina fulica Ferussac

Effects of sulfur-containing amino acids on the electrical activity of an identified giant neuron in subesophageal ganglia of the African giant snail, Achatina fulica Ferussac

Effect of Glutathione on Lipogenesis in Liver Slices from Rats Fed on Low Casein Diet

To study the mechanism of fatty infiltration in the liver due to added sulfur-containing amino acids to low casein diet, the effect of sulfur-containing amino acids and glutathione (GSH) on the incorporation of acetate-l-14C into lipid fractions were studied in liver slices from rats fed on 8% casein diet (Basal diet) with or without added methionine (Met). The liver acetyl Co A carboxylase activities of rats on basal diet with or without added Met were similar. Addition of Met, cystine or cysteine to the incubation medium had little effect on lipogenesis of slices. On addition of GSH to liver slices from rats fed on basal diet, lipid formation increased appreciably. On the other hand, addition of GSH to liver slices from rats fed on Met supplemented diet showed no accelerative effect on lipogenesis. Addition of GSH to the incubation medium of liver slices from rats fed on basal diet tended to reduce the incorporation of acetate into the phospholipid fraction and to increase into the fatty acid fraction of liver slices. The content of liver GSH was lower in rats on basal diet than in those on Met supplemented diet. The higher GSH level in rats on Met supplemented diet may be one factor causing fatty infiltration in the liver of these animals.

Effect of Glutathione on Lipogenesis in Liver Slices from Rats Fed on Low Casein Diet

To study the mechanism of fatty infiltration in the liver due to added sulfur-containing amino acids to low casein diet, the effect of sulfur-containing amino acids and glutathione (GSH) on the incorporation of acetate-l-14C into lipid fractions were studied in liver slices from rats fed on 8% casein diet (Basal diet) with or without added methionine (Met).The liver acetyl Co A carboxylase activities of rats on basal diet with or without added Met were similar.Addition of Met, cystine or cysteine to the incubation medium had little effect on lipogenesis of slices. On addition of GSH to liver slices from rats fed on basal diet, lipid formation increased appreciably. On the other hand, addition of GSH to liver slices from rats fed on Met supplemented diet showed no accelerative effect on lipogenesis.Addition of GSH to the incubation medium of liver slices from rats fed on basal diet tended to reduce the incorporation of acetate into the phospholipid fraction and to increase into the fatty acid fraction of l...

Some Effects of Sulphur-Containing Amino Acids on the Growth and Composition of Wool

The effect on wool growth and the sulphur content of wool of supplements of L-oyswine, DL-methionine, and casein, given per abomasum a�s a continuous infusion, has been examined.