Toxicity of methylglyoxal towards rat enterocytes and colonocytes.
Effect of methylglyoxal, a bacterial metabolic product, on protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis in rat enterocytes and colonocytes was investigated. Results showed that 1 mM methylglyoxal inhibited protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis to the extent of 65-85, 65-80, and 10-20 per cent, respectively, in villus and crypt cells and colonocytes. The inhibitory pattern was similar in these various cell types. The inhibitory effect on protein and DNA synthesis was more marked than that on RNA synthesis. Inclusion of thiol compounds up to 4 mM concentration did not protect the cells from the inhibitory effect of methylglyoxal. No alteration in the level of cellular reduced glutathione and glyoxalase enzyme activity was observed when cells were incubated with 2 mM methylglyoxal. These results suggest that the antiproliferative action of methylglyoxal on eukaryotic cells may be through the inhibition of macromolecular synthesis.
Wellcome Research Unit, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.
S
S
Baskaran
K A
KA
Balasubramanian
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007791:Lactoylglutathione Lyase / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats
D000447:Aldehydes; D012313:RNA; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde; D004247:DNA; D007791:Lactoylglutathione Lyase; D005978:Glutathione; D003545:Cysteine