Analysis of Food by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Coulometric Detection and Related Techniques: A Review

The development of single coulometric cells in combination with high performance liquid chromatography to dual cells and to the coulometric electrode array detector is described. An overview is given about the application of these methods in food chemistry. Easily oxidizable compounds, such as phenolic substances, pesticides, or vitamins, can be determined, as well as substances with high oxidation potentials or electroinactive compounds. Substances exhibiting poor electrochemical activity can be transformed to electroactive compounds by precolumn derivatization, postcolumn photochemical reactions, postcolumn enzyme reactors, or by using the oxidative/reductive mode for coulometric electrode array detection. Furthermore, it is shown that the interesting combination of high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemistry and mass spectrometry has opened further possibilities with respect to interpretation of redox reactions, drug metabolism studies, metabolomics, and electrochemical derivatization.

Priority pesticides in sediments of European coastal lagoons: A review

This review summarizes the legislation applied to pesticides and highlights the physicochemical properties of the past and recently listed PPs under Water Framework Directive (WFD). It reports important information regarding the analysis, occurrence and long-term screening of PPs in sediments of European coastal lagoons. Among the entire list of PPs, those analyzed have been the organochloride insecticides, such as lindane, hexachlorobenzene and DDT. Although flood events pointed to the possible redistribution of pesticides, which may increase under climate change conditions, few studies are available concerning PPs screening in sediments of European coastal lagoons. Data is scarce not only in terms of the number of listed PPs that have been analyzed but also in terms of their long-term screening. This lack of data on PP concentrations is probably a consequence of the fact that less importance is given to the sediments contamination/quality.

Pathways of priority pesticides in sediments of coastal lagoons: The case study of Óbidos Lagoon, Portugal

This study reports the concentrations of the priority pesticides (PPs) in 14 surface sediments and 21 layers of a sediment core from Óbidos Lagoon, a shallow Portuguese coastal lagoon. Results show that the PPs are confined to the upper part of the lagoon that receives most of the inputs from surface runoff of the surrounding agricultural fields and from small tributaries. Past and recent applied PPs were registered in sediments, aluminum normalized concentrations varying between 0.05×10(-7) and 6.85×10(-7). The PP risk assessment based on sediment quality guidelines like the "Probable Effect Level" (PEL) shows no biological effects in either sediments or aquatic organisms of Óbidos Lagoon, except for dieldrin, lindane, DDT, heptachlor epoxide and its parent compound heptachlor.

Screening of priority pesticides in Ulva sp. seaweeds by selective pressurized solvent extraction before gas chromatography with electron capture detector analysis

This work reports a fast and reliable analytical method for the screening of priority pesticides (PPs) in Ulva sp. seaweeds by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Extraction and sample clean-up were performed in one single step by selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE). Several parameters affecting SPLE performance were optimized. Method performance was compared with standard Soxhlet extraction. Significant decrease of the time of analysis with better recoveries for a greater number of PPs was achieved by SPLE. Average recoveries ranged from 71 to 103% with RSD < 10%. Field application showed the presence of PP in the range of 3-11 ng g(-1) in seaweeds collected in a coastal lagoon after a long period of heavy rains. These results suggest that Ulva sp. seaweeds tend to accumulate PPs and have the potential to be used as early alert signals of aquatic pollution especially after rains and storm events.

Influence of Temperature and Oxygen Concentration on the Radiation Induced Oxidation of Phenylalanine

The formation of tyrosine isomers by γ-radiolysis of neutral aqueous phenylalanine solutions was found to be strongly dependent on oxygen concentration and temperature. Changing the dose rate did not influence the degradation process. In the presence of 0.25 x 10-3 mol dm-3 oxygen at room temperature the yields of o-tyrosine as well as of m- and p-tyrosine drop from G(o-Tyr) = 0.5 and G(m-Tyr) = G(p-Tyr) = 0.4 at a dose of 0.3 kGy to 0.18 and 0.16 at 2.5 kGy, respectively. In solutions containing 1.25 x 10-3 mol dm-3 oxygen the initial yields remain unchanged but decrease at 2.5 kGy only to G(o-Tyr) = 0.3 and G(m-Tyr) = G(p-Tyr) = 0.20. Under the latter reaction conditions also 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine was found.

Samples irradiated in frozen state did not show remarkable radiolysis of phenylalanine and tyrosine formation. In the range between 5 and 20°C no essential influence of temperature on the phenylalanine radiolysis and tyrosine yields was observable. The obtained results are important for methods using the tyrosine yields as markers for the detection of irradiated food. Storage conditions and irradiation temperature play an essential role on radiation induced changes of food.

Effect of thermal heating on some lignans in flax seeds, sesame seeds and rye

Consumption of lignan rich food is presumed to have positive effects on human health. As numerous foods are consumed mainly in processed form it is important to investigate the changes of the lignan content during processing. To this end, unheated and heated sesame seeds, sesame products, rye grains, rye flour, rye bread and flax seeds were extracted by sonication with ethanol/water (70:30, v:v) or sodium methoxide. The extracts were additionally hydrolysed enzymatically (β-glucuronidase/arylsulphatase, cellulase), the compounds separated on a reversed phase column by gradient elution and detected by UV/ESI-MS in the negative ionisation multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). Secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol, pinoresinol, 7-hydroxymatairesinol, syringaresinol, isolariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol diglycoside, lariciresinol monoglycoside, pinoresinol mono-, di- and triglycoside, sesaminol, sesaminol triglycoside, sesamolinol and sesamolinol diglycoside were identified. Moderate heating at 100°C did not degrade the lignan aglycones and glycosides in dry foods. In contrast, heating was responsible for the better extractability of the lignans. If samples with high moisture content were heated, the degradation of the lignans in sesame seeds and rye was observed already at 100°C. Higher roasting temperatures caused degradation of aglycones and glycosides. Especially at 250°C, lignans were degraded rapidly in sesame seeds and rye but not in flax seeds.

Analytical and compositional aspects of isoflavones in food and their biological effects

This paper provides an overview of analytical techniques used to determine isoflavones (IFs) in foods and biological fluids with main emphasis on sample preparation methods. Factors influencing the content of IFs in food including processing and natural variability are summarized and an insight into IF databases is given. Comparisons of dietary intake of IFs in Asian and Western populations, in special subgroups like vegetarians, vegans, and infants are made and our knowledge on their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion by the human body is presented. The influences of the gut microflora, age, gender, background diet, food matrix, and the chemical nature of the IFs on the metabolism of IFs are described. Potential mechanisms by which IFs may exert their actions are reviewed, and genetic polymorphism as determinants of biological response to soy IFs is discussed. The effects of IFs on a range of health outcomes including atherosclerosis, breast, intestinal, and prostate cancers, menopausal symptoms, bone health, and cognition are reviewed on the basis of the available in vitro, in vivo animal and human data.

Effect of gamma-irradiation on agaritine, gamma-glutaminyl-4-hydroxybenzene (GHB), antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content of mushrooms ( Agaricus bisporus )

Fresh mushrooms ( Agaricus bisporus ) were irradiated at doses of 1, 3, and 5 kGy to assess the effect of gamma-irradiation on the major aromatic compounds agaritine (beta-N-(gamma-L-(+)-glutamyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine) and GHB (gamma-glutaminyl-4-hydroxybenzene) as well as on the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Up to 3 kGy, agaritine was not affected. At 5 kGy, a significant reduction (p = 0.05) from 1.54 (0 kGy) to 1.35 g/kg dry weight (DW) was observed. gamma-Glutaminyl-4-hydroxybenzene decreased by 22% at 1 kGy and by 31% at 5 kGy. Additionally, agaritine standard solutions at concentrations of 10(-4) and 5 x 10(-5) mol/L were irradiated to compare the effect on agaritine content in aqueous solutions and in the sample matrix. A rapid decay was observed, 50% at 750 Gy (10(-4) mol/L) and 400 Gy (5 x 10(-5) mol/L). The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were not significantly (p = 0.05) influenced by irradiation.

Comparison of sample preparation methods for analysis of isoflavones in foodstuffs

Due to the lack of one universally applicable and commonly used reference method, sample preparation in isoflavone (IF) analysis has been performed by many different methods which renders comparison and quality assessment of published IF contents in foodstuffs difficult. In the present work, the impact of different experimental parameters on the IF concentrations determined in soybeans, tofu, soy drink and textured vegetable protein by different extraction and hydrolysis methods was assessed and IF contents obtained by optimized orthogonal methods were compared. Chromatographic analysis was performed by HPLC-UV-ESI-MS. If possible sources of error - which are also pointed out in this work - are avoided, IF contents obtained by extraction, acid-, base- and enzymatic hydrolysis are similar. However, these sample preparation methods differ in the amount of time, standard compounds and instruments required, ruggedness, and in their applicability to analysis of complex composite samples containing soy as minor ingredient. Enzymatic hydrolysis with Helix pomatia juice after extraction by sonication with first 50, then 80% aqueous acetonitrile in the presence of zinc sulfate heptahydrate and after adjustment to </=10% organic solvent turned out to be the method of choice if only aglucone equivalent contents are required. The advantages of this method are short chromatographic run times, smallest danger of coelution, lowest achievable limits of quantitation and therefore best suitability for work-up of complex composite samples and that only aglucone standards are needed for quantitation.

Binding of heterocyclic aromatic amines by lactic acid bacteria: results of a comprehensive screening trial

Aim of the present study was a comprehensive investigation of the detoxification capacities of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) towards heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCA) formed during cooking of meat. It has been postulated that LAB prevent genotoxic and/or carcinogenic effects of HCA in laboratory rodents and humans via direct binding mechanisms. We measured the removal of the most abundant cooked food mutagens (AalphaC, PhIP, IQ, MeIQx, DiMeIQx) by eight LAB species. From each species, twelve strains were tested in liquid binding experiments with HPLC coupled with coulometric electrode array detection. The highest removal rates were observed with the representatives of the L. helveticus and S. thermophilus groups, which were seven to eight times more effective than L. kefir and L. plantarum. Strong and statistically significant differences were seen in the binding behaviour of the individual amines, the ranking order of detoxification being AalphaC > DiMeIQx > MeIQx > IQ > PhIP. Results of Salmonella/microsome assays with strain TA98 showed that the binding of AalphaC and PhIP to LAB correlates with the reduction of their mutagenic activities. This study may contribute to the development of strategies concerning the adverse health effects of HCA utilizing highly protective LAB for the production of fermented foods.

α-Lipoic acid in dietary supplements: Development and comparison of HPLC-CEAD and HPLC-ESI-MS methods

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant used both in the prevention and treatment of various oxidative stress related diseases. It is an important constituent of some dietary supplements and can also be found in plant and animal sources. A rapid method for the determination of alpha-lipoic acid in dietary supplements based on high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a coulometric electrode array detector (CEAD) and an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) was developed. First, alpha-lipoic acid was extracted with methanol by sonication, chromatographic separation was then achieved by isocratic elution [acetonitrile/methanol/50mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3, adjusted with phosphoric acid): 350/65/585, v/v/v] using an ACE 3-C-18 column at a flow rate of 0.45 ml/min. alpha-Lipoic acid was detected by means of a CEAD at +300, +400, +450, +500, +550, +600, +650, and +700 mV against palladium reference electrodes. For ESI-MS detection (negative mode), the composition of the mobile phase was changed to 0.1% acetic acid in water/acetonitrile 55:45, v/v applying a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. The presented methods were utilized to determine the alpha-lipoic acid content in six dietary supplements. The results of both detection modes were in good correlation.

Impact of lactic acid bacteria on oxidative DNA damage in human derived colon cells

It is assumed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer and a number of studies indicate that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) possess antioxidant properties and may prevent these diseases. In the present study, we developed a model which allowed us to investigate the prevention of oxidative DNA damage in human derived colon (HT29) cells by LAB. Furthermore, we investigated if these effects correlate with superoxide (O2(-)) resistance of the strains. The protective properties of 55 strains were monitored in single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assays. After preincubation of the cells with LAB (60 min), oxidative damage was induced by exposure to plumbagin (5.0 microM, 120 min) which releases O2(-) or by hydrogen peroxide (50 microM, 10 min); O2(-) resistance was monitored in plate growth inhibition assays. 25 strains (45%) reduced plumbagin induced DNA migration while only few of them (20%) were protective towards hydrogen peroxide induced damage. The strongest effects (up to 60% reduction of O2(-) induced DNA migration) were observed with representatives of the species Streptococcus thermophilus. The prevention of DNA damage in the colon cells by the bacteria did not correlate with their O2(-) resistance. Additional experiments indicate that the reduction of oxidative damage is only seen with viable bacteria but not with heat inactivated cells and that it takes also place when the colon cells are separated from the LAB by permeable filter membranes indicating that the bacteria release ROS protective factors into the medium. Dose response experiments showed that the protection depends on the concentration of the bacteria; significant effects were observed with titers 3 x 10(6-7)cells/ml. Unexpectedly, we found that a substantial fraction of the strains (13%) induced DNA damage in untreated cells, some of them increased also the effects of the ROS generating chemicals. Preliminary experiments with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) agar indicate that this phenomenon may be due to release of hydrogen peroxide by the bacteria. Overall, our study shows that the impact of LAB on DNA damage in human derived colon cells is ambivalent; while the majority of strains was protective against oxidative damage some of them induced per se pronounced DNA migration. Since the effects were seen with bacterial concentrations which may be reached in the intestinal tract after consumption of fermented milk products, it is likely that the effects we observed in the present study are relevant for humans.

Determination of zearalenone and its metabolites in urine, plasma and faeces of horses by HPLC-APCI-MS

The paper describes a method for the sensitive and selective determination of zearalenone and its metabolites in urine, plasma and faeces of horses by high performance liquid chromatography and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) mass spectrometry (MS). While only one step sample clean-up by an immunoaffinity column (IAC) was sufficient for plasma samples, urine and faeces samples had to be prepared by a combination of a solid-phase extraction (SPE) and an immunoaffinity column. The method allows the simultaneous determination of zearalenone and all of its metabolites; alpha-zearalenol, beta-zearalenol, alpha-zearalanol, beta-zearalanol and zearalanone. Dideuterated zearalanone was used as internal standard for quantification and the study of the matrix effect. Recovery rates between 56 and slightly above 100% were achieved in urine samples, and more than 80% in plasma and faeces samples. The limits of detection ranged from 0.1-0.5 microg/l or microg/kg, the limits of quantification from 0.5-1.0 microg/l or microg/kg. The practical use of the method is demonstrated by the analysis of spiked and naturally contaminated urine, plasma and faeces of horses.

Determination of secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and isolariciresinol in plant foods by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with coulometric electrode array detection

The paper describes a method for the determination of selected lignans in plant foods. First, samples were submitted to methanolysis resulting in cleavage of ester bonds between lignan glycosides and organic acids. Glycosidic linkages were then broken by enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase. The released aglycones were separated isocratically (acetonitrile/10 mM sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.8, 225:775, v:v) by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and the compounds were detected coulometrically at four electrodes set on potentials between +260 and +330 mV against palladium reference electrodes. The selectivity and sensitivity of the method allowed quantitation of the lignans secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and isolariciresinol in various foodstuffs down to the upper ppb-range with recoveries between 44.7 and 97.0%. Unidentified peaks displaying similar current-voltage curves (CVCs) as the investigated lignans indicated the presence of further possible lignan representatives. In addition, investigation of various foodstuffs involving enzymatic hydrolysis with and without preceding methanolysis showed that the degree of esterification of lignans in plant foods is species dependent.

Determination of less polar heterocyclic aromatic amines in standardised beef extracts and cooked meat consumed in Austria by liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection

An analysis method was developed for the determination of trace levels of less polar heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) in food samples. The development started from a frequently used sample pre-treatment scheme which was slightly improved to make it applicable with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The method was applied for the analysis of a standardised beef extract containing 5-15 ng/g of HAs and the results are compared with those of the other participants in the same European project. In addition, the method was used for the analysis of less polar HAs in cooked meat consumed in Austria.

Determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines in beef extract, cooked meat and rat urine by liquid chromatography with coulometric electrode array detection

This paper describes a method for the determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs; DMIP, IQ, MeIQ, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, 7,8-DiMeIQx, AalphaC, PhIP) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with coulometric electrode array detection. The compounds are separated on reversed phase columns (LiChroCart Superspher 60 RP-select B, 250 mm x 2 mm, 4 microm and LiChrospher 60 RP-select B, 250 mm x 4 mm, 5 microm) using mobile phases consisting of acetonitrile/buffer/distilled water and detected at eight working electrodes at potentials between +190 and +680 mV against modified palladium electrodes. In the context of an EU-interlaboratory exercise, the method was applied to analyse a standardised test solution and--after isolation of the analytes by several clean-up steps--for the analysis of standardised beef extract and grilled meat. Further, the method could be applied for the analysis of HAs in suspensions of bacteria and rat urine without any sample preparation step beyond sample dilution. The data obtained show that HPLC with coulometric electrode array detection gives accurate results.

Prevention of heterocyclic amine-induced DNA damage in colon and liver of rats by different lactobacillus strains

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of four different lactobacillus (LB) strains, namely Lactobacillus bulgaricus 291, Streptococcus thermophilus F4, S.thermophilus V3 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536, which are used for the production of yogurt, on the DNA-damaging effects of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs). Male F344 rats were treated orally with HCA mixtures containing 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole and 2-amino-3-methyl-3H- imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, which were representative of the HCA contents found in fried beef ('beef mix') and chicken ('chicken mix'). Suspensions of LB were given by gavage to the animals simultaneously with and at different time periods before administration of the HCAs. Subsequently, the extent of DNA migration was measured in colon and liver cells in single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assays. All four strains caused complete inhibition of DNA damage induced with beef mix after administration of 1 x 1010 LB cells/animal, whereas with chicken mix only marginal (non-significant) effects were seen. The inhibition of beef-induced DNA damage was dose dependent and was still significant when 1 x 107 cells/animal were administered. Kinetics studies showed that the protective effects were still significant when LB was given 12 h before the beef mix. A comparison of the present results with chemical analytical data from in vitro experiments suggests that the strong reduction in DNA migration seen in the animals can be only partly explained by direct binding effects. The results of the present study show that LB are highly protective against the genotoxic effects of HCAs under conditions which are relevant for humans and provide a possible explanation for the reduced colon cancer rates observed in some studies in individuals with either high LB counts in their feces or with a high consumption of LB-containing foods.

Determination of matairesinol in flax seed by HPLC with coulometric electrode array detection

A HPLC method coupled with coulometric electrode array detection for the determination of matairesinol in flax seed is described. The defatted sample was spiked with bisphenol A (internal standard), refluxed for 75 min in a mixture of ethanol-bidistilled water-12 M hydrochloric acid (2:2:1, v/v/v) to extract matairesinol conjugates and to hydrolyze them simultaneously. The extract was diluted with mobile phase [250 ml acetonitrile-750 ml buffer (730 ml bidistilled water, 20 ml glacial acetic acid adjusted to pH 3 with 5 M sodium hydroxide)] and injected into the HPLC system. Matairesinol was separated from other compounds on a reversed-phase column (Lichrospher 60 RP-Select B, 250 x 4 mm, 5 micro m) and detected in a coulometric electrode array detector using a flow-rate of 0.8 ml/min. The potentials of the eight electrodes were set on +150, +200, +250, +300, +350, +400, +550 and +600 mV against modified palladium electrodes. The content of matairesinol determined in seven samples varies between 7 and 28.5 micro g/g. The limit of quantitation is 5 micro g/g.

Heterocyclic amines: human carcinogens in cooked food?

During the frying of meat and fish, genotoxic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are formed. The dietary exposure to HCAs may be implicated in the aetiology of human cancer, but there may be other factors in our diet that prevent the genotoxic effects of these compounds. Within the project described here, we plan to identify regional and individual cooking habits that affect HCA-levels in our food. These are determined with a validated analytical method and the exposure to HCAs is estimated by dietary assessment. Biomarker analysis will be employed to estimate recent or long-term exposure to HCAs. In order to identify genetically determined risk factors in humans, cell lines are genetically engineered expressing allelic variants of acetyl- and sulfotransferases implicated in HCA metabolism. Species differences of metabolism and toxicity of HCAs are assessed and the influence of the intestinal microflora on HCA-induced toxicity is evaluated. Dietary constituents that may reduce the genotoxicity of HCAs are screened for potential protective effects in in vitro and in vivo model systems. Finally, we will aim at human intervention studies to investigate if these protective factors are relevant for man. The objectives of this project are to estimate and possibly reduce the exposure levels to HCAs in Europe, to identify populations highly susceptible to HCA toxicity, and to reduce the toxic effects of HCAs by protective factors.

Determination of 1-nitropyrene in herbs after selective enrichment by a sol-gel-generated immunoaffinity column

Using the determination of 1-nitropyrene as an example the paper demonstrates the advantages of including a highly selective sol-gel-generated immunoaffinity column in the sequence of clean-up steps necessary to determine haptens in complex matrices. The sol-gel method to immobilise antibodies enlarges the variety of immunoaffinity columns available and leads to mechanically stable columns with constant retention characteristics. The sample preparation scheme proposed combines acetonitrile extraction, size-exclusion and immunoaffinity chromatography. 1-Nitropyrene is then separated by reversed-phase HPLC from interfering compounds and determined after catalytic on-line reduction to the corresponding amine by spectrofluorimetry. Concentrations in the range from 0.1 to 1.4 microg/kg 1-nitropyrene were detected in herbs.

Early highly active antiretroviral therapy for acute HIV-1 infection preserves immune function of CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been advocated for the management of primary HIV-1 infection without clear understanding of its immunological effects. Here, we demonstrate that early use of HAART during primary infection preserves HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells physically and functionally while HIV-specific T cell help is sustained. We also show that even transient administration of HAART at seroconversion can preserve HIV-specific immunity. In contrast, delayed initiation of HAART is associated with a progressive loss of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells and absent HIV-specific T cell help. These results imply that HIV-specific T help is damaged during primary HIV-1 infection. Early drug treatment, which preserves this immunity, also preserves HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells. These results have implications for understanding the early pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection and suggest that acute HIV infection should be treated aggressively and as early as possible.

Poor reduction of HIV-1 RNA titres in nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor experienced patients treated with indinavir combination therapy

OBJECTIVES

The long term effectiveness of combination therapy at reducing viral loads in seminal fluid and blood plasma obtained from HIV-1 infected men who had undergone previous antiretroviral therapy was assessed.

METHODS

Samples of semen and blood were obtained from a cohort of 12 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor experienced men before and during 25-68 weeks of combination therapy, which included the protease inhibitor indinavir. HIV-1 RNA titres present in the cell free blood and seminal plasma samples were determined using the nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA)/Nuclisens assay system.

RESULTS

Viral RNA was detected in 9/12 and 7/12 baseline blood plasma and seminal plasma samples, with median viral titres of 10(4.81) and 10(4.56) per ml, respectively. By the end of the study period the detection rates of HIV RNA in the blood and seminal plasma samples were 5/12 and 2/12, respectively, with the median viral titres below the assay cut off level for both sample types. Of the nine patients who had detectable viral RNA in the baseline sample, only three cleared virus from both compartments by the end of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that stable reduction of blood and seminal fluid viral titres is not achievable in a significant proportion of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor experienced men.

Evaluation of sperm washing as a potential method of reducing HIV transmission in HIV-discordant couples wishing to have children

OBJECTIVE

A number of discordant couples, in whom the man is HIV positive and the woman is HIV negative, wish to have children. To conceive they must abandon protected sex, posing a risk of HIV transmission to the woman and so to the child. In such circumstances purification of spermatozoa ('sperm-washing') to inseminate the woman artificially has been proposed as a method of reducing the risk of transmission. Here we evaluate whether this does represent a true risk reduction.

METHODS

Semen samples from HIV-positive patients were separated into spermatozoa, non-sperm cells (NSCs) and plasma fractions. The amount of viral RNA present in each fraction was measured and compared with the level in the peripheral blood. Each fraction was also assessed for the presence of proviral DNA. The ability of spermatozoa to be infected was assessed by evaluating for the presence of HIV receptors, i.e. CD4, CCR5 and CXCR4 on the surface of the sperm, by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

A poor correlation was found between the levels of HIV in blood and semen. Within the semen the virus was restricted to the plasma and/or NSCs. All spermatozoa were negative for viral RNA or proviral DNA. Spermatozoa did not express significant levels of CD4, CCR5 or CXCR4, suggesting that they are unlikely to be major targets for HIV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that spermatozoa are not major targets of HIV infection. Purifying spermatozoa reduced the level of HIV RNA and proviral DNA to below the detection limit of the assays irrespective of the amount of virus present in the unfractionated semen. On the basis of these data we would recommend 'sperm-washing' followed by insemination as a safer alternative to natural conception for HIV-discordant couples wishing to have children.

Effect of anthraquinone-laxatives on the proliferation and urokinase secretion of normal, premalignant and malignant colonic epithelial cells

Even though 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone (DHA)-laxatives have been implicated in colon carcinogenesis, the available information is still inconclusive. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of the DHA-laxatives, danthrone, rhein, aloe-emodin and sennidine, on colorectal tumour cells. In SW480 carcinoma cultures, dose-dependent induction of urokinase secretion into the medium was the predominant effect. Simultaneously, cell numbers were decreased by DHA-aglycones, but not by sennoside or the biphenylic laxative bisacodyl. DNA synthesis was not similarly reduced: 0.4-4 microM danthrone and sennidine even stimulated 5-bromo-2'-desoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake into DNA. When uptake was normalised to cell number, danthrone and sennidine doubled BrdU uptake/10(6) cells, 18 microM rhein and 0.7 microM aloe-emodin induced increases of 37 and 50%, respectively. This may at least partially be due to selective resistance of S-phase cells to DHA-caused cell loss. In VACO235 adenoma cells, sennidine and aloe-emodin did not affect urokinase secretion, but stimulated growth. Both cell numbers and DNA synthesis were increased. In contrast to SW480 carcinoma cells, VACO235 cells were also sensitive to sennoside and bisacodyl. No effects of DHA were observed in normal colorectal epithelial cells. The biological effects were preceeded by specific phosphorylation of cellular proteins with molecular weights of 110, 78, 63, 57 kDa, indicating the specific induction of a cellular signalling cascade by the laxatives.

Genotoxic effects of crude juices from Brassica vegetables and juices and extracts from phytopharmaceutical preparations and spices of cruciferous plants origin in bacterial and mammalian cells

Crude juices of eight Brassica vegetables as well as juices and extracts of spices and phytopharmaceutical preparations from cruciferous vegetables were tested for induction of point mutations in Salmonella TA98 and TA100, repairable DNA damage in E.coli K-12 cells and clastogenic effects in mammalian cells. In bacterial assays, all juices caused genotoxic effects in the absence of metabolic activation, the ranking order being: Brussels sprouts > white cabbage > cauliflower > green cabbage > kohlrabi > broccoli > turnip > black radish. In experiments with mammalian cells, six juices induced structural chromosome aberrations. Brussels sprouts, white and green cabbage caused the strongest effects (800 microliters of juice induced a 5-fold increase over the background). In sister chromatid exchange assays, positive results were measured as well, but the effects were less pronounced. With all juices the genotoxic effects seen in mammalian cells were paralleled by a pronounced decrease in cell viability. Column fractionation experiments showed that 70-80% of the total genotoxic activity of the juices is found in the fraction which contains isothiocyanates and other breakdown products of glucosinolates, whereas phenolics and flavonoids contributed to a lesser extent to the overall effects. On the basis of these findings, and considering the negative results obtained with non-cruciferous vegetables (tomato, carrot and green pepper), it seems likely that the genotoxic effects of the juices are due to specific constituents of cruciferous plants such as glucosinolates and/or their breakdown products, in particular, isothiocyanates, which we found previously to be potent genotoxins in bacterial and mammalian cells. Finally, spices (mustards and horse radish paste) and phytopharmaceutical preparations were tested in bacterial assays. Mustards and horse radish caused very weak effects while most of the pharmaceutical preparations gave negative results, except cabbage tablets, which caused a strong and dose dependent induction of his revertants in Salmonella TA100. The present findings clearly indicate that cruciferous vegetables contain DNA damaging constituents. These observations are in contrast to earlier findings, which emphasized the antimutagenic effects of vegetable juices and also raise the question whether greatly increased consumption of Brassica vegetables or their concentrated constituents as a means for cancer prevention is indeed recommendable.

Determination of salicylate in beverages and cosmetics by use of an amperometric biosensor

A fast and selective enzymatic method for the determination of salicylate in beverages and cosmetics has been developed. The enzyme salicylate hydroxylase was immobilised covalently onto a glassy carbon working electrode of a wall-jet cell coupled with a flow-injection analysis system. The salicylate is enzymatically converted to catechol, which can be detected amperometrically on the glassy carbon electrode at +0.45 V. The response of the biosensor is linearly proportional to the concentration of salicylate between 725 nmol/l and 700 micromol/l. A high sample throughput (60 h(-1)) is possible, and the biosensor is stable for more than three months. Sample pretreatment for beverages and hair lotions is easy and fast. For creams, an extraction of salicylate is necessary. Relative standard deviations are less than 5.5% and the recoveries are between 95 and 105%.

Multichannel coulometric detection coupled with liquid chromatography for determination of phenolic esters in honey

A method for the determination of phenolic esters in different varieties of honey was developed. The substances were separated by RP-HPLC. A coulometric electrode-array system with sixteen electrodes arranged in series and set at increasing potentials (300-900 mV) was used for electrochemical detection of the compounds. Chromatographic peaks for methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, methyl vanillate, methyl syringate, trans-p-methyl coumarate and trans-methyl ferulate were identified. The content of the esters varied between 1.3 and 5044 micrograms per kg of honey with detection limits of 0.1-1.0 microgram per kg of honey (S/N = 3). The method described is a sensitive assay to differentiate between rape honey and other varieties.