Bacteria, intestinal

Other bacteria. Intestinal bacteria may play a critical role in the metabolic activation of certain nitroaromatic compounds in animals (119) and several reports have appeared on the metabolism of nitro PAHs by rat and human intestinal contents and microflora (120-123). Kinouchi et al. (120) found that 1-nitropyrene was reduced to 1-aminopyrene when incubated with human feces or anaerobic bacteria. More recently, Kinouchi and Ohnishi (121) isolated four nitroreductases from one of these anaerobic bacteria (Bacteroides fragilis). Each nitroreductase was capable of converting 1-nitropyrene into 1-aminopyrene, and one form catalyzed the formation of a reactive intermediate capable of binding DNA. Howard ej al. (116) confirmed the reduction of 1-nitropyrene to 1-aminopyrene by both mixed and purified cultures of intestinal bacteria. Two additional metabolites were also detected, one of which appeared to be 1-hydroxypyrene. Recently, similar experiments have demonstrated the rapid reduction of 6-nitro-BaP to 6-amino-BaP (123). 

Salminen S, Salminen E (1997) Lactulose, lactic acid bacteria, intestinal microecology and mucosal protection. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl... 

Folic acid and its derivatives (mostly the tri-and heptaglutamyl peptides) are widespread in nature. It is a specific growth ctor for certain micro-organisms, but in animals the intestinal bacteria provide the small quantities needed for growth. The coenzyme forms are actually... 

Occurs in coal tar, in various plants and in faeces, being formed by the action of the intestinal bacteria on tryptophan. It can be prepared by the action of acid on the phenyl-hydrazone of pyruvic acid to give indole-2-carboxylate which can be decarboxylated to indole. 

Intestinal flora is a general term for the bacteria yeast and fungi that live in the large intestine... 

Lactulose. 4-O-P -D-Galactopyranosyl-4-D-fmctofuranose [4618-18-2] (Chronolac) (12) may be made from lactose using the method described in Reference 9. It is a synthetic disaccharide that is not hydroly2ed by gastrointestinal enzymes in the small intestine, but is metabolized by colonic bacteria to short-chain organic acids. The increased osmotic pressure of these nonabsorbable organic acids results in an accumulation of fluid in the colon. Lactulose may not be tolerated by patients because of an extremely sweet taste. It frequently produces flatulence and intestinal cramps. 

Absorption, Transport, and Excretion. The vitamin is absorbed through the mouth, the stomach, and predominantly through the distal portion of the small intestine, and hence, penetrates into the bloodstream. Ascorbic acid is widely distributed to the cells of the body and is mainly present in the white blood cells (leukocytes). The ascorbic acid concentration in these cells is about 150 times its concentration in the plasma (150,151). Dehydroascorbic acid is the main form in the red blood cells (erythrocytes). White blood cells are involved in the destmction of bacteria. 

Animals caimot synthesize the naphthoquinone ring of vitamin K, but necessary quantities are obtained by ingestion and from manufacture by intestinal flora. In plants and bacteria, the desired naphthoquinone ring is synthesized from 2-oxoglutaric acid (12) and shikimic acid (13) (71,72). Chorismic acid (14) reacts with a putative succinic semialdehyde TPP anion to form o-succinyl benzoic acid (73,74). In a second step, ortho-succmY benzoic acid is converted to the key intermediate, l,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. Prenylation with phytyl pyrophosphate is followed by decarboxylation and methylation to complete the biosynthesis (75). 

Owing to the ubiquitous natural occurrence of vitamin K and its production by intestinal bacteria, vitamin K deficiencies are rare. However, they can be caused by certain antibiotics (qv) coupled with a reduced dietary intake. Newborn infants who do not possess the necessary intestinal bacterial population are at danger for vitamin K deficiency. As a result, vitamin K injections are routinely given to the newborn. 

Table 2 Hsts the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for vitamin K. Although manufacture by intestinal bacteria represents a significant source of plasma menaquinone concentrations, rehance on this source alone is not sufficient to maintain healthy concentrations of menaquinone. Consequendy, dietary supplementation is necessary (76).

A bacteriological examination of water is primarily carried out to determine the possible presence of harmful microorganisms. Testing is actually done to detect relatively harmless bacteria called colon bacilli commonly called the coliform group, which are present in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. If these organisms are present in a water in sufficient number, then this is taken to be evidence that other harmful pathogenic bacteria may also be present. 

Bismuth subnitrate [1304-85-4] (basic bismuth nitrate) can be prepared by the partial hydrolysis of the normal nitrate with boiling water. It has been used as an antacid and in combination with iodoform as a wound dressing (183). Taken internally, the subnitrate may cause fatal nitrite poisoning because of the reduction of the nitrate ion by intestinal bacteria. 

Fiber components are the principal energy source for colonic bacteria with a further contribution from digestive tract mucosal polysaccharides. Rate of fermentation varies with the chemical nature of the fiber components. Short-chain fatty acids generated by bacterial action are partiaUy absorbed through the colon waU and provide a supplementary energy source to the host. Therefore, dietary fiber is partiaUy caloric. The short-chain fatty acids also promote reabsorption of sodium and water from the colon and stimulate colonic blood flow and pancreatic secretions. Butyrate has added health benefits. Butyric acid is the preferred energy source for the colonocytes and has been shown to promote normal colonic epitheUal ceU differentiation. Butyric acid may inhibit colonic polyps and tumors. The relationships of intestinal microflora to health and disease have been reviewed (10). 

Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis is an acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms include anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and weakness. Gastroenteritis has many causes, such as bacteria (food poisoning), viruses, parasites, consumption of irritating food or drink, as well as stress. Treatment for the condition depends on the underlying cause. 

Study has proved that these coliform bacteria indicate the presence of human or animal wastes in water. Coliform bacteria naturally exist in the intestines of humans and certain animals. Thus, the presence of these bacteria in water is accepted proof that the water has been contaminated by human or animal wastes. Although such water may contain no pathogens, an infected person, animal or a carrier of disease, could add pathogens at any moment Thus, immediate corrective action must be taken. The presence of coliform bacteria shows water is contaminated by human... 

Enteric Of intestinal origin, especially applied to wastes or bacteria. 

Escherichia coli (E. coli) A species of bacteria that inhabits the intestinal tract of most vertebrates. Many non-pathogenic strains are used experimentally as hosts for rDNA. 

FIGURE 2.16 pH versus enzymatic activity. The activity of enzymes is very sensitive to pH. The pH optimum of an enzyme is one of its most important characteristics. Pepsin is a protein-digesting enzyme active in the gastric fluid. Trypsin is also a proteolytic enzyme, but it acts in the more alkaline milieu of the small intestine. Lysozyme digests the cell walls of bacteria it is found in tears. 

Vitamin Bjg is not synthesized by animals or by plants. Only a few species of bacteria synthesize this complex substance. Carnivorous animals easily acquire sufficient amounts of Bjg from meat in their diet, but herbivorous creatures typically depend on intestinal bacteria to synthesize Bjg for them. This is sometimes not sufficient, and certain animals, including rabbits, occasionally eat their feces in order to accumulate the necessary quantities of Big. 

It has been established that both the 17 hydroxy androgens rind estrogens, when administered orally, are quickly converted (o water-soluble inactive metabolites by intestinal bacteria, usually by reactions at the 17 position. It is this inactivation process that is largely responsible for the low-order oral potency observed with these agents. Incorporation of an additional car-l)on atom at the 17 position should serve to make the now tertiary alcohol less susceptible to metabolic attack and thus potentially confer oral activity to these derivatives. 

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