Toxicants enzyme inhibitors

A group of compounds active against n ycobacter1a were studied against the apparently unique phenoloxidase found In M.leprae The most active Inhibitor of the enzyme was found to be diethyl dnhiocarbamate with XXIIIa having about Jg this activity. Since this enzyme was not found elsewhere, a non-toxic enzyme Inhibitor was considered a possible approach to a rational... 

The esters of monofluorophosphoric acid are of great interest because of their cholinesterase inhibiting activity which causes them to be highly toxic nerve gases and also gives them medical activity (see Enzyme inhibitors). The most studied is the bis(l-methylethyl)ester of phosphorofluoridic acid also known as diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate [155-91 DFP (5), and as the ophthalmic ointment or solution Isoflurophate USP. It is used as a... 

Practically all toxicokinetic properties reported are based on the results from acute exposure studies. Generally, no information was available regarding intermediate or chronic exposure to methyl parathion. Because methyl parathion is an enzyme inhibitor, the kinetics of metabolism during chronic exposure could differ from those seen during acute exposure. Similarly, excretion kinetics may differ with time. Thus, additional studies on the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of methyl parathion and its toxic metabolite, methyl paraoxon, during intermediate and chronic exposure are needed to assess the potential for toxicity following longer-duration exposures. 

The hydrazine-aldehyde reaction has been used intracellularly to deliver non-toxic drug components, which when linked to form a hydrazone bond in situ, become cytotoxic (Rideout, 1986, 1994 Rideout et al., 1990). This same approach has been used to generate enzyme inhibitors in vivo, wherein the hydrazine and aldehyde precursors are not active, but when coupled together within cells to form a hydrazone linkage, become active site binders (Rotenberg etal, 1991). 

Minsker, D., Bagdon, W., MacDonald, J., Robertson, R. and Bokelman, D. (1990). Matemo-toxicity and fetotoxicity of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, in rabbits. Fund. Appl. Toxicol. 14 461-479. 

In this connexion we will stress again that, although there is often a correspondence between toxic action of organo-phosphorus insecticides and anti-cholinesterase activity (p. 67), the relationship is not always simple. Thus parathion (p. 178), not itself an esterase inhibitor, is converted in vivo into an enzyme inhibitor.1 On the other hand, Aldridge2 has shown that the inhibitor paroxan can be hydrolysed enzymically to produce non-inhibitory substances. 

Cyclosporin is metabolised by the hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzyme system, and enzyme induction by phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, or rifampicin will drastically increase the clearance of cyclosporin. Concurrent administration of these drugs has caused rejection of transplanted organs. Conversely, the use of enzyme inhibitors, such as erythromycin or the azole antifungal agents, e.g. ketoconazole, will increase the blood concentrations of cyclosporin leading to an increased risk of toxic side effects. 

Dispositional interactions are those in which one chemical affects the disposition of the other, usually metabolism. Thus, one chemical may increase or inhibit the metabolism of another to change its toxicity. For example, 2,3-methylenedioxynaphthalene inhibits cytochrome P-450 and so markedly increases the toxicity of the insecticide carbaryl to flies (potentiation) (see chap. 5). Another example, which results in synergy, is the increased toxicity of the organophosphorus insecticide malathion (see chap. 5) when in combination with another organophosphorus insecticide, EPN. EPN blocks the detoxication of malathion. Many chemicals are either enzyme inhibitors or inducers and so can increase or decrease the toxicity of other chemicals either by synergism or potentiation (see chap. 5). 

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