Tritolyl Phosphates
Neuropathy target esterase. (1/26)
Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is an integral membrane protein present in all neurons and in some non-neural-cell types of vertebrates. Recent data indicate that NTE is involved in a cell-signalling pathway controlling interactions between neurons and accessory glial cells in the developing nervous system. NTE has serine esterase activity and efficiently catalyses the hydrolysis of phenyl valerate (PV) in vitro, but its physiological substrate is unknown. By sequence analysis NTE has been found to be related neither to the major serine esterase family, which includes acetylcholinesterase, nor to any other known serine hydrolases. NTE comprises at least two functional domains: an N-terminal putative regulatory domain and a C-terminal effector domain which contains the esterase activity and is, in part, conserved in proteins found in bacteria, yeast, nematodes and insects. NTE's effector domain contains three predicted transmembrane segments, and the active-site serine residue lies at the centre of one of these segments. The isolated recombinant domain shows PV hydrolase activity only when incorporated into phospholipid liposomes. NTE's esterase activity appears to be largely redundant in adult vertebrates, but organophosphates which react with NTE in vivo initiate unknown events which lead, after a delay of 1-3 weeks, to a neuropathy with degeneration of long axons. These neuropathic organophosphates leave a negatively charged group covalently attached to the active-site serine residue, and it is suggested that this may cause a toxic gain of function in NTE. (+info)Neuropathological studies of rats following multiple exposure to tri-ortho-tolyl phosphate, chlorpyrifos and stress. (2/26)
Adult male Long-Evans rats were exposed to 2 neurotoxic organophosphates in a setting of chronic stress, over a 63-day period. The organophosphates were tri-ortho-tolyl phosphate (TOTP) administered in 14 gavage doses of 75, 150 or 300 mg/kg, and chlorpyrifos, given in two 60 mg/kg subcutaneous exposures. Corticosterone was added to the drinking water at 400 microg/ml, to model aspects of chronic stress. These compounds/dosages were administered individually and in combination, with appropriate controls, giving rise to 16 experimental groups. The major neuropathologic change was the presence of axonal degeneration progressing to myelinated fiber degeneration, mainly in distal regions of selected fiber tracts and peripheral nerve, seen in animals sacrificed on experimental day 63. The cervical spinal cord and medullary levels of the sensory gracile fasciculus were most prominently affected. This axonopathy/fiber degeneration was TOTP dose-related at the 300 and 150 mg/kg levels. There was association of this lesion with inhibition of the enzyme neurotoxic esterase in hippocampal tissue from TOTP-treated rats. Such an association categorizes this disease process as organophosphate ester-induced delayed neuropathy. Neither chlorpyrifos nor corticosterone appeared to contribute to the neuropathic events or the enzyme inhibition. A cohort of rats was maintained on the corticosterone dosing, but without additional exposure to TOTP or chlorpyrifos, for an additional 27 days. When these rats were examined on day 90, the nerve fiber degeneration had progressed in all experimental groups administered the 300 mg/kg dose of TOTP (lower doses were not studied at the 90-day interval), although hippocampal neurotoxic esterase had returned to control values. (+info)In vitro metabolism of isoline, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid from Ligularia duciformis, by rodent liver microsomal esterase and enhanced hepatotoxicity by esterase inhibitors. (3/26)
Isoline, a major retronecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) from the Chinese medicinal herb Ligularia duciformis, was suggested to be the most toxic known PA. Its in vitro metabolism was thus examined in rat and mouse liver microsomes, and its toxicity was compared with that of clivorine and monocrotaline after i.p. injection in mice. Isoline was more rapidly metabolized by both microsomes than clivorine and monocrotaline and converted to two polar metabolites M1 and M2, which were spectroscopically determined to be bisline (a deacetylated metabolite of isoline) and bisline lactone, respectively. Both metabolites were formed in the presence or absence of an NADPH-generating system with liver microsomes but not cytosol. Their formation was completely inhibited by the esterase inhibitors, triorthocresyl phosphate (TOCP) and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, but not at all or partially by cytochrome P450 (P450) inhibitors, alpha-naphthoflavone and proadifen (SKF 525A), respectively. These results demonstrated that both metabolites were produced by microsomal esterase(s) but not P450 isozymes. The esterase(s) involved showed not only quite different activities but also responses to different inhibitors in rat and mouse liver microsomes, suggesting that different key isozyme(s) or combinations might be responsible for the deacetylation of isoline. Isoline injected i.p. into mice induced liver-specific toxicity that was much greater than that with either clivorine or monocrotaline, as judged by histopathology as well as serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Isoline-induced hepatotoxicity was remarkably enhanced by the esterase inhibitor TOCP but was reduced by the P450 inhibitor SKF 525A, indicating that rodent hepatic esterase(s) played a principal role in the detoxification of isoline via rapid deacetylation in vivo. (+info)The homeostasis of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine in nervous tissues of mice was not disrupted after administration of tri-o-cresyl phosphate. (4/26)
(+info)Identification and characterization of biomarkers of organophosphorus exposures in humans. (5/26)
(+info)Vacuolation of sensory ganglion neuron cytoplasm in rats with long-term exposure to organophosphates. (6/26)
(+info)Exposure to tri-o-cresyl phosphate detected in jet airplane passengers. (7/26)
(+info)Determination of tricresyl phosphate air contamination in aircraft. (8/26)
(+info)Tritolyl phosphates are not a medical term, but rather a class of industrial chemicals. They are organophosphate esters made from the reaction of toluene with phosphoric acid. These chemicals have various uses, including as plasticizers, flame retardants, and hydraulic fluids.
Exposure to high levels of tritolyl phosphates can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. However, they are not typically considered a significant health concern at the low levels encountered in most occupational or environmental settings. There is no known medical condition specifically associated with "tritolyl phosphates."
Phosphates, in a medical context, refer to the salts or esters of phosphoric acid. Phosphates play crucial roles in various biological processes within the human body. They are essential components of bones and teeth, where they combine with calcium to form hydroxyapatite crystals. Phosphates also participate in energy transfer reactions as phosphate groups attached to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Additionally, they contribute to buffer systems that help maintain normal pH levels in the body.
Abnormal levels of phosphates in the blood can indicate certain medical conditions. High phosphate levels (hyperphosphatemia) may be associated with kidney dysfunction, hyperparathyroidism, or excessive intake of phosphate-containing products. Low phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia) might result from malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency, or certain diseases affecting the small intestine or kidneys. Both hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphatemia can have significant impacts on various organ systems and may require medical intervention.