n-bromotaurine and hypobromous-acid

To investigate and compare the bactericidal activity (BA) of active bromine and chlorine compounds in the absence and presence of protein load.. Quantitative killing tests against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were performed both in the absence and in the presence of peptone with pairs of isosteric active chlorine and bromine compounds: hypochlorous and hypobromous acid (HOCl and HOBr), dichloro- and dibromoisocyanuric acid, chlorantine and bromantine (1,3-dibromo- and 1,3 dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoine), chloramine T and bromamine T (N-chloro- and N-bromo-4-methylbenzenesulphonamide sodium), and N-chloro- and N-bromotaurine sodium. To classify the bactericidal activities on a quantitative basis, an empirical coefficient named specific bactericidal activity (SBA), founded on the parameters of killing curves, was defined: SBA= mean log reductions/(mean exposure times x concentration) [mmol 1(-1) min (-1)]. In the absence of peptone, tests with washed micro-organisms revealed a throughout higher BA of bromine compounds with only slight differences between single substances. This was in contrast to chlorine compounds, whose killing times differed by a factor of more than four decimal powers. As a consequence, also the isosteric pairs showed according differences. In the presence of peptone, however, bromine compounds showed an increased loss of BA, which partly caused a reversal of efficacy within isosteric pairs.. In medical practice, weakly oxidizing active chlorine compounds like chloramines have the highest potential as topical anti-infectives in the presence of proteinaceous material (mucous membranes, open wounds). Active bromine compounds, on the other hand, have their chance at insensitive body regions with low organic matter, for example skin surfaces.. The expected protein load is one of the most important parameters for selection of a suited active halogen compound.

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Bromates; Bromine Compounds; Chloramines; Chlorine Compounds; Escherichia coli; Hypochlorous Acid; Peptones; Staphylococcus aureus; Taurine; Tosyl Compounds; Triazines

Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in leukocytes and can react with HOBr to produce taurine bromamine (Tau-NHBr). The aim of this study was to assess the ability of Tau-NHBr to oxidize tryptophan, either free or as a residue in albumin. We have demonstrated that Tau-NHBr is a powerful oxidant for tryptophan. Importantly, in comparison to taurine chloramine, HOCl or HOBr, Tau-NHBr exhibits a degree of selectivity for tryptophan. Oxidation of albumin by Tau-NHBr resulted in emission of light, and the quantum yield was more than 10-fold more efficient than that of the other oxidants. The fluorescence band corresponding to oxidized albumin (λ(ex) 350/λ(em) 450), which is characteristic of the formation of formylkynurenine, was significantly higher in reactions using Tau-NHBr. Excitation of the fluorescent probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate at 295 nm was used to assess the depletion of tryptophan residues in albumin. Results from this experiment further supported a higher efficiency of oxidation of tryptophan residues by Tau-NHBr. Other parameters of protein oxidation, including cysteine depletion and formation of carbonyl groups, were not significantly different between the oxidants tested. In conclusion, these results indicate that Tau-NHBr has a higher affinity for tryptophan residues in proteins.

Topics: Animals; Bromates; Cattle; Humans; Oxidants; Oxidation-Reduction; Serum Albumin; Substrate Specificity; Taurine; Tryptophan

We have previously reported that H2O2-induced apoptosis in HL-60 human leukemia cells takes place in the presence of chloride, requires myeloperoxidase (MPO), and occurs through oxidative reactions involving hypochlorous acid and chloramines. We now report that when chloride is replaced by the pseudohalide thiocyanate, there is little or no H2O2-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, thiocyanate inhibits H2O2-induced apoptosis when chloride is present at physiological concentrations, and this occurs at thiocyanate concentrations that are present in human serum and saliva. In contrast, bromide can substitute for chloride in H2O2-induced apoptosis, but results in a lower percent of the cells induced into apoptosis. Hypobromous acid is likely a short-lived intermediate in this H2O2/MPO/bromide apoptosis, and reagent hypobromous acid and bromamines induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells. We conclude that the physiologic concentrations of thiocyanate found in human plasma could modulate the cytototoxicity of H2O2 and its resulting highly toxic MPO-generated hypochlorous acid by competing with chloride for MPO. Furthermore, the oxidative products of the reaction of thiocyanate with MPO are relatively innocuous for human leukemic cells in culture. In contrast, bromide can support H2O2/MPO/halide apoptosis, but is less potent than chloride and it has no effect in the presence of physiological levels of chloride.

Topics: Amines; Apoptosis; Bromates; Bromides; Cell Survival; Chlorides; DNA Fragmentation; HL-60 Cells; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Nitrobenzoates; Oxidation-Reduction; Peroxidase; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Taurine; Thiocyanates