pterine-6-carboxylic-acid and 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-formylpteridine

Patients with vitiligo accumulate millimolar levels of H(2)O(2) in their epidermis. The recycling process of (6R)-l-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin in these patients is disrupted due to deactivation of 4a-OH-BH(4) dehydratase by H(2)O(2). The H(2)O(2) oxidation products 6- and 7-biopterin lead to the characteristic fluorescence of the affected skin upon Wood's light examination (UVA 351 nm). Here we report for the first time the presence and accumulation of pterin-6-carboxylic acid (P-6-COOH) in the epidermis of these patients. Exploring potential sources for P-6-COOH revealed that sepiapterin and 6-biopterin are readily photo-oxidised to P-6-COOH by UVA/UVB irradiation. Photolysis of sepiapterin and 6-biopterin produces stoichiometric H(2)O(2) under aerobic conditions, where O(2) is the electron acceptor, thus identifying an additional source for H(2)O(2) generation in vitiligo. A detailed analysis utilising UV/visible spectrophotometry, HPLC, TLC, and mass spectroscopy showed for sepiapterin direct oxidation to P-6-COOH, whereas 6-biopterin formed the intermediate 6-formylpterin (P-6-CHO) which is then further photo-oxidised to P-6-COOH.

Topics: Biopterins; Catalase; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Epidermis; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Oxygen; Photochemistry; Pteridines; Pterins; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitiligo

Folic acid (FA) is the synthetic form of folate (vitamin B9), present in supplements and fortified foods. During ultraviolet (UV) radiation FA is degraded to 6-formylpterin (FPT) and pterin-6-carboxylic acid (PCA) which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and may be phototoxic. The aim of the present study was to investigate the production of ROS and phototoxicity of FA, FPT and PCA in skin cells during UVA exposure. The production of ROS and phototoxicity of FA, FPT and PCA were studied in the immortal human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and malignant skin cells (A431 and WM115) during UVA exposure. Increased ROS production and the photoinactivation of cells in vitro were observed during UVA exposure in the presence of FA, FPT and PCA. HPLC analysis revealed that 10 μM FA photodegradation was around 2.1 and 5.8-fold faster than that of 5 μM and 1 μM FA. Photodegradation of FA is concentration dependent, and even non-phototoxic doses of FA and its photoproducts, FPT and PCA, generate high levels of ROS in vitro. FA, FPT and PCA are phototoxic in vitro. The photodegradation of topical or unmetabolized FA during UV exposure via sunlight, sunbeds or phototherapy may lead to ROS production, to the cutaneous folate deficiency, skin photocarcinogenesis and other deleterious skin effects. Further studies are needed to confirm whether UV exposure can decrease cutaneous and serum folate levels in humans taking FA supplements or using cosmetic creams with FA.

Topics: Cell Line; Cell Survival; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Folic Acid; Humans; Keratinocytes; Photolysis; Pteridines; Pterins; Reactive Oxygen Species; Ultraviolet Rays