Summary
Homocysteine (HC) is a radiation protector but toxic to bone. Its derivative homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL) and the alpha-alkylated analogue (A-methyl-HCTL) was fed to mice for a period of six weeks in a daily dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Parameters for bone matrix as collagen content, acid solubility of bone collagen, urinary bone collagen cross links (pyridinolines) and urinary acid glycosaminoglycans were determined. Urinary acid glycosaminoglycans were significantly reduced in the HCTL treated group but not in the alpha-methyl-homocysteine thiolactone (A-methyl-HCTL) group (controls: 45 ± 7 mg/mmol creatinine, homocysteine thiolactone 38 ± 5 mg/mmol creatinine, A-methyl HCTL 45 ± 6 mg/mmol creatinine).
No differences were found for the parameters of bone collagen between the groups. The potent radiation protecting methylated derivative therefore did not change bone matrix and should be a candidate for further toxicological studies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Cacciari E, Salardi S (1989) Clinical and laboratory features of homocystinuria. Haemostasis 19: 10–13
McCully KS, Vezeridis MP (1989) Histopathological effects of homocysteine thiolactone on epithelial and stromal tissues. Exp Mol Pathol 51: 159–170
Freedman BD, Gay CV, Leach RM (1985) Avian tibial dyschondroplasia. Am J Pathol 119: 191–198
Jackson SH (1973) The reaction of homocysteine with aldehyde: an explanation of the collagen deffects in homocystinuria. Clin Chim Acta 45: 215–217
Orth MW, Bai Y, Zeytun IH, Cook ME (1992) Excess levels of cysteine and homocysteine induce tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chicks. J Nutr 122: 482–487
Lindberg KA (1976) Inhibition of lysil oxidase by homocysteine: a proposed connective tissue effect in homocystinuria. Clin Res 24: 265A
Roberts JC (1992) Amino acids and their derivatives as radioprotective agents. Amino Acids 3: 25–52
SAS Users Guide (1985) Statistics. Version 5. SAS Institute Inc. CARY, NC
Siegel RC (1987) The connective tissue defect in homocystinuria. Clin Res 23: 263
Whitley CB, Ridnour MD, Draper KA, Dutton CM, Neglia JP (1989) Diagnostic test for mucopolysaccharidosis I. Direct methode for quantifying excessive urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion. Clin Chem 35/3: 374–379
Woessner JF (1961) Determination of hydroxyproline in tissue and protein sample containing small portions of this amino acid. Arch Biochem Biophys 93: 440–447
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Frauscher, G., Kircher, S., Höger, H. et al. The effect of homocysteine thiolactone and its alpha methylated derivative on bone matrix in the mouse. Amino Acids 6, 199–203 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00805847
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00805847