Methimazole (MMI) (Ͼ0.1 mmol kg ؊1 , p.o.) given in combination with DL-buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) (3 mmol kg ؊1 , i.p., 1 h before MMI administration), an inhibitor of glutathione (GSH) synthesis, caused liver injury in mice. The injury was characterized by centrilobular necrosis of hepatocytes and an increase in serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity. Methionazole (2 mmol kg ؊1 ) alone resulted in only a marginal increase in serum ALT activity, but produced no histopathological changes in the liver. Pretreatment with hepatic cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase inhibitors-cobalt chloride, isosafrole, methoxsalen, metyrapone and piperonyl butoxide-prevented or tended to suppress the hepatotoxicity induced by MMI in combination with BSO. Treatment with N,N-dimethylaniline and ethyl methyl sulphide, competitive substrates of flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMO), also resulted in remarkable suppression of the hepatotoxicity caused by MMI in combination with BSO. These results suggest that MMI is activated by reactions mediated by both cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases and FMO, and that the inadequate rates of detoxification of the resulting metabolite are responsible for the hepatotoxicity in GSH-depleted mice. Figure 1. The structure of methimazole.

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Hydroperoxides and n-hexanal of soymilk made at different temperatures in the soybean grinding process were investigated. Both hydroperoxides and n-hexanal showed maximum amounts at 30°C, 37.78 mol/g, and 1.94 mg/g, respectively. However, at 3°C and 80°C, amounts of hydroperoxides were about half of that at 30°C. N-hexanal showed high correlation with hydroperoxides except for at 80°C. It suggests that controlling the grinding temperature is effective to reduce hydroperoxidation and off-flavor content. Protein solubility, an important index of soymilk, was decreased as the temperature increased. Grinding soybeans at low temperature is considered an economical method to produce soymilk having less off-flavor and high protein.

The Total Synthesis of (2)-Lycoramine. Part 1.

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