Studies on the mechanism of action of colloidal bismuth subcitrate. I. Interaction with sulfhydryls.

The present study was designed to examine the reaction pathway of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) with thiols. Studies were performed using the monothiol glutathione (GSH), the dithiol dithiothreitol (DTT) and the thiol enzymes papain and H+/K(+)-ATPase. UV-vis spectra showed that CBS forms complexes with GSH and DTT. The GSH/CBS complex but not the DTT/CBS complex was cleared by 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid). CBS inhibited H+/K(+)-ATPase (IC50: 23 +/- 6.5 mumol/l) but failed to inhibit papain activity. The inhibitory action of CBS on H+/K(+)-ATPase-mediated proton transport was prevented by the dithiol dithioerythritol but not by GSH. These results indicate that CBS forms stable complexes with dithiols and instable complexes with monothiols. We suggest that some of the effects of CBS (i.e., stimulation of prostaglandin production, antibacterial action against Helicobacter pylori) are mediated via the blockade of SH-groups.