The radical scavenger CR-6 protects SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis: effect on survival pathways

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress have long been linked to cell death of neurons in many neurodegenerative conditions. However, the exact molecular mechanisms triggered by oxidative stress in neurodegeneration are at present unclear. In the current work we have used the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line as a model for studying the molecular events occurring after inducing apoptosis with H2O2. We show that treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with H2O2 up-regulates survival pathways during early stages of apoptosis. Subsequently, the decline of anti-apoptotic protein levels leads to the activation of the calcium-dependent proteases calpains and the cysteine proteases caspases. Additionally, we demonstrate that CR-6 (3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-1(2H)-benzopyran) acts as a scavenger of ROS and prevents apoptosis by enhancing and prolonging up-regulation of survival pathways. Furthermore, we show that pre-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with a cocktail containing CR-6, the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk (zVal-Ala-Asp-fluoro-methylketone) and the calpain inhibitor SJA6017 confers almost total protection against apoptosis. In summary, the present work characterizes the molecular mechanisms involved in oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings highlight the relevance of CR-6, alone or in combination with other drugs, as potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.     

Seasonal changes in antioxidant level of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles exposed to industrial pollution. I. ascorbate and thiol content

Current and previous year needles from three 16 years-old populations of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees were seasonally collected at the three experimental areas: Luboń- close to the phosphate fertiliser factory, Głogów — close to the copper foundry and Kórnik — control site. Głogów is the most polluted site, where at 1998 monthly mean daily concentrations of different pollutants were: SO₂ - 17 μg·m⁻³, NO_x - 12 μg·m⁻³ and dust containing heavy metals as Cu, Pb, Cd - 29 μg·m⁻³. Trees growing in Luboń were influenced for many years by high concentration of SO₂ and fluor compounds. A few years ago emissions were markedly reduced, but low pH of soil and high concentration of aluminium ions still influence the growth of trees. Seasonal changes of ascorbate and thiol content were observed in each needle class and population, with the maximum in the winter and minimum in the summer. In needles from trees growing on polluted sites higher level of ascorbic acid and thiols comparing to control site was observed. Significant differences appeared in each population of Scots pine growing under higher pollution stress in the Głogów site. In needles from trees growing in Luboń significant differences in ascorbic acid and thiols content were evidently less numerous. Needles from polluted sites in some seasons contained significantly more malondialdehyde (MDA) and those was more frequent in Głogów than in Luboń. The results indicated that in the Głogów site trees are more influenced by pollution stress than in Luboń and the defense reaction measured as an increase of the antioxidant level is more evident.     

Oxidative mechanisms of biological activity of low-intensity radiofrequency radiation

ABSTRACT

This review aims to cover experimental data on oxidative effects of low-intensity radiofrequency radiation (RFR) in living cells. Analysis of the currently available peer-reviewed scientific literature reveals molecular effects induced by low-intensity RFR in living cells; this includes significant activation of key pathways generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of peroxidation, oxidative damage of DNA and changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. It indicates that among 100 currently available peer-reviewed studies dealing with oxidative effects of low-intensity RFR, in general, 93 confirmed that RFR induces oxidative effects in biological systems. A wide pathogenic potential of the induced ROS and their involvement in cell signaling pathways explains a range of biological/health effects of low-intensity RFR, which include both cancer and non-cancer pathologies. In conclusion, our analysis demonstrates that low-intensity RFR is an expressive oxidative agent for living cells with a high pathogenic potential and that the oxidative stress induced by RFR exposure should be recognized as one of the primary mechanisms of the biological activity of this kind of radiation.     

Changes in the antigenic properties of proteins of laboratory mice during oxidative stress

Changes in the level of oxidative damage to proteins in CD1 outbred mice γ irradiated with a dose of 3 Gy have been studied. The changes were estimated from the amount of carbonyl groups (CG) in the proteins. It was found that two hours after exposure to γ radiation, the amount of CG in the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of the liver, heart, brain, and spleen sharply increased. Two months after irradiation, the level of CG in the cytoplasmic and nuclear subcellular fractions of the liver and brain decreased to the level of CG in the control animals, which were not exposed to radiation. In the subcellular fractions of the heart and spleen, the increase in the degree of damage was more significant and a high level of damage was observed even two months after irradiation. An enhancement of the antigenic properties of proteins from the liver, heart, and spleen in the postirradiation period was found. Spleen proteins were most immunogenic. A comparison of the antigenic properties of proteins isolated from the tissues 60 days after irradiation revealed a correlation between the level of oxidative damage and the immunogenicity of the total protein fraction.     

Curcumin-induced inhibition of cellular reactive oxygen species generation: Novel therapeutic implications

There is evidence for increased levels of circulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diabetics, as indirectly inferred by the findings of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant status. Direct measurements of intracellular generation of ROS using fluorescent dyes also demonstrate an association of oxidative stress with diabetes. Although phenolic compounds attenuate oxidative stress-related tissue damage, there are concerns over toxicity of synthetic phenolic antioxidants and this has considerably stimulated interest in investigating the role of natural phenolics in medicinal applications. Curcumin (the primary active principle in turmeric,Curcuma longa Linn.) has been claimed to represent a potential antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent with phytonutrient and bioprotective properties. However there are lack of molecular studies to demonstrate its cellular action and potential molecular targets. In this study the antioxidant effect of curcumin as a function of changes in cellular ROS generation was tested. Our results clearly demonstrate that curcumin abolished both phorbol-12 myristate-13 acetate (PMA) and thapsigargin-induced ROS generation in cells from control and diabetic subjects. The pattern of these ROS inhibitory effects as a function of dose-dependency suggests that curcumin mechanistically interferes with protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium regulation. Simultaneous measurements of ROS and Ca²⁺ influx suggest that a rise in cytosolic Ca²⁺ may be a trigger for increased ROS generation. We suggest that the antioxidant and antiangeogenic actions of curcumin, as a mechanism of inhibition of Ca²⁺ entry and PKC activity, should be further exploited to develop suitable and novel drugs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and other diabetic complications.     

不同活性氧胁迫下Bacillus sp. F26以抗氧化物酶合成为特征的应激响应

采用不同的活性氧发生源, 研究了· 、H2O2和OH·胁迫下Bacillus sp. F26以抗氧化物酶合成为特征的应激响应。结果表明, 细胞对氧胁迫的应激响应程度取决于活性氧种类、胁迫程度和形式(瞬时和持续)。Bacillus sp. F26对H2O2胁迫的响应程度最高, 过氧化氢酶的快速合成对细胞抵抗H2O2胁迫至关重要, 当细胞及时分解进入胞内的H2O2, 胁迫对细胞的氧化损伤程度并不高, 相反会刺激细胞的生长和底物消耗, 当胁迫超过过氧化氢酶的分解能力时, H2O2会迅速抑制细胞生长和过氧化氢酶合成; 由于 ·与细胞作用的方式和效果与H2O2不同, 超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶的快速合成并不能保证细胞及时有效地清除胞内的活性氧, 因此, 细胞对 ·胁迫的响应程度要低于H2O2胁迫; 在所考察的3种活性氧中, OH·胁迫(Fenton反应体系)对细胞的氧化损伤程度最大, 胁迫强烈地抑制了细胞生长和抗氧化物酶的合成。由此表明, 由于不同活性氧的化学性质有所不同, 细胞对不同种类、程度和形式的活性氧胁迫会表现出不同的生物学效应, 为了提高自身对氧胁迫的抵抗能力, 微生物会通过自身的代谢调节适应新的环境, 包括调整抗氧化物酶合成水平、改变生长速度以及底物消耗速率等。     

不同活性氧胁迫下Bacillus sp. F26以抗氧化物酶合成为特征的应激响应

采用不同的活性氧发生源, 研究了· 、H2O2和OH·胁迫下Bacillus sp. F26以抗氧化物酶合成为特征的应激响应。结果表明, 细胞对氧胁迫的应激响应程度取决于活性氧种类、胁迫程度和形式(瞬时和持续)。Bacillus sp. F26对H2O2胁迫的响应程度最高, 过氧化氢酶的快速合成对细胞抵抗H2O2胁迫至关重要, 当细胞及时分解进入胞内的H2O2, 胁迫对细胞的氧化损伤程度并不高, 相反会刺激细胞的生长和底物消耗, 当胁迫超过过氧化氢酶的分解能力时, H2O2会迅速抑制细胞生长和过氧化氢酶合成; 由于 ·与细胞作用的方式和效果与H2O2不同, 超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶的快速合成并不能保证细胞及时有效地清除胞内的活性氧, 因此, 细胞对 ·胁迫的响应程度要低于H2O2胁迫; 在所考察的3种活性氧中, OH·胁迫(Fenton反应体系)对细胞的氧化损伤程度最大, 胁迫强烈地抑制了细胞生长和抗氧化物酶的合成。由此表明, 由于不同活性氧的化学性质有所不同, 细胞对不同种类、程度和形式的活性氧胁迫会表现出不同的生物学效应, 为了提高自身对氧胁迫的抵抗能力, 微生物会通过自身的代谢调节适应新的环境, 包括调整抗氧化物酶合成水平、改变生长速度以及底物消耗速率等。