Catalysis of the Haber-Weiss reaction by iron-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate.

To help settle controversy as to whether the chelating agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) supports or prevents hydroxyl radical production by superoxide/hydrogen peroxide systems, we have reinvestigated the question by spectroscopic, kinetic, and thermodynamic analyses. Potassium superoxide in DMSO was found to reduce Fe(III)DTPA. The rate constant for autoxidation of Fe(II)DTPA was found (by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy) to be 3.10 M-1 s-1, which leads to a predicted rate constant for reduction of Fe(III)DTPA by superoxide of 5.9 x 10(3) M-1 s-1 in aqueous solution. This reduction is a necessary requirement for catalytic production of hydroxyl radicals via the Fenton reaction and is confirmed by spin-trapping experiments using DMPO. In the presence of Fe(III)DTPA, the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system generates hydroxyl radicals. The reaction is inhibited by both superoxide dismutase and catalase (indicating that both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are required for generation of HO.). The generation of hydroxyl radicals (rather than oxidation side-products of DMPO and DMPO adducts) is attested to by the trapping of alpha-hydroxethyl radicals in the presence of 9% ethanol. Generation of HO. upon reaction of H2O2 with Fe(II)DTPA (the Fenton reaction) can be inhibited by catalase, but not superoxide dismutase. The data strongly indicate that iron-DTPA can catalyze the Haber-Weiss reaction.     

Redox cycling of potential antitumor aziridinyl quinones

The formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) during redox cycling of newly synthesized potential antitumor 2,5-bis (1-aziridinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (BABQ) derivatives has been studied by assaying the production of ROI (superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide) by xanthine oxidase in the presence of BABQ derivatives. At low concentrations (< 10 microM) some BABQ derivatives turned out to inhibit the production of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals by xanthine oxidase, while the effect on the xanthine-oxidase-induced production of hydrogen peroxide was much less pronounced. Induction of DNA strand breaks by reactive oxygen species generated by xanthine oxidase was also inhibited by BABQ derivatives. The DNA damage was comparable to the amount of hydroxyl radicals produced. The inhibiting effect on hydroxyl radical production can be explained as a consequence of the lowered level of superoxide, which disrupts the Haber-Weiss reaction sequence. The inhibitory effect of BABQ derivatives on superoxide formation correlated with their one-electron reduction potentials: BABQ derivatives with a high reduction potential scavenge superoxide anion radicals produced by xanthine oxidase, leading to reduced BABQ species and production of hydrogen peroxide from reoxidation of reduced BABQ. This study, using a unique series of BABQ derivatives with an extended range of reduction potentials, demonstrates that the formation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals by bioreductively activated antitumor quinones can in principle be uncoupled from alkylating activity.     

Kinetic studies on spin trapping of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals generated in NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase-paraquat systems. Effect of iron chelates

Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies on spin trapping of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals by 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) were performed in NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase-paraquat systems at pH 7.4. Spin adduct concentrations were determined by comparing ESR spectra of the adducts with the ESR spectrum of a stable radical solution. Kinetic analysis in the presence of 100 microM desferrioxamine B (deferoxamine) showed that: 1) the oxidation of 1 mol of NADPH produces 2 mol of superoxide ions, all of which can be trapped by DMPO when extrapolated to infinite concentration; 2) the rate constant for the reaction of superoxide with DMPO was 1.2 M-1 s-1; 3) the superoxide spin adduct of DMPO (DMPO-OOH) decays with a half-life of 66 s and the maximum level of DMPO-OOH formed can be calculated by a simple steady state equation; and 4) 2.8% or less of the DMPO-OOH decay occurs through a reaction producing hydroxyl radicals. In the presence of 100 microM EDTA, 5 microM Fe(III) ions nearly completely inhibited the formation of the hydroxyl radical adduct of DMPO (DMPO-OH) as well as the formation of DMPO-OOH and, when 100 microM hydrogen peroxide was present, produced DMPO-OH exclusively. Fe(III)-EDTA is reduced by superoxide and the competition of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in the reaction with Fe(II)-EDTA seems to be reflected in the amounts of DMPO-OOH and DMPO-OH detected. These effects of EDTA can be explained from known kinetic data including a rate constant of 6 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 for reduction of DMPO-OOH by Fe(II)-EDTA. The effect of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DETAPAC) on the formation of DMPO-OOH and DMPO-OH was between deferoxamine and EDTA, and about the same as that of endogenous chelator (phosphate).     

Role of iron in adriamycin biochemistry

Adriamycin forms a chelate with Fe(III) that exhibits complex redox chemistry. The drug ligand is able to directly reduce the bound Fe(III) with the concomitant production of a one-electron oxidized drug radical. This Fe(II) can reduce oxygen to hydrogen peroxide and cleave the peroxide to yield the hydroxyl radical. In addition, the drug X Fe complex can catalyze the transfer of electrons from reduced glutathione to molecular oxygen to yield superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. The adriamycin X Fe complex binds to DNA to form a ternary drug X Fe X DNA complex, which is also able to catalyze the thiol-dependent reduction of oxygen and the formation of hydroxyl radical from hydrogen peroxide. As a consequence of this chemistry, the adriamycin X Fe complex can cleave DNA on the addition of glutathione or hydrogen peroxide. Although less well defined, the adriamycin X Fe complex can bind to cell membranes and cause oxidative destruction of these membranes in the presence of thiols or hydrogen peroxide.     

Hydroxyl radical is not a product of the reaction of xanthine oxidase and xanthine. The confounding problem of adventitious iron bound to xanthine oxidase

The reaction of xanthine and xanthine oxidase generates superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. In contrast to earlier works, recent spin trapping data (Kuppusamy, P., and Zweier, J.L. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 9880-9884) suggested that hydroxyl radical may also be a product of this reaction. Determining if hydroxyl radical results directly from the xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction is important for 1) interpreting experimental data in which this reaction is used as a model of oxidant stress, and 2) understanding the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Consequently, we evaluated the conditions required for hydroxyl radical generation during the oxidation of xanthine by xanthine oxidase. Following the addition of some, but not all, commercial preparations of xanthine oxidase to a mixture of xanthine, deferoxamine, and either 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide or a combination of alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl-nitrone and dimethyl sulfoxide, hydroxyl radical-derived spin adducts were detected. With other preparations, no evidence of hydroxyl radical formation was noted. Xanthine oxidase preparations that generated hydroxyl radical had greater iron associated with them, suggesting that adventitious iron was a possible contributing factor. Consistent with this hypothesis, addition of H2O2, in the absence of xanthine, to "high iron" xanthine oxidase preparations generated hydroxyl radical. Substitution of a different iron chelator, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for deferoxamine, or preincubation of high iron xanthine oxidase preparations with chelating resin, or overnight dialysis of the enzyme against deferoxamine decreased or eliminated hydroxyl radical generation without altering the rate of superoxide production. Therefore, hydroxyl radical does not appear to be a product of the oxidation of xanthine by xanthine oxidase. However, commercial xanthine oxidase preparations may contain adventitious iron bound to the enzyme, which can catalyze hydroxyl radical formation from hydrogen peroxide.     

Oxidative damage to bovine serum albumin induced by hydroxyl radical generating systems of xanthine oxidase + EDTA-Fe3+ and ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+.

Oxidative damage to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was induced by hydroxyl radical (HO.) generating systems of xanthine oxidase (XO) + EDTA-Fe3+ and ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+. Formation of bityrosine and loss of tryptophan were observed in the ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ system and carbonyl formation was induced by both systems. Mannitol and ethanol very strongly inhibited the carbonyl and/or bityrosine formation, indicating that the oxidative damage to BSA was due to HO(.). The sulfhydryl (SH) groups of BSA were very sensitive to the XO + EDTA-Fe3+ but not to the ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ system. Catalase but not hydroxyl radical scavengers or superoxide dismutase strongly inhibited the loss of SH groups, indicating that H2O2 is involved in their oxidation. Fragmentation of BSA was observed during exposure to the XO + EDTA-Fe3+ and ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ systems and the products presented a broad band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Little formation of amine groups was observed in these systems, indicating that little peptide bond cleavage occurred. BSA exposed to the ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ system was more readily degraded by trypsin than that exposed to the XO + EDTA-Fe3+ system. Elastase degraded BSA exposed to the ascorbate + EDTA-Fe3+ system but not to the XO + EDTA-Fe3+ system.     

Mechanism of horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed conversion of iodine to iodide in the presence of EDTA and H2O2

EDTA not only blocks the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed iodide oxidation to I-3 but also causes an enzymatic conversion of oxidized iodine species to iodide (Banerjee, R. K., De, S. K., Bose, A. K., and Datta, A. G. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10592-10597). The EDTA effect on both of these reactions can be withdrawn with a higher concentration of iodide and not with H2O2. Spectral studies indicate a possible interaction of EDTA with HRP as evidenced by the formation of modified compound 1 with H2O2 at 416 nm instead of 412 nm in the absence of EDTA. EDTA causes a hypochromic effect on HRP at 402 nm which undergoes the bathochromic red shift to 416 nm by H2O2. The addition of iodide to the 416 nm complex causes the reappearance of the Soret band of HRP at 402 nm. Among various EDTA analogues tested, N-N-N'-N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) is 80% as effective as EDTA in the conversion of I-3 to iodide and produces a spectral shift of HRP similar to EDTA. Interaction of EDTA with HRP is further indicated by the hyperchromic effect of HRP and H2O2 on the absorption of EDTA at 212 nm. The addition of oxidized iodine species produces a new peak at 230 nm due to formation of iodide. EDTA at a higher concentration can effectively displace radioiodide specifically bound to HRP indicating its interaction at the iodide-binding site. The enzyme, after radioiodide displacement with EDTA, shows a characteristic absorption maximum at 416 nm on the addition of H2O2, indicating that EDTA is bound with the enzyme. Both positive and negative circular dichroism spectra of HRP and the HRP.H2O2 complex, characteristic of heme absorption, are altered by EDTA, suggesting an EDTA-induced conformational change at or near the heme region. This is associated with a change of affinity of heme toward H2O2 and azide. It is postulated that EDTA interacts at the iodide-binding site of the HRP inducing a new conformation that blocks iodide oxidation but is suitable to convert iodine to iodide by a redox reaction with H2O2.     

Evidence for superoxide-dependent reduction of Fe3+ and its role in enzyme-generated hydroxyl radical formation.

This report describes studies yielding additional evidence that superoxide anion (O2) production by some biological oxidoreductase systems is a potential source of hydroxyl radical production. The phenomenon appears to be an intrinsic property of certain enzyme systems which produce superoxide and H2O2, and can result in extensive oxidative degradation of membrane lipids. Earlier studies had suggested that iron (chelated to maintain solubility) augmented production of the hydroxyl radical in such systems according to the following reaction sequence: O2 + Fe3+ leads to O2 + Fe2+ Fe2+ + H2O2 leads to Fe3+ + HO-+OH-. The data reported below provide additional support for the occurrence of these reactions, especially the reduction of Fe3+ by superoxide. Because the conditions for such reactions appear to exist in animal tissues, the results indicate a mechanism for the initiation and promotion of peroxidative attacks on membrane lipids and also suggest that the role of antioxidants in intracellular metabolism may be to inhibit initiation of degradative reactions by the highly reactive radicals formed extraneously during metabolic activity. This report presents the following new information: (1) Fe3+ is reduced to Fe2+ during xanthine oxidase activity and a significant part of the reduction was oxygen dependent. (2) Mn2+ appears to function as an efficient superoxide anion scavenger, and this function can be inhibited by EDTA. (3) The O2-dependent reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ by xanthine oxidase activity is inhibited by Mn2+, which, in view of statement 2 above, is a further indication that the reduction of the iron involves superoxide anion. (4) Free radical scavengers prevent or reverse the Fe3+ inhibiton of cytochrome c3+ reduction by xanthine oxidase. (5) The inhibition of xanthine oxidase-catalyzed reduction of cyt c3+ by Fe3+ does not affect uric acid production by the xanthine oxidase system. (6) The reoxidation of reduced cyt c in the xanthine oxidase system is markedly enhanced by Fe3+ and is apparently due to enhanced HO-RADICAL formation since the Fe3+-stimulated reoxidation is inhibited by free radical scavengers, including those with specificity for the hydroxyl radical.     

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of the interactions between the adriamycin semiquinone, hydrogen peroxide, iron-chelators, and radical scavengers.

Anaerobic reduction of hydrogen peroxide in a xanthine/xanthine oxidase system by adriamycin semiquinone in the presence of chelators and radical scavengers was investigated by direct electron paramagnetic resonance and spin trapping techniques. Under these conditions, adriamycin semiquinone appears to react with hydrogen peroxide forming the hydroxyl radical in the presence of chelators such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. In the absence of chelators, a related, but unknown oxidant is formed. In the presence of desferrioxamine, adriamycin semiquinone does not disappear in the presence of hydrogen peroxide at a detectable rate. The presence of adventitious iron is therefore implicated during adriamycin semiquinone-catalyzed reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Formation of alpha-hydroxyethyl radical and carbon dioxide radical anion from ethanol and formate, respectively, was detected by spin trapping. Both the hydroxyl radical and the related oxidant react with these scavengers, forming the corresponding radical. In the presence of scavengers from which reducing radicals are formed, the rate of consumption of hydrogen peroxide in this system is increased. This result can be explained by a radical-driven Fenton reaction.     

Thioureas react with superoxide radicals to yield a sulfhydryl compound. Explanation for protective effect against paraquat

Thiourea and superoxide dismutase were effective antidotes to paraquat toxicity in an HL60 cell culture system, whereas other hydroxyl scavengers were ineffective. The efficacy of thioureas was not due to blockage of intracellular paraquat uptake, inhibition of NADPH-P-450 reductase, or reaction with the paraquat radical. Thiourea also competitively inhibited the reduction of cytochrome c by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase superoxide-generating system, and the release of iron from ferritin by superoxide radicals. The reaction of superoxide with thiourea produced a sulfhydryl compound distinct from products formed by hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radicals. Spectrophotometric and chromatographic studies indicated the carbon-sulfide double bond was converted to a sulfhydryl group which reacted with Ellman's reagent. Additional confirmatory evidence for the sulfhydryl compound was obtained with carbon-13 NMR and mass spectroscopies. Thus, thioureas are direct scavengers of superoxide radicals as well as hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide. The rate constant for the reduction of thiourea by superoxide was estimated at 1.1 x 10(3) M-1 s-1. The implication of this finding on free radical studies, the mechanism of paraquat toxicity, and the metabolism of thioureas is discussed.     

The Generation of Ferryl or Hydroxyl Radicals During Interaction of Haemproteins with Hydrogen Peroxide

The oxidation of 2-keto-4-thiomethyl butyric acid (KTBA) and methionine to ethylene has been used to evaluate generation of ferryl species or hydroxyl radicals by H₂O₂-_-activated haemproteins or free ferric ions. Hydrogen peroxide was generated by a glucose oxidase-glucose system at a rate of 1 μM/min. Free ferric in the presence of H₂O₂ oxidizes KTBA, and this was highly inhibited by hydroxyl radical scavengers, caeruloplasmin, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and EDTA. However, when metmyoglobin, methaemoglobin (MtHb) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were tested in the same model system, hydroxyl radical scavengers suppressed partially KTBA oxidation and caeruloplasmin, SOD and EDTA failed to inhibit the reaction. Cytochrome-c was found to be a weak promoter of KTBA oxidation in the presence of H₂O₂. Methionine was oxidized to ethylene by an active system which generates hydroxyl radicals, but not by H₂O₂-_-activated metmyoglobin. Ferric ions chelated to membranes or ADP in the presence of H₂O₂ generated enzymatically, initiated membranal lipid peroxidation only in the presence of ascorbic acid, and this was inhibited by EDTA. In contrast, metmyoglobin and methaemoglobin activated by H₂O₂ generated by the same system, initiated membranal lipid peroxidation and this was not inhibited by EDTA. It is concluded that ferryl and not HO. is the main oxidant in systems containing myoglobin and haemoglobin activated by low concentrations of H₂O₂.     

An investigation into the role of hydroxyl radical in xanthine oxidase-dependent lipid peroxidation

A model lipid peroxidation system dependent upon the hydroxyl radical, generated by Fenton's reagent, was compared to another model system dependent upon the enzymatic generation of superoxide by xanthine oxidase. Peroxidation was studied in detergent-dispersed linoleic acid and in phospholipid liposomes. Hydroxyl radical generation by Fenton's reagent (FeCl₂ + H₂O₂) in the presence of phospholipid liposomes resulted in lipid peroxidation as evidenced by malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide formation. Catalase, mannitol, and Tris-Cl were capable of inhibiting activity. The addition of EDTA resulted in complete inhibition of activity when the concentration of EDTA exceeded the concentration of Fe²⁺. The addition of ADP resulted in slight inhibition of activity, however, the activity was less sensitive to inhibition by mannitol. At an ADP to Fe²⁺ molar ratio of 10 to 1, 10 mm mannitol caused 25% inhibition of activity. Lipid peroxidation dependent on the enzymatic generation of superoxide by xanthine oxidase was studied in liposomes and in detergent-dispersed linoleate. No activity was observed in the absence of added iron. Activity and the apparent mechanism of initiation was dependent upon iron chelation. The addition of EDTA-chelated iron to the detergent-dispersed linoleate system resulted in lipid peroxidation as evidenced by diene conjugation. This activity was inhibited by catalase and hydroxyl radical trapping agents. In contrast, no activity was observed with phospholipid liposomes when iron was chelated with EDTA. The peroxidation of liposomes required ADP-chelated iron and activity was stimulated upon the addition of EDTA-chelated iron. The peroxidation of detergent-dispersed linoleate was also enhanced by ADP-chelated iron. Again, this peroxidation in the presence of ADP-chelated iron was not sensitive to catalase or hydroxyl radical trapping agents. It is proposed that initiation of superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation in the presence of EDTA-chelated iron occurs via the hydroxyl radical. However, in the presence of ADP-chelated iron, the participation of the free hydroxyl radical is minimal.     

Oxygen radicals alter the cell membrane potential in a renal cell line (LLC-PK1) with differentiated characteristics of proximal tubular cells

We employed a carbocyanine dye (1,1',3,3,3',3'-hexamethylindocarbocyanine iodide) to measure the plasma membrane potential of LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells exposed to either xanthine oxidase-generated oxygen radicals or to hydrogen peroxide. Measurements were performed using a fluorescent-activated cell sorter to record fluorescence on a cell by cell basis. Initial exposure of cells to low concentrations of either H2O2 or xanthine oxidase resulted in a transient increase in membrane potential relative to control cells (P less than 0.001), followed by an exponential decline in potential (P less than 0.001). The addition of extracellular catalase diminished the H2O2-related decline in potential, consistent with a role for hydrogen peroxide in producing this effect. Pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of intracellular catalase and superoxide dismutase prior to exposure to xanthine oxidase caused an even larger decline in potential (P less than 0.001). Cells could be partially protected from the radical-mediated loss of potential by incubating them in a hypertonic (400 mosmolal) environment during radical exposure. Similarly, the loss of membrane potential was increased after incubation of cells in a hypotonic (200 mosmolal) environment during radical exposure. These observations are consistent with a reduction in membrane potential effected by exposure to oxygen radicals (including superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide). This reduction may be prevented, in part, by radical scavenging enzymes and by reducing the degree of cellular swelling in response to oxygen radical exposure.     

The effect of human serum transferrin and milk lactoferrin on hydroxyl radical formation from superoxide and hydrogen peroxide

The effect of transferrins on hydroxyl radical formation from the superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide generated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system has been studied by EPR using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide as a spin trap. Neither diferriclactoferrin nor diferrictransferrin were found capable of promoting hydroxyl radical formation via the Haber-Weiss reaction even in the presence of EDTA in concentrations up to 1 mM. Activity observed by other authors may have been due to the presence of extraneous iron or an active protein impurity. Partially saturated transferrin and lactoferrin present in normal subjects may protect cells from damage by binding iron that might catalyze hydroxyl radical formation from superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. In any event, the hydroxyl radical formation observed in active neutrophils during phagocytosis cannot be associated with lactoferrin activity.     

Lipid photooxidation in erythrocyte ghosts: sensitization of the membranes toward ascorbate- and superoxide-induced peroxidation and lysis

The damaging effects of ascorbate (AH-) and superoxide (O-2) on resealed erythrocyte ghosts containing predetermined levels of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) have been studied. Continuous blue light irradiation of membranes in the presence of protoporphyrin resulted in steadily increasing LOOH levels and enhanced release of a trapped marker, glucose 6-phosphate (G6P), after a 3- to 4-h lag. Neither superoxide dismutase (SOD) nor catalase inhibited these effects, ruling out O-2 and H2O2 as reactive intermediates. A 1-h light dose produced partially photoperoxidized ghosts, which, in the dark at 37 degrees C, released G6P no faster than unirradiated controls (approximately 7%/h). When xanthine oxidase plus xanthine (XO/X) was introduced as a source of O-2 and H2O2, the irradiated membranes lysed rapidly (t1/2 approximately 2 h). EDTA or SOD inhibited the reaction, whereas catalase had little or no effect. Unirradiated ghosts were not lysed by XO/X unless the system was supplemented with Fe(III), in which case total protection was afforded by SOD or catalase. In all experiments there was an excellent correlation between postirradiation lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactivity) and G6P release. Similar observations were made with AH-. For example, dark incubation of photooxidized ghosts in the presence of 0.5 mM AH- resulted in rapid lysis (t1/2 approximately 1 h), which was stimulated approximately twofold by 50 microM Fe(III) and was inhibited by EDTA. By comparison, unirradiated ghosts showed no net peroxidation or lysis after 3 h exposure to Fe(III)/AH-. Neither SOD nor catalase protected against AH--stimulated damage. AH--promoted lipid peroxidation was inhibited by butylated hydroxytoluene, a lipophilic antioxidant, but was unaffected by 2,5-dimethylfuran or ethanol, singlet oxygen, and hydroxyl radical traps, respectively. These results suggest that a mechanism exists by which photogenerated LOOHs undergo redox metal-mediated reduction to alkoxy radicals (LO.), which trigger a burst of membrane-disrupting lipid peroxidation.     

Spin-trapping and human neutrophils. Limits of detection of hydroxyl radical

Using the spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) and an excess of dimethyl sulfoxide, we previously reported that in the absence of an exogenous iron catalyst, human neutrophils will not generate hydroxyl radical, manifested as the catalse-inhibitable methyl radical spin-trapped adduct, 2,2,5-trimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (DMPO-CH3) (Britigan, B. E., Rosen, G. M., Chai, Y., and Cohen, M. S. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 4426-4431). However, superoxide destroys the preformed hydroxyl radical spin-trapped adduct, 2,2-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (DMPO-OH), and DMPO-CH3. The present study was undertaken to better resolve the limits of sensitivity of the spin-trapping method. Photolytically generated DMPO-CH3 and DMPO-OH slowly decomposed in the presence of a low flux (1 microM/min) of enzymatically (xanthine/xanthine oxidase)-generated superoxide, but more rapid decomposition of these adducts occurred with higher superoxide flux (5 microM/min). Inclusion of cysteine markedly increased the rate of DMPO-OH and DMPO-CH3 decomposition, masking the effect of superoxide alone. The addition of varying concentrations of superoxide dismutase did not lead to increased formation of DMPO-OH or DMPO-CH3, as should have occurred if these adducts were being destroyed by superoxide. As a positive control, we employed an iron-supplemented system with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated neutrophils or xanthine/xanthine oxidase to generate DMPO-CH3. Addition of superoxide dismutase increased the magnitude of DMPO-CH3, primarily by increasing the rate of hydrogen peroxide formation, and to a lesser extent by prolonging the half-life of DMPO-CH3. Although spin-trapped adducts can be destroyed by a high concentration of superoxide, or by lower concentrations of superoxide in the presence of thiol-containing compounds, our results demonstrate that such decomposition does not interfere with the ability of the spin-trapping method to detect hydroxyl radical generated by human neutrophils. These data do not support the capacity of neutrophils to generate hydroxyl radical in the absence of an exogenous Haber-Weiss catalyst.     

Ferritin and superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation

Ferritin was found to promote the peroxidation of phospholipid liposomes, as evidenced by malondialdehyde formation, when incubated with xanthine oxidase, xanthine, and ADP. Activity was inhibited by superoxide dismutase but markedly stimulated by the addition of catalase. Xanthine oxidase-dependent iron release from ferritin, measured spectrophotometrically using the ferrous iron chelator 2,2'-dipyridyl, was also inhibited by superoxide dismutase, suggesting that superoxide can mediate the reductive release of iron from ferritin. Potassium superoxide in crown ether also promoted superoxide dismutase-inhibitable release of iron from ferritin. Catalase had little effect on the rate of iron release from ferritin; thus hydrogen peroxide appears to inhibit lipid peroxidation by preventing the formation of an initiating species rather than by inhibiting iron release from ferritin. EPR spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide was used to observe free radical production in this system. Addition of ferritin to the xanthine oxidase system resulted in loss of the superoxide spin trap adduct suggesting an interaction between superoxide and ferritin. The resultant spectrum was that of a hydroxyl radical spin trap adduct which was abolished by the addition of catalase. These data suggest that ferritin may function in vivo as a source of iron for promotion of superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation. Stimulation of lipid peroxidation but inhibition of hydroxyl radical formation by catalase suggests that, in this system, initiation is not via an iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction.     

Inactivation of xanthine oxidase by hydrogen peroxide involves site-directed hydroxyl radical formation.

The mechanism of xanthine oxidase (XO) inactivation by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and its biologic significance are unclear. We found that addition of increasing concentrations of H2O2 progressively decreased xanthine oxidase activity in the presence but not the absence of xanthine in vitro. Inactivation of XO by H2O2 was also enhanced by anaerobic reduction of XO by xanthine. Inactivation of XO by H2O2 was accompanied by production of hydroxyl radical (.OH), measured as formation of formaldehyde from dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). In contrast, addition of H2O2 to deflavo XO did not produce .OH. Inactivation of XO by H2O2 was decreased by simultaneous addition of the .OH scavenger, DMSO. However, inactivation of XO by H2O2 and formation of .OH were not decreased following addition of the metal chelator. DETAPAC, and/or the O2 scavenger, superoxide dismutase. The results suggest that inactivation of XO by H2O2 occurs by production of .OH following direct reduction of H2O2 by XO at the flavin site.     

Pseudo-catalytic degradation of hydrogen peroxide in the lactoperoxidase/H2O2/iodide system

Non-stoichiometric (excessive) consumption of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which was observed in various lactoperoxidase-catalysed reactions, was tested in the lactoperoxidase/H2O2/iodide system. In preliminary experiments the suitability of the system was tested with special regard to the triiodide (I-3) absorption and the I2/I-3 equilibrium. Triiodide equilibrium concentrations evaluated theoretically and experimentally were compared after adding a known amount of iodine (I2) to solutions containing variable I- concentrations. A close fit of the two methods was only obtained if experiments were carried out in pure aqueous or 0.001 M H2SO4 medium. The presence of various anions, e.g. OH- and Cl-, led to a measurable decrease in I-3 and I2 equilibrium concentrations. These ions are able to displace competitively I- in forming association products with I+ and I2. When I+ and I2 were generated enzymatically by lactoperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide, additional interactions with H2O2 were observed. Depending on the enzyme and iodide concentrations, variable amounts of H2O2 disappeared nonproductively. Due to its ambivalent redox reactivity, part of the H2O2 is not reduced to H2O in the enzyme-catalysed generation of iodine, but undergoes oxidation to O2 by an oxidized iodine compound. This suggests a pseudo-catalytic side reaction which can competitively interfere with the I2/I-3 generation or (and) the iodination reaction.     

Importance of hydroxyl radical in the vanadium-stimulated oxidation of NADH

Vanadium compounds are known to stimulate the oxidation of NAD(P)H, but the mechanism remains unclear. This reaction was studied spectrophotometrically and by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) using vanadium in the reduced state (+4, vanadyl) and the oxidized state (+5, vanadate). In 25 mM sodium phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, vanadyl was slightly more effective in stimulating NADH oxidation than was vanadate. Addition of a superoxide generating system, xanthine/xanthine oxidase, resulted in a marked increase in NADH oxidation by vanadyl, and to a lesser extent, by vanadate. Decreasing the pH with superoxide present increased NADH oxidation for both vanadate and vanadyl. Addition of hydrogen peroxide to the reaction mixture did not change the NADH oxidation by vanadate, regardless of concentration or pH. With vanadyl however, addition of hydrogen peroxide greatly enhanced NADH oxidation which further increased with lower pH. Use of the spin trap DMPO in reaction mixtures containing vanadyl and hydrogen peroxide or a superoxide generating system resulted in the detection by ESR of hydroxyl. In each case, the hydroxyl radical signal intensity increased with vanadium concentration. Catalase was able to inhibit the formation of the DMPO--OH adduct formed by vanadate plus superoxide. These results show that the ability of vanadium to act in a Fenton-type reaction is an important process in the vanadium-stimulated oxidation of NADH.