维生素C对视网膜色素上皮蓝光损伤保护作用的研究(简报)

维生素C为6碳多羟化合物,在化学反应中易失去电子,依次生成半脱氧抗坏血酸和脱氧抗坏血酸。因此,维生素C可作为自由基清除剂,能迅速与超氧阴离子、氢化氧基、过氧化氢、羟自由基反应,生成抗坏血酸自由基。蓝光作为一种短波长,靠近紫外线频段的光,具有能量高的特点,是自然界中导致视网膜色素上皮细胞损伤甚至凋亡的主要光线。本实验通过观察蓝光照射视网膜色素上皮,对其DNA的损伤产生光损伤作用,并比较加入维生素C后对这种光损伤的保护作用,以期探讨维生素C在     

自由基相关细胞信号传导的研究进展

自由基是带有一个孤对电子的分子,具有很强的反应性。自由基可以直接与细胞组成成分发生反应,造成细胞损伤,如通过氧化线粒体DNA和线粒体心磷脂对线粒体造成氧化损伤,从而诱导细胞凋亡。此外,自由基还能影响包括Ca2+、蛋白质磷酸化、转录因子、Bcl-2基因等多种细胞信号传导。因此,自由基产生的生物学效应范围广泛,覆盖了从生理功能调节到影响诸多疾病的病程变化。该文从自由基的产生、清除及其对多种细胞信号传导的影响等方面对相关自由基的研究进展作简要的阐述,以期获得对自由基相关细胞信号传导研究进展较为全面的了解。     

食药用真菌: 天然抗氧化剂的重要来源

生物体在新陈代谢过程中不断产生自由基。自由基在机体内的生成和去除通常处于平衡状态,不会对机体造成严重损伤,但当机体内的自由基过剩时,常引起生物大分子如脂类、蛋白质和核酸的氧化损伤,进而引发机体衰老以及癌症、动脉粥样硬化、风湿性关节炎、肺气肿等疾病。过去20年中,自由基在细胞损     

人线粒体tRNALeu(UUR)基因氧化损伤与修复研究

人mtDNA比核DNA更易受到自由基的氧化损伤,这些损伤可以被线粒体内的DNA修复机制所修复,损伤与修复是决定突变是否产生的两个重要因素.为了确定氧化损伤与损伤后修复对mtDNA突变的具体影响,采用四氧嘧啶处理LO2细胞,这种试剂进入细胞后,经氧化还原反应生成的自由基与线粒体自身代谢产生的自由基类似,然后观察自由基对细胞mtDNA的氧化损伤与损伤后DNA修复的动力学变化.由于线粒体的正常功能为修复机制所必需,采用MTT细胞活力实验检测不同浓度四氧嘧啶处理下线粒体酶活力,发现9 mmol/L四氧嘧啶培养细胞1h后,线粒体琥珀酸脱氢酶功能在撤去药物后0,2,8和24 h时间点均无明显变化.提取各组细胞的mtDNA,用EndoⅢ和Fgp两种酶切除受氧化损伤的核苷酸,然后用碱性琼脂糖凝胶电泳分离大小不等的mtDNA,进行DNA印迹实验,地高辛-抗体-碱性磷酸酶系统显色,检测完整与断裂的mtDNA量,利用Poisson公式(s=-lnP0/P,P0为未断裂链光密度值,P为所有链光密度值总和)计算一个mtDNA分子的平均损伤频率,结果显示,9 mmol/L四氧嘧啶处理细胞1 h,链平均损伤频率由对照的0.11个/分子增加至5.60个/分子,明显增加了mtDNA上核苷酸的氧化损伤,除去药物后8 h,绝大部分损伤可被修复,损伤频率减至0.40个/分子,除去药物后24h核苷酸的氧化损伤恢复至正常水平.采用接头介导PCR(LM-PCR)检测MTTL1基因区域内单个核苷酸的损伤与修复动力学.这种方法可以检测各组mtDNA上MTTL1基因75 bp区域内单个核苷酸损伤的部位及频率.结果显示,人MTTL1基因存在20个易受氧化损伤的核苷酸热点,经与相应区域内文献报道的16个突变热点比较,有12个热点部位重合,而修复未显示热点部位或区域.结果提示,自由基对核苷酸的选择性氧化损伤是决定mtDNA点突变发生及发生部位的主要原因.     

自由基稳衡性动态

虽然自由基具有很活泼的化学性质 ,但在需氧生物的进化中却一直保持着自由基稳衡性动态的特征 ,体现于某些生物程序 ,包括 :在生理情况下履行其生理作用 ;维持其产生与清除于接近平衡 ;余剩的自由基引发生物大分子的损伤及其损伤可被修复。营养素及其代谢物和“必需”抗氧化剂对自由基稳衡态的正常维持起着关键性作用。谷胱甘肽及其它生物物质的稳衡性动态与自由基稳衡性动态有着协调的相互关系。在各种生活条件下 ,不同年龄的健康人体内自由基稳衡性动态应维持良好 ,以预防衰老前氧化应激与氧化损伤的发生     

脂质体过氧化对DNA的损伤研究

研究了以脂质体为材料的脂质过氧化引起的ＥＮＡ损伤,同时检测了脂质过氧化程度与ＤＮＡ受损情况。结果表明：在脂质体过氧化程度中,ＤＮＡ的增色效应,对核酸酶的敏感程度,ＤＮＡ双链百分含量和ＤＮＡ－溴乙锭复合物的荧光强度随着氧化时间的增加而降低。在四种碱基中,鸟嘌呤损伤最严重。多种自由基清除列实验表明：脂质过氧化所产生的羟基自由基和单线态氧可能是引起ＤＮＡ氧化损伤的重要因素。     

人线粒体tRNALeu（UUR）基因氧化损伤与修复研究

人mtDNA比核DNA更易受到自由基的氧化损伤,这些损伤可以被线粒体内的DNA修复机制所修复,损伤与修复是决定突变是否产生的两个重要因素.为了确定氧化损伤与损伤后修复对mtDNA突变的具体影响,采用四氧嘧啶处理LO₂细胞,这种试剂进入细胞后,经氧化还原反应生成的自由基与线粒体自身代谢产生的自由基类似,然后观察自由基对细胞mtDNA的氧化损伤与损伤后DNA修复的动力学变化.由于线粒体的正常功能为修复机制所必需,采用MTT细胞活力实验检测不同浓度四氧嘧啶处理下线粒体酶活力,发现9 mmol/L四氧嘧啶培养细胞1h后,线粒体琥珀酸脱氢酶功能在撤去药物后0,2,8和24 h时间点均无明显变化.提取各组细胞的mtDNA,用EndoⅢ和Fgp两种酶切除受氧化损伤的核苷酸,然后用碱性琼脂糖凝胶电泳分离大小不等的mtDNA,进行DNA印迹实验,地高辛-抗体-碱性磷酸酶系统显色,检测完整与断裂的mtDNA量,利用Poisson公式（s=－lnP₀/P,P₀为未断裂链光密度值,P为所有链光密度值总和）计算一个mtDNA分子的平均损伤频率,结果显示,9 mmol/L四氧嘧啶处理细胞1 h,链平均损伤频率由对照的0.11个/分子增加至5.60个/分子,明显增加了mtDNA上核苷酸的氧化损伤,除去药物后8 h,绝大部分损伤可被修复,损伤频率减至0.40个/分子,除去药物后24 h核苷酸的氧化损伤恢复至正常水平.采用接头介导PCR（LM-PCR）检测MTTL1基因区域内单个核苷酸的损伤与修复动力学.这种方法可以检测各组mtDNA上MTTL1基因75 bp区域内单个核苷酸损伤的部位及频率.结果显示,人MTTL1基因存在20个易受氧化损伤的核苷酸热点,经与相应区域内文献报道的16个突变热点比较,有12个热点部位重合,而修复未显示热点部位或区域.结果提示,自由基对核苷酸的选择性氧化损伤是决定mtDNA点突变发生及发生部位的主要原因.     

多能干细胞分化来源视网膜色素上皮细胞移植治疗视网膜变性研究进展

视网膜色素上皮（RPE）对视觉功能的维持起着至关重要的作用。视网膜变性是全球不可治愈性致盲疾病的重要原因,它由视网膜色素上皮功能失常所引起。因此,视网膜色素上皮移植是视网膜变性患者恢复视力的一种最有前景的手段之一。随着干细胞技术的快速发展,从多能干细胞（PSC）到有功能的视网膜色素上皮细胞的体外分化诱导技术已经成熟,其中包括胚胎干细胞（ESCs）和诱导多能干细胞（iPSCs）等。此外,从患者特异性iPSCs分化而来的RPE更能用于阐明发病机理并有针对性地个体治疗。更值得一提的是,经诱导得到RPE的移植不论在动物模型中,还是在临床试验里都已经得到了可喜的治疗效果。本文回顾PSC来源RPE干预治疗视网膜变性的最新研究进展。     

迷迭香酸对羟自由基所致小鼠肝线粒体损伤的保护作用

探索迷迭香酸对羟自由基致小鼠肝脏线粒体氧化损伤的保护作用。采用羟自由基(.OH),诱导小鼠肝线粒体损伤后,通过测定线粒体肿胀度、膜流动性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活性等指标以确定迷迭香酸对小鼠肝线粒体羟自由基损伤的保护作用。结果迷迭香酸剂量依赖地抑制线粒体肿胀,提高膜流动性,降低MDA的生成,增强SDH活性,差异显著。本实验证明迷迭香酸可以抑制.OH所致的线粒体损伤。     

高温对萝芙木细胞膜、膜脂和抗坏血酸代谢造成的损伤

通过高温胁迫下萝芙木叶片电导率、膜脂过氧化物丙二醛(MDA)、自由基清除剂抗坏血酸的变化研究,探讨高温对萝芙木组织造成的损伤及自由基清除剂代谢的影响,从而揭示高温胁迫下萝芙木生长发育迟缓的原因.结果表明,热胁迫对萝芙木细胞膜造成损伤,使膜脂更多地被过氧化,抗坏血酸含量下降,致使萝芙木受到热损伤和氧化损伤,最终可能使其生长发育放缓,开花结果推迟.研究还表明,萝芙木经适当高温(37℃)热驯,能产生较多的抗坏血酸,以清除热胁迫诱导产生的氧自由基,降低氧化损伤程度.     

Effects of different types of oxidative stress in RPE cells

Oxidative damage to retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells and photoreceptors has been implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In order to develop new treatments, it is necessary to characterize the antioxidant defense system in RPE cells to better define their vulnerabilities and how they can be remedied. In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of three different types of oxidative stress on cultured RPE cells. Carbonyl content in RPE cells increased with increasing concentrations of oxidants or increasing duration of exposure with high reproducibility, validating ELISA for carbonyl content as a valuable quantitative measure of oxidative damage. Compared to other cell types, RPE cells were able to survive exposure to H2O2 quite well and exposure to paraquat extremely well. Comparison of the total amount of oxidative damage at the IC50 for each type of stress showed a rank order of hyperoxia > paraquat > H2O2, and since these stressors primarily target different cellular compartments, it suggests that the endogenous defense system against oxidative damage in RPE cells protects well against damage to mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, and is less able to handle oxidative damage at the cell surface. Supplementation of media with ascorbic acid provided significant protection from H2O2-induced oxidative damage, but not that induced by paraquat or hyperoxia. Supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid or alpha-tocopherol significantly reduced oxidative damage from H2O2 or hyperoxia, but not that induced by paraquat. We conclude that exposure to different types of oxidative stress results in different patterns of accrual of oxidative damage to proteins in RPE cells, different patterns of loss of viability, and is differentially countered by antioxidants. This study suggests that multiple types of oxidant stress should be used to probe the vulnerabilities of the retina and RPE in vivo, and that ELISA for carbonyl content provides a valuable tool for quantitative assessment of oxidative damage for such studies.     

Hypoxia controls iron metabolism and glutamate secretion in retinal pigmented epithelial cells

Background

Blood-barrier systems are essential in controlling iron levels in organs such as the brain and eye, both of which experience hypoxia in pathological conditions. While hypoxia's effects on numerous iron regulatory and storage proteins have been studied, little is known about how hypoxia affects iron metabolism. Iron also controls glutamate production and secretion; therefore the effects of hypoxia on iron metabolism and glutamate secretion were studied in polarized retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells.

Methods

Primary canine RPE were cultured in Millicells to create polarized cell cultures. Iron uptake and efflux were measured in hypoxic and normoxic conditions. RPE were loaded with ⁵⁹Fe-transferrin. Glutamate concentrations in the cell conditioned media were also measured.

Results

Hypoxia induced a large increase in iron efflux from RPE in the basolateral direction. Glutamate secretion occurred mainly in the basolateral direction which is away from the retina and out of the eye in vivo. Glutamate secretion was doubled under hypoxic conditions.

Conclusions

Hypoxia is known to induce oxidative damage. The current results show that iron, a key catalyst of free radical generation, is removed from RPE under hypoxic conditions which may help protect RPE from oxidative stress. Results obtained here indicate the importance of using polarized tight junctional cells as more physiologically relevant models for blood-barrier-like systems.

General significance

While the effects of hypoxia on iron efflux and glutamate secretion may be protective for RPE cells and retina, increased glutamate secretion in the brain could cause some of the damaging neurological effects seen in stroke.     

Role of oxygen free radicals in carcinogenesis and brain ischemia

Even though oxygen is necessary for aerobic life, it can also participate in potentially toxic reactions involving oxygen free radicals and transition metals such as Fe that damage membranes, proteins, and nucleic acids. Oxygen free radical reactions and oxidative damage are in most cases held in check by antioxidant defense mechanisms, but where an excessive amount of oxygen free radicals are produced or defense mechanisms are impaired, oxidative damage may occur and this appears to be important in contributing to several pathological conditions including aging, carcinogenesis, and stroke. Several newer methods, such as in vivo spin-trapping, have become available to monitor oxygen free radical flux and quantitate oxidative damage. Using a combination of these newer methods collectively focused on one model, recent results show that oxidative damage plays a key role in brain injury that occurs in stroke. Subtle changes, such as oxidative damage-induced loss of glutamine synthetase activity, may be a key event in stroke-induced brain injury. Oxygen free radicals may play a key role in carcinogenesis by mediating formation of base adducts, such as 8-hydroxyguanine, which can now be quantitated to very low levels. Evidence is presented that a new class of free radical blocking agents, nitrone spin-traps, may help not only to clarify if free radical events are involved, but may help prevent the development of injury in certain pathological conditions.     

蝉虫草菌丝体胞内和胞外多糖抗肝细胞氧化损伤比较研究

蝉虫草（蝉花）作为我国传统的中药材,是一种药食两用的虫生真菌,因含有丰富的活性物质而具有广泛的医疗保健价值。本研究以自由基清除率为指标分析蝉虫草胞内和胞外多糖的化学抗氧化活性,再以H₂O₂诱导的人肝LO2细胞氧化损伤为模型,进而分析比较二者对肝细胞氧化应激损伤的改善作用。结果表明,在化学抗氧化能力比较上,蝉虫草菌丝体胞外多糖有效清除?OH自由基、ABTS自由基和DPPH自由基的EC₅₀值分别为1.06mg/mL、0.96mg/mL和0.63mg/mL,而胞内多糖的EC₅₀值分别为3.71mg/mL、2.83mg/mL和1.70mg/mL,表明蝉虫草胞外多糖的化学抗氧化能力更强;在改善细胞氧化应激损伤比较上,与模型组对比,二者均能随着浓度递增而显著地提高细胞存活率,但胞外多糖比胞内多糖更强,当多糖浓度为5mg/mL时,胞外多糖细胞存活率达到92.36%,胞内多糖只达到82.07%;在调节细胞抗氧化酶清除ROS的机制上,与模型组对比,胞外多糖分别上调SOD酶活力2.51倍和CAT酶活力2.91倍,极显著地降低了细胞ROS水平（P<0.01）来改善细胞的氧化应激损伤作用。相应地,胞内多糖只上调了1.85倍和2.33倍,显著性地清除了ROS（P<0.05）,表明蝉虫草菌丝体胞外多糖具有更显著的抗肝细胞氧化损伤作用。本研究结果显示蝉虫草菌丝体胞外和胞内多糖均具有良好的抗肝氧化损伤活性,且胞外多糖比胞内多糖活性更好,为蝉虫草菌丝体多糖在保肝产品中的开发和应用提供了科学依据。     

Elevated oxidative stress in models of normal brain aging and Alzheimer's disease

Age-associated neurodegenerative disorders are becoming more prevalent as the mean age of the population increases in the United States over the next few decades. Both normal brain aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with oxidative stress. Our laboratory has used a wide variety of physical and biochemical methods to investigate free radical oxidative stress in several models of aging and AD. Beta-amyloid (A beta), the peptide that constitutes the central core of senile plaques in AD brain, is associated with free radical oxidative stress and is toxic to neurons. This review summarizes some of our studies in aging and A beta-associated free radical oxidative stress and on the modulating effects of free radical scavengers on neocortical synaptosomal membrane damage found in aging and A beta-treated systems.     

Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 protects against mitochondrial aging in the brain and in the liver.

According to the free radical theory of aging, oxygen-derived free radicals causes the age-associated impairment at the cellular and tissue levels. The mitochondrial theory of aging points to mitochondria, and specially mitochondrial DNA, as the major targets of free radical attack upon aging. Thus, oxidative damage to mtDNA accumulate with age in human and rodent tissues and also is inversely related to maximum life span of mammals. Mitochondrial deficits, such as a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, occur upon aging due to oxidative damage. The age-related mitochondrial oxidative stress may be prevented by late onset administration of certain antioxidants, such as Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. These antioxidants may also delay the physiological impairment associated with aging.     

F2-dihomo-isoprostanes arise from free radical attack on adrenic acid

Unlike F4-neuroprostanes (F4-NeuroPs), which are relatively selective in vivo markers of oxidative damage to neuronal membranes, there currently is no method to assess the extent of free radical damage to myelin with relative selectively. The polyunsaturated fatty acid adrenic acid (AdA) is susceptible to free radical attack and, at least in primates, is concentrated in myelin within white matter. Here, we characterized oxidation products of AdA as potential markers of free radical damage to myelin in human brain. Unesterified AdA was reacted with a free radical initiator to yield products (F2-dihomo-IsoPs) that were 28 Da larger than but otherwise closely resembled F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), which are generated by free radical attack on arachidonic acid. Phospholipids derived from human cerebral gray matter, white matter, and myelin similarly oxidized ex vivo showed that the ratio of esterified F2-dihomo-IsoPs to F4-NeuroPs was approximately 10-fold greater in myelin-derived than in gray matter-derived phospholipids. Finally, we showed that F2-dihomo-IsoPs are significantly increased in white matter samples from patients with Alzheimer's disease. We propose that F2-dihomo-IsoPs may serve as quantitative in vivo biomarkers of free radical damage to myelin from primate white matter.     

Inhibition of phagocytic activity of ARPE-19 cells by free radical mediated oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is a main factor responsible for key changes leading to the onset of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) that occur in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is involved in phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS). In this study, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), H₂O₂ and iron ions (Fe) or rose Bengal (RB) in the presence of NADH and Fe were used to model free radical mediated oxidative stress to test if free radicals and singlet oxygen have different efficiency to inhibit phagocytosis of ARPE-19 cells. Free radical mediated oxidative stress was confirmed by HPLC-EC(Hg) measurements of cholesterol hydroperoxides in treated cells. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping was employed to detect superoxide anion. Cell survival was analyzed by the MTT assay. Specific phagocytosis of fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate-labeled POS and non-specific phagocytosis of fluorescent beads were measured by flow cytometry. HPLC analysis of cells photosensitized with RB in the presence of NADH and Fe indicated substantial increase in formation of free radical-dependent 7α/7β-hydroperoxides. EPR spin trapping confirmed the photogeneration of superoxide anion in samples enriched with RB, NADH and Fe. For all three protocols sub-lethal oxidative stress induced significant inhibition of the specific phagocytosis of POS. In contrast, non-specific phagocytosis was inhibited only by H₂O₂ or H₂O₂ and Fe treatment. Inhibition of phagocytosis was transient and recoverable by 24?h. These results suggest that free radicals may exert similar to singlet oxygen efficiency in inhibiting phagocytosis of RPE cells, and that the effect depends on the location where initial reactive species are formed.     

Lipoamide protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

alpha-Lipoic acid (LA) has been widely studied as an agent for preventing and treating various diseases associated with oxidative disruption of mitochondrial functions. To investigate a related mitochondrial antioxidant, we compared the effects of lipoamide (LM), the neutral amide of LA, with LA for measures of oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in a human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell line. Acrolein, a major component of cigarette smoke and a product of lipid peroxidation, was used to induce oxidative mitochondrial damage in RPE cells. Overall, using comparable concentrations, LM was more effective than LA at preventing acrolein-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Relative to LA, LM improved ATP levels, membrane potentials, and activities of mitochondrial complexes I, II, and V and dehydrogenases that had been decreased by acrolein exposure. LM reduced acrolein-induced oxidant generation, calcium levels, protein oxidation, and DNA damage to a greater degree than LA. And, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione content, glutathione S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase activities and expression of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 were increased by LM relative to LA. These results suggest that LM is a more potent mitochondrial-protective agent and antioxidant than LA in protecting RPE from oxidative damage.