Commentary: Oxygen Radicals, A Failure Or A Success of Evolution?

Oxygen radicals are no doubt involved in the development of many pathological states. Nevertheless, the possibility that oxygen radical production was selected for during biological evolution in order to perform useful roles in relation to cellular metabolism is contemplated; previous data on this subject are briefly reviewed. The concept of an “oxygen radical cycle” is proposed as a useful theoretical model.     

Commentary: Oxygen Radicals,A Failure Or A Success of Evolution?

Oxygen radicals are no doubt involved in the development of many pathological states. Nevertheless, the possibility that oxygen radical production was selected for during biological evolution in order to perform useful roles in relation to cellular metabolism is contemplated; previous data on this subject are briefly reviewed. The concept of an “oxygen radical cycle” is proposed as a useful theoretical model.     

Salicylic acid induced changes on antioxidant capacity,pigments and grain yield of soybean genotypes in water deficit condition

Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development in response to water deficit. The effect of SA (0, 0.4 and 0.8?mM) on some physiological parameters of three soybean genotypes was investigated in three irrigation schedules included (85%, 65% and 45% of field capacity) during 2014–2015. Results showed that water deficit decreased stomatal conductance, leaf area index, relative water content, membrane stability index, yield components and grain yield particularly in L17 genotype. Activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and concentration of hydrogen peroxide, proline and total protein were increased in response to water deficit as well as SA applications. SA inhibited catalase activity resulting in increased hydrogen peroxide accumulation in soybean genotypes. Application of 0.4?mM SA decreased the adverse effects of water deficit in soybean genotypes by elevation of antioxidant enzymes activity and reducing malondialdehyde formation especially in Williams genotype.     

Possible accumulation of non-active molecules of catalase and superoxide dismutase in S. cerevisiae cells under hydrogen peroxide induced stress

The effect of hydrogen peroxide on the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in S. cerevisiae has been studied under different experimental conditions: various H₂O₂ concentrations, time exposures, yeast cell densities and media for stress induction. The yeast treatment with 0.25–0.50 mM H₂O₂ led to an increase in catalase activity by 2–3-fold. At the same time, hydrogen peroxide caused an elevation by 1.6-fold or no increase in SOD activity dependently on conditions used. This effect was cancelled by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis in eukaryotes. Weak elevation of catalase and SOD activities in cells treated with 0.25–0.50 mM H₂O₂ found in this study does not correspond to high level of synthesis of the respective enzyme molecules observed earlier by others. It is well known that exposure of microorganisms to low sublethal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide leads to the acquisition of cellular resistance to a subsequent lethal oxidative stress. Hence, it makes possible to suggest that S. cerevisiae cells treated with low sublethal doses of hydrogen peroxide accumulate non-active stress-protectant molecules of catalase and SOD to survive further lethal oxidant concentrations.     

The antioxidant defense system of isolated guinea pig Leydig cells

Utilization of highly enriched preparations of steroidogenic Leydig cells have proven invaluable for studying the direct effects of various hormones and agents on Leydig cell functionin vitro. However, recent work indicates that isolated Leydig cells are often subjected to oxygen (O₂) toxicity when cultured at ambient (19%) oxygen concentrations. Because intracellular antioxidants play an important role in protecting cells against oxygen toxicity, we have investigated the intracellular antioxidant defense system of isolated Leydig cells. The cellular levels of several antioxidants including catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the Cu/Zn & Mn variety, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and total glutathione were quantitated using enriched populations of Leydig cells isolated from adult male guinea pig testes. Compared to whole testicular homogenates, Leydig cells contained significantly (P<0.01) less G-6-PDH, total SOD, glutathione reductase and total glutathione, but significantly (P<0.001) more glutathione peroxidase. Compared to hepatic values previously reported in the guinea pig, Leydig cells contain nearly 400 times less catalase, about 14 times less glutathione peroxidase and almost 11 times less glutathione reductase. Since G-6-PDH and glutathione reductase are both necessary to regenerate reduced gluthathione (GSH) which couples with glutathione peroxidase to breakdown hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) under normal conditions, it is plausible that the oxygen toxicity observed in isolated Leydig cells is due to the intracellular accumulation of H₂O₂. Using the dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) assay, we found that Leydig cells incubated in the presence of 19% O₂ produced significantly (P<0.001) higher levels of H₂O₂ with time in culture compared to Leydig cells maintained at 3% O₂. These results support the hypothesis that the increased susceptibility of isolated Leydig cells to oxygen toxicity may be due, in part, to decreased amounts of certain antioxidant defenses and an increased production of the reactive oxygen species H₂O₂.     

Effect of acute vs chronic H2O2-induced oxidative stress on antioxidant enzyme activities

H₂O₂ can freely crosses membranes and in the presence of Fe²⁺ (or Cu⁺) it is prone to participate in Fenton reaction. This study evaluated the concentration and time-dependent effects of H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress on MnSOD, Se:GPx and catalase and on aconitase. Acute and chronic H₂O₂ treatments were able to induce oxidative stress in HeLa cells as they significantly decreased aconitase activity and also caused a very significant decrease on antioxidant enzyme activities. The inhibition of enzyme activities was time- and concentration-dependent. Chronic treatment with 5 µM H₂O₂/h after 24 h was able to decrease all enzyme activities almost at the same level as the acute treatment. Acute and chronic treatments on antioxidant enzyme activities were prevented by cell treatment with ascorbic acid or N-acetylcysteine. These results indicate that antioxidant enzymes can also be affected by the same ROS they produce or neutralize if the time of exposure is long enough.     

Alleviation of NaCl Stress by Pretreatment with Phytohormones in Vigna radiata

Efficiency of pretreatment as foliar spray of indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellic acid and kinetin, each ranging from 0.1 to 10.0 μM concentration, in restoring the metabolic alterations imposed by NaCl salinity was investigated in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek. Glycolate oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activities increased under stress in leaves and roots also. Malondialdehyde content and total peroxide content also increased under stress. All the three hormones used were able to overcome to variable extents the adverse effects of stress imposed by NaCl to these parameters. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Detoxification of SO2 derivatives in chloroplasts ofHardwickia binata

Intact chloroplasts isolated from sulphur dioxide fumigatedHardwickia binata leaves showed inhibition of PS II electron transport activity without any significant effect on photosystem I. Sulphur dioxide exposed leaves accumulated more hydrogen peroxide than those from non-fumigated plants and this was caused by increase in superoxide radical production. Hydrogen peroxide formation was inhibited by addition of cytochrome C and superoxide disrnutase. In sulphur dioxide fumigated leaves, increase in superoxide dismutase activity showed resistance to sulphite toxicity. The localization of ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities in chloroplasts provide evidence for the photogeneration of ascorbate. The scavenging of hydrogen peroxide in chloroplast due to ascorbate regenerated from DHA by the system: PS I → Fd → NADP → glutathione. The system can be considered as a means for preliminary detoxification of sulphur dioxide by chloroplasts     

家蚕胚后发育中过氧化氢的代谢及其意义(英文)

活性氧参与生物体内复杂的代谢过程。本文对它在家蚕个体发育过程中的生物学功能进行了初步探讨。 取１岁龄家蚕蛹分别注射Ｈ２Ｏ２、脱皮激素（Ｅｃｄｎ）、保幼激素（ＪＨ）和还原型谷胱苷肽（ＧＳＨ）,培养;定期取样测定家蚕体内Ｈ２Ｏ２含量。 对家蚕整个幼虫期（Ｆｉｇ．１）,尤其是大眠期（Ｆｉｇ．２）、化蛹期（Ｔａｂｌｅ１）、蛹期（Ｆｉｇ．３－ａ,ｂ,ｃ）以及成虫期（Ｆｉｇ．４, Ｔａｂｌｅ ２）的研究结果表明,家蚕体内Ｈ２Ｏ２代谢具有如下特点：（１）入眠、化蛹、化蛾和死亡前Ｈ２Ｏ２含量都显著下降;（２）幼虫期１－３龄Ｈ２Ｏ２含量逐步下降,４～５龄Ｈ２Ｏ２含量回升,蛹期和成虫期Ｈ２Ｏ２含量与４～５龄接近;（３）每个龄期的中期Ｈ２Ｏ２含量最高;（４）ＣＡＴ活性与Ｈ２Ｏ２含量呈负相关变化,前者迟于后者;另外,ＣＡＴ活性远远大于ＳＯＤ活性;（５）Ｅｃｄｎ、ＧＳＨ处理可以降低家蚕蛹期Ｈ２Ｏ２含量,并使其提前下降,ＪＨ、Ｈ２Ｏ２处理含量下降,并相应地提早推迟化蛾;（６）成虫期雄蛾Ｈ２Ｏ２含量、ＳＯＤ和ＣＡＴ活性都显著高于同时期雌蛾。家蚕体内Ｈ２Ｏ２含量的变化与其发育密切相关。Ｈ２Ｏ２含量下降是变态的信号;家蚕成虫期Ｈ２Ｏ２ 在性别上的     

Microbial adaptation to hydrogen peroxide and biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons

This research investigated microbial responses to bioremediation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a supplemental oxygen source. Columns containing aquifer material from Traverse City, MI, USA, were continuously supplied with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene and m-xylene (BTEX) and H₂O₂ in increasing concentration. The microbial responses studied were changes in microbial numbers, community structure, degradative ability, and activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Both adaptation to H₂O₂ and stress-related consequences were observed. Adaptation to H₂O₂ was demonstrated by increased catalase and SOD activity during the course of the experiment. The microbial community in the untreated aquifer material used in the columns consisted primarily of Corynebacterium sp and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Following amendment with 500 mg L⁻¹ H₂O₂, the column inlet was dominated by P. fluorescens with few Corynebacterium sp present; Xanthomonas maltophilia dominated the middle and outlet sections. Dimethyl phenols detected in the effluent of two of the biologically active columns were probably metabolic products. The ratio of oxygen to BTEX mass consumed was approximately 0.3 before H₂O₂ addition, 0.7 following 10 mg L⁻¹ H₂O₂ supplementation, and 2.6 over the course of the experiment. Abiotic decomposition H₂O₂ was observed in a sterile column and impeded flow at a feed concentration of 500 mg L⁻¹ H₂O₂. Increasing the BTEX concentration supplied to the biologically active columns eliminated flow disruptions by satisfying the carbon and energy demand of the oxygen evolved by increasing catalase activity. Received 15 February 1996/ Accepted in revised form 15 July 1996     

过氧化氢参与了黑暗诱导的盐地碱蓬叶片甜菜红素积累

该文比较研究了黑暗和光照条件下C₃盐生植物盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)叶片甜菜红素积累和H₂O₂含量及其抗氧化酶活性的关系,实验分析了甜菜红素体外抗氧化性能,以期揭示诱导盐地碱蓬甜菜红素积累的可能机制以及甜菜红素积累的生理生态意义。结果表明:暗期处理和营养液中加入一定浓度的H₂O₂都明显促进盐地碱蓬叶片H₂O₂含量、甜菜红素的含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性,而且叶片中 H₂O₂含量与甜菜红含量、SOD和CAT活性具有正相关性;盐地碱蓬甜菜红素体外清除羟自由基的能力明显强于维生素C,而清除超氧阴离子能力低于维生素C。这些结果表明:黑暗作为一种环境胁迫因子诱导盐地碱蓬叶片甜菜红素的积累可能是由自由基介导的,甜菜红素的积累可能与提高植物的抗氧化能力有关。     

Superoxide Production by the Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain

This mini-review describes the role of different mitochondrial components in the formation of reactive oxygen species under normal and pathological conditions and the effect of inhibitors and uncouplers on superoxide formation.     

Cellularly Generated Active Oxygen Species and Hela Cell Proliferation

In HeLa cells evidence is provided that active oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide at low levels are important growth regulatory signals. They may constitute a novel regulatory redox system of control superimposed upon the established cell growth signal transduction pathways. Whilst for example hydrogen peroxide can be added exogenously to elicit growth responses in these cells, it is clear that cellularly generated superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are important. Experiments with superoxide dismutase, superoxide dismutase mimics and inhibitors of both superoxide dismutase and xanthine oxidase suggest that superoxide generated intracellularly and superoxide released extracellularly are both relevant to growth control in HeLa cells.     

Cellularly Generated Active Oxygen Species and Hela Cell Proliferation

In HeLa cells evidence is provided that active oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide at low levels are important growth regulatory signals. They may constitute a novel regulatory redox system of control superimposed upon the established cell growth signal transduction pathways. Whilst for example hydrogen peroxide can be added exogenously to elicit growth responses in these cells, it is clear that cellularly generated superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are important. Experiments with superoxide dismutase, superoxide dismutase mimics and inhibitors of both superoxide dismutase and xanthine oxidase suggest that superoxide generated intracellularly and superoxide released extracellularly are both relevant to growth control in HeLa cells.     

Re-aeration-induced oxidative stress and antioxidative defenses in hypoxically pretreated lupine roots

The level of free radicals and activities of antioxidative enzymes were examined in roots of lupine seedlings (Lupinus luteus L.) that were deprived of oxygen by subjecting them to root hypoxia for 48 and 72 h and then re-aerated for up to 24 h. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we found that the exposure of previously hypoxically grown roots to air caused the increase in free radicals level, irrespective of duration of hypoxic pretreatment. Immediately after re-aeration the level of free radicals was two times higher than in aerated control. The EPR signal with the g-values at the maximum absorption of 2.0057 and 2.0040 implied that the paramagnetic radicals are derived from a quinone. Directly after re-aeration of hypoxically pretreated roots, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) increased to its highest value, followed by a decline below the initial level, whereas activities of catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) and peroxidase (POX, EC 1.11.1.7) were diminished or only slightly influenced during re-aeration. The electrophoretic patterns of the soluble extracts show 4 isozymes of SOD, 4 isozymes of POX and 1 isozyme of CAT. The level of H2O2 was enhanced or lowered by re-aeration, depending on the previous duration of hypoxia. At the onset of re-aeration products of lipid peroxidation were present at a three-fourth of the levels found in aerobic control. Their levels increased after prolonged exposure to air but remained lower than those in aerobic control even after 24 h of re-aeration. Re-admission of oxygen resulted in about 20% rise in oxygen uptake by root axes segments immediately after transfer of roots from hypoxia and the high uptake rates were observed over whole re-aeration period. Oxygen consumption by root tips was significantly reduced just after transfer from hypoxic conditions as compared to aerated control but after 24 h of re-aeration even approached the control level. The results are discussed in relation to the ability of lupine roots to cope with oxidative stress caused by re-aeration following hypoxic pretreatment.     

Chilling Induced Oxidative Stress in Germinating Wheat Grains as Affected by Water Stress and Calcium

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants were subjected to mild water stress during grain filling at milk (early, medium, and late) and dough (early, soft, hard) stages. The grains harvested from stressed plants were subjected to low temperature stress of 10 °C for 24 h in presence or absence of 1 mM CaCl₂, and embryos were examined for oxidative injury. The embryos of grains water stressed at milk and soft dough stages showed lowest contents of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde and highest membrane stability index, ascorbic acid content, and activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase as compared to control embryos or water-stressed at other stages. Presence of Ca²⁺ in the medium reduced H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde content and increased ascorbic acid content, and catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities.     

Stability of the anti-oxidative enzymes in aqueous and detergent solution

Activities of the anti-oxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase were studied in rat tissues to determine the ability of detergents both to solubilize the enzymes and also to stabilize enzyme activity. Rat brain, heart and liver were homogenized in 0.1M KCl, 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 0.1% lubrol, or 0.1% cetyl-trimethylammonium bromide. In general lubrol was more effective than the other solutions in solubilizing GPx and catalase. Lubrol and 0.1M KCl were equally effective in solubilizing SOD. The highest enzyme activities were (1) SOD: 2484 ng/mg (brain), 2501 ng/mg (heart), and 5586 ng/mg (liver); (2) GPx: 224 mU/mg (brain), 1870 mU/mg (heart), and 7332 mU/mg (liver); (3) catalase: 2.8 mU/mg (brain), 10.6 mU/mg (heart), and 309 mU/mg (liver). While cetyl trimethylammonium bromide is marginally better than sodium dodecyl sulfate in solubilizing active enzyme, neither ionic detergent has any advantage over lubrol or 0.1M KCl. For catalase and GPx, enzyme activity loss with time is biphasic. After initial, rapid activity loss (1–5 days for GPx and 7–10 days for catalase) the differences noted among the homogenizing solutions disappear and very little if any activity loss is noted over the next 2–3 weeks. For catalase and GPx, only baseline enzyme activity from t = 0 – 3 weeks is found in the most chaotropic solution, 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate while biphasic activity loss is most pronounced in 0.1% lubrol. These results may indicate active GPx and catalase species stabilized by a lipid-like environment. Correlatingin vitro catalase or GPx measurements within vivo anti-oxidative protection may underestimate tissue defences.