The role of cholesterol in activating lipid peroxidation in platelets]

The relationship between the cholesterol (Ch) content and the concentration of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products in activated platelets and the effect of these parameters on the structure-function characteristics of platelet membranes were studied. It was found that esterified Ch activates free radical processes occurring in platelets. Nonesterified Ch does not induce the production of primary products of LPO (dienoic conjugates) but promotes the accumulation of a secondary LPO metabolite, malonic dialdehyde, this reaction being mediated via indirect mechanisms. The higher (in comparison with normal) orderliness and orientation of membranes in platelets reflect the increase in the concentration of dienoic conjugates and nonesterified Ch. The observed differences in the aggregability of platelets are due to the changes in the Ch content as well as to the "rigidity" of blood platelets.     

Modification of an enzymic system of Ca2+ transport in sarcoplasmic reticulum during lipid peroxidation. In vivo damages in the development of pathological changes

The role of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the damages of the enzymic system of Ca2+ transport in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes of skeletal and cardiac muscles under conditions of vitamin E deficiency, ischemia and limb reoxygenation as well as in emotional-pain stress was investigated. It was shown that these processes are associated with activation of endogenous LPO in SR membranes "in vivo" and with simultaneous inhibition of Ca2+ transport, (i. e. decrease of the Ca2+/ATP ratio) and inactivation of Ca-ATPase. The degree of damage of the Ca2+ transport system was correlated with the concentration of LPO products accumulated in SR membranes "in vivo and during LPO induction by the Fe2+ + ascorbate system 'in vitro". Injection of natural and synthetic free radical scavengers (e. g. 4-methyl-2.6-ditretbutylphenol, alpha-tocopherol) to experimental animals resulted in practically complete suppression of LPO activation "in vivo" and in partial protection of the Ca2+-transporting capacity of SR membranes. A comparison of experimental results allowed to estimate the role of LPO in SR damage under pathological conditions. Model experiments with "contraction-relaxation" cycles including isolated components of muscle fibers (SR fragments and myofibrils) demonstrated that LPO induction in SR membranes by the Fe2+ + ascorbate system results in complete elimination of the relaxation step in myofibrils due to the loss of the SR affinity to decrease the concentration of Ca2+ in the incubation medium. This effect can be removed by free radical scavengers. The role of LPO in pathological changes of muscle contractility is discussed.     

Ischemia/Reperfusion-induced oxidative stress causes structural changes of brain membrane proteins and lipids

Oxidative stress is a recognized factor of ischemia reperfusion injury. It shares damage of lipids (LPO) and proteins (PPO), and consequently might cause changes in activity of transport systems. Global 15 min ischemia followed by 2, 24 and 48 hour reperfusion was induced by four-vessel occlusion in Wistar rats of both sexes. Levels of TBARS and conjugated dienes as parameters of LPO were analyzed in forebrain homogenates. Concentrations of total free sulfhydryl (SH) groups and emission spectra of tryptophan were measured to quantify PPO. Our results indicate that lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation occurs mainly during the period of reperfusion. However, significant increase in the level of conjugated dienes can be detected already after 15 min ischemia. Attack of proteins by free radicals leads to modification in structure of proteins seen as a decrease of free SH groups and tryptophan fluorescence. Ischemia/reperfusion induces formation of lipid peroxidation products as well as protein modifications.     

Hypochlorous acid-induced heme degradation from lactoperoxidase as a novel mechanism of free iron release and tissue injury in inflammatory diseases

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) is the major consumer of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in the airways through its ability to oxidize thiocyanate (SCN(-)) to produce hypothiocyanous acid, an antimicrobial agent. In nasal inflammatory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, both LPO and myeloperoxidase (MPO), another mammalian peroxidase secreted by neutrophils, are known to co-localize. The aim of this study was to assess the interaction of LPO and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the final product of MPO. Our rapid kinetic measurements revealed that HOCl binds rapidly and reversibly to LPO-Fe(III) to form the LPO-Fe(III)-OCl complex, which in turn decayed irreversibly to LPO Compound II through the formation of Compound I. The decay rate constant of Compound II decreased with increasing HOCl concentration with an inflection point at 100 μM HOCl, after which the decay rate increased. This point of inflection is the critical concentration of HOCl beyond which HOCl switches its role, from mediating destabilization of LPO Compound II to LPO heme destruction. Lactoperoxidase heme destruction was associated with protein aggregation, free iron release, and formation of a number of fluorescent heme degradation products. Similar results were obtained when LPO-Fe(II)-O(2), Compound III, was exposed to HOCl. Heme destruction can be partially or completely prevented in the presence of SCN(-). On the basis of the present results we concluded that a complex bi-directional relationship exists between LPO activity and HOCl levels at sites of inflammation; LPO serve as a catalytic sink for HOCl, while HOCl serves to modulate LPO catalytic activity, bioavailability, and function.     

Ganglioside protection of the erythrocyte membranes in myocardial ischemia]

Myocardial ischemia was shown to lead to modification of structural and functional organization of rat erythrocyte membranes. Thus, it was found that the activity of Na+, K+-ATP-ase markedly decreased, while accumulation of LPO products and of lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso--PC) took place in erythrocyte membranes of rats subjected to myocardial ischemia. Using nonpenetrating modifier trinitrobenzosulfonic acid, an increase in the content of modified phosphatidylethanolamine in erythrocyte membranes of ischemic rats was revealed as compared to the membranes of control animals. The intravenous administration of gangliosides (30 mg/kg) resulted in partial normalization of Na+, K+(-)ATPase activity, of LPO product and lysoPC content and of transbilayer distribution of lipids.     

Combination of Iron Overload Plus Ethanol and Ischemia Alone Give Rise to the Same Endogenous Free Iron Pool

Iron overload aggravates tissue damage caused by ischemia and ethanol intoxication. The underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon are not yet clear. To clarify these mechanisms we followed free iron (“loosely” bound redox-active iron) concentration in livers from rats subjected to experimental iron overload, acute ethanol intoxication, and ex vivo warm ischemia. The levels of free iron in non-homogenized liver tissues, liver homogenates, and hepatocyte cultures were analyzed by means of EPR spectroscopy. Ischemia gradually increased the levels of endogenous free iron in liver tissues and in liver homogenates. The increase was accompanied by the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. Iron overload alone, known to increase significantly the total tissue iron, did not affect either free iron levels or lipid peroxidation. Homogenization of iron-loaded livers, however, resulted in the release of a significant portion of free iron from endogenous depositories. Acute ethanol intoxication increased free iron levels in liver tissue and diminished the portion of free iron releasing during homogenization. Similarly to liver tissue, the primary hepatocyte culture loaded with iron in vitro released significantly more free iron during homogenization compared to non iron-loaded hepatocyte culture. Analyzing three possible sources of free iron release under these experimental conditions in liver cells, namely ferritin, intracellular transferrin-receptor complex and heme oxygenase, we suggest that redox active free iron is released from ferritin under ischemic conditions whereas ethanol and homogenization facilitate the release of iron from endosomes containing transferrin-receptor complexes.     

Iron-mediated oxidative stress plays an essential role in ferritin-induced cell death

Previously, we have demonstrated an apoptosis-inducing activity of an acidic, H-chain-rich isoferritin secreted from primary rat hepatocytes in vitro. Because this proapoptotic property may be responsible for the growth-inhibitory and immunosuppressive effects described for certain ferritin species, we aimed to address the mechanism by which ferritin can trigger cell death. Suggesting a pivotal role for iron, iron chelation by desferrioxamine significantly abrogates ferritin-mediated apoptosis and necrosis in primary rat hepatocytes and substantially lowers the extent of protein modification by 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE)—a major lipid peroxidation (LPO) product. Furthermore, supplementing the cultures with the radical-scavenging compound trolox also provided significant protection from ferritin-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, a significant increase in micronucleated cells upon exposure to ferritin indicates that ferritin also introduces damage to DNA. Based on these observations we therefore propose that endocytosis of extracellular ferritin increases the level of free ferrous iron in the lysosomal compartment, promoting Fenton chemistry-based oxidative stress involving LPO and increased lysosomal membrane permeability. Subsequently, the release of reactive lysosomal content leads to cellular damage, in particular modification of protein and DNA induced by HNE and other reactive aldehydic LPO products. Together, these effects will trigger apoptosis and necrosis based on the upregulation of p53, increased mitochondrial membrane permeability, and proapoptotic Fas signaling as described recently. In conclusion, based on their iron-storing ability, secreted acidic isoferritins may act as soluble mediators of oxidative stress under certain physiological and pathophysiological conditions.     

Lipid peroxidation in children with Duchenne's hereditary myopathy

Eighteen patients aged 4 to 13 years with Duchenne's progressive muscular dystrophy were examined for the content of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products (lowest volatile hydrocarbons) in the exhaled air. The level of LPO products was found to exceed normal 4-fold as compared to the control group including healthy children of the same age. The maximal increase was detected at the early stages of the disease with a rapid progressive degeneration. The role of LPO in the pathogenesis of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and possible applications of free radical oxidation inhibitors as new effective medicinal tools are discussed.     

Nitric oxide as a cellular antioxidant: a little goes a long way

Nitric oxide (NO*) is an effective chain-breaking antioxidant in free radical-mediated lipid oxidation (LPO). It reacts rapidly with peroxyl radicals as a sacrificial chain-terminating antioxidant. The goal of this work was to determine the minimum threshold concentration of NO* required to inhibit Fe2+ -induced cellular lipid peroxidation. Using oxygen consumption as a measure of LPO, we simultaneously measured nitric oxide and oxygen concentrations with NO* and O2 electrodes. Ferrous iron and dioxygen were used to initiate LPO in docosahexaenoic acid-enriched HL-60 and U937 cells. Bolus addition of NO* (1.5 microM) inhibited LPO when the NO* concentration was greater than 50 nM. Similarly, using (Z)-1-[N-(3-ammoniopropyl)-N-(n-propyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate as a NO* donor we found that an average steady-state NO* concentration of at least 72 +/- 9 nM was required to blunt LPO. As long as the concentration of NO* was above 13 +/- 8 nM the inhibition was sustained. Once the concentration of NO* fell below this value, the rate of lipid oxidation accelerated as measured by the rate of oxygen consumption. Our model suggests that a continuous production of NO* that would yield a steady-state concentration of only 10-20 nM is capable of inhibiting Fe2+ -induced LPO.     

Lipid peroxidation during ischemia depends on ischemia time in warm ischemia and reperfusion of rat liver

Prolonged hepatic warm ischemia has been incriminated in oxidative stress after reperfusion. However, the magnitude of oxidative stress during ischemia has been controversial. The aims of the present study were to elucidate whether lipid peroxidation progressed during ischemia and to clarify whether oxidative stress during ischemia aggravated the oxidative damage after reperfusion. Rats were subjected to 30 to 120 min of 70% warm ischemia alone or followed by reperfusion for 60 min. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) was evaluated by amounts of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PC-OOH) and phosphatidylethanolamine hydroperoxide (PE-OOH) as primary LPO products. Total amounts of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (MDA + 4-HNE), degraded from hydroperoxides, were also determined. PC-OOH and PE-OOH significantly increased at 60 and 120 min ischemia with concomitant increase of oxidized glutathione. These hydroperoxides did not increase at 60 min reperfusion after 60 min ischemia, whereas they did increase at 60 min reperfusion after 120 min ischemia with deactivation of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. The amount of MDA + 4-HNE exhibited similar changes, but the velocity of production dropped with ischemic time longer than 60 min. In conclusion, oxidative stress progressed during ischemia and triggered the oxidative injury after reperfusion. Secondary LPO products are less sensitive, especially during ischemia, which may cause possible underestimation and discrepancy.     

Oxidative damage following cerebral ischemia depends on reperfusion - a biochemical study in rat

The extent of brain injury during reperfusion appears to depend on the experimental pattern of ischemia/reperfusion. The goals of this study were: first, to identify the rate of free radicals generation and the antioxidant activity during ischemia and reperfusion by means of biochemical measurement of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and both enzymatic (superoxid dismutase - SOD, catalase - CAT, glutathion peroxidase - GPx) and non-enzymatic antioxidants activity (glutathione - GSH); and second, to try to find out how the pattern of reperfusion may influence the balance between free radical production and clearance. Wistar male rats were subject of four-vessel occlusion model (Pulsinelly & Brierley) cerebral blood flow being controlled by means of two atraumatic arterial microclamps placed on carotid arteries. The level of free radicals and the antioxidant activity were measured in ischemic rat brain tissue homogenate using spectrophotometrical techniques. All groups subjected to ischemia shown an increase of LPO and a reduction of the activity of enzymatic antioxidative systems (CAT, GPx, SOD) and non-enzymatic systems (GSH). For both groups subjected to ischemia and reperfusion, results shown an important increase of LPO but less significant than the levels found in the group with ischemia only. Statistically relevant differences (p<0.01) between continuous reperfusion and fragmented reperfusion were observed concerning the LPO, CAT, SOD and GSH levels, oxidative aggresion during fragmented reperfusion being more important.     

Effect of ischemia/reperfusion sequence on cytosolic iron status and its release in the coronary effluent in isolated rat hearts

The hypothesis that oxygen-derived free radicals play an important role in myocardial ischemic and reperfusion injury has received a lot of support. In the presence of catalytic amounts of transition metals such as iron, superoxide anions, and hydrogen peroxide can be transformed into a highly reactive hydroxyl radical °OH (Haber-Weiss reaction). In view of this, we have undertaken this study to investigate whether iron is involved in the reperfusion syndrome and therefore could aggravate free radicals injury. Coronary effluent iron concentrations and cardiac cytosolic iron levels were evaluated in rat hearts subjected to an ischemia/reperfusion sequences. In the case of total ischemia, iron concentration in coronary effluents peaked immediately in the first sample collected upon reperfusion. However, in the case of partial ischemia, iron concentration in coronary effluents peaked rather exclusively during ischemia period. Cardiac cytosolic iron level augmented significantly after 30 min of total ischemia and non significantly in the other ischemia protocols compared to perfused control hearts. It also appears that the iron released is not protein-bound, and could therefore have a marked catalytic activity. The results of the present study suggest that in the oxygen paradox, iron plays an important role in inducing alterations during reoxygenation.     

Damage to the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscles in leukemia: role of lipid peroxidation]

Ischemia development was accompanied by inhibition of the enzymatic transport system (ETS) of Ca2+ (reduction of the Ca2+/ATP value and of the Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity), this correlating with the accumulation of primary and secondary molecular products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes of the skeletal muscles, in vivo. Administration of antioxidants (2,6-ditretbutyl-4-methylphenol, alpha-tocopherol) prevented the LPO activation in the ischemic muscle and partially protected the ETS of Ca2+ from damage. The blood supply restoration after prolonged ischemia led to further ETS of Ca2+ inhibition against the background of unchanges LPO products level.     

Lipid peroxidation in the synaptosomal and mitochondrial fractions of separate brain structures in hypoxia

The paper studies intensification of lipid peroxide oxidation in separate brain structures (the medulla oblongata, cerebellum, visual and sensomotor cortex), synaptosomal and mitochondrial fractions under hypoxia. It has been established that acute hypoxia increases accumulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products, hydroperoxide and malonyl dialdehyde. Intensification of LPO in synaptosomes and mitochondria is more pronounced as compared to the whole structures. Preliminary treatment with antioxidants (vitamin E and ionol) considerably suppressed LPO intensity under both hypoxia and hypoxia with reoxygenation. Intensification of LPO in synaptosomes and mitochondria is suggested to be the key point in structural-functional disturbances of the nervous system under hypoxia and ischemia.     

The effect of synthetic enkephalins on prostaglandin synthesis and lipid peroxidation in the isolated heart during the activation of free-radical processes]

The system Fe(2+)-ascorbate was used for lipid peroxidation (LPO) activation in isolated heart tissue. The stimulation of free radical processes in the myocardium caused a rise in the level of LPO products and a significant lowering of that of prostacyclin. Intravenous injection of synthetic analogues of enkephalins before LPO activation inhibited LPO and resulted in prostacyclin synthesis normalization. The addition of peptides under study into perfusion solution led to a decrease in LPO primary products level and in thromboxane synthesis.     

Cellular signalling and free-radical modulating activities of the novel peptidomimetic L-glutamyl-histamine.

A novel histamine-containing peptidomimetic, L-glutamyl-histamine (L-Glu-Hist), has been synthesized and characterized as a possible cytokine mimic which might lead to cellular responses of improved specificity. The energy-minimized 3-D conformations of L-Glu-Hist derived from its chemical structure stabilize Fe2+-chelating complexes. L-Glu-Hist concentration-dependently accelerates a decrease in ferrous iron in ferrous sulfate solution and shows ferroxidase-like activity at concentrations less than 3 mM in the phenanthroline assay, whereas in the concentration range 3-20 mM it restricts the availability of Fe2+ to phenanthroline by chelation of iron ions. At low concentrations (less than or about 1 mM), L-Glu-Hist stimulates peroxidation of phosphatidylcholine in liposomes catalyzed by a superoxide anion radical (O2)-generating system (Fe2+ + ascorbate) and, at high concentrations (*10 mM), it suppresses lipid peroxidation (LPO) in liposomes. The stimulation of LPO by L-Glu-Hist is related to its ability at low concentrations (*0.05 mM) to release O2 free radicals as determined by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. The release of O2 by L-Glu-Hist might result from its ferroxidase-like activity, while its inhibition of LPO is due to chelation of Fe2+, prevention of the formation of free radicals, and degradation of lipid hydroperoxides at 5-20 mM L-Glu-Hist concentrations. L-Glu-Hist releases O2 at concentrations which stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and proliferation of mouse spleen lymphocytes and also of mononuclear cells from human blood. The induction of lymphocyte proliferation by L-Glu-Hist is dose-dependent in the 0.01-0.05 mM concentration range, although the maximal stimulation of LPO in the O2-dependent system is observed at higher L-Glu-Hist concentrations (*1 mM). Thus, low concentrations of oxygen free radicals released by L-Glu-Hist may provide a very fast, specific, and sensitive trigger for lymphocyte proliferation and immunoregulation.     

Lipid peroxidation and free Fe2+ during ischemia and reoxygenation of the liver

Ischemia and reoxygenation were experimentally induced in thin liver sections. It has been shown that free iron decompartmentalization takes place 30 min after the induction of ischemia, with no lipid peroxidation activation observed. In reoxygenation, activation of lipid peroxidation and decrease in free iron concentration take place in the liver cells. It is suggested that free iron accumulation in the tissues during ischemia causes lipid peroxidation activation during reoxygenation.     

Antioxidative activity of flavonoids in various systems of lipid peroxidation

The antioxidant action of flavonols in different systems of lipid peroxidation (LPO) was studied. Quercetin and rutin were found to inhibit NADPH and CCl4-dependent LPO in rat liver microsomes, however, in the case of CCl4-dependent LPO, rutin had a very poor antioxidant effect. Study of flavonols oxidation by products of the cytochrome c catalyzed destruction of linoleic acid hydroperoxide demonstrated that the differences in the antioxidant offects of quercetin and rutin can be due to their different capability to terminate free radical chain reactions. The antioxidant effect of rutin was shown to be largely due to the chelating properties of this compound.     

Effect of Glutamate and Inhibitors of Various Pathways of Free Radical Production on Na+,K+-ATPase Activity and Accumulation of Lipids Peroxidation Products in Rat Brain Cortex Synaptosomes

It has been shown that treatment of the rat brain cortex synaptosomes with glutamate produced both a significant reduction in Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity and accumulation of products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) like malone dialdehyde, dienoic conjugates, and Schiff bases. A suppression of different routes of free radical production in cytosol by quinacrine, indomethacin, and allopurinol (blockers of phospholipase A₂, cyclooxygenases, and xanthine oxidases, respectively) as well as by MK-801 (a antagonist of MDA-receptors) prevented or lowered significantly the effect of glutamate on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity. No significant effect of glutamate on the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity was also observed in the presence of L-NAME (inhibitor of NO-synthase). Inhibitors of the arachidonate and NO-synthase pathway of free radical production also prevented accumulation of LPO end products in the rat brain cortex under the effect of glutamate. In the presence of rotenone and olygomycin (blockers of mitochondrial electron transport and ATP synthase, respectively), glutamate led to even a greater inactivation of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and accumulation of malone dialdehyde. The data obtained suggest that at early stages of ischemia the neurotoxic effect of glutamate is due to an inflow of calcium ions through NMDA receptors and activation of different pathways of free radical production in cytosol of nerve cells. At these stages, protective functions of mitochondria appear to predominate due to their ability to accumulate calcium ions and to prevent an excessive increase of the cytosol calcium concentration under the effect of excitatory amino acids.     

Lipid peroxidation as molecular mechanism of liver cell injury during reperfusion after ischemia

The pathophysiological importance of reactive oxygen species has been extensively documented in the pathogenesis of hepatic ischema-reperfusion injury. Kupffer cells and neutrophils were identified as the dominant sources of the postischemic oxidant stress. To test the hypothesis that a direct free radical-mediated injury mechanism (lipid peroxidation; LPO) may be involved in the pathogenesis, highly sensitive and specific parameters of LPO, i.e., hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (HETES), and F₂-isoprostanes, were determined by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis in liver tissue and plasma during 45 min of hepatic ischemia and up to 24 h of reperfusion. A significant 60–250% increase of F₂-isoprostane levels in plasma was found at all times during reperfusion; the HETE content increased only significantly at 1 h of reperfusion and in severely necrotic liver tissue at 24 h with increases between 90–320%. On the other hand, in a model of LPO-induced liver injury (infusion of 0.8 μmol tert-butylhydroperoxide/min/g liver), the hepatic HETE content increased two to fourfold over baseline values at 45 min, i.e., before liver injury. A further increase to 12- to 30-fold of baseline was observed during moderate liver injury. Based on these quantitative comparisons of LPO and liver injury, it seems highly unlikely that LPO is the primary mechanism of parenchymal cell injury during reperfusion, although it cannot be excluded that LPO may be important as a damaging mechanism in a limited compartment of the liver, e.g., endothelial cells, close to the sources of reactive oxygen, e.g., Kupffer cells and neutrophils.