Functional Activity of Blood Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes as an Oxidative Stress Biomarker in Human Subjects

In the present work, we studied the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in aged individuals and coronary heart disease (CHD)-bearing patients, two physiopathological processes associated with overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effects of antioxidant supplementation on the functional activity of PMN from CHD patients were also determined. The function of PMNs was evaluated by measuring of phagocytosis, killing activity, and ROS production. Luminol amplified chemiluminescence (CL) was used to estimate ROS production by stimulated PMNs. Total cholesterol and the LDL-cholesterol fraction from CHD patients were found to be higher than those recommended, returning to normal levels after antioxidant therapy. PMN CL of CHD patients was found to be higher than the associated control groups. Antioxidant therapy administrated to CHD patients lead to an increase in the killing activity accompanied by a decrease in PMN CL of these subjects. The study also showed that killing activity of PMN from human subjects over 60 years was significantly lower than the activity measured in younger subjects. PMN CL produced after stimulation was found to be positively correlated with the increasing age of human subjects (r = .946, p < .01).     

Chemiluminescence of leukocytes in the whole blood stimulated by barium sulfate crystals

Luminol dependent stimulated by barium sulfate crystals chemiluminescence of leukocytes in the whole blood was studied. Chemiluminescent kinetics and dependence between the chemiluminescence intensity and temperature were investigated. The chemiluminescence is related to the formation of reactive oxygen by stimulated leukocytes which settled to the bottom of the cell together with the crystals of barium sulfate.     

Oxygen radical production during ischemia-reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat liver as monitored by luminol enhanced chemiluminescence

We have applied the Luminol enhanced chemiluminescence technique to the isolated perfused rat liver during ischemia and reperfusion to monitor the production of oxygen radicals in tissue. Livers under perfusion with Luminol-containing buffer were subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. Their chemiluminescence was continuously monitored to obtain the time course of oxygen radical production. Transient bursts of oxygen radical production were observed in the livers as indicated by chemiluminescence changes on reperfusion. Superoxide dismutase treatment abolished while catalase treatment enhanced the reperfusion-induced chemiluminescence transient.     

Characteristics of luminol chemiluminescence induced by the catalytic action of myeloperoxidase

The effects of pH, luminol myeloperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide concentrations on the intensity of luminol chemiluminescence induced by myeloperoxidase catalysis were investigated. It was found that the intensity of luminescence is proportional to the enzyme concentration (up to 8.10(-8) M) and reaches the saturation level at higher enzyme concentrations. The dependence of chemiluminescence intensity on [H2O2] is bell-shaped: at H2O2 concentrations above 1.10(-4) M the luminescence is inhibited with a maximum at neutral values of pH. Luminol at concentrations above 5.10(-5) M inhibits this process. It was demonstrated that the effects of singlet oxygen, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals on the chemiluminescence reaction are insignificant. Luminol oxidation in the course of the myeloperoxidase reaction is induced by hypochlorite.     

Determination of viable mammalian cells by luminol chemiluminescence using microperoxidase

Chemiluminescent assay for menadione-catalyzed H₂O₂ production by mammalian cells was modified by luminol chemiluminescence with microperoxidase instead of peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence with carcinogenic fluorescent materials. Luminol can be used as a common chemiluminescent reagent for the determination of viable mammalian cells and bacteria.     

A comparison of chemical systems for luminometric determination of antioxidant capacity towards individual reactive oxygen species.

The aim of the study was to investigate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the hypoxanthine-xanthinoxidase (HX-XO), hydrogen peroxide-ferrous sulphate (H2O2-FeSO4) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) systems by using various concentrations of ROS scavengers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), dimethylthiourea (DMTU) or catalase (CAT). Luminol (0.8 mmol/L) was dissolved in a borate buffer, pH 9.0, and was used as a luminophor in the chemiluminescence (CL) measurements. In the HX-XO system SOD, CAT and DMTU deepened the CL signal, whereas in the H2O2-FeSO4 system, only CAT and DMTU deepened the CL signal, and in the H2O2 system SOD and CAT increased and DMTU deepened the CL signal. Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements were performed only in the H2O2-FeSO4 system. 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) was used as a spin trap. According to typical ESR spectra, .OH was produced in this chemical system. It can be concluded that the chemical systems do not produce single reactive oxygen species but a mixture of them.     

The role of cyclooxygenase inhibition in the effect of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on reactive oxygen species production by rat peritoneal neutrophils

The effect of alpha-MSH on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by rat peritoneal neutrophils and the effect of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition were investigated using the chemiluminescence (CL) technique. Cells were obtained by peritoneal lavage 4h after administration of oyster glycogen to rats and were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Salmonella enderitidis and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The increasing concentrations of alpha-MSH (10(-12)-10(-6) M) were added to stimulated cells alone or along with the COX inhibitors indomethacin, ketorolac or nimesulide (10(-8)-10(-5) M). Luminol and lucigenin CL levels were significantly increased in cells stimulated with LPS and PMA compared to unstimulated ones. alpha-MSH significantly reduced lucigenin CL values and this effect was completely reversed in the presence of indomethacin (10(-8) and 10(-7) M). In conclusion, alpha-MSH inhibits the production of superoxide radicals by activated rat peritoneal neutrophils and COX contributes to this effect.     

Luminol chemiluminescence using xanthine and hypoxanthine as xanthine oxidase substrates

Luminol chemiluminescence induced by the xanthine or hypoxanthine-O2-xanthine oxidase system is analyzed and compared. Characteristics of the light emission curves were examined considering the conventional reaction scheme for the oxidation of both substrates in the presence of xanthine oxidase. The ratio of the areas of the rate of superoxide production during substrate oxidation to uric acid. The O2-. to uric acid ratio for each substrate can account for differences in xanthine and hypoxanthine-supported light emission, since uric acid is a strong inhibitor of O2-.-dependent luminol chemiluminescence. These results are consistent with a free radical scavenging role for uric acid. A similar but weaker scavenging effect of xanthine may also contribute to the observed differences in chemiluminescent yields between both substrates.     

Variables in xanthine oxidase-initiated luminol chemiluminescence: Implications for chemiluminescence measurements in biological systems

We tested the effects of generally used chemiluminescence inhibitors on an example of luminol chemiluminescence elicited by xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine system, and attempted to assess their capabilities in discovering the reaction pathways leading to chemiluminescence. Luminol itself is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and its concentration affects the reaction mechanism. Maximal chemiluminescence response was observed at luminol concentration inhibiting urate production. Chemiluminescence was totally inhibited by superoxide dismutase, the inhibition by catalase depended on luminol concentration. Ferricytochrome c, a detector of superoxide, either stimulated or inhibited chemiluminescence in a concentration-dependent manner. Chemiluminescence was highly stimulated by peroxidases. A pronounced inhibition of chemiluminescence was caused by chelators; 1 mm desferal and 0.01 mm diethyldithiocarbamate. It is suggested that measurement of luminol chemiluminescence is not a suitable method for discrimination among individual reactive oxygen species and their quantitative determination in biological systems.     

Bone loss: Therapeutic approaches for preventing bone loss in inflammatory arthritis

Inflammatory arthritides are commonly characterized by localized and generalized bone loss. Localized bone loss in the form of joint erosions and periarticular osteopenia is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis, the prototype of inflammatory arthritis. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-dependent osteoclast activation by inflammatory cells and subsequent bone loss. In this article, we review the pathogenesis of inflammatory bone loss and explore the possible therapeutic interventions to prevent it.     

Oxidative activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by the long-chain phosphatidic acids

It has already been suggested that phosphatidic acids (PAs) play an important role in the regulation of signaling pathways involved in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The present study was performed to elucidate the effects of extracellularly added PA-- 1,2-distearoyl- (DSPA) and 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-phosphate (SAPA)--on the ROS production and on the elastase release by human PMNs. ROS production was monitored by luminol-amplified chemiluminescence and the elastase activity was measured in the supernatant of the PA-stimulated human PMNs by colorimetric assay. Obtained effects were compared with those of cells stimulated by either a chemotactic tripeptide, phorbol ester or calcium ionophore. Our results show that long-chain PAs at concentrations higher than 3 x 10(-5) mol/l stimulate the ROS production by human PMNs, whereas they were ineffective in promoting the elastase release. The chemiluminescence pattern of the SAPA-stimulated cells exhibited a biphasic curve, whereas cell stimulation with DSPA resulted in a monophasic chemiluminescence curve. Stimulation of the ROS production by PAs in dependence of the fatty acid composition required the activity of protein kinases.     

Optimization of Peroxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation of Luminol in Reversed Micelles of Surfactants in Octane

Luminol oxidation in the Aerosol OT (AOT) reversed micelles in octane catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), or its conjugate with Cortisol (HRP-COR), was optimized. The chemiluminescence intensity during luminol oxidation was strongly dependent on the method of preparation of the reaction mixture and the addition of Triton X-45, cyclohexanol and the chemiluminescence “enhancer”, p-iodophenol, into the micellar system. Five procedures for the preparation of the reaction mixture were compared. The maximum chemiluminescence was observed in the micellar system containing all the reaction components excluding a biocatalyst, addition of which into the system started the reaction. Triton X-45, cyclohexanol or p-iodophenol added to the micellar system enhanced significantly the chemiluminescence intensity. The “enhancing” action of p-iodophenol in AOT reversed micelles was 10-fold less than in an aqueous medium.     

Analysis of reactive oxygen species generated by neutrophils using a chemiluminescence probe L-012.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in the defense mechanism against infection and in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Although chemical properties of ROS generated by leukocytes have been studied extensively, methods available for their analysis are not sufficiently sensitive. We found that 8-amino-5-chloro-7-phenylpyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine-1,4-(2H,3H)dione (L-012) reacted with various types of ROS generated by activated neutrophils in human blood and oral cavity, and from peritoneal cavity of the rat, and developed strong chemiluminescence (CHL). Under physiological conditions, opsonized zymosan-dependent CHL intensity of L-012 in human blood and rat peritoneal neutrophils was about 100 and 10 times higher than that of luminol and luciferin analog MCLA, respectively. Phorbol ester-activated CHL of oral neutrophils was also higher with L-012 than that with luminol and MCLA. The presence of either superoxide dismutase, catalase, uric acid, deferoxamine, or azide decreased CHL intensity of L-012 by 52, 57, 57, 63, and 91%, respectively. Kinetic analysis revealed that L-012 developed CHL predominantly by reacting with hydroxyl radical and hypochlorite. Thus, highly sensitive L-012 permits studies on ROS generation by complex biological systems, such as leukocytes, and on the role of ROS in the pathogenesis of various diseases.     

Syndecan-4 involves in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis by regulating the inflammatory response and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, and the pathogenesis of RA is still unknown. Rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs) are of significance in the pathogenesis of RA. In this study, three microarray profiles (GSE55457, GSE55584, and GSE55235) of human joint FLSs from 33 RA patients and 20 normal controls were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus Dataset and analyzed to investigate the underlying pathogenesis of RA. As analyzed by the differently expressed genes, gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction network analysis, syndecan-4 (SDC4), a receptor of multiple cytokines and chemokines, which played a key role in the regulation of inflammatory response, was found to be an essential regulator in RA. To further validate these results, the levels of SDC4, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), inflammation, and apoptosis in RA-FLSs were examined. SDC4-silenced RA-FLSs were also used. The results demonstrated that SDC4 and the level of ROS, NO, and inflammation were highly expressed while the apoptosis was decreased in RA-FLSs compared with normal FLSs. SDC4 silencing significantly suppressed the levels of ROS, NO, and inflammation; elevated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; and promoted the apoptosis of RA-FLSs. Collectively, our results demonstrated a new mechanism of SDC4 in initiating the inflammation and inhibiting the apoptosis of RA-FLSs and that a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of RA in the clinic might be developed.     

Potential role of NADPH-oxidase in early steps of lead-induced oxidative burst in Vicia faba roots

The mechanism of oxidative burst induced by lead in Vicia faba excised roots was investigated by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Results showed that lead triggered a rapid and dose-dependent increase in chemiluminescence production. In this study, specific inhibitors of putative reactive oxygen species (ROS) sources were used to determine the mechanism of lead-induced ROS generation. This generation was sensitive to dephenylene iodonium (DPI), quinacrine and imidazole, some inhibitors of the NADPH-oxidase and not inhibited by other putative ROS sources inhibitors. Data reported in this work clearly demonstrated the pivotal role of NADPH-oxidase-like enzyme in early steps of lead-induced oxidative burst. To investigate the respective implication of calmodulin and protein kinase (PK) in lead-induced NADPH-oxidase activation, excised roots were treated with the calmodulin inhibitor W7 or with the PK inhibitor staurosporine. The chemiluminescence generation inhibition by these inhibitors illustrated the role of PK in lead-induced NADPH-oxidase activation and revealed a calmodulin-dependent step. Using the calcium entry blocker La³⁺ or different concentrations of calcium in the extra-cellular medium, our data highlighted the implication of Ca²⁺ channel in lead-induced oxidative burst.     

Insulin-induced peroxynitrite production in human platelet-rich plasma

Recent data support the possible role of nitric oxide (NO*) in the development of insulin signalling. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of insulin on NO* production by platelets. The chemiluminescence of platelet-rich plasma prepared from the blood of healthy volunteers was measured in the presence of luminol. Indirect detection of NO* by luminol is possible in the form of peroxynitrite produced in the reaction of NO* with a superoxide free radical. Luminol oxidation induced by hydroxyl free radical and lipid peroxidation was prevented by 150 micromol/l of desferrioxamine mesylate. Insulin, in the range of 0.084-840 nmol/l, induced a concentration-dependent increase in chemiluminescence, which was inhibited both by the competitive antagonist of the NO* synthase enzyme. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (at concentrations of 2.0-4.0 mmol/l, P<0.001), and by the elimination of superoxide free radicals using superoxide dismutase (72-144 IU/ml, P<0.001). In conclusion, we assume that the insulin-induced increase in chemiluminescence of platelet-rich plasma was due to increased production of NO* and superoxide free radicals forming peroxynitrite. The data are consistent with production of peroxynitrite from human platelets under insulin stimulation.     

Chemiluminescence detection with separation techniques for bioanalytical applications

Chemiluminescence detection is known to be a sensitive, selective, and versatile method that can be used in combination with separation techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and chip electrophoresis. This article reviews the bioanalytical applications of a combination of chemiluminescence detection and separation techniques published in the literature between 1999 and 2008. Luminol chemiluminescene, peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence, and electrochemiluminescence have been mainly used for bioanalytical application. In this paper, only the applications of the method for the analysis of biosamples, serum, plasma, urine, and tissue samples are discussed.     

Lack of reactive oxygen species breaks T cell tolerance to collagen type II and allows development of arthritis in mice

The view on reactive oxygen species (ROS) in inflammation is currently shifting from being considered damaging toward having a more complex role in regulating inflammatory reactions. We recently demonstrated a role of ROS in regulation of animal models for the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. Low levels of ROS production, due to a mutation in the Ncf1 gene coding for the Ncf1 (alias p47(phox)) subunit of the NADPH oxidase complex, was shown to be associated with increased autoimmunity and arthritis severity in both rats and mice. To further investigate the role of ROS in autoimmunity, we studied transgenic mice expressing collagen type II (CII) with a mutation (D266E) in the immunodominant epitope that mimics the rat and human CII (i.e., mutated mouse collagen or MMC). This mutation results in a stronger binding of the epitope to the MHC class II molecule and leads to more pronounced tolerance and resistance to arthritis induced with rat CII. When the Ncf1 mutation was bred into these mice, tolerance was broken, resulting in enhanced T cell autoreactivity, high titers of anti-CII Abs, and development of severe arthritis. These findings highlight the importance of a sufficient ROS production in maintenance of tolerance to self-Ags, a central mechanism in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. This is important as we, for the first time, can follow the effect of ROS on molecular mechanisms where T cells are responsible for either protection or promotion of arthritis depending on the level of oxygen species produced.     

Effect of Staphylococcus aureus serine proteinase on the respiratory burst in phagocytic cells in vitro

The in vitro effects of the Staphylococcus aureus serine proteinase (SASP) on the respiratory burst of human blood mononuclear phagocytes and rat lung macrophages were investigated. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), determined by means of luminol-based chemiluminescence, was stimulated by treatment with SASP in both types of the defense cells. Cell activation depended on the concentration of the enzyme and the response of monocytes was an order of magnitude stronger relative to macrophages. The chemiluminescence emission kinetics were different for both cell types and the maximum signal was achieved in approximately 3 and 17 min, respectively. In experiments involving further cell activation by latex particles, macrophages pretreated with various SASP concentrations reacted with enhanced ROS generation whereas for monocytes, the latex-induced chemiluminescence was weakened by the enzyme. The results concerning the modification of the phagocytic host cell activity by SASP suggest that this enzyme might play an important role in pathomechanisms of staphylococcal infections in vivo.     

Systematic study on ROS production induced by oleic, linoleic, and gamma-linolenic acids in human and rat neutrophils

The effects of oleic, linoleic, and gamma-linolenic acids on the production of ROS by unstimulated and PMA-stimulated neutrophils were investigated by using five techniques: luminol- and lucigenin-amplified chemiluminescence, cytochrome c, hydroethidine, and phenol red reduction. Using lucigenin-amplified chemiluminescence, an increase in extracellular superoxide levels was observed by the treatment of neutrophils with the fatty acids. There was also an increase in intracellular ROS levels under similar conditions as measured by the hydroethidine technique. An increment in the intra- and extracellular levels of H2O2 was also observed in neutrophils treated with oleic acid as measured by phenol red reduction assay. In the luminol technique, peroxidase activity is required in the reaction of luminol with ROS for light generation. Oleic, linoleic, and gamma-linolenic acids inhibited the myeloperoxidase activity in stimulated neutrophils. So, these fatty acids jeopardize the results of ROS content measured by this technique. Oleic, linoleic, and gamma-linolenic acids per se led to cytochrome c reduction and so this method also cannot be used to measure ROS production induced by fatty acids. Oleic, linoleic, and gamma-linolenic acids do stimulate ROS production by neutrophils; however, measurements using the luminol-amplified chemiluminescence and cytochrome c reduction techniques require further analysis.