Monochloramine inhibits etoposide-induced apoptosis with an increase in DNA aberration

Monochloramine (NH(2)Cl) is a physiological oxidant produced by activated neutrophils, and it affects apoptosis signaling. We studied the effects of NH(2)Cl on the cell death induced by etoposide, a widely used anticancer agent that is directed to DNA topoisomerase II. Jurkat T cells, a human acute T cell leukemia cell line, were pretreated with 70 microM of NH(2)Cl for 10 min. After 24 h, 5-30 microM of etoposide was added to the NH(2)Cl pretreated and control cells, and their apoptosis, caspase activity, cell morphology, and cellular DNA contents were measured. NH(2)Cl pretreatment significantly inhibited apoptosis and caspase activation induced by etoposide or camptothecin, a DNA topoisomerase I poison, but not by staurosporine or Fas stimulation. The apoptosis inhibition actually resulted in the proliferation of the survived cells and, notably, the survived cells showed more aberrant morphology, such as variation in nuclear size, nuclear fragments, and multinucleated cells. DNA content analysis of the survived cells showed an increase in aneuploid nuclei. Cell cycle analysis after 24 h of NH(2)Cl treatment showed a significant decrease in S phase cells with a concurrent increase in G(0)/G(1) phase cells, which suggested that NH(2)Cl induced G(1) arrest. Using synchronized Jurkat cells, etoposide and camptothecin were found to be particularly cytotoxic to S phase cells, whereas staurosporine and Fas stimulation were not. Thus NH(2)Cl-induced G(1) arrest was a likely cause of the observed resistance to etoposide. These observations suggested that inflammation-derived oxidants may make the tumor cells more resistant to etoposide and increase the risk of tumor progression and the development of secondary tumors by increasing the survival of DNA damage-bearing cells.     

Piceatannol attenuates hydrogen-peroxide- and peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells by blocking down-regulation of Bcl-XL and activation of JNK

There is mounting evidence implicating the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on identifying naturally occurring antioxidants that are able to reduce excess ROS and RNS, thereby protecting against oxidative stress and neuron death. The present study investigated the possible protective effects of piceatannol (trans-3,4,3',5'-tetrahydroxystilbene), which is present in grapes and other foods, on hydrogen-peroxide- and peroxynitrite-induced oxidative cell death. PC12 rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells treated with hydrogen peroxide or SIN-1 (a peroxynitrite-generating compound) exhibited apoptotic death, as determined by nucleus condensation and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP). Piceatannol treatment attenuated hydrogen-peroxide- and peroxynitrite-induced cytotoxicity, apoptotic features, PARP cleavage and intracellular ROS and RNS accumulation. Treatment of PC12 cells with hydrogen peroxide or SIN-1 led to down-regulation of Bcl-X(L) and activation of caspase-3 and -8, which were also inhibited by piceatannol treatment. Hydrogen peroxide or SIN-1 treatment induced phosphorylation of the c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), which was inhibited by piceatannol treatment. Moreover, SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) significantly inhibited hydrogen-peroxide- and peroxynitrite-induced PC12 cell death, revealing inactivation of the JNK pathway as a possible molecular mechanism for the protective effects of piceatannol against hydrogen-peroxide- and peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that the protective effect of piceatannol against hydrogen-peroxide- and peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells is associated with blocking the activation of JNK and the down-regulation of Bcl-XL.     

Distinct mechanisms account for β-amyloid toxicity in PC12 and differentiated PC12 neuronal cells

Whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate beta-amyloid (A beta) neurotoxicity remains controversial. Naive PC12 cells (PC12) and nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells (dPC12) were used to study the role of ROS in cell death induced by A beta(25-35). The viability of PC12 and dPC12 cells decreased by 30-40% after a 48-hour exposure to 20 microM A beta(25-35). Microscopic examination showed that A beta(25-35) induced necrosis in PC12 cells and apoptosis in dPC12 cells. Vitamin E (100 microM) and other antioxidants protected PC12 cells, but not dPC12 cells, against the cytotoxic effect of A beta(25-35). Since H(2)O(2) has been proposed to be involved in A beta toxicity, the effects of H(2)O(2) on PC12 and dPC12 cells were studied. Differentiated PC12 cells appeared to be significantly more resistant to H(2)O(2) than naive PC12 cells. These data suggest that ROS may mediate A beta(25-35) toxicity in PC12 cells but not in dPC12 cells. Because the intracellular levels of ROS were elevated during the differentiation of PC12 cells, the baseline levels of ROS in these two model cell types may determine the intracellular mediators for A beta(25-35) toxicity. Therefore, the protective effects of antioxidants against A beta may depend upon the redox state of the cells.     

Molecular mechanisms of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells: involvement of hydrogen peroxide-dependent and -independent action

The neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been widely used to generate an experimental model of Parkinson's disease. It has been reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), generated from 6-OHDA are involved in its cytotoxicity; however, the contribution and role of ROS in 6-OHDA-induced cell death have not been fully elucidated. In the present study using PC12 cells, we observed the generation of 50 microM H2O2 from a lethal concentration of 100 microM 6-OHDA within a few minutes, and compared the sole effect of H2O2 with 6-OHDA. Catalase, an H2O2-removing enzyme, completely abolished the cytotoxic effect of H2O2, while a significant but partial protective effect was observed against 6-OHDA. 6-OHDA induced peroxiredoxin oxidation, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation. Catalase exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against the peroxiredoxin oxidation, and cytochrome c release induced by 6-OHDA; however, caspase-3 activation was not effectively inhibited by catalase. On the other hand, 6-OHDA-induced caspase-3 activation was inhibited in the presence of caspase-8, caspase-9, and calpain inhibitors. These results suggest that the H2O2 generated from 6-OHDA plays a pivotal role in 6-OHDA-induced peroxiredoxin oxidation, and cytochrome c release, while H2O2- and cytochrome c-independent caspase activation pathways are involved in 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity. These findings may contribute to explain the importance of generated H2O2 and secondary products as a second messenger of 6-OHDA-induced cell death signal linked to Parkinson's disease.     

The protective effect of ascorbic acid derivative on PC12 cells: involvement of its ROS scavenging ability

L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate-6-palmitate (Asc2P6P) was synthesized and its effect on the damage of PC12 cells induced by H2O2 was investigated. 200 microM H2O2 in a treatment period of 4 hours in our experiment resulted in substantial cell loss. With the increasing concentration of antioxidants, such H2O2-induced cytotoxicity was significantly prevented and the corresponding intracellular and extracellular ROS levels decreased concurrently by pre-treatment with Asc2P6P and Asc. It was found that Asc2P6P was superior to L-ascorbic acid in its protective role and showed a dose-dependent manner during a 24-hour treatment. The higher potency of Asc2P6P's protective role on PC12 cells was correlated with its more effective ROS scavenging ability. HPLC assay demonstrated that Asc2P6P could easily enter the cells and be converted into Asc persistently, which contributed to its distinguished role in protecting PC12 cells against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity.     

Inhibition of MPP+-induced mitochondrial damage and cell death by trifluoperazine and W-7 in PC12 cells

Opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore has been recognized to be involved in cell death. The present study investigated the effect of trifluoperazine and W-7 on the MPP+-induced mitochondrial damage and cell death in undifferentiated PC12 cells. Calmodulin antagonists (trifluoperazine, W-7 and calmidazolium) at 0.5-1 microM significantly reduced the loss of cell viability in PC12 cells treated with 500 microM MPP+. Trifluoperazine and W-7 (0.5-1 microM) inhibited the nuclear damage, the loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential followed by cytochrome c release, and the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels due to MPP+ in PC12 cells and attenuated the formation of reactive oxygen species and the depletion of GSH. Calmodulin antagonists at 5-10 microM exhibited a cytotoxic effect on PC12 cells, and compounds at 10 microM did not attenuate cytotoxicity of MPP+. Calmodulin antagonists (0.5-1 microM) significantly reduced rotenone-induced mitochondrial damage and cell death, whereas they did not attenuate cell death and elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels due to H2O2 or ionomycin. The results show that trifluoperazine and W-7 exhibit a differential inhibitory effect against cytotoxicity of MPP+ depending on concentration. Both compounds at the concentrations less than 5 microM may attenuate the MPP+-induced viability loss in PC12 cells by suppressing change in the mitochondrial membrane permeability and by lowering the intracellular Ca2+ levels.     

Intracellular alkalinization leads to Ca2+ mobilization from agonist-sensitive pools in bovine aortic endothelial cells

Receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover leads to activation of Na+/H+ exchange and subsequent intracellular alkalinization. To probe the effect of increased intracellular pH (pHi) on Ca2+ homeostasis in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), we studied the effect of weak bases, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and methylamine (agents which increase pHi by direct passive diffusion), on resting and ATP (purinergic receptor agonist)-induced Ca2+ fluxes. Changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) or pHi were monitored in BAEC monolayers using the fluorescent dyes, fura-2 or 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, respectively. NH4Cl-induced, dose-dependent (5-20 mM) increases in [Ca2+]i (maximum change = 195 +/- 26 nM) which were temporally similar to the NH4Cl-induced pHi increases. Methylamine (20 mM) induced a more sustained pHi increase and also stimulated a prolonged [Ca2+]i increase. When BAEC were bathed in HCO3- buffer, removal of extracellular CO2/bicarbonate caused pHi to increase and also induced [Ca2+]i to increase transiently. Extracellular Ca2+ removal did not abolish the rapid NH4Cl-induced rise in [Ca2+]i, although the response was blunted and more transient. NH4Cl addition to BAEC cultures resulted in an increase in 45Ca efflux and decrease in total cell 45Ca content. BAEC treatment with ATP (100 microM) to deplete inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive Ca2+ pools completely blocked the NH4Cl (20 mM)-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. Likewise, prior NH4Cl addition partially inhibited ATP-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, as well as slowed the frequency of repetitive [Ca2+]i spikes in single endothelial cells due to agonist. NH4Cl augmented the rate of [Ca2+]i increase that occurs in response to the depletion of agonist-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pools. However, the internal Ca2+ store remained depleted during the continued presence of NH4Cl, as indicated by a decreased [Ca2+]i response to ATP in Ca2(+)-free medium. Finally, NH4Cl exerted these actions without affecting basal or ATP-stimulated IP3 formation. These observations provide direct evidence that increased pHi leads to Ca2+ mobilization from an agonist-sensitive pool and impairs Ca2+ pool(s) refilling mechanisms without altering cellular IP3 levels.     

Cell cycle arrest by monochloramine through the oxidation of retinoblastoma protein

Impairment of cell cycle control has serious effects on inflammation, tissue repair, and carcinogenesis. We report here the G1 cell cycle arrest by monochloramine (NH2Cl), a physiological oxidant derived from activated neutrophils, and its mechanism. When Jurkat cells were treated with NH2Cl (70 microM, 10 min) and incubated for 24 h, the S phase population decreased significantly with a slight increase in the hypodiploid cell population. The G0/ G1 phase and G2/M phase populations did not show marked changes. Three hours after NH2Cl treatment, the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) was dephosphorylated especially at Ser780 and Ser795, both of which are important phosphorylation sites for the G1 checkpoint function. The phosphorylation at Ser807/811 showed no apparent change. The expression of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors showed no apparent change. Moreover, the kinase activity that phosphorylates pRB remained constant even after NH2Cl treatment. The protein phosphatase activity that dephosphorylates pRB showed a marginal increase. Notably, when the recombinant pRB was oxidized by NH2Cl in vitro, the oxidized pRB became difficult to be phosphorylated by kinases, especially at Ser780 and Ser795, but not at Ser807/811. Amino acid analysis of oxidized pRB showed methionine oxidation to methionine sulfoxide. The NH2Cl-treated Jurkat cell proteins also showed a decrease in methionine. These observations suggested that direct pRB oxidation was the major cause of NH2Cl-induced cell cycle arrest. In the presence of 2 mM NH4+, NaOCl (200 microM) or activated neutrophils also induced a G1 cell cycle arrest. As protein methionine oxidation has been reported in inflammation and aging, cell cycle modulation by pRB oxidation may occur in various pathological conditions.     

Calcium-pH crosstalks in the human mast cell line HMC-1: intracellular alkalinization activates calcium extrusion through the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase

The human mast cell line (HMC-1) has been used to study the relationship between intracellular pH and cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) in mast cells. Thapsigargin (TG) caused store-operated Ca2+ entry, that is enhanced by the PKC activator PMA. NH4Cl-induced alkalinization showed an inhibitory effect on TG-sensitive stores depletion (not on TG-insensitive stores), and also on final cytosolic Ca2+ levels reached in response to both TG and the ionophore ionomycin. Loperamide, a positive modulator of store-operated channels, induced a slight Ca2+ entry by itself, and also increased TG-induced Ca2+ entry. This enhancement was not enough to reverse the inhibitory effect of NH4Cl-induced alkalinization. When comparing the effect of NH4Cl-induced alkalinization on Ca2+ levels, with those observed using Ca2+ channel blockers (namely Ni2+ and SKF-96365), cytosolic profiles for this ion are different, either in modified saline solution or in HCO3(-)-free medium. Thus, it seems unlikely that the inhibitory effect of NH4Cl-induced alkalinization on Ca2+ is taking place by blockage of Ca2+ entry. Furthermore, inhibition of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (an important mechanism for Ca2+ efflux) with sodium orthovanadate (SO) matches with the inhibition of the negative effect on Ca2+ levels elicited by NH4Cl. Data indicate that NH4Cl-induced alkalinization might be activating Ca2+ efflux from the cell, by stimulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase, and also confirm our previous finding that Ca2+ is a secondary signal to activate HMC-1 cells.     

Protective effects of ellagic and chlorogenic acids against oxidative stress in PC12 cells

Following exposure of differentiated neuronal PC12 cells to either t-BHP, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or FeSO₄ various kinds of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated leading to oxidative injury. The protective effects of two plant polyphenols, ellagic (EC) and chlorogenic acid (CGA), as well as of two metabolites, caffeic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA), were investigated in preincubation and coincubation experiments with respect to the following parameters: prevention of cell death, GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation and ROS formation.

The polyphenols more efficiently suppressed cytotoxicity and loss of GSH caused by peroxides than by iron, particularly in preincubation. Lipid peroxidation which increased much stronger in response to FeSO₄ was counteracted completely by the polyphenols. In case of iron, however, only coincubation was effective. EA and CGA and the metabolites CA and FA showed excellent elimination of ROS induced by all stressors. These findings suggest that two dietary antioxidants, EA and CGA, may have protective properties against oxidative stress induced in CNS.     

Over-expression of 70-kDa heat shock protein confers protection against monochloramine-induced gastric mucosal cell injury

The major heat shock protein, HSP70, is known to be involved in cytoprotection against environmental stresses mediated by their function as a "molecular chaperone". Monochloramine (NH(2)Cl) is a potent cytotoxic oxidant generated by neutrophil-derived hypochlorous acid and Helicobacter pylori urease-induced ammonia. In this study, to evaluate the cytoprotective effect of HSP70 against NH(2)Cl-induced gastric mucosal cell injury, rat gastric mucosal cells (RGM-1) were stably transfected with pBK-CMV containing the human HSP70 gene (7018-RGM-1) or pBK-CMV alone (pBK-CMV-12) as control cells. These cells were treated with various concentrations of NH(2)Cl. Cell Viability was determined by MTT assay and the direct plasma membrane damage was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation analysis. NH(2)Cl caused injury to pBK-CMV-12 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. NH(2)Cl-induced gastric cell injury was significantly diminished in HSP70 over-expressing cell line (7018-RGM-1) both necrosis and apoptosis compared to the control cell line (pBK-CMV-12) transfected with CMV vector alone. These result suggest that overexpression of HSP70 plays an important role in protecting gastric cells against NH(2)Cl-induced injury.     

PKC and cAMP positively modulate alkaline-induced exocytosis in the human mast cell line HMC-1

We study in HMC-1 the activation process, measured as histamine release. We know that ammonium chloride (NH(4)Cl) and ionomycin release histamine, and the modulatory role of drugs targeting protein kinase C (PKC), adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), tyrosine kinase (TyrK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) on this effect. We used G?6976 (100 nM) and low concentration of GF 109203X (GF) (50 nM) to inhibit Ca(2+)-dependent PKC isozymes. For Ca(2+)-independent isozymes, we used 500 nM GF and 10 microM rottlerin (specifically inhibits PKCdelta). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (100 ng/ml) was used to stimulate PKC, and genistein (10 microM) and lavendustin A (1 microM) as unspecific TyrK inhibitors. STI571 10 microM was used to specifically inhibit the activity of Kit, the receptor for stem cell factor, and 10 nM wortmannin as a PI3K inhibitor. Activation of PKC with PMA enhances histamine release in response to NH(4)Cl and ionomycin. PMA increases NH(4)Cl-induced alkalinization and ionomycin-induced Ca(2+) entry. Inhibition of PKCdelta strongly inhibits Ca(2+) entry elicited by ionomycin, but failed to modify histamine release. The effect of cAMP-active drugs was explored with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (30 microM), the inhibitor SQ22,536 (1 microM), the cAMP analog dibutyryl cAMP (200 microM), and the PKA blocker H89 (1 microM). Forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP do increase NH(4)Cl-induced alkalinization, and potentiate histamine release elicited by this compound. Our data indicates that alkaline-induced exocytosis is modulated by PKC and cAMP, suggesting that pH could be a modulatory signal itself.     

Effects of scutellarin on apoptosis induced by cobalt chloride in PC12 cells

The present study investigated the protective effects of scutellarin on cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. Incubation of PC12 cells with 500 microM CoCl2 for 24 h resulted in significant apoptosis as evaluated by the crystal violet, electron microscopy and flow cytometry assays. The increase of caspase-3 activity, decrease of Bcl-XL expression, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also seen in CoCl2-treated PC12 cells. Scutellarin at 0.1, 1 and 10 microM significantly protected against the apoptotic cell death induced by CoCl2. Scutellarin decreased caspase-3 activity, increased Bcl-XL expression, inhibited p38 phosphorylation and attenuated ROS production. These results demonstrate that scutellarin can protect PC12 cells from cobalt chloride induced apoptosis by scavenging ROS, inhibiting p38 phosphorylation, up-regulating Bcl-XL expression and decreasing caspase-3 activity, and may reduce the cellular damage in pathological conditions associated with hypoxia-mediated neuronal injury.     

Monochloramine potently inhibits arachidonic acid metabolism in rat platelets

In the present study, the effects of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), monochloramine (NH(2)Cl), glutamine-chloramine (Glu-Cl) and taurine-chloramine (Tau-Cl) on the formation of 12-lipoxygenase (LOX) metabolite, 12-HETE, and cyclooxygenase (COX) metabolites, TXB(2), and 12-HHT, from exogenous arachidonic acid (AA) in rat platelets were examined. Rat platelets (4x10(8)/ml) were preincubated with drugs for 5min at 37 degrees C prior to the incubation with AA (40microM) for 2min at 37 degrees C. HOCl (50-250microM) showed an inhibition on the formation of LOX metabolite (12-HETE, 5-67% inhibition) and COX metabolites (TXB(2), 33-73% inhibition; 12-HHT, 27-74% inhibition). Although Tau-Cl and Glu-Cl up to 100microM were without effect on the formation of 12-HETE, TXB(2) and 12-HTT, NH(2)Cl showed a strong inhibition on the formation of all three metabolites (10-100microM NH(2)Cl, 12-HETE, 21-92% inhibition; TXB(2), 58-94% inhibition; 12-HHT, 36-92% inhibition). Methionine reversed a reduction of formation of LOX and COX metabolites induced by NH(2)Cl, and taurine restoring that induced by both NH(2)Cl and HOCl. These results suggest that NH(2)Cl is a more potent inhibitor of COX and LOX pathways in platelets than HOCl, and taurine and methionine can be modulators of NH(2)Cl-induced alterations in the COX and LOX pathways in vivo.     

Down-regulated reactive oxygen species by HSP90 in 3HK-induced SKN-SH cell death

In this present study, we show that 3HK induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and after caspase activation lead to apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an effective antioxidant, significantly attenuated 3HK-induced apoptosis by way of a reduction of ROS accumulation and caspase activity. SKN-SN cells were protected from 3HK-induced cytotoxicity by heat shock protein (HSP). HSP effectively attenuated 3HK-mediated ROS accumulation and apoptosis. In addition, the protective effect of HSP90 was abolished by pretreatment with HSP90 anti-sense oligonucleotides, but not when pretreated with anti-senses for other HSPs. These results suggest that HSP90 protects SKN-SH cells from 3HK-induced cytotoxicity by reducing ROS levels and caspase activity.     

Differential functions of PKC-delta and PKC-zeta in cisplatin response of normal and transformed thyroid cells

We investigated the effects of cisplatin (cisPt) in normal PC Cl3 and in transformed and tumourigenic PC E1Araf cells. cisPt cytotoxicity was higher in PC Cl3 than in PC E1Araf cells. In both cell lines, cisPt provoked the ERK1/2 phosphorylation; this was unaltered by G?6976, a conventional PKC inhibitor, whilst it was blocked by low doses (0.1 microM) or high doses (10 microM) of GF109203X, an inhibitor of all PKC isozymes, in PC Cl3 and in PC E1Araf cells, respectively. In PC E1Araf, the cisPt-provoked ERK phosphorylation was also blocked by the use of a myristoylated PKC-zeta pseudosubstrate peptide. Conversely, in PC Cl3 the cisPt-provoked ERK phosphorylation was blocked by the use of rottlerin, a PKC-delta inhibitor. Results show that cisPt activates both PKC (the -delta and the -zeta isozymes in PC Cl3 and in PC E1Araf cells, respectively) and ERK in association with prolonged survival of thyroid cell lines.     

Protective effects of ellagic and chlorogenic acids against oxidative stress in PC12 cells

Following exposure of differentiated neuronal PC12 cells to either t-BHP, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or FeSO₄ various kinds of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated leading to oxidative injury. The protective effects of two plant polyphenols, ellagic (EC) and chlorogenic acid (CGA), as well as of two metabolites, caffeic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA), were investigated in preincubation and coincubation experiments with respect to the following parameters: prevention of cell death, GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation and ROS formation.

The polyphenols more efficiently suppressed cytotoxicity and loss of GSH caused by peroxides than by iron, particularly in preincubation. Lipid peroxidation which increased much stronger in response to FeSO₄ was counteracted completely by the polyphenols. In case of iron, however, only coincubation was effective. EA and CGA and the metabolites CA and FA showed excellent elimination of ROS induced by all stressors. These findings suggest that two dietary antioxidants, EA and CGA, may have protective properties against oxidative stress induced in CNS.     

alpha-Tocopherol protects against alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced hepatotoxicity in rats less effectively than melatonin

The protective effect of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc), which exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, against alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats was compared with that of melatonin because orally administered melatonin is known to protect against ANIT-induced hepatotoxicity in rats through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Rats intoxicated once with ANIT (75 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) showed liver cell damage and biliary cell damage with cholestasis at 24 h, but not 12 h, after intoxication. ANIT-intoxicated rats received alpha-Toc (100 or 250 mg/kg) or melatonin (100 mg/kg) orally at 12 h after intoxication. The alpha-Toc administration protected against liver cell damage in ANIT-intoxicated rats, while the melatonin administration protected against both liver cell damage and biliary cell damage with cholestasis. ANIT-intoxicated rats had increased hepatic lipid peroxide concentration and myeloperoxidase activity at 12 and 24 h after intoxication. ANIT-intoxicated rats also had increased serum alpha-Toc and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations at 12 and 24 h after intoxication and increased serum triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations at 24h. The administration of alpha-Toc to ANIT-intoxicated rats increased the hepatic alpha-Toc concentration with further increase in the serum alpha-Toc concentration and attenuated the increased hepatic lipid peroxide concentration and myeloperoxidase activity and serum NEFA concentration at 24 h after intoxication. The melatonin administration did not affect the hepatic alpha-Toc concentration but attenuated the increased hepatic lipid peroxide concentration and myeloperoxidase activity and serum alpha-Toc, NEFA, triglyceride, and total cholesterol concentrations at 24 h after ANIT intoxication. These results indicate that orally administered alpha-Toc protects against ANIT-induced hepatotoxicity in rats possibly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions less effectively than orally administered melatonin.     

Glitazones differentially regulate primary astrocyte and glioma cell survival. Involvement of reactive oxygen species and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma

The glitazones or thiazolidinediones are ligands of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). The glitazones are used in the treatment of diabetes, regulate adipogenesis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and induce apoptosis in several cancer cell types. High grade astrocytomas are rapidly growing tumors derived from astrocytes, for which new treatments are needed. We determined the effects of two glitazones, ciglitazone and the therapeutic rosiglitazone, on the survival of serum-deprived primary rat astrocytes and glioma cell lines C6 and U251, which were assessed by the methylthiazolyl tetrazolium assay and lactate dehydrogenase release. Rosiglitazone (5-20 microM) decreased survival of glioma cells without affecting primary astrocytes, whereas ciglitazone at 20 microM was toxic for both cell types. Ciglitazone at 10 microM was cytoprotective for primary astrocytes but toxic to glioma cells. Cell death induced by ciglitazone, but not rosiglitazone, presented apoptotic features (Hoechst staining and externalization of phosphatidylserine). Two mechanisms to explain cytotoxicity were investigated: activation of PPARgamma and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). PPARgamma does not seem to be the main mechanism involved, because the order of efficacy for cytotoxicity, ciglitazone > rosiglitazone, was inverse of their reported affinities for activating PPARgamma. In addition, GW9662, an inhibitor of PPARgamma, only slightly attenuated cytotoxicity. However, the rapid increase in ROS production and the marked reduction of cell death with the antioxidants ebselen and N-acetylcysteine, indicate that ROS have a key role in glitazone cytotoxicity. Ciglitazone caused a dose-dependent and rapid loss (in minutes) of mitochondrial membrane potential in glioma cells. Therefore, mitochondria are a likely source of ROS and early targets of glitazone cytotoxicity. Our results highlight the potential of rosiglitazone and related compounds for the treatment of astrogliomas.     

Dopamine-induced apoptosis is mediated by oxidative stress and Is enhanced by cyanide in differentiated PC12 cells

Dopamine (DA) oxidation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons underlying various neurological conditions. The present study demonstrates that DA-induced cytotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells is mediated by ROS and mitochondrial inhibition. Because cyanide induces parkinson-like symptoms and is an inhibitor of the antioxidant system and mitochondrial function, cells were treated with KCN to study DA toxicity in an impaired neuronal system. Differentiated PC12 cells were exposed to DA, KCN, or a combination of the two for 12-36 h. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays indicated that both DA (100-500 microM) and KCN (100-500 microM) induced a concentration- and time-dependent cell death and that their combination produced an increase in cytotoxicity. Apoptotic death, measured by Hoechst dye and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick end-labeling) staining, was also concentration- and time-dependent for DA and KCN. DA plus KCN produced an increase in apoptosis, indicating that KCN, and thus an impaired system, enhances DA-induced apoptosis. To study the mechanism(s) of DA toxicity, cells were pretreated with a series of compounds and incubated with DA (300 microM) and/or KCN (100 microM) for 24 h. Nomifensine, a DA reuptake inhibitor, rescued nearly 60-70% of the cells from DA- and DA plus KCN-induced apoptosis, suggesting that DA toxicity is in part mediated intracellularly. Pretreatment with antioxidants attenuated DA- and KCN-induced apoptosis, indicating the involvement of oxidative species. Furthermore, buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, increased the apoptotic response, which was reversed when cells were pretreated with antioxidants. DA and DA plus KCN produced a significant increase in intracellular oxidant generation, supporting the involvement of oxidative stress in DA-induced apoptosis. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and the peroxynitrite scavenger uric acid blocked apoptosis and oxidant production, indicating involvement of nitric oxide. These results suggest that DA neurotoxicity is enhanced under the conditions induced by cyanide and involves both ROS and nitric oxide-mediated oxidative stress as an initiator of apoptosis.