Adventitious chemistry at reduced water activities: free radicals and polyhydroxy agents

Free radicals have been associated with loss of viability of lyophilized bacteria exposed to oxygen. Free radical concentration was proportional to the log of the oxygen pressure in the sample. Sugars, such as lactose or sucrose, preserved viability and inhibited free radical production. Lyophilized tissue, particularly liver and spleen, also reacted with oxygen to produce free radicals, which appear to be associated with ascorbic acid in the tissues. Pure ascorbic acid in air does not produce free radicals, but when mixed with protein before lyophilization it reacts with oxygen in air. When a mixture of sodium ascorbate and phenylalanine or tryptophan is lyophilized, free radicals identical to those observed in tissue are obtained. Propyl gallate and di- or trihydroxybenzoates also react with oxygen when lyophilized with phenylalanine, but the g value of the free radical is significantly less than that obtained with ascorbate. A number of amino acids and similar nitrogenous compounds act as catalysts to form propyl gallate free radicals. As with the bacterial or tissue preparations, various sugars or similar carbohydrates inhibited free radical production by either ascorbate or gallate. In the absence of water the free radicals produced by the action of oxygen on lyophilized samples are stable for years. The rate of free radical production is increased by small amounts of moisture (exposure to moist air), but at humidities over 30% rh the radicals are unstable.     

Erythrocytes reduce extracellular ascorbate free radicals using intracellular ascorbate as an electron donor

Ascorbate is readily oxidized in aqueous solution by ascorbate oxidase. Ascorbate radicals are formed, which disproportionate to ascorbate and dehydroascorbic acid. Addition of erythrocytes with increasing intracellular ascorbate concentrations decreased the oxidation of ascorbate in a concentration-dependent manner. Concurrently, it was found, utilizing electron spin resonance spectroscopy, that extracellular ascorbate radical levels were decreased. Control experiments showed that these results could not be explained by leakage of ascorbate from the cells, inactivation of ascorbate oxidase, or oxygen depletion. Thus, this means that intracellular ascorbate is directly responsible for the decreased oxidation of extracellular ascorbate. Exposure of ascorbate-loaded erythrocytes to higher levels of extracellular ascorbate radicals resulted in the detection of intracellular ascorbate radicals. Moreover, efflux of dehydroascorbic acid was observed under these conditions. These data confirm the view that intracellular ascorbate donates electrons to extracellular ascorbate free radical via a plasma membrane redox system. Such a redox system enables the cells to effectively counteract oxidative processes and thereby prevent depletion of extracellular ascorbate.     

Uric acid substantially enhances the free radical-induced inactivation of alcohol dehydrogenase

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and yeast alcohol dehydrogenase ( YADH ) are inactivated when attacked by hydroxy free radicals (OH). Organic molecules with a high rate constant of reaction with OH such as ascorbate or urate can compete with the enzymes for these strongly oxidising radicals. However, although 10(-3)M ascorbate can substantially protect both LDH and YADH from OH attack, in the presence of 10(-3)M urate only LDH is protected. In the case of YADH an even greater degree of inactivation than with OH occurs. The extent of inactivation is considerably reduced when oxygen is absent, in agreement with a urate peroxy radical perhaps being partly responsible for the increased inactivation of the enzyme.     

Generation of radical anions of nitrofurantoin, misonidazole, and metronidazole by ascorbate

Nitrofurantoin, misonidazole, and metronidazole were reduced to their corresponding nitro anion radicals by ascorbate in anaerobic solutions at high pH. The nitrofurantoin anion radical could be detected at neutral pH. In neutral solutions, the nitro anion radicals of misonidazole and metronidazole were too unstable to be observed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. At neutral pH, solutions containing ascorbate, nitrofurantoin, or misonidazole consumed oxygen. The addition of superoxide dismutase, catalase, or both superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased the rate of oxygen consumption. These results show that nitro anion radicals are formed by reduction with ascorbate, and superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide are produced by reactions of these radicals with oxygen.     

Free radical involvement in the generation of trans‐root potential

The identity of the naturally occurring compounds that accept electrons from plasma membrane-bound redox systems in vivo is obscure. We analysed the effect of ascorbate, oxygen, iron, as well as their free radical forms, and also the free radical-generating and -quenching systems on the trans-root electrical potential, which had previously been shown to be coupled to plasma membrane-bound redox systems. The material was the primary root of 8-day-old maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Trans-root electrical potential difference was measured across excised roots. Different ascorbate (ascorbate, dehydroascorbate and ascorbate free radical) and oxygen redox forms (superoxide and hydroxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide), as well as scavenging agents of oxygen species (superoxide dismutase, catalase, mannitol), and ferric and ferrous ions were added to the solution flowing around the root. Ascorbate free radical induced the greatest depolarization of the trans-root potential when compared to other ascorbate redox forms, which is consistent with its suggested role as a natural electron acceptor. Addition of xanthine oxidase, with or without xanthine, also produced depolarizing effects. The presence of SOD magnified this effect both with ascorbate free radical and xanthine oxidase. When ferric or ferrous chloride and ferric EDTA were applied to the bathing medium, only free ferric ion produced a very pronounced depolarization. The magnitude and kinetics of trans-root potential depolarization, induced by the ascorbate redox forms and systems for the generation and scavenging of oxygen species, argue in favour of the mutually competing electron transfer role of ascorbate free radicals and superoxide radicals in the extracellular space of the root. These results provide evidence that at least a part of the electrical potential difference occurring across plant roots arises from current flow from the symplast, via the plasma membrane-bound redox systems, to naturally occurring compounds in the apoplast, and that this transfer is achieved through the mediation of their free radical forms.     

The catalytic effect of the carcinogen "4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide" on the oxidation of vitamin C.

The carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide was found to mediate the reaction between ascorbate and oxygen. The oxidation of ascorbate was initiated by the production of the nitro radical anion which reacted with oxygen to produce the oxygen superoxide radical anion, peroxide and hydroxyl radical. The production of partially reduced oxygen intermediates resulted in additional reactions with ascorbate. The consumption of oxygen could be either completely blocked by reacting the nitro radical with ferricytochrome c or partially blocked by the combined effects of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The consumption of oxygen could be enhanced by reducing the hydroxyl radicals with dimethylsulfoxide.     

Arachidonic acid-induced carbon-centered radicals and phospholipid peroxidation in cyclo-oxygenase-2-transfected PC12 cells

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) is believed to induce neuronal oxidative stress via production of radicals. While oxygen radicals are not directly involved in COX-2-catalytic cycle, superoxide anion radicals have been repeatedly reported to play a critical role in COX-2-associated oxidative stress. To resolve the controversy, we characterized production of free radicals in PC12 cells in which COX-2 expression was manipulated either genetically or by direct protein transfection and compared them with those generated by a recombinant COX-2 in a cell-free system. Using spin-traps alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-t-butylnitrone, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide and 4-((9-acridinecarbonyl) amino)-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Ac-Tempo), we observed arachidonic acid (AA)-dependent production of carbon-centered radicals by heme-reconstituted recombinant COX-2. No oxygen radicals or thiyl radicals have been detected. COX-2 also catalyzed AA-dependent one-electron co-oxidation of ascorbate to ascorbate radicals. Next, we used two different approaches of COX-2 expression in cells, PCXII cells which express isopropyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside inducible COX-2, and PC12 cells transfected with COX-2 using a protein delivery reagent, Chariot. In both models, COX-2-dependent AA-induced generation of carbon-centered radicals was documented using spin-traps and Ac-Tempo. No oxygen radical formation was detected in COX-2-transfected cells by either spin-traps or fluorogenic probe, dihydroethidium. In the presence of ascorbate, AA-induced COX-2-dependent ascorbate radicals were detected. AA caused a significant and selective oxidation of one of the major phospholipids, phosphatidylserine (PS). PS was not a direct substrate for COX-2 but was co-oxidized in the presence of AA. The radical generation and PS oxidation were inhibited by COX-2 inhibitors, niflumic acid, nimesulide, or NS-398. Thus, COX-2 generated carbon-centered radicals but not oxygen radicals or thiyl radicals are responsible for oxidative stress in AA-challenged PC12 cells overexpressing COX-2.     

Antioxidant protection against organic and inorganic oxygen radicals by normal human plasma: the important primary role for iron-binding and iron-oxidising proteins.

Normal human plasma contains numerous high- and low-molecular-mass redox-active molecules that are able to react rapidly with organic and inorganic oxygen radicals. The ability of such plasma molecules to substantially inhibit, or delay, free-radical mediated oxidation of added substrates has led to their classification as important biological antioxidants. Using phospholipids to detect organic oxygen radicals and deoxyribose to detect inorganic oxygen radicals, we here show that the primary antioxidants of normal human plasma reside mainly in two plasma proteins representing no more than 4% of the total proteins present. The iron-binding properties of transferrin and the iron-oxidising properties of caeruloplasmin, at a reaction dilution of 1:50, offer considerable protection against organic and inorganic oxygen radicals generated by iron and ascorbate. Plasma thiol-group-containing molecules, at concentrations well below those that would be required to compete with the detector molecule (based on known second-order rate constants for reaction with hydroxyl radicals) inhibited damage to deoxyribose, but stimulated damage to phospholipids.     

Lucigenin chemiluminescence in human seminal plasma

Seminal plasma protects spermatozoa from the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide. We investigated the lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence in cell-free seminal plasma from andrological patients. The seminal plasma was separated from cells by centrifugation. In all seminal plasmas studied lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (LCL) was detected. The LCL showed a strong pH-dependence. The signal was stable if samples were stored at +4°C for up to 4 days or up to 8 days at -80°C. Filtration of the samples (0.45 and 0.22 μm pore size) did not lower their luminescence. The addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) lowered LCL nearly to baseline values while trolox and desferal showed moderate effect, whereas allopurinol had no effect. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated ascorbyl radicals in seminal plasma. Physiological concentrations of ascorbic acid yielded SOD-inhibitable lucigenin-chemiluminescence. The nitroblue-tetrazolium assay showed that ascorbic acid in buffer solution produced formazan. Superoxide-anion radicals were not detected in seminal plasma by the spin-trap DEPMPO due to their low steady state concentration. It is concluded that in seminal plasma ascorbate reacts with molecular oxygen yielding ascorbyl radicals and superoxide anion. If lucigenin is added to seminal plasma, reducing substances present, such as ascorbate, reduce lucigenin to the corresponding radical; this radical reacts with molecular oxygen and also forms O₂^-2. So LCL in human seminal plasma results from the autoxidation of ascorbate and the oxidation of the reduced lucigenin. While the physiological relevance of the former mechanism is unknown, the latter is an artifact.     

Lucigenin chemiluminescence in human seminal plasma

Seminal plasma protects spermatozoa from the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide. We investigated the lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence in cell-free seminal plasma from andrological patients. The seminal plasma was separated from cells by centrifugation. In all seminal plasmas studied lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (LCL) was detected. The LCL showed a strong pH-dependence. The signal was stable if samples were stored at +4°C for up to 4 days or up to 8 days at -80°C. Filtration of the samples (0.45 and 0.22 μm pore size) did not lower their luminescence. The addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) lowered LCL nearly to baseline values while trolox and desferal showed moderate effect, whereas allopurinol had no effect. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated ascorbyl radicals in seminal plasma. Physiological concentrations of ascorbic acid yielded SOD-inhibitable lucigenin-chemiluminescence. The nitroblue-tetrazolium assay showed that ascorbic acid in buffer solution produced formazan. Superoxide-anion radicals were not detected in seminal plasma by the spin-trap DEPMPO due to their low steady state concentration. It is concluded that in seminal plasma ascorbate reacts with molecular oxygen yielding ascorbyl radicals and superoxide anion. If lucigenin is added to seminal plasma, reducing substances present, such as ascorbate, reduce lucigenin to the corresponding radical; this radical reacts with molecular oxygen and also forms O₂^-2.. So LCL in human seminal plasma results from the autoxidation of ascorbate and the oxidation of the reduced lucigenin. While the physiological relevance of the former mechanism is unknown, the latter is an artifact.     

Oxygen free radicals in cell senescence: are they signal transducers?

Oxygen free radicals have a major impact on senescence of primary human cells. In replicative senescence, which is induced by uncapping of telomeres, the rate of telomere shortening is largely determined by telomere-specific accumulation of DNA damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). More intense ROS-generating stressors can induce premature senescence via generation of telomere-independent DNA damage. Interestingly, ROS levels were also elevated when premature senescence was triggered by pathways downstream or independent of DNA damage. This has led to the suggestion that ROS generation could be a specific component of the signalling pathways inducing senescence. However, the available data are compatible with the concept that senescence is triggered as a DNA damage response. ROS appear to be involved as inducers of DNA damage rather than as specific signalling molecules. The upregulation of ROS production often seen in premature senescence might be related to retrograde response initiated by mitochondria.     

Storage stability of freeze-dried Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-5) in relation to water activity and presence of oxygen and ascorbate

Storage stability of freeze-dried Lactobacillus acidophilus was found to depend on water activity (0.11-0.43), oxygen level (atmospheric oxygen level and <4% oxygen compared) and presence of sodium ascorbate (0% and 10% (w/w)). Increasing water activities decreased bacterial survival, and a reduced oxygen level (<4% oxygen) improved the storage stability, which strongly indicates a connection between oxidative reactions and bacterial instability. The detrimental effect of atmospheric oxygen was reduced by including ascorbate in the freeze drying medium. However, when ascorbate was present a pink/red colour was observed on the surface of the dried samples increasing with the water activity and oxygen level. Increased water activity lead to increased browning also for samples without ascorbate. Free radicals were detected in the dried bacteria by ESR spectroscopy (broad single-peak ESR spectra), where the shape and the g-value was found to depend on the presence of ascorbate and the extent of browning. For increasing water activities the content of radicals increased to a certain level, after which it levelled off and/or decreased. The highest concentrations of radicals were detected in the dried bacteria with highest survival for a given water activity, i.e. low oxygen level and presence of ascorbate, pointing towards a role of semi-stable ascorbyl radicals as a “dead end” for otherwise detrimental free radical reactions.     

Cross-talk between NO and oxyradicals, a supersystem that regulates energy metabolism and survival of animals

Mammalian tissues have large amounts of available ATP which are generated by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. For the maintenance of the human body, a large amount of oxygen is required to regenerate these ATP molecules. A small fraction of the inspired oxygen is converted to superoxide radical and related metabolites even under physiological conditions. Most reactive oxygen species react rapidly with a variety of molecules thereby interfering with cellular functions and induce various diseases.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an unstable gaseous radical with high affinity for various molecules, such as hemeproteins, thiols, and related radicals. NO easily penetrates through cell membrane/lipid bilayers, forms dissociable complexes with these molecules and modulates cellular metabolism and functions. Because NO has an extremely high affinity for the superoxide radical, the occurrence of the latter might decrease the biological function of NO. Thus, superoxide radicals in and around vascular endothelial cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension and vasogenic tissue injury. Because NO also reacts with molecular oxygen, it rapidly loses its biological activity, particularly under ambient atmospheric conditions where the oxygen tension is unphysiologically high. Thus, biological functions of NO are determined by the local concentrations of molecular oxygen and superoxide radicals.

NO also inhibits electron transfer reaction and ATP synthesis in mitochondria and aerobic bacteria, such as E. coli; the inhibitory effects are also enhanced by hypoxia. Thus, the cross-talk between NO, molecular oxygen and oxyradicals play critical roles in the regulation of energy metabolism, fates and the survival of aerobic organisms. The present work describes the pathophysiological significance of the supersystem driven by the cross-talk between NO and oxyradicals.     

Cross-talk between NO and oxyradicals,a supersystem that regulates energy metabolism and survival of animals

Mammalian tissues have large amounts of available ATP which are generated by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. For the maintenance of the human body, a large amount of oxygen is required to regenerate these ATP molecules. A small fraction of the inspired oxygen is converted to superoxide radical and related metabolites even under physiological conditions. Most reactive oxygen species react rapidly with a variety of molecules thereby interfering with cellular functions and induce various diseases.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an unstable gaseous radical with high affinity for various molecules, such as hemeproteins, thiols, and related radicals. NO easily penetrates through cell membrane/lipid bilayers, forms dissociable complexes with these molecules and modulates cellular metabolism and functions. Because NO has an extremely high affinity for the superoxide radical, the occurrence of the latter might decrease the biological function of NO. Thus, superoxide radicals in and around vascular endothelial cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension and vasogenic tissue injury. Because NO also reacts with molecular oxygen, it rapidly loses its biological activity, particularly under ambient atmospheric conditions where the oxygen tension is unphysiologically high. Thus, biological functions of NO are determined by the local concentrations of molecular oxygen and superoxide radicals.

NO also inhibits electron transfer reaction and ATP synthesis in mitochondria and aerobic bacteria, such as E. coli; the inhibitory effects are also enhanced by hypoxia. Thus, the cross-talk between NO, molecular oxygen and oxyradicals play critical roles in the regulation of energy metabolism, fates and the survival of aerobic organisms. The present work describes the pathophysiological significance of the supersystem driven by the cross-talk between NO and oxyradicals.     

Protection against MPP+ neurotoxicity in cerebellar granule cells by antioxidants

The neuropathology associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) is thought to involve excessive production of free radicals, dopamine autoxidation, defects in glutathione peroxidase expression, attenuated levels of reduced glutathione, altered calcium homeostasis, excitotoxicity and genetic defects in mitochondrial complex I activity. While the neurotoxic mechanisms are vastly different for excitotoxins and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)), both are thought to involve free radical production, compromised mitochondrial activity and excessive lipid peroxidation. We show here that the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) increased significantly after treatment of cultured cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) with 50 microM MPP(+). Co-treatment with antioxidants such as ascorbate (ASC), catalase, alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOH), coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) or superoxide dismutase (SOD) rescued the cells from MPP(+)-induced death. MPP(+)-induced cell death was also abolished by co-treatment with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors such as 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), 2-ethyl-2-thiopseudourea hydrobromide (EPTU) or S-methylisothiourea sulphate (MPTU). We also tested the protective effects of an iron chelator (deferoxamine mesylate, DFx) and a peroxynitrite scavenger (FeTTPS) and the results lend further support to the view that the free radical cytotoxicity plays an essential role in MPP(+)-induced death in primary cultures of CGC.     

Direct evidence for recycling of myeloperoxidase-catalyzed phenoxyl radicals of a vitamin E homologue, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxy chromane,by ascorbate/dihydrolipoate in living HL-60 cells

Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed one-electron oxidation of endogenous phenolic constituents (e.g., antioxidants, hydroxylated metabolites) and exogenous compounds (e.g., drugs, environmental chemicals) generates free radical intermediates: phenoxyl radicals. Reduction of these intermediates by endogenous reductants, i.e. recycling, may enhance their antioxidant potential and/or prevent their potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. The goal of this work was to determine whether generation and recycling of MPO-catalyzed phenoxyl radicals of a vitamin E homologue, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxychromane (PMC), by physiologically relevant intracellular reductants such as ascorbate/lipoate could be demonstrated in intact MPO-rich human leukemia HL-60 cells. A model system was developed to show that MPO/H(2)O(2)-catalyzed PMC phenoxyl radicals (PMC*) could be recycled by ascorbate or ascorbate/dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) to regenerate the parent compound. Absorbance measurements demonstrated that ascorbate prevents net oxidation of PMC by recycling the phenoxyl radical back to the parent compound. The presence of DHLA in the reaction mixture containing ascorbate extended the recycling reaction through regeneration of ascorbate. DHLA alone was unable to prevent PMC oxidation. These conclusions were confirmed by direct detection of PMC* and ascorbate radicals formed during the time course of the reactions by EPR spectroscopy. Based on results in the model system, PMC* and ascorbate radicals were identified by EPR spectroscopy in ascorbate-loaded HL-60 cells after addition of H(2)O(2) and the inhibitor of catalase, 3-aminotriazole (3-AT). The time course of PMC* and ascorbate radicals was found to follow the same reaction sequence as during their recycling in the model system. Recycling of PMC by ascorbate was also confirmed by HPLC assays in HL-60 cells. Pre-loading of HL-60 cells with lipoic acid regenerated ascorbate and thus increased the efficiency of ascorbate in recycling PMC*. Lipoic acid had no effect on PMC oxidation in the absence of ascorbate. Thus PMC phenoxyl radical does not directly oxidize thiols but can be recycled by dihydrolipoate in the presence of ascorbate. The role of phenoxyl radical recycling in maintaining antioxidant defense and protecting against cytotoxic and genotoxic phenolics is discussed.     

Fluorescence-based assay for reactive oxygen species: a protective role for creatinine

Attack by reactive oxygen species leads to a decay in phycoerythrin fluorescence emission. This phenomenon provides a versatile new assay for small molecules and macromolecules that can function as protective compounds. With 1-2 x 10(-8) M phycoerythrin, under conditions where peroxyl radical generation is rate-limiting, the fluorescence decay follows apparent zero-order kinetics. On reaction with HO., generated with the ascorbate-Cu2+ system, the fluorescence decays with apparent first-order kinetics. Examination of the major components of human urine in this assay confirms that at physiological concentrations, urate protects against both types of oxygen radicals. A novel finding is that creatinine protects efficiently by a chelation mechanism against radical damage in the ascorbate-Cu2+ system at creatinine, ascorbate, and Cu2+ concentrations comparable to those in normal urine. Urate and creatinine provide complementary modes of protection against reactive oxygen species in the urinary tract.     

Generation and recycling of radicals from phenolic antioxidants

Hindered phenols are widely used food preservatives. Their pharmacological properties are usually attributed to high antioxidant activity due to efficient scavenging of free radicals. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) also cause tissue damage. Their toxic effects could be due to the production of phenoxyl radicals. If phenoxyl radicals can be recycled by reductants or electron transport, their potentially harmful side reactions would be minimized. A simple and convenient method to follow phenoxyl radical reactions in liposomes and rat liver microsomes based on an enzymatic (lipoxygenase + linolenic acid) oxidation system was used to generate phenoxyl radicals from BHT and its homologues with substitutents in m- and p-positions. Different BHT-homologues display characteristic ESR signals of their radical species. In a few instances the absence of phenoxyl radical ESR signals was found to be due to inhibition of lipoxygenase by BHT-homologues. In liposome or microsome suspensions addition of ascorbyl palmitate resulted in disappearance of the ESR signal of phenoxyl radicals with concomittant appearance of the ascorbyl radical signal. After exhaustion of ascorbate, the phenoxyl radical signal reappears. Comparison of the rates of ascorbyl radical decay in the presence or absence of BHT-homologues showed that temporary elimination of the phenoxyl radical ESR signal was due to their reduction by ascorbate. Similarly, NADPH or NADH caused temporary elimination of ESR signals as a result of reduction of phenoxyl radicals in microsomes. Since ascorbate and NADPH might generate superoxide in the incubation system used, SOD was tested. SOD shortened the period, during which the phenoxyl radicals ESR signal could not be observed. Both ascorbyl palmitate and NADPH exerted sparing effects on the loss of BHT-homologues during oxidation. These effects were partly diminished by SOD. These data indicate that reduction of phenoxyl radicals was partly superoxide-dependent. It is concluded that redox recycling of phenoxyl radicals can occur by intracellular reductants like ascorbate and microsomal electron transport.     

Reduction of protein radicals by GSH and ascorbate: potential biological significance

The oxidation of proteins and other macromolecules by radical species under conditions of oxidative stress can be modulated by antioxidant compounds. Decreased levels of the antioxidants glutathione and ascorbate have been documented in oxidative stress-related diseases. A radical generated on the surface of a protein can: (1) be immediately and fully repaired by direct reaction with an antioxidant; (2) react with dioxygen to form the corresponding peroxyl radical; or (3) undergo intramolecular long range electron transfer to relocate the free electron to another amino acid residue. In pulse radiolysis studies, in vitro production of the initial radical on a protein is conveniently made at a tryptophan residue, and electron transfer often leads ultimately to residence of the unpaired electron on a tyrosine residue. We review here the kinetics data for reactions of the antioxidants glutathione, selenocysteine, and ascorbate with tryptophanyl and tyrosyl radicals as free amino acids in model compounds and proteins. Glutathione repairs a tryptophanyl radical in lysozyme with a rate constant of (1.05 ± 0.05) × 10⁵ M^–1 s^–1, while ascorbate repairs tryptophanyl and tyrosyl radicals ca. 3 orders of magnitude faster. The in vitro reaction of glutathione with these radicals is too slow to prevent formation of peroxyl radicals, which become reduced by glutathione to hydroperoxides; the resulting glutathione thiyl radical is capable of further radical generation by hydrogen abstraction. Although physiologically not significant, selenoglutathione reduces tyrosyl radicals as fast as ascorbate. The reaction of protein radicals formed on insulin, β-lactoglobulin, pepsin, chymotrypsin and bovine serum albumin with ascorbate is relatively rapid, competes with the reaction with dioxygen, and the relatively innocuous ascorbyl radical is formed. On the basis of these kinetics data, we suggest that reductive repair of protein radicals may contribute to the well-documented depletion of ascorbate in living organisms subjected to oxidative stress.     

Differences in the susceptibility of plant membrane lipids to peroxidation

Peroxidation of three membrane lipid preparations from plants was initiated using Fe-EDTA and ascorbate and quantified as the production of aldehydes and loss of esterified fatty acids. Using liposomes prepared from commercial soybean asolecithin, the degree of peroxidation was shown to be dependent on: the free radical dose, which was varied by the ascorbate concentration; the presence of tocopherol in the liposome; the configuration, of the liposome, multilamellar or unilamellar; and time after initiation. There were dramatic interactions among these factors which led to the conclusion that in comparing the susceptibility of different membrane preparations it is essential to examine the kinetics of the peroxidation reactions. The composition of the liposome was a major determinant of the degree of peroxidation and of the type of degradative reactions initiated by the oxygen free radicals. A fresh polar lipid extract from Typha pollen had very similar fatty acid composition to the soybean asolecithin, but was more resistant to peroxidation as shown by less aldehyde production and increased retention of unsaturated fatty acids after treatment. Similarly, microsomal membranes from the crowns of non-acclimated and cold acclimated winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings had a much higher linolenic acid content than soybean asolecithin but was much more resistant to peroxidation. In the winter wheat microsomes, the loss of esterified fatty acids was not selective for the unsaturated fatty acids; consequently, even with 40% degradation, the degree of unsaturation in the membrane did not decrease. These different reaction mechanisms which occur in plant membranes may explain why measurements of fatty acid unsaturation fail to detect peroxidative reactions during processes such as senescence, aging and environmental stress.