Hydroxyl radical formation in chondrocytes and cartilage as detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy using spin trapping reagents

Chondrocytes have been shown to produce superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, suggesting possible formation of hydroxyl radical in these cells. In this study, we used electron spin resonance/spin trapping technique to detect hydroxyl radicals in chondrocytes. We found that hydroxyl radicals could be detected as α-hydroxyethyl spin trapped adduct of 4-pyridyl 1-oxide N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN) in chondrocytes stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in the presence of ferrous ion. The formation of hydroxyl radical appears to be mediated by the transition metal-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction since no hydroxyl radical was detected in the absence of exogenous iron. The hydroxyl radical formation was inhibited by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase, suggesting that the hydrogen peroxide is the precursor. Cytokines, IL-1 and TNF enhanced the hydroxyl radical formation in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treated chondrocytes. Interestingly, hydroxyl radical could be detected in unstimulated fresh human and rabbit cartilage tissue pieces in the presence of iron. These results suggest that the formation of hydroxyl radical in cartilage could play a role in cartilage matrix degradation.     

Application of Spin Trapping to Human Phagocytic Cells: Insight Into Conditions for Formation and Limitation of Hydroxyl Radical

In recent years spin trapping techniques have been used extensively to better understand the free radical biology of phagocytic cells. These results demonstrate that spin trapping is of adequate sensitivity to detect superoxide and/or hydroxyl radical generated by these cells, and that spin trapping is capable of measuring phagosomal radicals as well. However. neither neutrophils. monocytes. nor monocyte derived macro-phages generate hydroxyl radical in the absence of exogenous iron. Furthermore. neutrophil lactoferrin and myeloperoxidase limit the magnitude (and in the case of lactoferrin the duration) of hydroxyl radical formed by neutrophils in an iron catalyzed system. Since monocytic phagocytes posxss no lactoferrin, and limited myeloperoxidase, hydroxyl radical may play an important role in the inflammatory behavior of mononuclear phagocytes.     

Spin trapping of free radical species produced during the microsomal metabolism of ethanol

Liver microsomes incubated with a NADPH regenerating system, ethanol and the spin trapping agent 4-pyridyl-1-oxide-t-butyl nitrone (4-POBN) produced an electron spin resonance (ESR) signal which has been assigned to the hydroxyethyl free radical adduct of 4-POBN by using 13C-labelled ethanol. The free radical formation was dependent upon the activity of the microsomal monoxygenase system and increased following chronic feeding of the rats with ethanol. The production of hydroxyethyl free radicals was stimulated by the addition of azide, while catalase and OH. scavengers decreased it. This suggested that hydroxyl radicals (OH.) produced in a Fenton-type reaction from endogenously formed hydrogen peroxide were involved in the free radical activation of ethanol. Consistently, the supplementation of iron, under various forms, also increased the intensity of the ESR signal which, on the contrary, was inhibited by the iron-chelating agent desferrioxamine. Microsomes washed with a solution containing desferrioxamine and incubated in a medium treated with Chelex X-100 in order to remove contaminating iron still produced hydroxyethyl radicals, although at a reduced rate. Under these conditions the free radical formation was apparently independent from the generation of OH. radicals, whereas addition of cytochrome P-450 inhibitors decreased the hydroxyethyl radical formation, suggesting that a cytochrome P-450-mediated process might also be involved in the activation of ethanol. Reduced glutathione (GSH) was found to effectively scavenge the hydroxyethyl radical, preventing its trapping by 4-POBN. The data presented suggest that ethanol-derived radicals could be generated during the microsomal metabolism of alcohol probably through two different pathways. The detection of ethanol free radicals might be relevant in understanding the pathogenesis of the liver lesions which are a consequence of alcohol abuse.     

Spin trapping evidence for the lack of significant hydroxyl radical production during the respiration burst of human phagocytes using a spin adduct resistant to superoxide-mediated destruction

Failure to detect hydroxyl radical (.OH)-derived spin adducts of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide in electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping experiments has been offered as evidence for the lack of the endogenous capacity of stimulated human phagocytes (neutrophils, monocytes, and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM] to generate .OH. Recent reports that 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide spin adducts are unstable in the presence of superoxide-generating systems such as stimulated neutrophils has raised concerns regarding the sensitivity of spin trapping techniques for assessment of phagocyte free radical formation. Consequently, we have employed a new approach that uses the spin trap N-t-butyl-alpha-phenyl-nitrone (PBN) and dimethyl sulfoxide. In the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide and PBN, the formation of .OH via three different mechanisms in air-saturated aqueous solutions all yielded a single nitroxide species whose ESR peak amplitude remained stable in the presence of superoxide (.O2-). This nitroxide, which we have assigned as PBN/.OCH3, appears to be an oxygen-centered radical derived from the spin trapping of the reaction product of O2 and methyl radical. When neutrophils, monocytes, or MDM were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or opsonized zymosan in the presence of exogenous iron, catalase-inhibitable PBN/.OCH3 was the sole nitroxide detected. In the absence of exogenous iron, no nitroxide was observed, providing evidence for the lack of the endogenous capacity of neutrophils, monocytes, and MDM to generate .OH.     

Trace transition metal-catalyzed reactions in the microsomal metabolism of alkyl hydrazines to carbon-centered free radicals.

Radical production from alkyl hydrazines (i.e. phenelzine and benzylhydrazine) in rat liver microsomes has been proposed to occur via cytochrome P-450-catalyzed one-electron oxidation followed by beta-scission of an alkyl radical. In microsomes treated with phenelzine (2-phenylethylhydrazine), NADPH, and the spin trap alpha-(4-pyridyl 1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN), the 4-POBN/2-phenylethyl radical adduct was detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The addition of catalase and superoxide dismutase resulted in a 28.5 and 24% decrease in radical production, respectively. The concentration of the 4-POBN/2-phenylethyl radical adduct decreased significantly in the presence of metal chelators, i.e. EDTA, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), or deferoxamine mesylate. When phenelzine was incubated with deferoxamine mesylate-washed microsomes and NADPH in Chelex-treated incubation buffer, no significant radical adduct formation was detected. Addition of iron-chelator complexes (either Fe(3+)-DTPA or Fe(3+)-EDTA) greatly stimulated production of the 4-POBN/2-phenylethyl radical adduct in this system. These results show that the 2-phenylethyl radical produced from phenelzine in a microsomal system arises via a trace transition metal-catalyzed reaction. This reaction may occur through oxidation of phenelzine by the hydroxyl radical, which has also been spin-trapped with 4-POBN in this system.     

Superoxide enhances hypochlorous acid production by stimulated human neutrophils

Stimulated neutrophils undergo a respiratory burst discharging large quantities of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. They also release myeloperoxidase, which catalyses the conversion of hydrogen peroxide and Cl- to hypochlorous acid. Human neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan promoted the loss of monochlorodimedon. This loss was entirely due to hypochlorous acid, since it did not occur in Cl(-)-free buffer, was inhibited by azide and cyanide, and was enhanced by adding exogenous myeloperoxidase. It was not inhibited by desferal, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, mannitol or dimethylsulfoxide, which excluded involvement of the hydroxyl radical. Approx. 30% of the detectable superoxide generated was converted to hypochlorous acid. As expected, formation of hypochlorous acid was completely inhibited by catalase, but it was also inhibited by up to 70% by superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase also inhibited the production of hypochlorous acid by neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate. Our results indicate that generation of superoxide by neutrophils enables these cells to enhance their production of hypochlorous acid. Furthermore, inhibition of neutrophil processes by superoxide dismutase and catalase does not necessarily implicate the hydroxyl radical. It is proposed that superoxide may potentiate oxidant damage at inflammatory sites by optimizing the myeloperoxidase-dependent production of hypochlorous acid.     

Luminol chemiluminescence and active oxygen generation by activated neutrophils.

Upon stimulation by various ligands and membrane perturbers, neutrophils produce various active oxygen species. Since luminol chemiluminescence (LCL) in neutrophils can be blocked by azide, an inhibitor of myeloperoxidase, LCL has been believed to reflect mainly the myeloperoxidase-catalyzed reaction. When cells were stimulated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, LCL was strongly inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and uric acid, a scavenger for hydroxy radical (.OH) and singlet oxygen, whereas it was stimulated by azide. LCL was also inhibited by .OH scavengers, such as mannitol, ethanol, and dimethylsulfoxide. However, when stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan, LCL was strongly inhibited by azide but not by uric acid, and the inhibitory action of SOD was low. Thus, the qualitative and quantitative aspects of reactive oxygen generation by activated neutrophils differ significantly from one ligand to another. These results suggest that the metabolic fate of active oxygens in neutrophils and, hence, their effect on microorganisms and the surrounding tissues might differ depending on the stimulus.     

Stimulus-specific enhancement of luminol chemiluminescence in neutrophils by phosphatidylserine liposomes.

When stimulated with different stimuli, neutrophils generate various active oxygen species. These active oxygen molecules can be analyzed by luminol chemiluminescence (LCL). Phosphatidylserine (PS)-liposomes increased the formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced LCL of guinea pig peritoneal neutrophils without affecting their oxygen consumption and superoxide (O2.-) generation. Similar effects of PS-liposomes were also observed in LCL of neutrophils stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate or arachidonic acid but not by opsonized zymosan. Kinetic analysis revealed that the PS-liposome-induced increase in LCL depended on extracellulary generated O2.-. Moreover, the stimulatory effect of PS could be seen only when it formed liposomal membranes. The effect of PS-liposomes was also inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, and deferoxamine, an iron chelator, but not by azide, an inhibitor of myeloperoxidase. Similar enhancement of stimulation-dependent LCL response was also observed with Fe3+ and ADP-Fe3+, but the degree of enhancement was much greater with PS-liposomes than with iron and its complex. The increase in hydroxyl radical generation by PS-liposome-treated neutrophils was confirmed by experiments with EPR spectrometry using spin-trapping agents. These results suggested that the interaction of neutrophils with PS-containing membrane surface might generate reactive oxygen species that enhance the stimulus-dependent LCL response of neutrophils.     

Mitochondrial aconitase is a source of hydroxyl radical. An electron spin resonance investigation

Mitochondrial aconitase (m-aconitase) contains a [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster in its active site that catalyzes the stereospecific dehydration-rehydration of citrate to isocitrate in the Krebs cycle. It has been proposed that the [4Fe-4S](2+) aconitase is oxidized by superoxide, generating the inactive [3Fe-4S](1+) aconitase. In this reaction, the likely products are iron(II) and hydrogen peroxide. Consequently, the inactivation of m-aconitase by superoxide may increase the formation of hydroxyl radical ((*)OH) through the Fenton reaction in mitochondria. In this work, evidence for the generation of (*)OH from the reaction of m-aconitase with superoxide is provided using ESR spin trapping experiments with 5-diethoxyphosphoryl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide and alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone. Formation of free ( small middle dot)OH was verified with the (*)OH scavenger Me(2)SO, which forms methyl radical upon reacting with (*)OH. The addition of Me(2)SO to incubation mixtures containing m-aconitase and xanthine/xanthine oxidase yielded methyl radical, which was detected by ESR spin trapping. Methyl radical formation was further confirmed using [(13)C]Me(2)SO. Parallel low temperature ESR experiments demonstrated that the generation of the [3Fe-4S](1+) cluster increased with increasing additions of superoxide to m-aconitase. This reaction was reversible, as >90% of the initial aconitase activity was recovered upon treatment with glutathione and iron(II). This mechanism presents a scenario in which (*)OH may be continuously generated in the mitochondria.     

Mechanisms of generation of oxygen radicals and reductive mobilization of ferritin iron by lipoamide dehydrogenase.

The oxidase reaction of lipoamide dehydrogenase with NADH generates superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide under aerobic conditions. ESR spin trapping using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) was applied to characterize the oxygen radical species generated by lipoamide dehydrogenase and the mechanism of their generation. During the oxidase reaction of lipoamide dehydrogenase, DMPO-OOH and DMPO-OH signals were observed. The DMPO-OOH signal disappeared on addition of superoxide dismutase. These results demonstrate that the DMPO-OOH adduct was produced from the superoxide radical generated by lipoamide dehydrogenase. In the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide, a DMPO-CH3 signal appeared at the expense of the DMPO-OH signal, indicating that the DMPO-OH adduct was produced directly from the hydroxyl radical rather than by decomposition of the DMPO-OOH adduct. The DMPO-OH signal decreased on addition of superoxide dismutase, catalase, or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, indicating that the hydroxyl radical was generated via the metal-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction from the superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide. Addition of ferritin to the NADH-lipoamide dehydrogenase system resulted in a decrease of the DMPO-OOH signal, indicating that the superoxide radical interacted with ferritin iron.     

Ferritin and superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation

Ferritin was found to promote the peroxidation of phospholipid liposomes, as evidenced by malondialdehyde formation, when incubated with xanthine oxidase, xanthine, and ADP. Activity was inhibited by superoxide dismutase but markedly stimulated by the addition of catalase. Xanthine oxidase-dependent iron release from ferritin, measured spectrophotometrically using the ferrous iron chelator 2,2'-dipyridyl, was also inhibited by superoxide dismutase, suggesting that superoxide can mediate the reductive release of iron from ferritin. Potassium superoxide in crown ether also promoted superoxide dismutase-inhibitable release of iron from ferritin. Catalase had little effect on the rate of iron release from ferritin; thus hydrogen peroxide appears to inhibit lipid peroxidation by preventing the formation of an initiating species rather than by inhibiting iron release from ferritin. EPR spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide was used to observe free radical production in this system. Addition of ferritin to the xanthine oxidase system resulted in loss of the superoxide spin trap adduct suggesting an interaction between superoxide and ferritin. The resultant spectrum was that of a hydroxyl radical spin trap adduct which was abolished by the addition of catalase. These data suggest that ferritin may function in vivo as a source of iron for promotion of superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation. Stimulation of lipid peroxidation but inhibition of hydroxyl radical formation by catalase suggests that, in this system, initiation is not via an iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction.     

Free Radical Metabolism of Alcohols by Rat Liver Microsomes

By using e.s.r. spectroscopy coupled with the spin trapping technique we have detected the formation of free radical intermediates by rat liver microsomes incubated with either ethanol, 2-propanol or 2-butanol in the presence of a NADPH regenerating system and 4-pyridyl-l-oxide-t-butyl nitrone (4-POBN) as spin trap. The e.s.r. spectra have been identified as due to the hydroxyalkyl free radical adducts of 4-POBN.

The free radical formation depends upon the activity of the microsomal monoxygenase system and is blocked by omitting NADP⁺ from the incubation mixture, by anaerobic incubation or by enzyme denaturation. The involvement of hydroxyl radicals (OH) produced through a Fenton-type reaction from endogenously formed hydrogen peroxide is suggested by the opposite effects exerted on the e.s.r. signal intensity by azide and catalase. Consistently, iron chelation by desferrioxamine inhibits the free radical formation, while the supplementation of EDTA-iron increases it by several fold. Inhibitors of cytochrome P₄₅₀-dependent monoxygenase system reduce to various extents the production of free radical intermediates suggesting that reactive oxygen species might be formed at the active site of cytochrome P₄₅₀ where they react with alkyl alcohol molecules.

The data presented support the hypothesis that free radical species are generated during the microsomal metabolism of alcohols and suggest the possibility that ethanol-derived radicals might play a role in the pathogenesis of the liver lesions consequent upon alcoholic abuse.     

One-electron reduction of chromate by NADPH-dependent glutathione reductase

Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements provide evidence for the formation of Cr(V) intermediates in the enzymatic reduction of Cr(VI) by glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) in the presence of NADPH, indicating an initial single-electron transfer step in the reduction mechanism. Depending on the pH, at least two different Cr(V) species are generated which are relatively long-lived. In addition, we have detected the hydroxyl (.OH) radical formation during the GSSG-R catalyzed reduction of Cr(VI) by spin trapping, employing 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) and alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN) as spin traps. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) causes only a minor effect on the .OH radical and Cr(V) formation, indicating that the O2- is not significantly involved in the reaction mechanism. Catalase enhances the Cr(V) formation and substantially inhibits the .OH radical formation, indicating the involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the reaction mechanism. Addition of H2O2 suppresses Cr(V) and enhances the .OH radical formation. Measurements involving N-ethylmaleimide show that the Cr(V) species, produced enzymatically by the reduction of Cr(VI) by GSSG-R, react with H2O2 to generate .OH radicals, which might participate in the initiation of Cr(VI) carcinogenicity.     

In vivo identification of aflatoxin-induced free radicals in rat bile

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent hepatocarcinogen. We have recently detected [via electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy] free radicals in vivo in rat bile following AFB1 metabolism using the spin trapping [alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butyl nitrone (4-POBN)] technique. The aim of the present study was to identify the trapped free radical intermediates from the in vivo hepatic metabolism of AFB1. Rats were treated simultaneously with AFB1 (3 mg/kg i.p.) and the spin trapping agent 4-POBN (1 g/kg i.p.), and bile was collected over a period of 1 h at 20 min intervals. On-line high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ESR was used to identify an arachidonic acid-derived radical adduct of 4-POBN in rat bile, and a methyl adduct of 4-POBN from the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with carbon-13-labeled dimethyl sulfoxide ((13)C-DMSO). The effect of metabolic inhibitors, such as desferoxamine mesylate (DFO), an iron chelator, 2-dimethylaminoethyl-2,2-diphenylvalerate hydrochloride (SKF) 525A, a cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, and gadolinium chloride (GdCl(3)), a Kupffer cell inactivator, on in vivo aflatoxin-induced free radical formation were also studied. It was found that there was a significant decrease in radical formation as a result of DFO, SKF525A and GdCl(3) inhibition. Trapped 4-POBN radical adducts were also detected in rat bile following the in vivo metabolism of aflatoxin-M1, one of the hydroxylated metabolites of AFB1.     

Spin-trapping and human neutrophils. Limits of detection of hydroxyl radical

Using the spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) and an excess of dimethyl sulfoxide, we previously reported that in the absence of an exogenous iron catalyst, human neutrophils will not generate hydroxyl radical, manifested as the catalse-inhibitable methyl radical spin-trapped adduct, 2,2,5-trimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (DMPO-CH3) (Britigan, B. E., Rosen, G. M., Chai, Y., and Cohen, M. S. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 4426-4431). However, superoxide destroys the preformed hydroxyl radical spin-trapped adduct, 2,2-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (DMPO-OH), and DMPO-CH3. The present study was undertaken to better resolve the limits of sensitivity of the spin-trapping method. Photolytically generated DMPO-CH3 and DMPO-OH slowly decomposed in the presence of a low flux (1 microM/min) of enzymatically (xanthine/xanthine oxidase)-generated superoxide, but more rapid decomposition of these adducts occurred with higher superoxide flux (5 microM/min). Inclusion of cysteine markedly increased the rate of DMPO-OH and DMPO-CH3 decomposition, masking the effect of superoxide alone. The addition of varying concentrations of superoxide dismutase did not lead to increased formation of DMPO-OH or DMPO-CH3, as should have occurred if these adducts were being destroyed by superoxide. As a positive control, we employed an iron-supplemented system with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated neutrophils or xanthine/xanthine oxidase to generate DMPO-CH3. Addition of superoxide dismutase increased the magnitude of DMPO-CH3, primarily by increasing the rate of hydrogen peroxide formation, and to a lesser extent by prolonging the half-life of DMPO-CH3. Although spin-trapped adducts can be destroyed by a high concentration of superoxide, or by lower concentrations of superoxide in the presence of thiol-containing compounds, our results demonstrate that such decomposition does not interfere with the ability of the spin-trapping method to detect hydroxyl radical generated by human neutrophils. These data do not support the capacity of neutrophils to generate hydroxyl radical in the absence of an exogenous Haber-Weiss catalyst.     

Oxygen-based free radical generation by ferrous ions and deferoxamine

Deferoxamine accelerates the autooxidation of iron as measured by the rapid disappearance of Fe2+, the associated appearance of Fe3+, and the uptake of oxygen. Protons are released in the reaction. The formation of H2O2 was detected by the horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of scopoletin, and the formation of hydroxyl radicals (OH.) was suggested by the formation of the OH. spin trap adduct (DMPO/OH). with the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and the generation of the methyl radical adduct on the further addition of dimethyl sulfoxide. (DMPO/OH). adduct formation was inhibited by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase. The oxidant formed converted iodide to a trichloroacetic acid-precipitable form (iodination) and was bactericidal to logarithmic phase Escherichia coli. Both iodination and bactericidal activity was inhibited by catalase and by OH. scavengers, but not by superoxide dismutase. Iodination was optimal in 5 x 10(-4) M acetate buffer, pH 5.0, and when the Fe2+ and deferoxamine concentrations were equimolar at 10(-4) M. Fe2+ could not be replaced by Fe3+, Co2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, or Mn2+, or deferoxamine by EDTA, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, or bathophenanthroline. These findings indicate that Fe2+ and deferoxamine can act as an oxygen radical generating system, which may contribute to its biological effects in vitro and in vivo.     

Metal-independent production of hydroxyl radicals by halogenated quinones and hydrogen peroxide: an ESR spin trapping study

The metal-independent production of hydroxyl radicals (*OH) from H(2)O(2) and tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (TCBQ), a carcinogenic metabolite of the widely used wood-preservative pentachlorophenol, was studied by electron spin resonance methods. When incubated with the spin trapping agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), TCBQ and H(2)O(2) produced the DMPO/*OH adduct. The formation of DMPO/*OH was markedly inhibited by the *OH scavenging agents dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol, formate, and azide, with the concomitant formation of the characteristic DMPO spin trapping adducts with *CH(3), *CH(CH(3))OH, *COO(-), and *N(3), respectively. The formation of DMPO/*OH and DMPO/*CH(3) from TCBQ and H(2)O(2) in the absence and presence, respectively, of DMSO was inhibited by the trihydroxamate compound desferrioxamine, accompanied by the formation of the desferrioxamine-nitroxide radical. In contrast, DMPO/*OH and DMPO/*CH(3) formation from TCBQ and H(2)O(2) was not affected by the nonhydroxamate iron chelators bathophenanthroline disulfonate, ferrozine, and ferene, as well as the copper-specific chelator bathocuproine disulfonate. A comparative study with ferrous iron and H(2)O(2), the classic Fenton system, strongly supports our conclusion that *OH is produced by TCBQ and H(2)O(2) through a metal-independent mechanism. Metal-independent production of *OH from H(2)O(2) was also observed with several other halogenated quinones.     

Superoxide-dependent oxidation of melatonin by myeloperoxidase

Myeloperoxidase uses hydrogen peroxide to oxidize numerous substrates to hypohalous acids or reactive free radicals. Here we show that neutrophils oxidize melatonin to N(1)-acetyl-N(2)-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK) in a reaction that is catalyzed by myeloperoxidase. Production of AFMK was highly dependent on superoxide but not hydrogen peroxide. It did not require hypochlorous acid, singlet oxygen, or hydroxyl radical. Purified myeloperoxidase and a superoxide-generating system oxidized melatonin to AFMK and a dimer. The dimer would result from coupling of melatonin radicals. Oxidation of melatonin was partially inhibited by catalase or superoxide dismutase. Formation of AFMK was almost completely eliminated by superoxide dismutase but weakly inhibited by catalase. In contrast, production of melatonin dimer was enhanced by superoxide dismutase and blocked by catalase. We propose that myeloperoxidase uses superoxide to oxidize melatonin by two distinct pathways. One pathway involves the classical peroxidation mechanism in which hydrogen peroxide is used to oxidize melatonin to radicals. Superoxide adds to these radicals to form an unstable peroxide that decays to AFMK. In the other pathway, myeloperoxidase uses superoxide to insert dioxygen into melatonin to form AFMK. This novel activity expands the types of oxidative reactions myeloperoxidase can catalyze. It should be relevant to the way neutrophils use superoxide to kill bacteria and how they metabolize xenobiotics.     

Spin traps inhibit formation of hydrogen peroxide via the dismutation of superoxide: implications for spin trapping the hydroxyl free radical.

To enhance the sensitivity of EPR spin trapping for radicals of limited reactivity, high concentrations (10-100 mM) of spin traps are routinely used. We noted that in contrast to results with other hydroxyl radical detection systems, superoxide dismutase (SOD) often increased the amount of hydroxyl radical-derived spin adducts of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) produced by the reaction of hypoxanthine, xanthine oxidase and iron. One possible explanation for these results is that high DMPO concentrations (approximately 100 mM) inhibit dismutation of superoxide (O2.-) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Therefore, we examined the effect of DMPO on O2.- dismutation to H2O2. Lumazine +/- 100 mM DMPO was placed in a Clark oxygen electrode following which xanthine oxidase was added. The amount of H2O2 formed in this reaction was determined by introducing catalase and measuring the amount of generated via O2.- dismutation as compared to direct divalent O2 reduction. In the presence of 100 mM DMPO, H2O2 generation decreased 43%. DMPO did not scavenge H2O2 nor alter the rate of O2.- production. The effect of DMPO was concentration-dependent with inhibition of H2O2 production observed at [DMPO] greater than 10 mM. Inhibition of H2O2 production by DMPO was not observed if SOD was present or if the rate of O2.- formation increased. The spin trap 2-methyl-2-nitroso-propane (MNP, 10 mM) also inhibited H2O2 formation (81%). However, alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN, 10 mM), 3,3,5,5 tetramethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (M4PO, 100 mM), alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN, 100 mM) had no effect. These data suggest that in experimental systems in which the rate of O2.- generation is low, formation of H2O2 and thus other H2O2-derived species (e.g., OH) may be inhibited by commonly used concentrations of some spin traps. Thus, under some experimental conditions spin traps may potentially prevent production of the very free radical species they are being used to detect.     

Neutrophil degranulation inhibits potential hydroxyl-radical formation. Relative impact of myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin release on hydroxyl-radical production by iron-supplemented neutrophils assessed by spin-trapping techniques.

Hydroxyl radical (.OH) formation by neutrophils in vitro requires exogenous iron. Two recent studies [Britigan, Rosen, Thompson, Chai & Cohen (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 17026-17032; Winterbourn (1987) J. Clin. Invest. 78, 545-550] both reported that neutrophil degranulation could potentially inhibit the formation of .OH, but differed in their conclusions as to the responsible factor, myeloperoxidase (MPO) or lactoferrin (LF). By using a previously developed spin-trapping system which allows specific on-line detection of superoxide anion (O2-) and .OH production, the impact of MPO and LF release on neutrophil .OH production was compared. When iron-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid-supplemented neutrophils were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan, .OH formation occurred, but terminated prematurely in spite of continued O2- generation. Inhibition of MPO by azide increased the magnitude, but not the duration, of .OH formation. No azide effect was noted when MPO-deficient neutrophils were used. Anti-LF antibody increased both the magnitude and duration of .OH generation. Pretreatment of neutrophils with cytochalasin B to prevent phagosome formation did not alter the relative impact of azide or anti-LF on neutrophil .OH production. An effect of azide or anti-LF on spin-trapped-adduct stability was eliminated as a confounding factor. These data indicate that neutrophils possess two mechanisms for limiting .OH production. Implications for neutrophil-derived oxidant damage are discussed.