The effect of pH on the conversion of superoxide to hydroxyl free radicals

The conversion of superoxide (O-.2) to the hydroxyl (HO.) free radical by superoxide-driven Fenton reactions was measured by the formation of hydroxylated derivatives from benzoate. Among a range of catalysts required for the conversion, the Fe3+EDTA complex was the most effective. The effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase indicated that O-.2 and H2O2 were essential reactants, while the formation of authentic HO. was confirmed by the inhibiting capacities of formate, t-butanol, and mannitol. The conversion of O-.2 to HO. was tested over a broad pH range, and was found to be highest at pH 4.8 whether Fe3+EDTA or free Fe3+ were used as the catalysts. When Fe3+EDTA was used at the optimum pH, every HO. produced required 3.7 O-.2 radicals, close to the theoretical limit of one HO. from every three O-.2 radicals generated.     

Scavenging effects of phenolic compounds on reactive oxygen species

Phenolic compounds are widely present in plants and they have received considerable attention due to their antioxidant property. In this article we report the results of a study of the reactivity of 10 selected phenolics (sesamol, three phenolic acids, three flavonols, one flavone, and two flavanones) with superoxide anion radical (O(2) (*)), hydroxyl radical (HO(*)) and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)). The following generators of reactive oxygen species were used: 18-crown-6/KO(2)/dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase as sources of O(2) (*), the Fenton reaction carried out in a sodium trifluoroacetate (pH 6.15) for HO(*), and a mixture of alkaline aqueous H(2)O(2) and cobalt ions for (1)O(2). We have employed chemiluminescence, electron spin resonance spin trapping, and spectrophotometry techniques to examine an antioxidative property. All tested compounds acted as scavengers of various reactive oxygen species. The reactivity indexes (beta) for the reaction of the phenolic compounds with HO(*) were calculated.     

Reevaluation of the reactivity of hydroxylamine with O2-/HO2

The reactivity of hydroxylamine with HO2/O2- radicals was studied by pulse radiolysis and stopped-flow photolysis over a pH range of 1.1-10.5. Upper limits for the rate of reaction indicate that hydroxylamine, if it reacts at all, reacts at a very slow rate. Its use as an indicator for O-2 and an assay for superoxide dismutase is, therefore, inappropriate.     

Chemical and biochemical aspects of superoxide radicals and related species of activated oxygen

The spectrum of biological processes in which oxygen is used by living systems is quite large, and the products include some damaging species of activated oxygen, particularly the superoxide radical (O-.2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, in turn, can lead to the formation of other damaging species: hydroxyl radicals (.OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2). Hydroxyl radicals react with organic compounds to give secondary free radicals that, in the presence of oxygen, yield peroxy radicals, peroxides, and hydroperoxides. Formation, interconversion, and reactivity of O-.2 and related activated oxygen species, methods available for their detection, and the basis of their biological toxicity are briefly reviewed.     

Thermal stability of human-fibroblast-collagenase-cleavage products of type-I and type-III collagens.

In neutral solutions, desferrioxamine (Desferal) can react with the superoxide free radical, O2.- (possibly through its protonated form HO2.), to form a relatively stable nitroxide free radical, which can have a half-life of approx. 10 min at room temperature. The formation of the radical can be largely prevented by the presence of superoxide dismutase. The radical reacts rapidly with cysteine, methionine, glutathione, vitamin C and a water-soluble derivative of vitamin E. It also reacts rapidly with alcohol dehydrogenase, causing a loss of enzyme activity. The implications of these findings for mechanistic free-radical biochemistry and iron-chelation therapy could be considerable.     

In vitro scavenging activity for reactive oxygen species by N-substituted indole-2-carboxylic acid esters.

The hydroxyl radical (HO*)- and superoxide anion radical (O* (2))-scavenging activity, as well as the singlet oxygen ((1)O(2))-quenching property of N-substituted indole-2-carboxylic acid esters (INDs) were investigated by deoxyribose degradation assay, a chemiluminescence method and the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique. This novel group of compounds was developed as a search for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective enzyme inhibitors. The results obtained demonstrated that of the 16 compounds examined, five inhibited light emission from the superoxide anion radical (O* (2))-DMSO system by at least 60% at a concentration of 1 mmol/L, nine prevented the degradation of deoxyribose induced by the Fenton reaction system (range 3-78%) or scavenged hydroxyl radicals (HO*) directly (range 8-93%) and 14 showed the (1)O(2)-quenching effect (range 10-74%). These results indicate that majority of the indole esters tested possess the ability to scavenge O(-) (2) and HO radicals and to quench (1)O(2) directly, and consequently may be considered effective antioxidative agents.     

HO2*: the forgotten radical

HO2*, usually termed either hydroperoxyl radical or perhydroxyl radical, is the protonated form of superoxide; the protonation/deprotonation equilibrium exhibits a pK(a) of around 4.8. Consequently, about 0.3% of any superoxide present in the cytosol of a typical cell is in the protonated form. This ratio is rather accurately reflected by the published literature on the two species, as identified by a PubMed search; at the time of writing only 28 articles mention "HO2," "hydroperoxyl" or "perhydroxyl" in their titles, as against 9228 mentioning superoxide. Here it is argued that this correlation is not justifiable: that HO2*'s biological and biomedical importance far exceeds the attention it has received. Several key observations of recent years are reviewed that can be explained much more economically when the participation of HO2* is postulated. It is suggested that a more widespread appreciation of the possible role of HO2* in biological systems would be of considerable benefit to biomedical research.     

Anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant behaviour of bucillamine.

Bucillamine (BUC) is used clinically for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the pharmacological action of BUC has been reported as being dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this paper the reactivity of BUC with superoxide anion radical (O(2) (*-)) generated from potassium superoxide/18-crown-6 ether dissolved in DMSO, hydroxyl radical (HO(*)) produced in the Cu(2+)-H(2)O(2) reaction, peroxyl radical (ROO(*)) from 2,2'-azobis (2-amidino-propane) dichloride decomposition, and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) from a mixture of alkaline aqueous H(2)O(2) and acetonitrile, have been investigated. Chemiluminescence, fluorescence, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin-trapping techniques and the deoxyribose and oxygen radical absorbance capacity towards ROO(*) (ORAC(ROO)) assays were used to elucidate the anti- and pro-oxidative behaviours of BUC towards ROS. The results indicated that BUC efficiently inhibited chemiluminescence from the O(2) (*-)-generating system at relatively high concentrations (0.5-2 mmol/L); however, at lower concentrations (<0.5 mmol/L) the drug enhanced light emission. The behaviour of BUC was correlated with a capacity to decrease the chemiluminescence signal from the Cu(2+)-H(2)O(2) system; scavenging HO(*) was effective only at high concentrations (1-2 mmol/L) of the drug. Bucillamine also prevented deoxyribose degradation induced by HO(*) in a dose-dependent manner, reaching maximal inhibition (24.5%) at a relative high concentration (1.54 mmol/L). Moreover, BUC reacts with ROO(*); the relative ORAC(ROO) was found to be 0.34 micromol/L Trolox equivalents/micromol sample. The drug showed quenching of (1)O(2)-dependent 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide radical formation from 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine (e.g. 90% inhibition was found at 1 mmol/L concentration). The results showed that BUC may directly scavenge ROS or inhibit reactions generating them. However, the drug may have pro-oxidant activity under some reaction conditions.     

The reaction of superoxide radical with catalase. Mechanism of the inhibition of catalase by superoxide radical

We have studied the time course of the absorption of bovine liver catalase after pulse radiolysis with oxygen saturation in the presence and absence of superoxide dismutase. In the absence of superoxide dismutase, catalase produced Compound I and another species. The formation of Compound I is due to the reaction of ferric catalase with hydrogen peroxide, which is generated by the disproportionation of the superoxide anion (O-2). The kinetic difference spectrum showed that the other species was neither Compound I nor II. In the presence of superoxide dismutase, the formation of this species was found to be inhibited, whereas that of Compound I was little affected. This suggests that this species is formed by the reaction of ferric catalase with O-2 and is probably the oxy form of this enzyme (Compound III). The rate constant for the reaction of O-2 and ferric catalase increased with a decrease in pH (cf. 4.5 X 10(4) M-1 s-1 at pH 9 and 4.6 X 10(6) M-1 s-1 at pH 5.). The pH dependence of the rate constant can be explained by assuming that HO2 reacts with this enzyme more rapidly than O-2.     

Scavenging of reactive oxygen species by the plant phenols genistein and oleuropein.

The plant-derived phenolic compounds genistein and oleuropein are known to exhibit several biological properties, many of which may result from their antioxidant and free radical scavenger activity. In this paper we report the results of a complex study of antioxidant activity of genistein and oleuropein, using electron spin resonance (ESR), chemiluminescence, fluorescence and spectrophotometric techniques. Different reaction systems were applied to study the inhibitory effect of the phenolic compounds studied: (a) the potassium superoxide/18-crown-6 dissolved in DMSO system, which generates superoxide radical (O(2).(-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)); (b) the Co(II)-EDTA-H(2)O(2) system (the Fenton-like reaction), which generates hydroxyl radical (HO.); (c) 2,2'-azobis(2-amidino-propane)dichloride (AAPH) as the peroxyl radical (ROO.) generator, and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical test. Results showed that genistein and oleuropein decreased the chemiluminescence sum from the O(2).(-) generating system, an inhibitory effect that was dependent on their concentration. These compounds also reacted with ROO radicals and they showed activity about two-fold greater than the standard Trolox. The antioxidant effects were studied at different concentrations and reflected in protection against the fluorescence decay of beta-phycoerythrin (beta-PE), due to ROO. attack on this protein. Using the Fenton-like reaction and the spin trap agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), the phenolic compounds examined were found to inhibit DMPO-.OH radical formation in the range 10-90% at concentrations of 0.1 mmol/L to 2 mmol/L. Furthermore, these compounds also inhibited HO.-dependent deoxyribose degradation; about 20% and 60% inhibitions were observed in the presence of 0.5 mmol/L genistein and oleuropein, respectively. It was also demonstrated that genistein had a weaker DPPH radical scavenging activity than oleuropein. Our results confirm good scavenging activity towards O(2).(-), HO. and ROO. and the antioxidant effect of genistein and oleuropein.     

Fast kinetic studies of dioxygen-derived species and their metal complexes

The role of metals in the reactivity of HO2/O2- with compounds of biological interest is discussed. A scheme that illustrates the various reactions that a transition metal complex can undergo when reacting with HO2/O2- is presented in terms of ligand and pH effects. The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalysed by ferrous ion is reviewed in terms of new rate data for the reactions of ferric ion with perhydroxyl (HO2) and superoxide (O2-) radicals. The new results support a mechanism proposed by Barb and his coworkers (W.G. Barb, J.H. Baxendale, P. George & K.R. Hargrave, Trans. Faraday Soc. 47, 462-500 (1951] and negates the occurrence of the Haber-Weiss reaction in this system. In the presence of MnII complexes, O2- reacts to form MnO2+ transients and MnIII complexes. Their reactivities with ascorbate, Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) and NADH-NADPH is discussed.     

Determination of hydroxylated aromatic compounds produced via superoxide-dependent formation of hydroxyl radicals by liquid chromatography/electrochemistry

Hydroxyl radicals may be formed in a xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine system, where the superoxide anion radical O-.2 and H2O2 are produced. The superoxide-dependent production of the OH. radicals may be monitored by determining the amount of hydroxylated aromatic compounds formed in such a system. Liquid chromatography/electrochemistry is a powerful tool for the determination of hydroxylated aromatic compounds. A technique is presented in which aniline and phenol are hydroxylated in xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine incubations. No sample derivatization is needed for the determinations which can be accomplished by direct injection of the incubation mixture. Detection limits for 1,2- and 1,4-hydroxylated compounds are in the picomole range.     

The role of superoxide radical in chromium (VI)-generated hydroxyl radical: the Cr(VI) Haber-Weiss cycle.

To understand the role of the superoxide (O-2) radical in chromate-related genotoxicity, we investigated whether Cr(VI) can catalyze the Haber-Weiss cycle in vitro: O-2 + Cr(VI)----Cr(V) + O2 Cr(V) + H2O2----Cr(VI) + .OH + OH-. ESR and spin trapping techniques were utilized to monitor the O-2 (produced using xanthine/xanthine oxidase), .OH, and Cr(V) species. Superoxide dismutase as well as catalase inhibited the .OH radical radical formation, attesting to the direct involvement of O-2 and H2O2 in the process. ESR measurements also provided direct evidence for the formation of Cr(V). Kinetic measurements were consistent with the role of Cr(V) and H2O2 as intermediates in .OH formation. These results indicate that in cellular media, especially during chromate phagocytosis, the O-2 radical can become a significant source of .OH radicals and hence a significant factor in the biochemical mechanism of cellular damage due to Cr(VI) exposure.     

Production of singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals by psoralens and their biological significance

We have investigated a series of linear and angular furocoumarins, capable of forming either the monofunctional adducts (single strand) or bifunctional adducts (interstrand cross-links) with DNA with a view to examine the relationship of their skin photosensitizing potency, their ability to produce singlet oxygen (1O2) or superoxide radicals (O-.2 or HO.2), and their carcinogenic activity. The significance of photochemical interactions of psoralens and DNA is well known in skin photosensitization and skin carcinogenesis. Our data suggest that both monofunctional and bifunctional psoralens produce 1O2 and O-.2, and these reactive forms of oxygen may contribute to the development of skin cancer and membrane-damaging effects of these furocoumarins.     

The role of superoxide radicals in lactoperoxidase-catalysed H2O2-metabolism and in irreversible enzyme inactivation

Irreversible inactivation of lactoperoxidase in the presence of excess H2O2 has been investigated. Serial overlay absorption spectra of the Soret region show that the rate and total amount of enzyme inactivation depend on the proton concentration. Perhydroxyl or superoxide radicals (HO.2 or O-2) cannot be established as the inactivating species in this mechanism, but they influence the rate of reconversion of the intermediate lactoperoxidase-compound III back to the resting ferric form of the enzyme.     

Scavenging of reactive oxygen species by some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and fenofibrate

Ketoprofen and tolmetin are widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, whereas fenofibrate belongs to a family of hypolipidemic drugs used in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to assess effect of these drugs on reactions generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The following generators of ROS were used: 18-crown-6/KO(2) dissolved in DMSO as a source of superoxide radical (O(.-)(2), the Fenton-like reaction (Cu/H(2)O(2)) for hydroxyl radical (HO(.)), 2,2'-azobis (2-amidino-propane) dichloride (AAPH) as peroxyl radical (ROO(.)) generator, and a mixture of alkaline aqueous H(2)O(2) and acetonitrile for singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)). Measurements were done using chemiluminescence, fluorescence, and spin-trapping with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine combined with electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR), and a deoxyribose assay based on the spectrophotometry. The results obtained demonstrated that all tested drugs were active against O(.-)(2). There was a clear ranking of drug inhibition effects on chemiluminescence from the O(.-)(2) system: ketoprofen > tolmetin > fenofibrate. The examined compounds inhibited the HO(.)-dependent deoxyribose degradation and scavenged the ROO(.) concentration dependently with an order of potencies similar to that of the superoxide radical system. Hence, these results indicate that the studied drugs show broad ROS scavenging property and, as a consequence, might decrease tissue damage due to the ROS and thus to contribute to anti-inflammatory therapy.     

Catalysis of the Haber-Weiss reaction by iron-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate.

To help settle controversy as to whether the chelating agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) supports or prevents hydroxyl radical production by superoxide/hydrogen peroxide systems, we have reinvestigated the question by spectroscopic, kinetic, and thermodynamic analyses. Potassium superoxide in DMSO was found to reduce Fe(III)DTPA. The rate constant for autoxidation of Fe(II)DTPA was found (by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy) to be 3.10 M-1 s-1, which leads to a predicted rate constant for reduction of Fe(III)DTPA by superoxide of 5.9 x 10(3) M-1 s-1 in aqueous solution. This reduction is a necessary requirement for catalytic production of hydroxyl radicals via the Fenton reaction and is confirmed by spin-trapping experiments using DMPO. In the presence of Fe(III)DTPA, the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system generates hydroxyl radicals. The reaction is inhibited by both superoxide dismutase and catalase (indicating that both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are required for generation of HO.). The generation of hydroxyl radicals (rather than oxidation side-products of DMPO and DMPO adducts) is attested to by the trapping of alpha-hydroxethyl radicals in the presence of 9% ethanol. Generation of HO. upon reaction of H2O2 with Fe(II)DTPA (the Fenton reaction) can be inhibited by catalase, but not superoxide dismutase. The data strongly indicate that iron-DTPA can catalyze the Haber-Weiss reaction.     

Superoxide dismutase enhances chain-breaking antioxidant capability of hydroquinones.

2-tert-butyl-(1), 2,6-dimethyl-(2), 2,5-dimethyl-(3), trimethyl-(4), and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-(5) substituted p-hydroquinones (QH2) were tested as a chain-breaking antioxidant during the oxidation of methyl linoleate (ML) in dodecyl sulfate micellar solution, pH 7.40, at 37 degrees C. In the absence of superoxide dismutase (SOD), all the studied QH2 displayed very moderate if any antioxidant capability. When 5-25 U/ml SOD was added, QH2 showed a pronounced ability to inhibit ML oxidation. The stoichiometric factor of inhibition was found to be about one for all the tested QH2 in the presence of SOD. The reactivities of QH2 to the ML peroxy radical increase in the order QH2 5 < QH2 3 < QH2 1 approximately QH2 2 < QH2 4; reactivity of QH2 4 exceeds that reported for the majority of phenolic antioxidants. The features of QH2 as an antioxidant in aqueous environment is likely associated with the reactivity of semiquinone (O.-) formed due to attack of the peroxy radical to QH2. O.- reacts readily with molecular oxygen with formation of superoxide (O2.-); in turn, O2.- attacks both to QH2 and ML (likely, as HO2.) that results in fast depleting QH2 and chain propagation, respectively. The addition of SOD results in purging a reaction mixture from O2.- and, as a corollary, in depressing undesirable reactions with the participation of O2.-. Under these conditions, QH2 displays the theoretically highest inhibitory activity which is determined solely by the reactivity of QH2 to the peroxy radical.     

Fullerenes in radiobiology

Molecule of fullerene, having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape, is made of rings consisting of five or six carbon atoms, combined with conjugated pi bonds. Delocalization of pi electrons in the molecule of fullerene makes it easy to scavenge free radicals. But, despite being the effective antioxidants and radical scavengers fullerenes may be prooxidants by reactive oxygen species generation. Mammalian cells consist mainly of water (about 70%). Thus, the radical and non-radical products of water radiolysis are the basic sources of radiation damage to biomolecules. Reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl (HO*) and superoxide (O2-*) radicals and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are responsible for radiation-induced damage in aerated systems. Free radical mechanism of radiation damage suggests that scavengers of free radicals should protect cellular structures against damage. Electron donor compounds should also exhibit protective properties towards oxidized functional groups by reducing them. However, the electron transfer from fullerene to oxygen may generate superoxide radical. The shape of fullerenes allows them to act as carriers of radioactive atoms of isotopes used in the therapy and medical diagnostics. Fullerenes and their derivatives due to its properties are new promising chemicals for application in radiobiology. Fullerenes may be radioprotectors, radiosensitizer or auxiliary compounds in diagnostic imaging. What they are depends on the experimental system used.