Formation of Free Radicals and Nitric Oxide Derivative of Hemoglobin in Rats During Shock Syndrome

Free radicals have been postulated to play an important role as mediators in the pathogenesis of shock syndrome and multiple-organ failure. We attempted to directly detect the increased formation of radicals by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) in animal models of shock, namely the endotoxin (ETX) shock or the hemorrhagic shock of the rat. In freeze-clamped lung tissue, a small but significant increase of a free radical signal was detected after ETX application. In the blood of rats under ETX shock, a significant ESR signal with a triplet hyperfine structure was observed. The latter ESR signal evolved within several hours after the application of ETX and was localized in the red blood cells. This signal was assigned to a nitric oxide (NO) adduct of hemoglobin with the tentative structur ((a2+ NO)/23+)2. The amount of hemoglobin-NO formed, up to 0.8% of total hemoglobin, indicated that under ETX shock a considerable amount of NO was produced in the vascular system. This NO production was strongly inhibited by the arginine analog N^G-monomethyl-arginine (NMMA). The ESR signal of Hb-NO was also observed after severe hemorrhagic shock. There are three questions, namely (i) the type of vascular cells and the regulation of the process forming such a large amount of NO during ETX shock, (ii) the pathophysiological implications of the formed NO, effects which have been described as cytotoxic mediator, endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) or inhibitor of platelet aggregation, and (iii) the possible use of Hb-NO for monitoring phases of shock syndrome.     

亚热带一些常见木本油料树种鲜叶提取物清除自由基的活性初探

用二苯基苦基苯肼自由基酶标仪法,对亚热带常见的90余种油料树种鲜叶80％甲醇提取物的自由基清除活性进行了比较,发现所有树种提取物的自由基清除率都随浓度的增加和随着37℃下孵育时间的延长而增大。其中,苦茶槭、金缕梅、黄连木、茶、三角枫、黄山栾树、山麻杆、红瑞木、槛木、秀丽槭、算盘子、木蜡树、油茶、米心水青冈、乌柏、栾树和山茶等树叶提取物在相当于鲜叶浓度O．5mg／mL时,37℃下孵育20min后的自由基清除率分别达96．7％、93．2％、9o．6％、87．5％、86．4％、85．O％、84．3％、82．1％、80．8％、77．1％、74．5％、72．5％、72．3％、68．7％、63．8％、62．O％和61．7％。这些树种有较大的开发潜力。     

蔷薇科一些植物鲜叶提取物清除DPPH自由基活性的研究

用二苯基苦基苯肼自由基酶标仪法,对业热带蔷薇科常见的50种木本植物鲜叶的自由基清除活性进行了比较,发现不同属、不同种树木鲜叶的80%甲醇提取物的自由基清除活性有很大差异,其中苹果属5种植物在相当于鲜叶浓度为0.5mg/mL于37℃下孵育20min时,对0.5mmol·L-1DPPH自由基平均清除率达62.4%,而绣线菊属3种植物的平均自由基清除率仅11.6%.尖嘴林檎、棣棠、木瓜、三叶海棠、湖北海棠、木香花、小果蔷薇和黄山花楸等鲜叶有较强的自由基清除活性,它们在浓度为0.5mg/mL时的自由基清除率分别可达85.0%、75.8%、70.7%、69.6%、64.5%、62.5%、61.8%和61.3%,显示其有较大的开发潜力.     

用清除有机自由基DPPH法评价植物抗氧化能力

几种抗氧化剂的浓度与其清除1,1-二苯基苦基苯肼(DPPH)能力呈显著的线性相关.不同抗氧化剂清除DPPH能力差异明显.抗坏血酸与DPPH反应的灵敏性高于其抑制肾上腺素氧化的能力.用DPPH法和亚油酸氧化法同时测定了生长在不同光强下植物叶片抗氧化能力的变化,两种方法所得结论相一致.结果表明清除有机自由基法是一种快速、简便、灵敏的评估植物抗氧化能力的可行方法.     

牡丹花水提液对氧自由基的清除作用

牡丹花水提液加入O 2和·OH的产生及检测系统中,能显著降低介导的氮兰四唑(NBT)的光化学还原和·OH作用下的水杨酸羟基化作用.这提示牡丹花水提液具有显著的清除氧自由基的活性,红色牡丹花水提液清除氧自由基的效能高于浅色花.     

Zinc(II) Protects Against Metal-Mediated Free Radical Induced Damage: Studies on Single and Double-Strand DNA Breakage

M13 DNA was used as a source for single and double-stranded DNA. Free radical-induced damage to single and double stranded DNA was caused by asorbateliron and ascorbate/copper oxidative systems. The degree of breakage was estimated by running samples on an agarose gel and staining with ethidium bromide, followed by photographic analysis. DflA breakage was dependent on time and concentration of iron or copper ions. Zincions protected against damage caused by iron/asorbate both to single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. In contrast, in the copper/ascorbate system zinc ions protected only against the double-stranded DNA (replicative form of M13) breakage, and not against copper-mediated single-stranded DNA breakages. It seemed to amplify the efficiency of breakage. The protection provided to the replicative form in the copper/ascorbate system is much less effective than the protection to DNA in the iron/ascorbate system. These results support the notion that redox-inactive metal ions, that compete for iron or copper binding sites, could provide protection against transition metal-mediated and free radical-induced damage.     

Zinc(II) Protects Against Metal-Mediated Free Radical Induced Damage: Studies on Single and Double-Strand DNA Breakage

M13 DNA was used as a source for single and double-stranded DNA. Free radical-induced damage to single and double stranded DNA was caused by asorbateliron and ascorbate/copper oxidative systems. The degree of breakage was estimated by running samples on an agarose gel and staining with ethidium bromide, followed by photographic analysis. DflA breakage was dependent on time and concentration of iron or copper ions. Zincions protected against damage caused by iron/asorbate both to single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. In contrast, in the copper/ascorbate system zinc ions protected only against the double-stranded DNA (replicative form of M13) breakage, and not against copper-mediated single-stranded DNA breakages. It seemed to amplify the efficiency of breakage. The protection provided to the replicative form in the copper/ascorbate system is much less effective than the protection to DNA in the iron/ascorbate system. These results support the notion that redox-inactive metal ions, that compete for iron or copper binding sites, could provide protection against transition metal-mediated and free radical-induced damage.     

Irreversible Inhibition of Mitochondrial Complex I by 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium: Evidence for Free Radical Involvement

Abstract: Incubation of 10 m M I-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) with sonicated beef heart mitochondria caused an irreversible time-dependent decrease in NADH-ubiquinone-l (CoQ₁) reductase activity (52% inhibition after 1 h). Inclusion of glutathione, ascorbate, or catalase in the incubation mixture protected the NADH-CoQ₁ reductase activity. These results suggest that the interaction of MPP⁺ with complex I induces free radical generation, which in turn leads to the irreversible inhibition of complex I activity. The generation of free radicals by neurotoxin-induced inhibition of complex I has important implications for our interpretation of the increased oxidative stress observed in Parkinson's disease substantia nigra and for our understanding of the cause(s) of dopaminergic cell death in this disorder.     

ESR Spin Trapping Detection of Hydroxyl Radicals in the Reactions of Cr(V) Complexes with Hydrogen Peroxide

Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurments provide direct evidence for the involvement of Cr(V) in the reduction of Cr(VI) by NAD(P)H. Addition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to NAD(P)H-Cr(VI) reaction mixtures suppresses the Cr(V) signal and generates hydroxyl (OH) radicals (as detected via spin trapping), suggesting that Cr(V) reacts with H₂O₂ to generate the OH radicals. Reaction between H₂O₂ and a Cr(V)-glutathione complex. and between H₂O₂ and several Cr(V)-cdrboxylato complexes also produces OH radicals. These results suggest that Cr(V) complexes catalyze the generation of OH radicals from H₂O₂, and that OH radicals might play a significant role in the mechanism of Cr(VI) cytotoxicity.     

ESR Spin Trapping Detection of Hydroxyl Radicals in the Reactions of Cr(V) Complexes with Hydrogen Peroxide

Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurments provide direct evidence for the involvement of Cr(V) in the reduction of Cr(VI) by NAD(P)H. Addition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to NAD(P)H-Cr(VI) reaction mixtures suppresses the Cr(V) signal and generates hydroxyl (OH) radicals (as detected via spin trapping), suggesting that Cr(V) reacts with H₂O₂ to generate the OH radicals. Reaction between H₂O₂ and a Cr(V)-glutathione complex. and between H₂O₂ and several Cr(V)-cdrboxylato complexes also produces OH radicals. These results suggest that Cr(V) complexes catalyze the generation of OH radicals from H₂O₂, and that OH radicals might play a significant role in the mechanism of Cr(VI) cytotoxicity.     

Effect of Light on Scavenging Capacity for Organic Free Radical in Leaves of Four Woody Plants

Change of antioxidant capacity of the organic-free-radical scavengers to 1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) reagent in the leaf extracts of the seedlings and young trees of four woody species (Schima superba Gardn. et Champ., Castanopsis fissa (Champ. ex Benth.) Rehd. et Wils., Psychotria rubra (Lour.) Poir., Ardisia quinquegona Bl.) in exposureto different light intensities was investigated. The organic free radical scavenging capacity (ORSC) expressed as the percentage of decreasing DPPH· was 16%-59% (pot seedlings) or 48%-88% (young trees in the forest). The highest ORSC was observed in plants grown under natural light, and the ORSC reduced with the decreasing light intensity. Similar trend was observed through the assay of inhibition to linoleic acid oxidation. The ORSC of P. rufra, an understory shrub, was more sensitive to the change of light intensity. A linear relationship was found between ORSC and AsA (ascorbic acid) content (r=0.92) or the absorption around the wavelength of 204-227 nm. It is proposed that ORSC of leaf was regulated by incident light intensity, and the contents of AsA and, flavonoid phenolics might be the important components contributed to ORSC and total antioxidant activity of leaves. The increasing ORSC is likely to be a protective strategy of plant in response to strong light.     

Spin Trapping Using 2,2-Dimethyl-2H-Imidazole-1-Oxides

The ability of novel cyclic nitrones, 4-substituted 2,2-dimethyl-2H-imidazole-1-oxides (IMO's) to trap a variety of short-lived free radicals has been investigated using ESR spectroscopy. IMO's scavenge oxygen-, carbon- and sulfur-derived free radicals to give persistent nitroxides. Compared to the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline-1-oxide, a higher lifetime of hydroxyl radical adducts and a higher selectivity related to the trapping of carbon-centered radicals was found. A reaction between IMO's and superoxide was not observed. ESR parameters of 4-carboxyl-2,2-dimethyl-2H-imidazole-1-oxide (CIMO) spin adducts are highly sensitive to the structure of the trapped radical, e.g., different spectra were detected with radicals derived from Na₂SO₃ and NaHSO₃. From the data obtained, a successful application of these new spin traps in biological systems can be expected.     

Transformation, translation and TRAIL: an unexpected intersection

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a cytokine with roles in tumor surveillance and tolerance. TRAIL selectively induces apoptosis in many malignant but not normal cells but the underlying cause for spontaneous TRAIL sensitivity remains elusive. We propose a novel hypothesis that links TRAIL sensitivity to translational arrest following stresses that inactivate eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EF2). Affected cells experience a reduction in apoptotic threshold because, due to their short half-lives, levels of anti-apoptotic proteins quickly drop off once translation elongation is inhibited leaving pro-apoptotic proteins unchallenged. This change in protein profile renders affected cells sensitive to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and places EF2 into the role of a sensor for cellular damage.     

Posttraumatic Epilepsy: Hemorrhage,Free Radicals and the Molecular Regulation of Glutamate

Traumatic brain injury causes development of posttraumatic epilepsy. Bleeding within neuropil is followed by hemolysis and deposition of hemoglobin in neocortex. Iron from hemoglobin and transferring is deposited in brains of patients with posttraumatic epilepsy. Iron compounds form reactive free radical oxidants. Microinjection of ferric ions into rodent brain results in chronic recurrent seizures and liberation of glutamate into the neuropil, as is observed in humans with epilepsy. Termination of synaptic effects of glutamate is by removal via transporter proteins. EAAC-1 is within neurons while GLT-1 and GLAST are confined to glia. Persistent down regulation of GLAST production is present in hippocampal regions in chronic seizure models. Down regulation of GLAST may be fundamental to a sequence of free radical reactions initiated by brain injury with hemorrhage. Administration of antioxidants to animals causes interruption of the sequence of brain injury responses induced by hemorrhage, suggesting that such a strategy needs to be evaluated in patients with traumatic brain injury. Special issue article in honor of Dr. Akitane Mori.     

Degradation of Hyaluronic Acid, Poly- and Mono-Saccharides, and Model Compounds by Hypochlorite: Evidence for Radical Intermediates and Fragmentation

Degradation of hyaluronic acid by oxidants such as HO^· and HOCl/ClO⁻ is believed to be important in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. While reaction of hyaluronic acid with HO^· has been investigated extensively, reaction with HOCl/ClO⁻ is less well defined. Thus, little is known about the site(s) of HOCl/ClO⁻ attack, the intermediates formed, or the mechanism(s) of polymer degradation. In this study reaction of HOCl/ClO⁻ with amides, sugars, polysaccharides, and hyaluronic acid has been monitored by UV-visible (220–340 nm) and EPR spectroscopy. UV-visible experiments have shown that HOCl/ClO⁻ reacts preferentially with N-acetyl groups. This reaction is believed to give rise to transient chloramide (R—NCl—C(O)—R′) species, which decompose rapidly to give radicals via either homolysis (to produce N· and Cl·) or heterolysis (one-electron reduction, to give N· and Cl⁻) of the N—Cl bond. The nature of the radicals formed has been investigated by EPR spin trapping. Reaction of HOCl/ClO⁻ with hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphates A and C, N-acetyl sugars, and amides gave novel, carbon-centered, spin adducts, the formation of which is consistent with selective initial attack at the N-acetyl group. Thus, reaction with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate A, appears to be localized at the N-acetylglucosamine sugar rings. These carbon-centered radicals are suggested to arise from rapid rearrangement of initial nitrogen-centered radicals, formed from the N-acetyl chloramide, by reactions analogous to those observed with alkoxyl radicals. The detection of increasing yields of low-molecular-weight radical adducts from hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate A with increasing HOCl/ClO⁻ concentrations suggests that formation of the initial nitrogen-centered species on the N-acetylglucosamine rings, and the carbon-centered radicals derived from them, brings about polymer fragmentation.     

Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of EPS2, an exopolysaccharide produced by a marine filamentous fungus Keissleriella sp. YS 4108

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radical-initiated reactions are ascertained to play multiple roles in degenerative or pathological events such as aging, cancer, heart dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease. EPS2 with a mean molecular weight of 1.3 x 10(5) was characterized as an antioxidant exopolysaccharide from the broth of a marine filamentous fungus Keissleriella sp. YS 4108. Compositionally, it is composed of galactose, glucose, rhamnose, mannose and glucuronic acid in an approximate proportion of 50:8:1:1:0.4. The radical eliminating and antioxidant actions of the glycan was assessed in different in vitro systems showing that EPS2 exhibited profound scavenging activities in superoxide radical. As a reinforcement of the action, similar radical scavenging effects of EPS2 were also discerned with both site-specific and non site-specific hydroxyl radical using the deoxyribose assay method. Moreover, EPS2 effectively blocked as well the non site-specific strand-breaking of DNA induced by the Fenton reaction at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/mL. Further investigation of the effect of EPS2 on human low density lipoprotein (LDL) system demonstrated that it significantly inhibited copper-mediated oxidation of LDL in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that EPS2, possessing pronounced free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, could be of considerable preventive and therapeutic significance to some life-threatening health problems such as cancer, atherogenesis and Alzheimer's disease which pathologically initiated by the presence of free radicals leading to the inevitable peroxidation of important biomolecules.     

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 accentuates aging-induced cardiac remodeling and contractile dysfunction: role of AMPK,Sirt1, and mitochondrial function

Cardiac aging is associated with compromised myocardial function and morphology although the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), an essential mitochondrial enzyme governing cardiac function, displays polymorphism in humans. This study was designed to examine the role of ALDH2 in aging-induced myocardial anomalies. Myocardial mechanical and intracellular Ca²⁺ properties were examined in young (4–5 months) and old (26–28 months) wild-type and ALDH2 transgenic mice. Cardiac histology, mitochondrial integrity, O₂⁻ generation, apoptosis, and signaling cascades, including AMPK activation and Sirt1 level were evaluated. Myocardial function and intracellular Ca²⁺ handling were compromised with advanced aging; the effects were accentuated by ALDH2. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining revealed cardiac hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis associated with greater left-ventricular mass and wall thickness in aged mice. ALDH2 accentuated aging-induced cardiac hypertrophy but not fibrosis. Aging promoted O₂⁻ release, apoptosis, and mitochondrial injury (mitochondrial membrane potential, levels of UCP-2 and PGC-1α), and the effects were also exacerbated by ALDH2. Aging dampened AMPK phosphorylation and Sirt1, the effects of which were exaggerated by ALDH2. Treatment with the ALDH2 activator Alda-1 accentuated aging-induced O₂⁻ generation and mechanical dysfunction in cardiomyocytes, the effects of which were mitigated by cotreatment with activators of AMPK and Sirt1, AICAR, resveratrol, and SRT1720. Examination of human longevity revealed a positive correlation between life span and ALDH2 gene mutation. Taken together, our data revealed that ALDH2 enzyme may accentuate myocardial remodeling and contractile dysfunction in aging, possibly through AMPK/Sirt1-mediated mitochondrial injury.     

金霉素促进光合磷酸化机理的再探

在叶绿体经TPCK—trypsin光下修饰后,电子传递加速、磷酸化解联、膜上偶联因子Mg~(2+)—ATP酶活力促进的条件下,用金霉素处理叶绿体,能降低TPCK—trypsin 对磷酸化的解联程度,部分降低膜上Mg~(2+)—ATP酶的激活。在NEM及TPCK—trypsin共同存在时,金霉素处理仍能部分恢复磷酸化活力。进一步证明了金霉素是作用在偶联因子上的γ亚单位或其邻近部位,使之减少能量耗散而提高磷酸化活力.     

Differential Role of CYP2E1 Binders and Isoniazid on CYP2E1 Protein Modification in NADPH-dependent Microsomal Oxidative Reactions: Free Radical Scavenging Ability of Isoniazid

We evaluated the effect of "weak" CYP2E1 binders (ethanol, acetone and glycerol) "tight" CYP2E1 binders (4-methylpyrazole, imidazole, isoniazid and pyridine) and CCl 4 (suicide substrate of CYP2E1) on the NADPH-dependent production of microsomal reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and subsequent modification of microsomal and CYP2E1 proteins. The oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFHDA) was used as an index of formation of microsomal ROS and LPO-derived reactive species. Microsomal LPO was determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) HPLC measurement. Addition of NADPH to rat liver microsomes initiated DCFHDA oxidation and MDA formation, leading to further selective modification of microsomal proteins and proteases-independent degradation of CYP2E1 protein. Iron chelators prevented these processes whereas hydroxyl radical scavengers showed weak effects, suggesting an important role of LPO. Among the tested CYP2E1 binders, only isoniazid strongly inhibited NADPH-dependent DCFHDA oxidation, LPO and modification of microsomal proteins. Other CYP2E1 binders showed weak inhibitory effects of these processes. Concerning NADPH-dependent modification of CYP2E1 protein, all of the tested CYP2E1 binders, except glycerol, prevented this process with a different potency (isoniazid > 4-methylpyrazole=imidazole=pyridine &#100 acetone > ethanol). "Tight" binders were more effective than "weak" binders. The CCl 4 stimulated the DCFHDA oxidation, LPO and CYP2E1 protein modification. Among the tested CYP2E1 binders, only isoniazid effectively scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. In microsomes isolated from CYP2E1 transfected HepG2 cells, isoniazid inhibited the CYP2E1-dependent DCFHDA oxidation whereas other CYP2E1 binders did not inhibit this reaction although these compounds strongly inhibited CYP2E1 activity. The present study demonstrates that CYP2E1 binders and isoniazid differentially inhibit LPO-catalyzed oxidative modification of CYP2E1 protein in NADPH-dependent microsomal reactions. It seems that CYP2E1 binders protect CYP2E1 from the oxidative modification mainly by binding to the active site of the enzyme, rather than by blocking the reactive species production. The strong protective effect of isoniazid can be attributed to its ability to scavenge free radicals. These effects of CYP2E1 binders are considered to contribute to the regulation of hepatic CYP2E1 protein levels via stabilization of the protein.