Free Radical Formation from the Antineoplastic Agent VP 16-213

Free radical formation from VP 16-213 was studied by ESR spectroscopy. Incubation of VP 16-213 with the one-electron oxidators persulphate-ferrous, myeloperoxidase (MPO)/hydrogen peroxide and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/hydrogen peroxide readily led to the formation of a free radical. The ESR spectra obtained in the last two cases, were in perfect accord with that of a product obtained by electrochemical oxidation of VP 16-213 at +550 mV. The half-life of the free radical in 1 mM Tris (pH 7.4), 0.1 MNaClat 20°C, was 257 ± 4 s. The signal recorded on incubation with HRP/H₂O₂ or MPO/H₂O₂ did not disappear on addition of 0.3 - 1.2 mg/ml microsomal protein. From incubations with rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH, no ESR signals were obtained.     

Effects of arginine,L-alanyl-L-glutamine or taurine on neutrophil (PMN) free amino acid profiles and immune functions <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Summary. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of arginine, L-alanyl-L-glutamine (Ala-Gln) or taurine on polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) free amino acid profiles, superoxide anion (O_{2 −}) generation, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) formation and released myeloperoxidase activity (MPO). Arginine led to significant increases in PMN arginine, ornithine, citrulline, aspartate, glutamate and alanine concentrations as well as increased H₂O₂-generation and MPO activity while O_{2 −}-formation was decreased. Ala-Gln caused significant increases in PMN free glutamine, alanine, asparagine, aspartate, glutamate, ornithine, arginine, serine and glycine concentrations and increased PMN immune functions. Taurine significantly increased PMN free taurine profiles, reduced PMN neutral amino acid content and decreased H₂O₂- and O_{2 −}-formation while MPO was increased. Altogether, the pharmacological regimens which enhance the supply of arginine, Ala-Gln or taurine in whole blood significantly affect PMN "susceptible free amino acid pool". This may be one of the determinants in PMN nutrition considerably influencing PMN immune functions. Received October 25, 2000 Accepted March 21, 2001     

Reactivation of horseradish peroxidase with imidazole for continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide using a microflow injection–chemiluminescence detection system

A method for reactivation of inactivated horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was studied and exploited in an assay for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Addition of imidazole into a mobile phase made continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) possible by micro?ow injection based on horseradish‐catalysed luminol chemiluminescence. For reproducible determination of H₂O₂ with HRP, the inactivation of HRP via protonation of the active sites of HRP caused by reaction with H₂O₂ must be avoided. We successfully reactivated protonated HRP (inactive HRP) with exogenous imidazole in the mobile phase of the micro?ow injection system. The imidazole successfully removed the attached proton from the inactive sites of the HRP. This assay was reproducible (within‐run reproducibility, CV = 4.0%) and the detection limit for H₂O₂ was 5 pmol. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Horseradish Peroxidase Catalysed Oxidation of Deoxyribose Sugars

The ability of horseradish peroxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.7. Donor: H₂O₂ oxidoreductase) to catalytically oxidize 2-deoxyribose sugars to a free radical species was investigated. The ESR spin-trapping technique was used to denionstrate that free radical species were formed. Results with the spin trap 3.5-dibronio-4-nitrosoben-zene sulphonic acid showed that horseradish peroxidase can catalyse the oxidation of 2-deoxyribose to produce an ESR spectrum characteristic of a nitroxide radical spectrum. This spectrum was shown to be a composite of spin adducts resulting from two carbon-centered species, one spin adduct being characterized by the hyperfine coupling constants a^N = 13.6Ganda^H_β = 11.0G, and the other by a^N = 13.4G and a^H = 5.8 G. When 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate was used as the substrate, the spectrum produced was found to be primarily one species characterized by the hyperfine coupling constants a^N = 13.4G and a^H= 5.2. All the radical species produced were carbon-centered spin adducts with a β hydrogen, suggesting that oxidation occurred at the C(2) or C(5) moiety of the sugar. Interestingly, it was found that under the same experimental conditions, horseradish peroxidase apparently did not catalyze the oxidation of either 3-deoxyribose or D-ribose to a free radical since no spin adducts were found in these cases.

It can be readily seen that 2-deoxyribose and 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate can be oxidized by HRP/H₂O₂ to form a free radical species that can be detected with the ESR spin-trapping technique. There are two probable sites for the formation of a CH type radical on the 2-deoxyribose sugar, these being the C(2) and the C(5) carbons. The fact that there is a species produced from 2-deoxy-ribose, but not 2-deoxy-ribose-5-phosphate, suggests that there is an involvement of the C(5) carbon in the species with the 1 1.0G β hydrogen. In the spectra formed from 2-deoxy-ribose, there is a big difference in the hyperfine splitting of the β hydrogens, suggesting that the radicals are formed at different carbon centers, while the addition of a phosphate group to the C(5) carbon seems to inhibit radical formation at one site. In related work, the chemiluminescence of monosaccharides in the presence of horseradish peroxidase was proposed to be the consequence of carbon-centered free radical formation (10).     

Change in fluidity of brain endoplasmic reticulum membranes by oxygen free radicals: A protective effect of stobadine, α-tocopherol acetate,and butylated hydroxytoluene

Effect of various oxygen free radical generating systems and an oxidant H₂O₂ on brain endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane fluidity was examined using fluorescent membrane probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, DPH. The relative potency of free radical generating systems to decrease membrane fluidity increased in this order: FeCl₃-EDTA, FeSO₄-EDTA, FeSO₄-EDTA/hydrogen peroxide. Potency to decrease membrane fluidity correlated well with these systems' potencies to induce lipid peroxidation, as detected by conjugated diene formation. Treatment of ER membranes with H₂O₂ had no effect on fluidity or conjugated diene formation. Using the two most potent free radical generating systems, FeSO₄-EDTA and FeSO₄-EDTA/hydrogen peroxide, a protective effect of the novel antihypoxic and antiarrhytmic drug stobadine was tested. Stobadine and two well-known antioxidants, -tocopherol acetate and butylated hydroxytoluene, demonstrated the ability to prevent free radical induced alterations in ER membrane fluidity. These results provide new evidence of stobadine's protective effect on membranes attacked by oxygen free radicals.     

Inactivation of human myeloperoxidase by hydrogen peroxide

Human myeloperoxidase (MPO) uses hydrogen peroxide generated by the oxidative burst of neutrophils to produce an array of antimicrobial oxidants. During this process MPO is irreversibly inactivated. This study focused on the unknown role of hydrogen peroxide in this process. When treated with low concentrations of H₂O₂ in the absence of reducing substrates, there was a rapid loss of up to 35% of its peroxidase activity. Inactivation is proposed to occur via oxidation reactions of Compound I with the prosthetic group or amino acid residues. At higher concentrations hydrogen peroxide acts as a suicide substrate with a rate constant of inactivation of 3.9 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹. Treatment of MPO with high H₂O₂ concentrations resulted in complete inactivation, Compound III formation, destruction of the heme groups, release of their iron, and detachment of the small polypeptide chain of MPO. Ten of the protein’s methionine residues were oxidized and the thermal stability of the protein decreased. Inactivation by high concentrations of H₂O₂ is proposed to occur via the generation of reactive oxidants when H₂O₂ reacts with Compound III. These mechanisms of inactivation may occur inside neutrophil phagosomes when reducing substrates for MPO become limiting and could be exploited when designing pharmacological inhibitors.     

Scavenging of reactive oxygen species by chlorophyllin: An ESR study

The antioxidant effects of chlorophyllin (CHL), a water-soluble analog of the green plant pigment chlorophyll, on different reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. As a standard, we have used the ability of CHL to scavenge the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. CHL inhibits the formation of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide adduct with hydroxyl radical (DMPO-OH adduct) generated by γ-radiation in a dose-dependent manner. At a concentration of 1 mM, CHL caused more than 90% inhibition of ESR signal intensity of this adduct. However, the results obtained with the Fenton reaction were different. We also found evidence for the inhibition of ¹O₂-dependent formation of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine oxide (TEMPO) radical during photosensitization of methylene blue with visible light. CHL was also able to inhibit hydrogen peroxide induced oxidation of phenol red. The rate constant of the reaction of CHL with H₂O₂ was found to be 2.7×10⁶ M^-1s^-1. In conclusion, CHL has potent antioxidant ability involving scavenging of various physiologically important ROS.     

Alterations in neutrophil (PMN) free intracellular alpha-keto acid profiles and immune functions induced by L-alanyl-L-glutamine, arginine or taurine

Summary. The objective of this study was to determine the dose as well as duration of exposure-dependent effects of L-alanyl-L-glutamine, arginine or taurine on polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) free α-keto acid profiles and, in a parallel study, on PMN immune functions. Exogenous L-alanyl-L-glutamine significantly increased PMN α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate PMN superoxide anion (O₂⁻) generation, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) formation and released myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Arginine also led to significant increases in α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, MPO release and H₂O₂ generation. Formation of O₂⁻ on the other hand was decreased by arginine. Incubation with taurine resulted in lower intracellular pyruvate and α-ketobutyrate levels, decreased O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ formation and a concomitant significantly increased MPO activity. We therefore believe that considerable changes in PMN free-α-keto-acid profiles, induced for example by L-alanyl-L-glutamine, arginine or taurine, may be one of the determinants in cell nutrition that considerably modulates the immunological competence of PMN.     

Chromate-mediated free radical generation from cysteine,penicillamine, hydrogen peroxide,and lipid hydroperoxides

The Cr(VI)-mediated free radical generation from cystein, penicillamine, hydrogen peroxide, and model lipid hydroperoxides was investigated utilizing the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping technique. Incubation of Cr(VI) with cysteine (Cys) generated cysteinyl radical. Radical yield depended on the relative concentrations of Cr(VI) and Cys. The radical generation became detectable at a cysteine: Cr(VI) ration of about 5, reached its highest level at a ratio of 30, and declined thereafter. Cr(VI) or Cys alone did not generate a detectable amount of free radicals. Similar results were obtained with penicillamine. Incubation of Cr(VI), Cys or penicillamine adn H₂O₂ led to hydroxyl (·OH) radical generation, which was verified by quantitative competition experiments utilizing ethanol. The mechanism for ·OH radical generation is considered to be a Cr(VI)-mediated Fenton-like reaction. When model lipid hydroperoxides such as t-butylhydroperoxide and cumene hydroperoxide were used in place of H₂O₂, hydroperoxide-derived free radicals were produced. Since thiols, such as Cys, exist in cellular systems at relatively high concentrations, Cr(VI)-mediated free radical generation in the presence of thiols may participate in the mechanisms of Cr(VI)-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis.     

Chemiluminescence determination of hydroperoxides following radiolysis and photolysis of free amino acids

Hydroperoxides were determined in selected amino acids using three free radical generating systems by a sensitive (50 pmol limit of detection) and specific high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/chemiluminescence method. UVB and gamma radiation produced significant hydroperoxide formation, particularly in the aromatic amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan. Hydroperoxide yield was found to be dependent on both amino acid and irradiation source. Generation of hydrogen peroxide as a by-product of irradiation caused interference with chemiluminescence detection demonstrating the need for catalase addition. Hydroperoxides were not detectable following metal-catalysed H₂O₂ breakdown. We suggest that metal ions could interfere with the detection of hydroperoxides by causing preferential decomposition.     

Removal of pentachlorophenol by immobilized horseradish peroxidase

Researches on the polymerization of aqueous pentachlorophenol (PCP) by the catalysis of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with the existence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were conducted. Factors, such as acidity, temperature, enzyme activity, and initial concentration of PCP and H₂O₂ that could influence the degradation were studied. Results showed that the optimum pH value for free enzyme was 5–6; relative higher temperature could accelerate the reaction greatly; PCP removal increased with an increase of enzyme concentration, and PCP (initial concentration 12.6 mg/L) removal percentage could reach nearly 70% under the highest enzyme concentration (about 0.05 u/ml) adopted in the experiment; removal percentage increased slightly with an increase of initial concentration of PCP, and when initial PCP concentrations were 13.0 and 0.7 mg/L, the removal percentages were about 73.7% and 35.7%, respectively; the molar ratio of the reaction between PCP and H₂O₂ was about 1:2.Based on the above results, researches on the removal of PCP by the immobilized HRP were conducted. The free HRP was immobilized on the polyacrylamide gel prepared by gamma-ray radiation method; then the immobilized HRP was filled into a column, and PCP was successfully removed by the immobilized HRP column. The results were compared with results using free HRP enzyme, which showed that the optimum pH value for the immobilized HRP is similar to that for the free HRP, and when pH=5.15, the immobilized HRP could reduce PCP with initial concentration 13.4 mg/L to the concentration of 4.9 mg/L within 1 h, and the immobilized HRP column could be used to repeatedly.     

Effects of α-ketoglutarate on neutrophil intracellular amino and α-keto acid profiles and ROS production

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of α-ketoglutarate on neutrophil (PMN), free α-keto and amino-acid profiles as well as important reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced [superoxide anion (O₂ ^?), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)] and released myeloperoxidase (MPO) acitivity. Exogenous α-ketoglutarate significantly increased PMN α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, asparagine, glutamine, asparatate, glutamate, arginine, citrulline, alanine, glycine and serine in a dose as well as duration of exposure dependent manner. Additionally, in parallel with intracellular α-ketoglutarate changes, increases in O₂ ^– formation, H₂O₂-generation and MPO acitivity have also been observed. We therefore believe that α-ketoglutarate is important for affecting PMN “susceptible free amino- and α-keto acid pools” although important mechanisms and backgrounds are not yet completely explored. Moreover, our results also show very clearly that changes in intragranulocytic α-ketoglutarate levels are relevant metabolic determinants in PMN nutrition considerably influencing and modulating the magnitude and quality of the granulocytic host defense capability as well as production of ROS.     

Semi-Quinone Formation from the Catechol and Ortho-Quinone Metabolites of the Antitumor Agent VP-16–213

The catechol metabolite of the antitumor agent VP-16–213 and the ortho-quinone of VP-16–213 - a secondary metabolite formed from the catechol … easily undergo auto-oxidation into a free radical at pH ≤ 7.4. By elevation of the pH from 7.4 to 10, an increase in the production of the free radical was observed, which was accompanied by the formation of products with higher hydrophylicity than the catechol and ortho-quinone, as found by HPLC-analysis. The hypefine structure of the free radical indicates that it is the semi-quinone radical of VP-16–213. At pH 12.5 a secondary radical is formed from the catechol and the ortho-quinone of VP-16–213 besides the semi-quinone radical. One-electron oxidation of the catechol with horseradish peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide resulted in the formation of the same radical as observed under alkaline conditions and subsequent oxidation to the ortho-quinone. If the ortho-quinone was incubated with NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase, a free radical was detected by spin-trapping with POBN, but not without spin-trapping.

Studies on inactivation of πX174 DNA by the system ortho-quinone of VP-16–213/NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase suggest that the semi-quinone radical may play a role in the process of inactivation of DNA.     

ATP inhibits hydroxyl radical formation and the inflammatory response of stimulated whole blood even under circumstances of severe oxidative stress

We recently reported that Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) is able to inhibit the inflammatory reaction in stimulated whole blood. Many diseases, in which inflammatory reactions are involved, are associated with oxidative stress. In the present study, we therefore, investigated the effect of ATP on cytokine release in stimulated whole blood under conditions of oxidative stress, as simulated by pre-incubation of blood with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In the presence of H₂O₂, ATP at concentrations of 100 and 300 μM inhibited Tumour Necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) release and stimulated IL-10 release in LPS-PHA stimulated whole blood. Moreover, electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements showed that ATP and its breakdown product Adenosine-5′-diphosphate (ADP) attenuated spin trap-hydroxyl radical adduct formation in the Fenton reaction. Our results demonstrate that even in circumstances of severe oxidative stress, ATP has marked anti-inflammatory properties in stimulated whole blood. Moreover, the inhibition of the hydroxyl radical ESR signal indicates a direct attenuation of oxidative stress by ATP.     

In vivo thiyl free radical formation from hemoglobin following administration of hydroperoxides

Although free radical formation due to the reaction between red blood cells and organic hydroperoxides in vitro has been well documented, the analogous in vivo ESR spectroscopic evidence for free radical formation has yet to be reported. We successfully employed ESR to detect the formation of the 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO)/hemoglobin thiyl free radical adduct in the blood of rats dosed with DMPO and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, ethyl hydrogen peroxide, 2-butanone hydroperoxide, 15(S)-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid, or hydrogen peroxide. We found that pretreating the rats with either buthionine sulfoximine or diethylmaleate prior to dosing with tert-butyl hydroperoxide decreased the concentration of nonprotein thiols within the red blood cells and significantly enhanced the DMPO/hemoglobin thiyl radical adduct concentration. Finally, we found that pretreating rats with the glutathione reductase inhibitor 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea prior to dosing with tert-butyl hydroperoxide enhanced the DMPO/hemoglobin thiyl radical adduct concentration and induced the greatest decrease in nonprotein thiol concentration within the red blood cells.     

Pyruvate: immunonutritional effects on neutrophil intracellular amino or alpha-keto acid profiles and reactive oxygen species production

For the first time the immunonutritional role of pyruvate on neutrophils (PMN), free ??-keto and amino acid profiles, important reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced [superoxide anion (O₂ ^?), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)] as well as released myeloperoxidase (MPO) acitivity has been investigated. Exogenous pyruvate significantly increased PMN pyruvate, ??-ketoglutarate, asparagine, glutamine, aspartate, glutamate, arginine, citrulline, alanine, glycine and serine in a dose as well as duration of exposure dependent manner. Moreover, increases in O₂ ^? formation, H₂O₂-generation and MPO acitivity in parallel with intracellular pyruvate changes have also been detected. Regarding the interesting findings presented here we believe, that pyruvate fulfils considerably the criteria for a potent immunonutritional molecule in the regulation of the PMN dynamic ??-keto and amino acid pools. Moreover it also plays an important role in parallel modulation of the granulocyte-dependent innate immune regulation. Although further research is necessary to clarify pyruvate??s sole therapeutical role in critically ill patients?? immunonutrition, the first scientific successes seem to be very promising.     

Hydrogen peroxide in artificial photosynthesizing systems

From the point of view of the concepts of hydrogen peroxide as a source of photosynthetic oxygen (hydrogen) coordination and photochemical properties of chlorophyll and its aggregates towards hydrogen peroxide were considered. The binding energy of H₂O and H₂O₂ with chlorophyll and chlorophyllide depending on their form (monomers, dimers and trimers) was estimated by quantum chemical calculations. It is shown that at an increase of the degree of the pigment aggregation binding energy of H₂O₂ was more than the energy of H₂O. Analysis of experimental results of the photochemical decomposition of hydrogen peroxide using chlorophyll was carried out. Estimates of the thermodynamic parameters (ΔG° and ΔH°) of the formation of organic compounds from CO₂ with water and hydrogen peroxide were compared. The interaction of CO₂ with H₂O₂ requires much less energy consumption than with water for all considered cases. The formation of organic products (formaldehyde, alcohols, carboxylic and carbonylic compounds) and simultaneous production of O₂ under the influence of visible light in the systems of inorganic carbon-hydrogen peroxide - chlorophyll (phthalocyanine) is detected by GC/MS method, FTIR spectroscopy, and chemical analysis.     

Chemiluminescent assay of β-D-galactosidase based on indole luminescence

We developed a novel chemiluminescent assay of β-D -galactosidase (β-gal) based on the chemiluminescence of indole. 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D -galactopyranoside (X-gal) was used as a substrate for β-gal and also as a light emitter. X-gal was hydrolysed by β-gal to liberate free indoxyl, followed by oxidation to indigo dye, and simultaneously produces hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). H₂O₂ reacts with the residual X-gal in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to emit light. The measurable range of β-gal obtained by this method was 6 × 10⁻¹⁴ mol/L to 6 × 10⁻¹¹ mol/L; the detection limit was 3 amol/assay. This chemiluminescent assay could be applied to an enzyme immunoassay of thyroxine using β-gal as the enzyme label. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Titanium dioxide induced cell damage: A proposed role of the carboxyl radical

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles have been shown to be genotoxic to cells exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. Using the technique of electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping, we have confirmed that the primary damaging species produced on irradiation of TiO₂ nanoparticles is the hydroxyl (OH) radical. We have applied this technique to TiO₂-treated fish and mammalian cells under in vitro conditions and observed the additional formation of carboxyl radical anions (CO₂^?) and superoxide radical anions (O₂^?). This novel finding suggests a hitherto unreported pathway for damage, involving primary generation of OH radicals in the cytoplasm, which react to give CO₂^? radicals. The latter may then react with cellular oxygen to form O₂^? and genotoxic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).     

Effects of Free Radicals on the Fluidity of Myocardial Membranes

Free radicals, including superoxide anions (O₂^?_?), hydroxyl radical (HO'), and hypohalite radical (OCl'), as well as oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), have been indicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemic and reperfusion injury. In this report, we compared the integrity of the myocardial membrane when exposed to these free radicals/oxidants. Isolated rat heart membrane preparations were exposed to chemically generated free radicals with or without their respective scavengers. Membrane fluidity was monitored by fluorescence polarization using the diphenylhexatriene probe, as well as by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-n-oxyl as the spin labeling agent. HO', H₂O₂, and OCl' + HOCl increased the fluorescence polarization (FP) and microvis-cosity significantly by 1.7-fold, 1.8-fold, and 1.7-fold, respectively, as compared to an only 1.2– fold increase in FP by O₂^?_? O₂^?_? did not alter the fatty acid profiles of the membrane phospholipids. However, HO' and H₂O₂ reduced the arachidonic acid contents in phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI). These radicals also stimulated the lipid peroxidation by several-fold, while that by O₂^?_? was only insignificant. These results suggest that HO' and H₂O₂ decreased the membrane fluidity and induced lipid peroxidation by releasing the arachidonic acid from PC, PE. and PI.