Evidence for a pathway that facilitates nitric oxide diffusion in the brain

Nitric oxide (NO) is a diffusible messenger that conveys information based on its concentration dynamics, which is dictated by the interplay between its synthesis, inactivation and diffusion. Here, we characterized NO diffusion in the rat brain in vivo. By direct sub-second measurement of NO, we determined the diffusion coefficient of NO in the rat brain cortex. The value of 2.2 × 10⁻⁵ cm²/s obtained in vivo was only 14% lower than that obtained in agarose gel (used to evaluate NO free diffusion). These results reinforce the view of NO as a fast diffusing messenger but, noticeably, the data indicates that neither NO diffusion through the brain extracellular space nor homogeneous diffusion in the tissue through brain cells can account for the similarity between NO free diffusion coefficient and that obtained in the brain. Overall, the results support that NO diffusion in brain tissue is heterogeneous, pointing to the existence of a pathway that facilitates NO diffusion, such as cell membranes and other hydrophobic structures.     

H2O2 and (.)NO scavenging by Mycobacterium leprae truncated hemoglobin O

Kinetics of ferric Mycobacterium leprae truncated hemoglobin O (trHbOFe(III)) oxidation by H₂O₂ and of trHbOFe(IV)O reduction by NO and NO₂⁻ are reported. The value of the second-order rate constant for H₂O₂-mediated oxidation of trHbOFe(III) is 2.4 × 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The value of the second-order rate constant for NO-mediated reduction of trHbOFe(IV)O is 7.8 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The value of the first-order rate constant for trHbOFe(III)ONO decay to the resting form trHbOFe(III) is 2.1 × 10¹ s⁻¹. The value of the second-order rate constant for NO₂⁻-mediated reduction of trHbOFe(IV)O is 3.1 × 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. As a whole, trHbOFe(IV)O, generated upon reaction with H₂O₂, catalyzes NO reduction to NO₂⁻. In turn, NO and NO₂⁻ act as antioxidants of trHbOFe(IV)O, which could be responsible for the oxidative damage of the mycobacterium. Therefore, Mycobacterium leprae trHbO could be involved in both H₂O₂ and NO scavenging, protecting from nitrosative and oxidative stress, and sustaining mycobacterial respiration.     

Relevance of the capacity of phosphorylated fructose to scavenge the hydroxyl radical

The hydroxyl radical (OH) has detrimental biological activity due to its very high reactivity. Our experiments were designed to determine the effects of equimolar concentrations of glucose, fructose and mannitol and three phosphorylated forms of fructose (fructose-1-phosphate (F1P); fructose-6-phosphate (F6P); and fructose-1,6-bis(phosphate) (F16BP)) on OH radical production via the Fenton reaction. EPR spectroscopy using spin-trap DEPMPO was applied to detect radical production. We found that the percentage inhibition of OH radical formation decreased in the order F16BP > F1P > F6P > fructose > mannitol = glucose. As ketoses can sequester redox-active iron thus preventing the Fenton reaction, the Haber-Weiss-like system was also employed to generate OH, so that the effect of iron sequestration could be distinguished from direct OH radical scavenging. In the latter system, the rank order of OH scavenging activity was F16BP > F1P > F6P > fructose = mannitol = glucose. Our results clearly demonstrate that intracellular phosphorylated forms of fructose have more scavenging properties than fructose or glucose, leading us to conclude that the acute administration of fructose could overcome the body’s reaction to exogenous antioxidants during appropriate therapy in certain pathophysiological conditions related to oxidative stress, such as sepsis, neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, malignancy, and some complications of pregnancy.     

Organometallic π-tweezers incorporating pyrazine- and pyridine-based bridging units

Pyrazine- and pyridine-based π-conjugated σ-donor molecules, such as 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, 3,5-dipyridyl-1,2,4-triazole, N,N′-bis(4-pyridylmethylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2,5-di(pyridylmethylidene)cyclopentanone, 2,6-di(4-pyridylmethylidene)cyclohexanone (LL, 2a-2g) can successfully be used to span heterobimetallic π-tweezer units of the type [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}M]⁺ ([Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti; M = Cu, Ag). The thus accessible di-cationic species [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}MLLM{(Me₃SiCC-μ-σ,π)₂[Ti]}]²⁺ (4), which are formed via the formation of [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}MLL]⁺ (3) complexes, can be isolated in yields between 66% and 99%.However, when C₅H₄NCHCHC₆H₄CHCHNC₅H₄ (5a) and C₅H₄NCHNC₆H₄CHCHNC₅H₄ (5b), respectively, are reacted with {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}AgBF₄(1c) in a 1:1 molar ratio, then the silver(I) ion is released from the organometallic π-tweezer 1c and coordination polymers [AgBF₄ · 5a]_n (6a) and [AgBF₄ · 5b]_n (6b) along with [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂ (7) are formed in quantitative yield.     

Alkoxy-substituted group 6 allenylidene complexes - Synthesis and properties

Bis(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCC(OR′)OR], as well as mono(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCC(OR′)Ph], of chromium and tungsten are accessible from propynones [HCCC(O)Ph] or propynoic acid esters [HCCC(O)OR; R = Et, (−)-menthyl, endo-bornyl] by the following reaction sequence: (a) deprotonation of the alkynes, (b) reaction with [(CO)₅M-THF] (M = Cr, W), and (c) alkylation of the resulting alkynyl metallate, [(CO)₅MCCC(O)R], with Meerwein salts. Vinylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCC(R′)C(O)OR], are formed as a by-product by C_β-alkylation of the alkynyl metallate. Dimethylamine displaces one alkoxy substituent of the bis(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes to give dimethylamino(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCC(OR)NMe₂]. The analogous reaction of dimethylamine with a mono(alkoxy)-substituted allenylidene complex affords the aminoallenylidene complex [(CO)₅CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph]. When the amine is used in large excess, the α,β-unsaturated aminocarbene complex [(CO)₅CrC(NMe₂)C(H)C(NMe₂)Ph] is additionally formed by addition of the amine across the C_αC_β-bond of the allenylidene ligand. The reaction of [(CO)₅MCCC(OEt)₂] with dimethyl ethylenediamine offers access to bis(amino)allenylidene complexes, in which C_γ is part of a five-membered heterocycle. Photolysis of bis(alkoxy)allenylidene complexes in the presence of triphenylphosphine yields tetracarbonyl- and tricarbonyl{bis(phosphine)}allenylidene complexes. Diethylaminopropyne inserts into the C_βC_γ bond of [(CO)₅MCCC(OEt)OMethyl] to give alkenylallenylidene complexes. Subsequent acid-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization affords a pyranylidene complex.     

Dark production of reactive oxygen species in photosystem II membrane particles at elevated temperature: EPR spin-trapping study

In our study, EPR spin-trapping technique was employed to study dark production of two reactive oxygen species, hydroxyl radicals (OH) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂), in spinach photosystem II (PSII) membrane particles exposed to elevated temperature (47 °C). Production of OH, evaluated as EMPO-OH adduct EPR signal, was suppressed by the enzymatic removal of hydrogen peroxide and by the addition of iron chelator desferal, whereas externally added hydrogen peroxide enhanced OH production. These observations reveal that OH is presumably produced by metal-mediated reduction of hydrogen peroxide in a Fenton-type reaction. Increase in pH above physiological values significantly stimulated the formation of OH, whereas the presence of chloride and calcium ions had the opposite effect. Based on our results it is proposed that the formation of OH is linked to the thermal disassembly of water-splitting manganese complex on PSII donor side. Singlet oxygen production, followed as the formation of nitroxyl radical TEMPO, was not affected by OH scavengers. This finding indicates that the production of these two species was independent and that the production of ¹O₂ is not closely linked to PSII donor side.     

Radicals associated with the catalytic intermediates of bovine cytochrome c oxidase

Two radicals have been detected previously by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopies in bovine cytochrome oxidase after reaction with hydrogen peroxide, but no correlation could be made with predicted levels of optically detectable intermediates (P_M, F and F) that are formed. This work has been extended by optical quantitation of intermediates in the EPR/ENDOR sample tubes, and by comparison with an analysis of intermediates formed by reaction with carbon monoxide in the presence of oxygen. The narrow radical, attributed previously to a porphyrin cation, is detectable at low levels even in untreated oxidase and increases with hydrogen peroxide treatments generally. It is presumed to arise from a side-reaction unrelated to the catalytic intermediates. The broad radical, attributed previously to a tryptophan radical, is observed only in samples with a significant level of F but when F is generated with hydrogen peroxide, is always accompanied by the narrow radical. When P_M is produced at high pH with CO/O₂, no EPR-detectable radicals are formed. Conversion of the CO/O₂-generated P_M into F when pH is lowered is accompanied by the appearance of a broad radical whose ENDOR spectrum corresponds to a tryptophan cation. Quantitation of its EPR intensity indicates that it is around 3% of the level of F determined optically. It is concluded that low pH causes a change of protonation pattern in P_M which induces partial electron redistribution and tryptophan cation radical formation in F. These protonation changes may mimic a key step of the proton translocation process.     

Closure of VDAC causes oxidative stress and accelerates the Ca-induced mitochondrial permeability transition in rat liver mitochondria

The electron transport chain of mitochondria is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a critical role in augmenting the Ca²⁺-induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). Mitochondrial release of superoxide anions (O₂⁻) from the intermembrane space (IMS) to the cytosol is mediated by voltage dependent anion channels (VDAC) in the outer membrane. Here, we examined whether closure of VDAC increases intramitochondrial oxidative stress by blocking efflux of O₂⁻ from the IMS and sensitizing to the Ca²⁺-induced MPT. Treatment of isolated rat liver mitochondria with 5 μM G3139, an 18-mer phosphorothioate blocker of VDAC, accelerated onset of the MPT by 6.8 ± 1.4 min within a range of 100-250 μM Ca²⁺. G3139-mediated acceleration of the MPT was reversed by 20 μM butylated hydroxytoluene, a water soluble antioxidant. Pre-treatment of mitochondria with G3139 also increased accumulation of O₂⁻ in mitochondria, as monitored by dihydroethidium fluorescence, and permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane with digitonin reversed the effect of G3139 on O₂⁻ accumulation. Mathematical modeling of generation and turnover of O₂⁻ within the IMS indicated that closure of VDAC produces a 1.55-fold increase in the steady-state level of mitochondrial O₂⁻. In conclusion, closure of VDAC appears to impede the efflux of superoxide anions from the IMS, resulting in an increased steady-state level of O₂⁻, which causes an internal oxidative stress and sensitizes mitochondria toward the Ca²⁺-induced MPT.     

Ferrocenyl-substituted allenylidene complexes of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten: Synthesis, structure and reactivity

Bis(ferrocenyl)-substituted allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCCFc₂] (1a-c, Fc = (C₅H₄)Fe(C₅H₅), M = Cr (a), Mo (b), W (c)) were obtained by sequential reaction of Fc₂CO with Me₃Si-CCH, KF/MeOH, n-BuLi, and [(CO)₅M(THF)]. For the synthesis of related mono(ferrocenyl)allenylidene chromium complexes, [(CO)₅CrCCC(Fc)R] (R = Ph, NMe₂), three different routes were developed: (a) reaction of the deprotonated propargylic alcohol HCCC(Fc)(Ph)OH with [(CO)₅Cr(THF)] followed by desoxygenation with Cl₂CO, (b) Lewis acid induced alcohol elimination from alkenyl(alkoxy)carbene complexes, [(CO)₅CrC(OR)CHC(NMe₂)Fc], and (c) replacement of OMe in [(CO)₅CrCCC(OMe)NMe₂] by Fc. Complex 1a was also formed when the mono(ferrocenyl)allenylidene complex [(CO)₅CrCCC(Fc)NMe₂] was treated first with Li[Fc] and the resulting adduct then with SiO₂. The replacement route (c) was also applied to the synthesis of an allenylidene complex (7a) with a CC spacer in between the ferrocenyl unit and C_γ of the allenylidene ligand, [(CO)₅CrCCC(NMe₂)-CCFc]. The related complex containing a CHCH spacer (9a) was prepared by condensation of [(CO)₅CrCCC(Me)NMe₂] with formylferrocene in the presence of NEt₃. The bis(ferrocenyl)-substituted allenylidene complexes 1a-c added HNMe₂ across the C_α-C_β bond to give alkenyl(dimethylamino)carbene complexes and reacted with diethylaminopropyne by regioselective insertion of the CC bond into the C_β-C_γ bond to afford alkenyl(diethylamino)allenylidene complexes, [(CO)₅MCCC(NEt₂)CMeCFc₂]. The structures of 5a, 7a, and 9a were established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of triphenylphosphine stabilized silver α,β-unsaturated carboxylate: Crystal structure of [Ag(O2CCHC(CH3)2)(PPh3)2]

A series of triphenylphosphine coordinated silver α,β-unsaturated carboxylates of type [Ag(O₂CR)(PPh₃)_n: n = 1, R = CH₃CHCH (2a), (CH₃)₂CCH (2b), CH₃CH₂CHCH (2c), CH₃CH₂CH₂CHCH (2d), PhCHCH (2e), CH₂CH (2f); n = 2, CH₃CHCH (3a), (CH₃)₂CCH (3b), CH₃CH₂CHCH (3c), CH₃CH₂CH₂CHCH (3d)] were prepared by reaction of relative silver carboxylates (1a-1f) with triphenylphosphine in chloroform. These complexes were obtained in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR and IR spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the complexes has been determined by TG analysis. The molecular structure of [Ag((O₂CCHC(CH₃)₂))(PPh₃)₂] (3b) shows that the senecioato ligand is chelated with silver atom and generate, a distorted tetrahedron.     

Nickel(II) α-diimine catalysts for the atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene

The synthesis and evaluation of ^Cy[N,N]NiX₂ complexes (where ^Cy[N,N] = C₆H₁₁NCHCHNC₆H₁₁; X = Cl, Br) as catalysts for atom transfer radical polymerization are reported. ^Cy[N,N]NiCl₂ offers poor control over the polymerization of MMA and styrene due to catalyst insolubility. The more soluble bromo catalyst ^Cy[N,N]NiBr₂, promotes rapid styrene polymerization, but with inefficient initiation, affording higher than expected molecular weights based on [M]_o/[I]_o ratios. Utilizing 1-PEBr results in efficient initiation to give low polydispersities (M_w/M_n ∼ 1.2) and polystyrene molecular weights that correlate with monomer:initiator ratios.     

Reactivity of alkynyl Pd(II) azido complexes toward organic isocyanides, isothiocyanates, and nitriles

Alkynyl Pd(II) azido complexes of the type [Pd(N₃)(CCR)L₂] (1-3) were obtained by reactions of aqueous NaN₃ with [Pd(Cl)(CCR)L₂] (R = Ph or C(O)OMe). Treating compounds 1-3 with organic isocyanides (R-NC) afforded novel complexes, trans-[Pd(CCPh)(NCNR)(PMe₃)₂] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (4) or 2,6-Et₂C₆H₃ (5)) and trans-[Pd(CCR)(CN₄-t-Bu)L₂] (6: L = PMe₃, R = Ph; 7: L = PEt₃, R = C(O)OMe; 8: L = PMe₃, R = C(O)OMe), which contain either a carbodiimido or a C-coordinated tetrazolato group. Reactions of compounds 1 and 2 with R-NCS (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ or CH₂CH₃) and 1,4-phenylene diisothiocyanate (C₆H₄(NCS)₂) smoothly proceeded to give tetrazole-thiolato complexes, trans-[Pd(CCPh)(SCN₄-R)L₂] (L = PMe₃, R = Et (9) or 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (10); L = PEt₃, R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (11)), and a phenylene-bridged dinuclear Pd(II) tetrazole-thiolato complex, [(PEt₃)₂(CCPh)Pd(SCN₄-(μ-C₆H₄)-SCN₄)Pd(CCPh)(PEt₃)₂] (12), respectively. Complexes 9-12 contain the Pd-S bond that is formed by the dipolar cycloaddition of the organic isothiocyanate to the Pd-azido bond. In contrast, the corresponding reactions of compounds 1and 2 with C₆F₅CN and Me₃SiCN (organic nitriles, R-CN) gave an N-coordinated Pd(II)-tetrazolato compound {trans-[Pd(CCPh)(N₄C-C₆F₅)(PMe₃)₂] (13)} and a mixture of Pd(II)-cyano complexes {trans-[Pd(CCPh)(CN)(PEt₃)₂] (14) and [Pd(CN)₂(PEt₃)₂] (15)}, respectively. Bis(phosphine) bis(cyano) complexes of Pd and Ni, [M(CN)₂L₂] (L = PEt₃, PMe₃; L₂ = DEPE), could be obtained independently by the reactions of [M(N₃)₂L₂] with excess Me₃SiCN in organic solvents.     

The formation of peroxynitrite in the applied physiology of mitochondrial nitric oxide

Mitochondria require nitric oxide (NO) to exert a delicate control of metabolic rate as well as to regulate life functions, cell cycle activation and arrest, and apoptosis. All activities depend on the matrical NO steady state concentration as provided by mitochondrial (mtNOS) and cytosolic sources (eNOS) and reduced by forming superoxide anion and H₂O₂ and a low peroxynirite (ONOO⁻) yield. We review herein the biochemical pathways involved in the control of NO mitochondrial level and its biological and physiological significance in hormone effects and aging. At high NO, the cost of this physiological regulation is that ONOO⁻ excess will lead to nitrosation/nitration and oxidization of mitochondrial and cell proteins and lipids. The disruption of NO modulation of mitochondrial respiration supports then, a platform for prevalent neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.