Deleterious role of superoxide dismutase in the mitochondrial intermembrane space

This work demonstrates how increased activity of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) paradoxically boosts production of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the intermembrane space (IMS) of mitochondria. Even though SOD1 is a cytosolic enzyme, a fraction of it is found in the IMS, where it is thought to provide protection against oxidative damage. We found that SOD1 controls cytochrome c-catalyzed peroxidation in vitro when superoxide is available. The presence of SOD1 significantly increased the rate of ROS production in mitoplasts, which are devoid of outer membrane and IMS. In response to inhibition of respiration with antimycin A, isolated mouse wild-type mitochondria increased ROS production, but the mitochondria from mice lacking SOD1 (SOD1(-/-)) did not. Also, lymphocytes isolated from SOD1(-/-) mice produced significantly less ROS than did wild-type cells and were more resistant to apoptosis induced by inhibition of respiration. Moreover, an increased amount of the toxic mutant G93A SOD1 in the IMS increased ROS production. The mitochondrial dysfunction and cell damage paradoxically induced by SOD1-mediated ROS production may be implicated in chronic degenerative diseases.     

The ratio of lipidperoxides to superoxide dismutase activity in the skin lesions of patients with severe skin diseases: an accurate prognostic indicator

We studied 35 patients with active inflammatory skin diseases, measuring the levels of lipidperoxides and of the oxygen radical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in biopsy specimens of skin lesions. Lipidperoxide levels were markedly elevated in all patients. In fifteen patients with disease that was severe and highly resistant to therapy, SOD activity was only slightly increased, in comparison with normal controls. In contrast, in the twenty patients with mild disease that responded well to therapy, SOD activity was markedly elevated. The ratio of lipidperoxide levels to SOD activity was thus an accurate prognostic indicator, being elevated only in the group not responding to treatment. These findings suggest that the severity of allergic inflammatory skin disease and/or the response to treatment may in part be governed by the degree to which the patient's SOD activity is up-regulated in response to the generation of tissue-damaging substances such as lipidperoxides. Interestingly, our studies revealed the SOD activities of both normal and inflamed skin to be unexpectedly high; our data suggest that SOD plays a critical role in protecting the skin from the effects of oxygen radicals and ultraviolet light.     

Induction of oxidative stress and DNA damage in cervix in acute treatment with benzo[a]pyrene

Benzo[a]pyrene [B(a)P] is one of the most prevalent environmental carcinogens and genotoxic agents. However, the mechanisms of B(a)P-induced oxidative damage in cervical tissue are still not clear. The present study was to investigate the oxidative stress and DNA damage in cervix of ICR female mice induced by acute treatment with B(a)P. Oxidative stress was assayed by analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide anion and H(2)O(2), and antioxidant enzymes. The alkaline single-cell electrophoresis (SCGE) was used to measure DNA damage. The contents of MDA and glutathione (GSH), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were significantly increased in cervix 24, 48 and 72h after B(a)P treatment of a single dose of 12.5 and 25mg/kg, while GSH, CAT, SOD and GST had no significant difference with the dose of 50mg/kg B(a)P at post-treatment time 48 and 72h except for SOD activity at 48h which was significant. The maximum values of SOD, CAT, GST and GSH were peaked at 24h and then decreased gradually while GPx activities and MDA levels persisted for up to 72h. Superoxide anion, H(2)O(2) and DNA damage changed similarly as the activity of SOD, CAT or GST. Additionally, increases of formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (FPG) specific DNA damage were observed and can be greatly rescued by vitamin C pretreatment. Overall, B(a)P demonstrated a time- and dose- related oxidative stress and DNA damage in cervix.     

Superoxide and the production of oxidative DNA damage.

The conventional model of oxidative DNA damage posits a role for superoxide (O2-) as a reductant for iron, which subsequently generates a hydroxyl radical by transferring the electron to H2O2. The hydroxyl radical then attacks DNA. Indeed, mutants of Escherichia coli that lack superoxide dismutase (SOD) were 10-fold more vulnerable to DNA oxidation by H2O2 than were wild-type cells. Even the pace of DNA damage by endogenous oxidants was great enough that the SOD mutants could not tolerate air if enzymes that repair oxidative DNA lesions were inactive. However, DNA oxidation proceeds in SOD-proficient cells without the involvement of O2-, as evidenced by the failure of SOD overproduction or anaerobiosis to suppress damage by H2O2. Furthermore, the mechanism by which excess O2- causes damage was called into question when the hypersensitivity of SOD mutants to DNA damage persisted for at least 20 min after O2- had been dispelled through the imposition of anaerobiosis. That behavior contradicted the standard model, which requires that O2- be present to rereduce cellular iron during the period of exposure to H2O2. Evidently, DNA oxidation is driven by a reductant other than O2-, which leaves the mechanism of damage promotion by O2- unsettled. One possibility is that, through its well-established ability to leach iron from iron-sulfur clusters, O2- increases the amount of free iron that is available to catalyze hydroxyl radical production. Experiments with iron transport mutants confirmed that increases in free-iron concentration have the effect of accelerating DNA oxidation. Thus, O2- may be genotoxic only in doses that exceed those found in SOD-proficient cells, and in those limited circumstances it may promote DNA damage by increasing the amount of DNA-bound iron.     

Role of selenium on antioxidant capacity in methomyl-treated mice

Methomyl carbamate is a pesticide widely used in the control of insects. The present work aims at studying the effect of selenium on the antioxidant system of methomyl-treated mice. Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally administered a single dose of methomyl (7 mg/Kg body weight). Mice of another group were injected with sodium selenite (5 pmole/Kg b.wt.) 7 days before methomyl intoxication. After 24 hours, methomyl exposure resulted in significant increase in lactic dehydrogenase activity (LDH). The antioxidant capacity of hepatic cells in terms of the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione (GSH) content was diminished. It appears that methomyl exerts its toxic effect via peroxidative damage to hepatic, renal and splenic cell membranes. Also, methomyl induced DNA damage in these organs as detected by alkaline filter elution technique. The distribution of methomyl in different organs of mice was detected by HPLC. Selenium administration prior to methomyl injection produced pronounced protective action against methomyl effects. It is observed that selenium enhances the endogenous antioxidant capacity of the cells by increasing the activities of SOD, CAT, GR and GST as well as increasing GSH content. The activity of LDH was decreased in blood and the damage of DNA was suppressed comparable to controls. In conclusion, the adverse effects of methomyl in mice could be ameliorated by selenium.     

Manganese-mediated oxidative damage of cellular and isolated DNA by isoniazid and related hydrazines: non-Fenton-type hydroxyl radical formation.

The mechanism by which hydrazines induce damage to cellular and isolated DNA in the presence of metal ions has been investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), DNA sequencing methods, and the ESR spin-trapping technique. For the detection of single-strand breaks by PFGE, an experimental procedure with alkali treatment has been designed. Isoniazid, hydrazine, and phenylhydrazine induced DNA single- and double-strand breaks in cells pretreated with Mn(II), whereas iproniazid did not. With isolated 32P-DNA, isoniazid produced DNA damage in the presence of Cu(II), Mn(II), or Mn(III). Iproniazid damage isolated DNA only in the presence of Cu(II). The Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage by isoniazid or iproniazid is due to active oxygen species other than hydroxyl free radical (.OH), presumably the Cu(I)-peroxide complex. Cleavage of isolated DNA by isoniazid plus Mn(II) occurred without marked site specificity. The DNA damage was inhibited by .OH scavengers and superoxide dismutase (SOD) but not by catalase, suggesting the involvement of .OH formed via O2- but not via H2O2. Consistently, in ESR experiments .OH formation was observed during Mn(II)-catalyzed autoxidation of isoniazid, and the .OH formation was inhibited by SOD, but not by catalase. Iproniazid plus Mn(II) produced no or little .OH. We propose a reaction mechanism for the .OH formation without a H2O2 intermediate during manganese-catalyzed autoxidation of hydrazine. The present and previous data raise the possibility that hydrazines plus Mn(II)-induced cellular DNA damage may occur, at least in part, through the non-Fenton-type reaction.     

Site-specific oxidation at GG and GGG sequences in double-stranded DNA by benzoyl peroxide as a tumor promoter

Benzoyl peroxide (BzPO), a free-radical generator, has tumor-promoting activity. As a method for approaching the mechanism of tumor promoter function, the ability of oxidative DNA damage by BzPO was investigated by using (32)P-labeled DNA fragments obtained from the human p53 tumor suppressor gene and c-Ha-ras-1 protooncogene. BzPO induced piperidine-labile sites at the 5'-site guanine of GG and GGG sequences of double-stranded DNA in the presence of Cu(I), whereas the damage occurred at single guanine residues of single-stranded DNA. Both methional and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) inhibited DNA damage induced by BzPO and Cu(I), but typical hydroxyl radical ((*)OH) scavengers, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, did not inhibit it. On the other hand, H(2)O(2) induced piperidine-labile sites at cytosine and thymine residues of double-stranded DNA in the presence of Cu(I). Phenylhydrazine, which is known to produce phenyl radicals, induced Cu(I)-dependent damage at thymine residues but not at guanine residues. These results suggest that the BzPO-derived reactive species causing DNA damage is different from (*)OH and phenyl radicals generated from benzoyloxyl radicals. BzPO/Cu(I) induced 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) formation in double-stranded DNA more effectively than that in single-stranded DNA. Furthermore, we observed that BzPO increased the amount of 8-oxodG in human cultured cells. Consequently, it is concluded that benzoyloxyl radicals generated by the reaction of BzPO with Cu(I) may oxidize the 5'-guanine of GG and GGG sequences in double-stranded DNA to lead to 8-oxodG formation and piperidine-labile guanine lesions, and the damage seems to be relevant to the tumor-promoting activity of BzPO.     

Effects of Oxidative Stress on Immunosuppression Induced by Selenium Deficiency in Chickens

Selenium (Se) is an important nutritional trace element possessing immune-stimulatory properties. The aim of this 75-day study was to investigate effect of oxidative stress on immunosuppression induced by selenium deficiency by determining antioxidative function, morphological changes, DNA damage, and immune function in immune organ of chickens. One hundred sixty 1-day-old chickens (egg-type birds) were randomly assigned to two groups of 80 each and were fed on a low-Se diet (0.032?mg/kg Se) or a control diet (0.282?mg/kg Se, sodium selenite), respectively. Se contents in blood and immune organ (thymus, spleen, bursa of Fabricius) were determined on days 30, 45, 60, and 75, respectively. Antioxidative function was examined by total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and xanthine oxidase (XOD), and oxidative damage was examined by malondialdehyde (MDA) detection. DNA damage was measured by comet assay, and immune function was examined by determining serum interleukin-1?? (IL-1??), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) contents. The results showed that Se concentrations in the low-Se group were significantly lower (P?<?0.05) than in the control group. Low-Se diet caused a decrease in the activities of T-AOC, SOD, GSH-Px, and an increase in XOD activity and MDA content. Pathological lesions and DNA damage of immune tissues were observed in low-Se group, while the serum IL-1?? and IL-2 contents decreased, and TNF content increased. The present study demonstrated that chickens fed deficient in Se diets exhibited lesions in immune organs, decreased serum IL-1??, IL-2 content, and serum TNF content, indicating that oxidative stress inhibited the development of immune organs and finally impaired the immune function of chickens.     

DNA-Triggered Aggregation of Copper,Zinc Superoxide Dismutase in the Presence of Ascorbate

The oxidative damage hypothesis proposed for the function gain of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) maintains that both mutant and wild-type (WT) SOD1 catalyze reactions with abnormal substrates that damage cellular components critical for viability of the affected cells. However, whether the oxidative damage of SOD1 is involved in the formation of aggregates rich in SOD1 or not remains elusive. Here, we sought to explore the oxidative aggregation of WT SOD1 exposed to environments containing both ascorbate (Asc) and DNA under neutral conditions. The results showed that the WT SOD1 protein was oxidized in the presence of Asc. The oxidation results in the higher affinity of the modified protein for DNA than that of the unmodified protein. The oxidized SOD1 was observed to be more prone to aggregation than the WT SOD1, and the addition of DNA can significantly accelerate the oxidative aggregation. Moreover, a reasonable relationship can be found between the oxidation, increased hydrophobicity, and aggregation of SOD1 in the presence of DNA. The crucial step in aggregation is neutralization of the positive charges on some SOD1 surfaces by DNA binding. This study might be crucial for understanding molecular forces driving the protein aggregation.     

Comet assay and analysis of micronucleus formation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Oxidants play a significant role in causing oxidative stress, which underlies the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Genetic factors that predispose individuals to RA are considered to play an important role in the development of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine, by use of the comet assay and the micronucleus (MN) test, whether DNA damage has an effect on the pathogenesis of RA. Furthermore, our aim was to show if there is an association between oxidative stress and DNA damage in RA. This study was conducted between January and June 2010 in the Erzurum Training and Research Hospital. We analyzed lymphocytes from patients with RA (12 in active and 31 in inactive periods) and 30 healthy controls for effects in the comet assay and the MN test. In addition, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) rate were determined in all the subjects. The comet-tail length, the MN frequencies and the MDA levels were significantly higher in patients--both in the active and the inactive period--than in the controls. In contrast, the SOD and GSH-Px levels were significantly lower in both patient groups than in the controls. Our results suggest that an increased plasma MDA level and decreased plasma GSH-Px and SOD levels reflect the higher degree of oxidative stress in RA patients, a situation that may impair genetic stability in those patients. Thus, the results suggest that increased DNA damage may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA.     

Oestrogenic compounds and oxidative stress (in human sperm and lymphocytes in the Comet assay)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by a wide variety of chemicals and physiological processes in which enzymes catalyse the transfer of electrons from a substrate to molecular oxygen. The immediate products of such reactions, superoxide anion radicals and hydrogen peroxide can be metabolised by enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), respectively, and depending on its concentration by Vitamin C (Vit C). Under certain circumstances the ROS form highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. We examined human sperm and lymphocytes after treatment with six oestrogenic compounds in the Comet assay, which measures DNA damage, and observed that all caused damage in both cell types. The damage was diminished in nearly all cases by catalase, and in some instances by SOD and Vit C. This response pattern was also seen with hydrogen peroxide. This similarity suggests that the oestrogen-mediated effects could be acting via the production of hydrogen peroxide since catalase always markedly reduced the response. The variable responses with SOD indicate a lesser involvement of superoxide anion radicals due to SOD-mediated conversion of superoxide to hydrogen peroxide generally causing a lower level of DNA damage than other ROS. The variable Vit C responses are explained by a reduction of hydrogen peroxide at low Vit C concentrations and a pro-oxidant activity at higher concentrations. Together these data provide evidence that inappropriate exposure to oestrogenic compounds could lead to free-radical mediated damage. It is believed that the observed activities were not generated by cell free cell culture conditions because increased responses were observed over and above control values when the compounds were added, and also increasing dose-response relationships have been found after treatment with such oestrogenic compounds in previously reported studies.     

Analysis of extracellular superoxide dismutase in fibroblasts from patients with systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic disease of connective tissue characterized by vascular damage, autoantibody production and extensive fibrosis of skin, skeletal muscles, vessels and visceral organs. Fibrosis is a biological process involving inflammatory response and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation leading to fibroblast activation. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3), a copper and zinc superoxide dismutase, which is expressed in selected tissues, is secreted into the extracellular space and catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide radical to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. Moreover, SOD3 is associated to inflammatory responses in some experimental models. In this paper we analysed, by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence, SOD3 expression and intracellular localization in dermal fibroblasts from both healthy donors and patients affected by diffuse form of SSc. Moreover, we determined SOD3 enzymatic activity in fibroblast culture medium with the xanthine/xanthine oxidase method. Increased expression of SOD3 mRNA was detected in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts (SScF), as compared to control healthy fibroblasts (HF), and SOD3 immunofluorescence staining displayed a characteristic pattern of secretory proteins in both HF and SScF. Superoxide dismutase assay demonstrated that SOD3 enzymatic activity in SScF culture medium is four times more than in HF culture medium. These data suggest that an alteration in SOD3 expression and activity could be associated to SSc fibrosis.     

Recombinant Human Superoxide Dismutases: Production and Potential Therapeutical Uses

In many pathological situations, tissue damage is caused by cellular generation of superoxide free radicals (O₂-). These active species are generated during post-ischemic reperfusion of organs, in hyperoxic tissue, during acute and chronic inflammation and during exposure to ionizing radiation. Exogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) was shown to significantly prevent such damage.

The genes for human cytosolic Cu/ZnSOD and mitochondrial MnSOD were cloned and introduced into an E. coli expression system. The proteins were expressed in high yields and purified to homogeneity, yielding pharmaceutical-grade materials. These enzymes were used in a variety of in vivo animal models for the demonstration of their protective effects against oxidative damage. Comparative pharmacokinetic studies in rats have revealed that the half-life of Cu/ZnSOD was 6–10min., while that of MnSOD was 5–6 hours, thus indicating that MnSOD may be superior to Cu/ZnSOD for the treatment of chronic diseases. Indeed, MnSOD was found to be erective as an anti-inflammatory agent in the rat carrageenan induced paw edema acute inflammation model. Both enzymes were also effective in ameliorating post-irradiation damage in mice exposed to whole-body or localized chest X-ray radiation.     

17β-Estradiol-mediated increase in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase expression in the brain: a mechanism to protect neurons from ischemia

A number of studies have demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E(2)) protects the brain from ischemia and yet the mechanism by which this hormone brings about its protective effect is unclear. Interestingly, like E(2), overexpression of the oxidative stress response protein Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), which plays a critical role in regulating reactive oxygen species, also protects the brain from ischemia. Because we previously showed that E(2) treatment of cultured mammary cells increases SOD1 expression, we hypothesized that E(2) might increase SOD1 expression in the brain and that this E(2)-mediated increase in SOD1 expression might help to protect the brain from ischemia. We now show that SOD1 is expressed in cortical neurons, that SOD1 expression is increased by exposure of brain slice cultures to E(2), and that the E(2)-mediated increase in SOD1 expression is further augmented by exposure of brain slice cultures to increased superoxide levels or oxygen and glucose deprivation. Importantly, when cortical neurons are exposed to increased superoxide levels and markers of protein and DNA damage, nitrotyrosine and 8-oxoguanine, respectively, are measured, both protein and DNA damage are reduced. In fact, E(2) reduces nitrotyrosine and 8-oxoguanine levels in brain slice cultures regardless of whether they have or have not been exposed to increased superoxide levels. Likewise, when brain slice cultures are treated with E(2) and deprived of oxygen and glucose, 8-oxoguanine levels are reduced. Taken together, these studies provide a critical link between E(2) treatment, SOD1 expression, and neuroprotection and help to define a mechanism through which E(2)-mediated neuroprotection may be conferred.     

Benfotiamine Enhances Antioxidant Defenses and Protects against Cisplatin‐Induced DNA Damage in Nephrotoxic Rats

The objective of the present study was to assess superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), paraoxonase (PON1), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) activities ratio and their relationship with DNA oxidative damage in rats treated with cisplatin (3 mg/kg bwt/day) in the presence and absence of benfotiamine (100 mg/kg/day) for 25 days. Cisplatin‐induced renal damage was evidenced by renal dysfunction and elevated oxidative stress markers. SOD activity and levels of nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, and 8‐hydroxy‐2'‐deoxyguanosine were significantly increased by cisplatin treatment. Moreover, the ratios of GPx/GR, SOD/GPx, SOD/CAT, and SOD/PON1 were significantly increased compared to control. In contrast, glutathione levels were significantly decreased by cisplatin treatment. Simultaneous treatment of rats with cisplatin and benfotiamine ameliorate these variables to values near to those of control rats. This study suggests that benfotiamine can prevent cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity by inhibiting formation reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:398‐405, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/jbt.21501     

Collaborative effects of Photobacterium CuZn superoxide dismutase (SODs) and human AP endonuclease in DNA repair and SOD-deficient Escherichia coli under oxidative stress

The defenses against free radical damage include specialized repair enzymes that correct oxidative damage in DNA and detoxification systems such as superoxide dismutases (SODs). These defenses may be coordinated genetically as global responses. We hypothesized that the expression of SOD and DNA repair genes would inhibit DNA damage under oxidative stress. Therefore, protection of Escherichia coli mutants deficient in SOD and DNA repair genes (sod-, xth-, and nfo-) was demonstrated by transforming the mutant strain with a plasmid pYK9 that encoded Photobacterium leiognathi CuZnSOD and human AP endonuclease. The results show that survival rates were increased in sod+ xth- nfo+ cells compared with sod- xth- ape-, sod- xth- ape-, and sod+ xth- ape- cells under oxidative stress generated with 0.1 mM paraquat or 3 mM H2O2. The data suggest that, at the least, SOD and DNA repair enzymes may collaborate on protection and repair of damaged DNA. Additionally, both enzymes are required for protection against free radicals.     

Omega-3 fatty acids enhance mitochondrial superoxide dismutase activity in rat organs during post-natal development

The protection of the developing organism from oxidative damage is ensured by antioxidant defense systems to cope with reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn can be influenced by dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs in membrane phospholipids are substrates for ROS-induced peroxidation reactions. We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in rat cerebrum, liver and uterus. Pups born from dams fed a diet low in omega-3 PUFAs were fed at weaning a diet supplying low α-linolenic acid (ALA), adequate ALA or enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Malondialdehyde (MDA), a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, and the activities of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), SOD2, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were determined in the three target organs. Compared to low ALA feeding, supplementation with adequate ALA or with EPA + DHA did not affect the cerebrum MDA content but increased MDA content in liver. Uterine MDA was increased by the EPA + DHA diet. Supplementation with adequate ALA or EPA + DHA increased SOD2 activity in the liver and uterus, while only the DHA diet increased SOD2 activity in the cerebrum. SOD1, CAT and GPX activities were not altered by ALA or EPA + DHA supplementation. Our data suggest that increased SOD2 activity in organs of the growing female rats is a critical determinant in the tolerance to oxidative stress induced by feeding a diet supplemented with omega-3 PUFAs. This is may be a specific cellular antioxidant response to ROS production within the mitochondria.     

Lycopene as a natural protector against gamma-radiation induced DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in primary culture of isolated rat hepatocytes in vitro

The present study was designed to evaluate the radioprotective effect of lycopene, a naturally occurring dietary carotenoid, on gamma-radiation induced toxicity in cultured rat hepatocytes. The cellular changes were estimated using lipid peroxidative indices like thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), ceruloplasmin, vitamins A, E, C and uric acid. The DNA damage was analysed by single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). The increase in the severity of DNA damage was observed with the increase in gamma-radiation dose (1, 2 and 4 Gy) in cultured rat hepatocytes. TBARS were increased significantly whereas the levels of GSH, vitamins C, E and A, ceruloplasmin, uric acid and antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased in gamma-irradiated groups. The maximum damage to hepatocytes was observed at 4 Gy irradiation. Pretreatment with lycopene (1.86, 9.31 and 18.62 microM) showed a significant decrease in the levels of TBARS and DNA damage. The antioxidant enzymes increased significantly along with the levels of GSH, vitamins A, E, C, uric acid and ceruloplasmin. The maximum protection of hepatocytes was observed at 9.31 muM of lycopene pretreatment. Thus, our results show that pretreatment with lycopene offers protection against gamma-radiation induced cellular damage and can be developed as an effective radioprotector during radiotherapy.     

Photo-irradiated titanium dioxide catalyzes site specific DNA damage via generation of hydrogen peroxide

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a potential photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. In this study, the mechanism of DNA damage catalyzed by photo-irradiated TiO₂ was examined using [₃₂P]-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments obtained from human genes. Photo-irradiated TiO₂ (anatase and rutile) caused DNA cleavage frequently at the guanine residue in the presence of Cu(II) after E. coli formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase treatment, and the thymine residue was also cleaved after piperidine treatment. Catalase, SOD and bathocuproine, a chelator of Cu(I), inhibited the DNA damage, suggesting the involvement of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and Cu(I). The photocatalytic generation of Cu(I) from Cu(II) was decreased by the addition of SOD. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of SOD on DNA damage is due to the inhibition of the reduction of Cu(II) by superoxide. We also measured the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2' -deoxyguanosine, an indicator of oxidative DNA damage, and showed that anatase is more active than rutile. On the other hand, high concentration of anatase caused DNA damage in the absence of Cu(II). Typical free hydroxyl radical scavengers, such as ethanol, mannnitol, sodium formate and DMSO, inhibited the copper-independent DNA photodamage by anatase. In conclusion, photo-irradiated TiO₂ particles catalyze the copper-mediated site-specific DNA damage via the formation of hydrogen peroxide rather than that of a free hydroxyl radical. This DNA-damaging mechanism may participate in the phototoxicity of TiO₂.     

Absence of superoxide dismutase activity causes nuclear DNA fragmentation during the aging process

Superoxide dismutases (SOD) serve as an important antioxidant defense mechanism in aerobic organisms, and deletion of these genes shortens the replicative life span in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Even though involvement of superoxide dismutase enzymes in ROS scavenging and the aging process has been studied extensively in different organisms, analyses of DNA damages has not been performed for replicatively old superoxide dismutase deficient cells. In this study, we investigated the roles of SOD1, SOD2 and CCS1 genes in preserving genomic integrity in replicatively old yeast cells using the single cell comet assay. We observed that extend of DNA damage was not significantly different among the young cells of wild type, sod1Δ and sod2Δ strains. However, ccs1Δ mutants showed a 60% higher amount of DNA damage in the young stage compared to that of the wild type cells. The aging process increased the DNA damage rates 3-fold in the wild type and more than 5-fold in sod1Δ, sod2Δ, and ccs1Δ mutant cells. Furthermore, ROS levels of these strains showed a similar pattern to their DNA damage contents. Thus, our results confirm that cells accumulate DNA damages during the aging process and reveal that superoxide dismutase enzymes play a substantial role in preserving the genomic integrity in this process.