Cytochrome P-450 2E1 in Rat Liver Peroxisomes: Downregulation by Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Oxidative Stress

Cytochrome P-450 containing enzymes, known to be present in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, catalyze the oxidation of various compounds. In this study we have used highly purified peroxisomes (>95%) to provide evidence by analytical cell fractionation, enzyme activity, Western blot, and immunocytochemical analysis that cytochrome P-450 2E1 (Cyp 2E1) is present in peroxisomes. Similar specific activities of aniline hydroxylase, a Cyp 2E1-dependent enzyme, in purified peroxisomes (0.72 ± 0.03 nmol/min/mg protein) and microsomes (0.58 ± 0.03 nmol/min/mg protein) supports the conclusion that peroxisomes contain significant amount of Cyp 2E1. This peroxisomal Cyp 2E1 was also induced in acetone-treated rat liver. The status of microsomal and peroxisomal Cyp 2E1 was also examined following ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress. Ischemia alone had no effect; however, reperfusion following ischemia resulted in decrease in Cyp 2E1 both in microsomes and peroxisomes. This demonstration of cytochrome P-450 2E1 in peroxisomes and its downregulation during ischemia/reperfusion describes a new role for this organelle in cytochrome P-450 related cellular metabolism and in oxidative stress induced disease conditions.     

Differential changes in phospholipase D and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activities in ischemia-reperfusion of rat heart

Phospholipase D (PLD2) produces phosphatidic acid (PA), which is converted to 1,2 diacylglycerol (DAG) by phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP2). Since PA and DAG regulate Ca(2+) movements, we examined PLD2 and PAP2 in the sarcolemma (SL) and sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) membranes from hearts subjected to ischemia and reperfusion (I-R). Although SL and SR PLD2 activities were unaltered after 30 min ischemia, 5 min reperfusion resulted in a 36% increase in SL PLD2 activity, whereas 30 min reperfusion resulted in a 30% decrease in SL PLD2 activity, as compared to the control value. SR PLD2 activity was decreased (39%) after 5 min reperfusion, but returned to control levels after 30 min reperfusion. Ischemia for 60 min resulted in depressed SL and SR PLD2 activities, characterized with reduced V(max) and increased K(m) values, which were not reversed during reperfusion. Although the SL PAP2 activity was decreased (31%) during ischemia and at 30 min reperfusion (28%), the SR PAP2 activity was unchanged after 30 min ischemia, but was decreased after 5 min reperfusion (25%) and almost completely recovered after 30 min reperfusion. A 60 min period of ischemia followed by reperfusion caused an irreversible depression of SL and SR PAP2 activities. Our results indicate that I-R induced cardiac dysfunction is associated with subcellular changes in PLD2 and PAP2 activities.     

Reversibility of ultrastructural, contractile function and Ca2+ transport changes in guinea pig hearts after global ischemia

To understand the subcellular basis of contractile failure due to ischemia-reperfusion injury, effects of 20, 60, and 90 min of global ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion were examined in isolated guinea pig hearts. Cardiac ultrastructure and function as well as Ca2+ transport abilities of both mitochondrial and microsomal fractions were determined in control, ischemic, and reperfused hearts. Hearts were unable to generate any contractile force after 20 min of ischemia and showed a 75% recovery upon reperfusion. However, there were no significant changes in the subcellular Ca2+ transport in the 20-min ischemic or reperfused hearts. When hearts were made ischemic for 60 and 90 min, the recovery of contractile force on reperfusion was 50 and 7%, respectively. There was a progressive decrease in mitochondrial and microsomal Ca2+ binding and uptake activities after 60 and 90 min of ischemia; these changes were evident at various times of incubation period and at different concentrations of Ca2+. Mitochondrial Ca2+ transport changes were only partially reversible upon reperfusion after 60 and 90 min of ischemia, whereas the microsomal Ca2+ binding, uptake and Ca2+ ATPase activities deteriorated further upon reperfusion of the 90-min ischemic hearts. Ultrastructural changes increased with the duration of the ischemic insult and reperfusion injury was extensive in the 90-min ischemic hearts. These data show that the lack of recovery of contractile function upon reperfusion after a prolonged ischemic insult was accompanied by defects in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transporting properties and structural damage.     

Changes in acid phosphatase activity in rat liver after ischemia

The effect of ischemia on the stability, i.e. the permeability of the lysosomal membrane of rat liver has been studied using quantitative histochemical analysis of acid phosphatase activity. Ischemia in vitro was performed for 0-240 min at 37 degrees C and ischemia in vivo for 60 min was followed by 1, 5, 24 and 48 h of reperfusion. Acid phosphatase activity was demonstrated in cryostat sections using naphthol AS-BI phosphoric acid as substrate and polyvinyl alcohol was added to the incubation medium to counteract diffusion phenomena. Ischemia in vitro up to 240 min did not affect the localization nor the total activity of acid phosphatase activity. After 60-min ischemia in vivo followed by 1-h reperfusion distinct areas showed decreased acid phosphatase activity. A further decrease in activity was observed after 5 h reperfusion. Final reaction product generated by acid phosphatase activity was rather diffusely distributed in border zones between normal and damaged tissue after 24 and 48 h of reperfusion following 60 min ischemia in vivo. It is concluded that not ischemia itself but rather reperfusion affects the stability of the lysosomal membrane due to the occurrence of oxygen-derived free radicals and/or imbalanced Ca2+ concentration. Restoration of the blood flow causes leakage of acid phosphatase from the lysosomes into the cytoplasm of liver parenchymal cells and from there to the blood.     

Changes in acid phosphatase activity in rat liver after ischemia

Summary The effect of ischemia on the stability, i.e. the permeability of the lysosomal membrane of rat liver has been studied using quantitative histochemical analysis of acid phosphatase activity. Ischemia in vitro was performed for 0–240 min at 37° C and ischemia in vivo for 60 min was followed by 1, 5, 24 and 48 h of reperfusion. Acid phosphatase activity was demonstrated in cryostat sections using naphthol AS-BI phosphoric acid as substrate and polyvinyl alcohol was added to the incubation medium to counteract diffusion phenomena. Ischemia in vitro up to 240 min did not affect the localization nor the total activity of acid phosphatase activity. After 60-min ischemia in vivo followed by 1-h reperfusion distinct areas showed decreased acid phosphatase activity. A further decrease in activity was observed after 5 h reperfusion. Final reaction product generated by acid phosphatase activity was rather diffusely distributed in border zones between normal and damaged tissue after 24 and 48 h of reperfusion following 60 min ischemia in vivo. It is concluded that not ischemia itself but rather reperfusion affects the stability of the lysosomal membrane due to the occurrence of oxygen-derived free radicals and/or imbalanced Ca²⁺ concentration. Restoration of the blood flow causes leakage of acid phosphatase from the lysosomes into the cytoplasm of liver parenchymal cells and from there to the blood.     

Ischemia-reperfusion injury: biochemical alterations in peroxisomes of rat kidney.

Exogenously supplied catalase, a peroxisomal enzyme, has been found to be of therapeutic value in ischemic injury. Therefore, we examined the effect of ischemic-reperfusion injury on the structure and function of kidney peroxisomes. Ischemic injury changed the density of peroxisomes from 1.21 g/cm3 (peak I) to a lighter density of 1.14 g/cm3 (peak II). The number of peroxisomes moving from the normal density population (peak I) to a lower density population (peak II) increased with an increase in ischemic injury. Latency experiments indicated both populations of peroxisomes to be of intact peroxisomes. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies against peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins demonstrated that after 90 min of ischemia a significant number of matrix proteins were lost in the peak II population, suggesting that functions of these peroxisomes may be severally affected. Reperfusion following ischemic injury resulted in loss of peroxisomal matrix proteins in both peaks I and II, suggesting that peroxisomal functions may be drastically compromised. This change in peroxisomal functions is reflected by a significant decrease in peroxisomal catalase activity (35%) and beta-oxidation of lignoceric acid (43%) observed following 90 min of ischemia. The decrease in catalase activity was more pronounced in reperfused kidneys even after a shorter term of ischemic injury. Reperfusion restored the normal peroxisomal beta-oxidation in kidneys exposed up to 60 min of ischemia. However, 90 min of ischemia was irreversible as there was a further decrease in beta-oxidation upon reperfusion. The decrease in catalase activity during ischemia alone was due to the formation of an inactive complex, whereas during reperfusion, following 90 min of ischemia, inactivation and proteolysis or decreased synthesis of catalase contributed equally toward the injury. The observed changes in the structure and function of peroxisomes as a result of ischemic-reperfusion injury and the ubiquitous distribution of peroxisomes underlines the importance of this organelle in the pathophysiology of vascular injury in general.     

Biphasic changes in phospholipid hydroperoxide levels during renal ischemia/reperfusion.

The involvement of lipid peroxidation in renal ischemia/reperfusion was explored by measuring changes in the cortical content of specific primary lipid hydroperoxides (using chemluminescent detection with HPLC) following ischemia and reperfusion and by correlating the changes in hydroperoxide content with measurements of renal blood flow. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine hydroperoxide concentrations were significantly lowered during 30 or 60 min of ischemia (to levels less than 50% of control at 60 min). Following 30 min of renal ischemia, reperfusion resulted in a rebound of phospholipid hydroperoxide tissue content to levels higher than controls. Increased phospholipid hydroperoxide formation was not, however, observed in response to reperfusion following long-term (60 min) ischemia. In separate animals it was demonstrated that following 30 min ischemia and reperfusion, renal blood flow recovers to about 65% of control in 1 h. In contrast, following 60 min ischemia and reperfusion, the renal blood flow remains more highly impaired (less than 25% recovery for periods up to 24 h). These results imply that phospholipid hydroperoxides are produced and accumulate in the kidneys under normal aerobic conditions and that lipid peroxidative activity increases during renal ischemia/reperfusion to an extent dependent on the degree of local blood perfusion.     

Source of the hepatic microsomal trans-2-enoyl CoA hydratase bifunctional protein: endoplasmic reticulum or peroxisomes

The present study was designed to investigate the hepatic localization of the microsomal bifunctional trans-2-enoyl CoA hydratase. Despite the low activity (less than 10%) of peroxisomal marker enzymes in isolated hepatic microsomes (acyl CoA oxidase (this study), catalase, and urate oxidase (L. Cook, M. N. Nagi, J. Piscatelli, T. Joseph, M. R. Prasad, D. Ghesquier, and D. L. Cinti, 1986, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 245, 24-26), additional evidence in this study suggests that the microsomal enzyme is derived from peroxisomes. For example, the microsomal hydratase activity was associated with the ribosomal fractions but not with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, when an extract of the peroxisomal enzyme was incubated with either free ribosomes or membrane-bound ribosomes, marked binding was observed with each of the fractions. Furthermore, the ease of release of the bifunctional enzyme from both free ribosomes and membrane-bound ribosomes by only KCl suggests that the bound enzyme is not a nascent protein. Labeling of liver tissue from DEHP-treated rats with rabbit immune IgG made to the purified microsomal hydratase followed by gold conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG suggested a single subcellular site for the bifunctional hydratase--the peroxisomal organelle.     

Differential induction of peroxisomal populations in subcellular fractions of rat liver

In rat liver, peroxisome proliferators induce profound changes in the number and protein composition of peroxisomes, which upon subcellular fractionation is reflected in heterogeneity in sedimentation properties of peroxisome populations. In this study we have investigated the time course of induction of the peroxisomal proteins catalase, acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO) and the 70 kDa peroxisomal membrane protein (PMP70) in different subcellular fractions. Rats were fed a di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) containing diet for 8 days and livers were removed at different time-points, fractionated by differential centrifugation into nuclear, heavy and light mitochondrial, microsomal and soluble fractions, and organelle marker enzymes were measured. Catalase was enriched mainly in the light mitochondrial and soluble fractions, while ACO was enriched in the nuclear fraction (about 30%) and in the soluble fraction. PMP70 was found in all fractions except the soluble fraction. DEHP treatment induced ACO, catalase and PMP70 activity and immunoreactive protein, but the time course and extent of induction was markedly different in the various subcellular fractions. All three proteins were induced more rapidly in the nuclear fraction than in the light mitochondrial or microsomal fractions, with catalase and PMP70 being maximally induced in the nuclear fraction already at 2 days of treatment. Refeeding a normal diet quickly normalized most parameters. These results suggest that induction of a heavy peroxisomal compartment is an early event and that induction of 'small peroxisomes', containing PMP70 and ACO, is a late event. These data are compatible with a model where peroxisomes initially proliferate by growth of a heavy, possibly reticular-like, structure rather than formation of peroxisomes by division of pre-existing organelles into small peroxisomes that subsequently grow. The various peroxisome populations that can be separated by subcellular fractionation may represent peroxisomes at different stages of biogenesis.     

Overexpression of CuZnSOD in coronary vascular cells attenuates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Superoxide dismutase scavenges oxygen radicals, which have been implicated in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the heart. Our experiments were designed to study the effect of a moderate increase of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) on myocardial I/R injury in TgN(SOD1)3Cje transgenic mice. A species of 0.8 kb human CuZnSOD mRNA was expressed, and a 273% increase in CuZnSOD activity was detected in the hearts of transgenic mice with no changes in the activities of other antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, immunoblot analysis revealed no changes in the levels of HSP-70 or HSP-25 levels. Immunocytochemical study indicated that there was increased labeling of CuZnSOD in the cytosolic fractions of both endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, but not in the myocytes of the hearts from transgenic mice. When these hearts were perfused as Langendorff preparations for 45 min after 35 min of global ischemia, the functional recovery of the hearts, expressed as heart rate x LVDP, was 48 +/- 3% in the transgenic hearts as compared to 30 +/- 5% in the nontransgenic hearts (p <.05). The improved cardiac function was accompanied by a significant reduction in lactate dehydrogenase release from the transgenic hearts. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of CuZnSOD in coronary vascular cells renders the heart more resistant to I/R injury.     

Energy metabolism in subcellular fractions of normal and acute ischemic kidneys

The level of oxidative phosphorylation, activity of phosphofructokinase, fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase, ketose-1-phosphate aldolase, glucose-6-phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase are determined in subcellular fractions in the kidney cortex layer of rabbits which have suffered from acute ischemia (for 15, 30, 60, 120 min). Ischemia inhibits the oxidative processes in mitochondria which is proportional to the duration of the effect. An increase in the activity of glycolytic chain enzymes in microsomes and soluble fraction for 15-30 min of ischemia evidences for a compensation of the energy losses at the expense of glycolysis with short periods of ischemia. Glycolysis is inhibited with a more prolonged effect. It is established that the anti-ischemic protection of the organ viability is to be conducted not only with allo- but also with auto-transplantation of the kidney in case of short acute ischemia.     

Translocation and Down-Regulation of Protein Kinase C-α, -β, and -γ Isoforms During Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rat Brain

We investigated the distribution of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in the subcellular fractions (P1, 1,000-g pellet; P2, 10,000-g pellet; P3, 100,000-g pellet; S, 100,000-g supernatant) of rat forebrain after ischemia or reperfusion by immunoblotting. PKC-delta and -epsilon isoforms were predominant in the P2 (synaptosome-rich) fraction, whereas PKC-alpha, -beta, -gamma, -epsilon, and -zeta isoforms were rich in the S (cytosolic) fraction. With time of ischemia (5-30 min), PKC-alpha, -beta, and -gamma translocated to the P2 and P3 fractions, whereas reperfusion for 60 min after 30 min of ischemia reduced PKC-beta activity greatly and PKC-alpha and -gamma activities to a lesser extent. There was no redistribution of PKC-delta, -epsilon, and -zeta after ischemia or reperfusion. A calpain inhibitor, acetylleucylleucylnorleucinal, inhibited the down-regulation of PKC-beta, through intravenous injection. The PKC translocation to the P2 fraction was accompanied by their dephosphorylation, transition of PKC-alpha from dimer to trimer, and the decrease in activity. These data show that PKC-alpha, -beta, and -gamma isoforms translocate chiefly to the synaptosome in ischemic brain in association with the dephosphorylation, multimeric change, and inactivation, followed by the proteolysis of PKC-beta by calpain after postischemic reperfusion.     

Response of normal and reperfused livers to glucagon stimulation: NMR detection of blood flow and high-energy phosphates

The effects of glucagon on blood flow and high-energy phosphates in control and in rat livers damaged by ischemia were studied using in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Normal livers and livers which had been made ischemic for 20, 40, and 60 min followed by 60 min of reperfusion were studied. Ischemia led to a loss in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within 30 min. Reperfusion after 20 min of ischemia led to complete recovery of ATP. 60 min of reperfusion after 40 or 60 min of ischemia led to only a 76% and 48% recovery of ATP, respectively. Glucagon, at doses up to 2.5 mg/kg body weight, caused no changes in the inorganic phosphate (Pi) to ATP ratio in normal livers as measured by ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy. In livers which had been made ischemic for 20, 40, or 60 min, glucagon caused an increase in the Pi/ATP ratio of 18%, 40%, and 40%, respectively. ¹⁹F-NMR detection of the washout of trifluoromethane from liver was used to measure blood flow. Glucagon-stimulated flow in the normal liver in a dose-dependent manner, with 2.5 mg glucagon/kg body weight leading to a 95% increase in flow. Ischemia for 20, 40, and 60 min followed by 60 min of reperfusion led to hepatic blood flows which were 63%, 68%, and 58% lower than control liver. In reperfused livers, blood flow after glucagon-stimulation was reduced to 56%, 43%, and 48% of control glucagon-stimulated flow after 20, 40, and 60 min of ischemia. These results indicate that ischemia followed by reperfusion leads to deceases in hepatic blood flow prior to alterations in ATP and the response of the liver to glucagon is altered in the reperfused liver.     

Ischemic conditioning by short periods of reperfusion attenuates renal ischemia/reperfusion induced apoptosis and autophagy in the rat

Prolonged ischemia amplified iscehemia/reperfusion (IR) induced renal apoptosis and autophagy. We hypothesize that ischemic conditioning (IC) by a briefly intermittent reperfusion during a prolonged ischemic phase may ameliorate IR induced renal dysfunction. We evaluated the antioxidant/oxidant mechanism, autophagy and apoptosis in the uninephrectomized Wistar rats subjected to sham control, 4 stages of 15-min IC (I15 × 4), 2 stages of 30-min IC (I30 × 2), and total 60-min ischema (I60) in the kidney followed by 4 or 24 hours of reperfusion. By use of ATP assay, monitoring O₂ ^-. amounts, autophagy and apoptosis analysis of rat kidneys, I60 followed by 4 hours of reperfusion decreased renal ATP and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and proapoptotic and autophagic mechanisms, including enhanced Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cytochrome C release, active caspase 3, poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) degradation fragments, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1 expression and subsequently tubular apoptosis and autophagy associated with elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine level. I30 × 2, not I15 × 4 decreased ROS production and cytochrome C release, increased Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), Copper-Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and catalase expression and provided a more efficient protection than I60 against IR induced tubular apoptosis and autophagy and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine level. We conclude that 60-min renal ischemia enhanced renal tubular oxidative stress, proapoptosis and autophagy in the rat kidneys. Two stages of 30-min ischemia with 3-min reperfusion significantly preserved renal ATP content, increased antioxidant defense mechanisms and decreased ischemia/reperfusion enhanced renal tubular oxidative stress, cytosolic cytochrome C release, proapoptosis and autophagy in rat kidneys.     

Effect of ischemia and reperfusion on antioxidant enzymes and mitochondrial inner membrane proteins in perfused rat heart

Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of 60 min severe global ischemia followed by 30 min reperfusion on the antioxidant enzymatic system in the isolated perfused rat heart. Ischemia induced a significant increase of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) activity. In reperfused hearts, only the mitochondrial form showed a further significant increase. Glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) was increased in ischemic hearts, whilst the reperfused hearts showed a decrease towards the level found in aerobic hearts. Mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) activity was depressed in ischemic as well as in reperfused hearts, though the cytoplasmic form was unmodified. Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) and glutathione transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) activities were unchanged throughout the experiment. Ischemia and reperfusion induced a significant fall in tissue-reduced glutathione content concomitant with an increase of its oxidized form. We have also studied the mitochondrial inner membrane proteins for both molecular weight, with Coomassie blue, and thiol status, with monobromobimane stain, using a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. Neither ischemia nor reperfusion effected any relevant modification of the molecular weight of the mitochondrial inner-membrane proteins either in the presence or absence of a reducing agent. However, two of these proteins with an apparent molecular weight of 52 0000 and 12 000 showed a decrease in the monobromobimane stain, probably due to the oxidation of their thiol groups.     

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in rats induces iNOS gene transcription by activation of NF-kappaB.

It has been known that many immediately early genes are expressed during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Here, employing a model of hepatic I/R, we show that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is induced via the activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) after I/R in rat liver. When liver was subjected to ischemia followed by reperfusion, but not ischemia alone, an NF-kappaB complex composed of p50/p65 heterodimer and p50 homodimer was rapidly activated within 1 h and remained elevated for up to 3 h, and then tended to decline after 5 h of reperfusion. Also, the expression of iNOS mRNA was initiated after 1 h and continued to increase after 5 h of reperfusion during the time course studied. This upregulated iNOS mRNA expression coincides with increased iNOS enzyme activity and NF-kappaB binding activity after hepatic I/R. Administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 20 mg/kg i.v. 10 min before reperfusion), an antioxidant, not only significantly inhibited the expression of iNOS mRNA but also blocked upregulated NF-kappaB binding activity after reperfused liver. These results suggest that NF-kappaB is activated by oxidative stress during hepatic I/R and may play a significant role in the induction of the iNOS gene.     

Time course of ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative modification of neural proteins in rat forebrain

Time course of oxidative modification of forebrain neural proteins was investigated in the rat model of global and partial cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Animals were subjected to 4-vessel occlusion for 15 min (global ischemia). After the end of ischemia and at different reperfusion times (2, 24 and 48 h), lipoperoxidation-dependent and direct oxidative modification neural protein markers were measured in the forebrain total membrane fraction (tissue homogenate). Ischemia itself causes significant changes only in levels of tryptophan and bityrosine fluorescence when compared to controls. All tested parameters of protein modification altered significantly and were maximal at later reperfusion stage. Content of carbonyl group in re-flow period steadily increased and culminated at 48 h of reperfusion. The highest increase in the fluorescence of bityrosines was detected after 24 h of reperfusion and was statistically significant to both sham operated and ischemic groups. The changes in fluorescence intensity of tryptophan decreased during a reperfusion time dependent manner. Formation of lysine conjugates with lipoperoxidation end-products significantly increased only at later stages of reperfusion. Total forebrain membranes from animals subjected to 3-vessel occlusion model to 15 min (partial ischemia) show no altered content of oxidatively modified proteins compared to controls. Restoration of blood flow for 24 h significantly decreased only fluorescence of aromatic tryptophan. Partial forebrain ischemia/reperfusion resulted in no detectable significant changes in oxidative products formation in extracerebral tissues (liver and kidney) homogenates. Our results suggest that global ischemia/reperfusion initiates both the lipoperoxidation-dependent and direct oxidative modifications of neural proteins. The findings support the view that spatial and temporal injury at later stages of ischemic insult at least partially involves oxidative stress-induced amino acid modification. The results might have important implications for the prospective post-ischemic antioxidant therapy.     

Pre-conditioning to global cerebral ischemia changes hippocampal acetylcholinesterase in the rat

This study shows the effect of transient global cerebral ischemia (ISC) on hippocampal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Naive adult Wistar rats received either a brief (2 min) or a long (10 min) ischemic episode by the four-vessel occlusion method. Pre-conditioned rats received double ischemia: a 10 min episode inflicted 24 h after a 2 min event, a condition known to confer cytoprotection to CA1 pyramidal cells of hippocampus. 2 min of ischemia caused an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity both immediately and 30 min after the episode, however enzyme activity was significantly decreased after 24 h of reperfusion. 10 min of ischemia caused an increase in activity both 60 min and 24 h after ischemia. Conversely, pre-conditioned rats displayed lower activity both immediately and 60 min after ischemia. Our results suggest that: a) neuronal death, that follows 10 min of ischemia, is associated to a late increase in acetylcholinesterase activity; b) pre-conditioning is related to diminished acetylcholinesterase activity. This is in agreement with previous evidence that acetylcholinesterase inhibition and maintenance of acetylcholine levels are beneficial for cell surviving after cerebral ischemia.     

Lipid peroxidation during ischemia depends on ischemia time in warm ischemia and reperfusion of rat liver

Prolonged hepatic warm ischemia has been incriminated in oxidative stress after reperfusion. However, the magnitude of oxidative stress during ischemia has been controversial. The aims of the present study were to elucidate whether lipid peroxidation progressed during ischemia and to clarify whether oxidative stress during ischemia aggravated the oxidative damage after reperfusion. Rats were subjected to 30 to 120 min of 70% warm ischemia alone or followed by reperfusion for 60 min. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) was evaluated by amounts of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PC-OOH) and phosphatidylethanolamine hydroperoxide (PE-OOH) as primary LPO products. Total amounts of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (MDA + 4-HNE), degraded from hydroperoxides, were also determined. PC-OOH and PE-OOH significantly increased at 60 and 120 min ischemia with concomitant increase of oxidized glutathione. These hydroperoxides did not increase at 60 min reperfusion after 60 min ischemia, whereas they did increase at 60 min reperfusion after 120 min ischemia with deactivation of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. The amount of MDA + 4-HNE exhibited similar changes, but the velocity of production dropped with ischemic time longer than 60 min. In conclusion, oxidative stress progressed during ischemia and triggered the oxidative injury after reperfusion. Secondary LPO products are less sensitive, especially during ischemia, which may cause possible underestimation and discrepancy.