Influence of antitumor drugs on free radical concentration in fungal cells during primary and secondary tumor-like growth

The fungus Fusarium bulbigenum var. blasticola distinguished by secondary tumor-like growth (TLG) in aging was taken as a novel test system for antitumor drugs. EPR spectroscopy was used to assess the effect of various drugs introduced into the growth medium on the type and content of free radicals in the primary mycelium and TLGs. The EPR spectra in all cases featured a single slightly asymmetrical line of ΔH ～ 0.4–0.6 mT and g = 2.0036 ± 0.0006, whereby the paramagnetic centers could be assigned to melanin radicals. The content of free radicals was always higher in TLGs than in the primary mycelium, which could naturally be due to more intense metabolism. A number of antitumor drugs (fluorouracil, hydroxyurea, methotrexate, etoposide) completely prevented TLG, with varying effect on free radicals in mycelia. Another group (cyclophosphane, dacarbazine, adriablastine, vinblastine), on the contrary, promoted TLG and increased the free radical content in all fungal cells. The third group (mercaptopurine, thioguanine, pharmorubicin) were weakly suppressive for TLG despite the elevated free radical content therein. Vitamins B₂, B₁₂, C, and PP were stimulatory for TLG, whereas in combination with antitumor drugs they could enhance or attenuate their effects.     

鲍姆纤孔菌（桑黄）不同方式发酵的菌丝体生物活性比较

利用液体发酵、木屑固体发酵和米饭固体发酵3种方式培养鲍姆纤孔菌（桑黄）菌丝体,对菌丝体醇提物的体外抗氧化、抗肿瘤和抗衰老生物活性进行了研究。结果表明,木屑固体发酵、液体发酵和米饭固体发酵的菌丝体醇提物清除H2O2自由基的IC50值分别为78.28±0.32、27.73±0.57和7.84±0.37;米饭培养的桑黄菌丝体醇提物在低浓度500μg/mL下对超氧阴离子自由基清除作用到达80%,在相同的浓度下对DPPH自由基清除率也明显高于其他两种方法,表现出较高的抗氧化活性。木屑以及米饭培养方法得到的菌丝体对PC12神经细胞损伤修复均有较好的效果,液体培养的桑黄菌丝体表现的修复作用较低;液体发酵培养的菌丝体醇提物浓度在100μg/mL时,对肿瘤细胞HepG2的抑制率达70%,高于其他两种培养方法的抑制作用。     

Induced tolerance of Sclerotium cepivorum to antibiotics in the presence of onion exudates

The onion white rot pathogen Sclerotium cepivorum was cultured on agar media containing 2% malt extract and one of the antifungal antibiotics, endomycin, griseofulvin, venturicidin and cycloheximide at concentrations that reduced but did not prevent growth of mycelium. When onion seeds or agar discs impregnated with diffusates from onion bulbs were placed on the antibiotic media, radial growth of the fungus was greatly increased, and there was a profuse development of aerial mycelium. Gaseous diffusates from onion tissue and from impregnated agar discs were also effective. On the antibiotic media, tomato, cabbage and radish seeds did not stimulate the growth of S. cepivorum and the onion exudates did not stimulate the growth of four other fungi. This and other evidence is considered to show that the stimulation of growth of S. cepivorum was not caused by any direct effect on the antibiotics but by a tolerance of the fungus to them, which was specifically induced by an exudate from its host plant. The phenomenon may be related to the reported reversal by onion extracts of the inhibitory effects of soil mycostasis on germination of sclerotia of the fungus.     

Mechanism of polyene antibiotic inactivation. Possible ways for levorin stabilization

Various means for levorin isolation were studied with the EPR method and approaches to stabilization of the antibiotic on storage under natural conditions were discussed. It was shown that formation of the radicals begins already at the first stage of the antibiotic isolation, i.e. during extraction from the mycelium. Treatment of the solvents with an inert gas or addition of antioxidants decreased the number of free radicals in a freshly isolated product. The antibiotic inactivation rate depended on the initial concentration of the free radicals and conditions of natural storage. The levorin stability increased when oxygen was thoroughly removed from the solvents at all isolation stages and the antibiotic was subsequently stored under conditions preventing any access of the air. The stabilizing effect was also observed when the oxidative effect of the amino sugar moiety on destruction of the polyenic chromophore during the antibiotic complex formation with respect to the amino group was decreased.     

Influence of colonisation by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on the growth of seedlings of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Banksia ericifolia</Emphasis> (Proteaceae)

Tap and primary lateral roots of seedlings of the putatively non-mycorrhizal Banksia ericifolia became marginally colonised when grown in an established mycelium of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus in the laboratory. A similar degree of colonisation was found in seedlings from an open woodland. All colonies lacked arbuscules. Two factors influencing colonisation and associated growth of host plants were examined experimentally: concentration of P in the soil and organic energy associated with the fungus. While some inoculated seedlings were slightly smaller when colonised by AM fungi, the results were inconsistent and never statistically significant. Seedlings take up insignificant quantities of soil P during early growth, even in the presence of abundant added P. Though colonisation was minor in all cases, an existing mycelium, whether or not connected to a companion plant, slightly increased the amount of root of B. ericifolia colonised by an AM fungus. All seedlings grew slowly. Shoots were significantly larger than roots, until the initiation of proteoid roots which commenced at about 40 days after germination, with both relatively high and low P supply.     

Antioxidative and radioprotective activities of semiquinone glucoside derivative (SQGD) isolated from Bacillus sp. INM-1

A semiquinone glucoside derivative (SQGD) was isolated from a radioresistant bacterium Bacillus sp. INM-1 and its antioxidant and radioprotective activities were evaluated using in vitro assays. Natural stable free radical properties of SQGD in solid as well as in solution form were estimated using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectrometry. Results of the study were demonstrated high reducing power (1.267 ± 0.03356 U(abs)) and nitric oxide radicals scavenging activity (34.684 ± 2.132%) of SQGD. Maximum lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity of SQGD was found to be 74.09 ± 0.08% at 500 μg/ml concentration. Similarly, significant (39.54%; P < 0.05) protection to the liposomal artificial membrane against gamma radiation was observed by SQGD in terms of neutralization of gamma radiation-induced TBARS radicals in vitro. OH(-) radicals scavenging efficacy of SQGD was estimated in terms of % inhibition in deoxy D: -ribose degradation by non-site-specific and site-specific assay. The maximum (54.01 ± 1.01%) inhibition of deoxy D: -ribose degradation was observed in non-site-specific manner, whereas, site-specific inhibition was observed to be 46.36 ± 0.5% at the same concentration (250 μg/ml) of SQGD. EPR spectroscopic analysis of the SQGD indicated ~80% reduction of DPPH radicals at 6.4% concentration. EPR spectral analysis of SQGD was revealed an appearance of very strong EPR signal of 2.00485 (crystalline form) and 2.00520 (solution form) g(y) tensor value, which were an established characteristic of o-semiquinone radicals. Therefore, it can be concluded that SQGD is a natural stable o-semiquinone-type radical, possessing strong antioxidant activities and can effectively neutralize radiation induced free radicals in biological system.     

Periodical batch culture of the immobilized growing fungi Sporotrichum cellulophilum producing cellulase in the nonwoven materials

The thermophilic fungus Sporotrichum cellulophilum was immobilized with nonwoven materials for cellulase production. The cellulose powder concentration in the medium was an important factor controlling cellulase production. When the cellulose powder concentration in the nonwoven materials was more than 4%, cellulase production was suppressed. The growth of the immobilized fungi depended on the spaces in the nonwoven materials. Immobilized growing fungi were retained by the non-woven materials, and the supernatant medium did not contain mycelia. The heat stability of the immobilized growing fungus was higher than that of the free fungus. The immobilized fungus gave the same FPA as the free mycelium, but the lag time for cellulase production in the immobilized fungus was longer. It was necessary for the only medium to be changed in order to get the immobilized growing fungus to continue producing cellulase. In this instance there was no difference of lag time in comparison with the free cells, and the supply of cellulose powder and polypepton was reduced to two-thirds. After 23 exchanges of the medium (2.6 mg cellulose powder/1 cm(3) nonwoven materials) FPA value was maintained. The periodic batch culture was continued for 69 days.     

Effect of amphotericin B on the metabolism of Aspergillus fumigatus

Action of amphotericin B on the growth and metabolism of Aspergillus fumigatus has been investigated. The fungus proved to be very sensitive to amphotericin B, showing complete inhibition of growth at 0.5 units/ml. Amphotericin B suppressed the exogenous and endogenous respiration and glycolysis of A. fumigatus as well as the assimilation of various glycolysis and TCA cycle intermediates. Addition of cations and cholesterol failed to reverse the action of amphotericin B. The treated mycelium released a variety of cellular constituents and it is inferred that the antibiotic effects the permeability of A. fumigatus cells. In experiments with ³²P labelled mycelium phosphorus compounds leached out in concentrations which were dependent on the antibiotic dose, period of contact, incubation temperature and metabolic state of the fungus.     

Effect of simvastatin in different concentrations on free radicals in A-2058 human melanoma malignum cells—EPR studies

The influence of concentration of simvastatin (SIM) on free radicals in A-2058 human melanoma malignum cells was studied. The proliferation assay for melanoma A-2058 cells with SIM in concentration range from 0.1 to 20 µM was performed. SIM in the concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, and 1 μM only slightly changed the growth of A-2058 cells, but the growth of the cells considerably decreased for higher concentrations of SIM. Free radicals in the cells were examined by an X-band (9.3 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. o-Semiquinone free radicals with g-factors in the range of 2.0060 to 2.0065 were found in A-2058 cells. The asymmetric broad EPR spectra with linewidths (ΔB_pp) from 0.87 to 1.25 mT were measured. The fast spin-lattice relaxation processes characterized all the tested cells. The free radical concentrations in the all A-2058 cells cultured with SIM were lower than in the control cells. The quenching of free radicals in A-2058 cells depended on concentration of SIM. This effect was the weakest for concentration of SIM of 3 μM. The strongest decrease of free radical concentration caused SIM in concentration of 1 μM.     

Application of EPR Spectroscopy to Examination of the Effect of Sterilization Process on Free Radicals in Different Herbs

Free radicals in the original and sterilized caraway, curry, curcuma and cardamom were studied. An X-band (9.3 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was the experimental technique. Effect of microwave power in the range of 2.2–70 mW on amplitudes, linewidths, and lineshape parameters of the EPR spectra was tested. Free radicals concentrations in the non- and sterilized herb samples were compared. The aim of this work was to determine properties and concentration of free radicals in steam sterilized caraway, curry, curcuma and cardamom. It was pointed out that free radicals (~10¹⁸?spin/g) exist in both the original and sterilized herbs. Complex free radical system with oxygen and carbon paramagnetic centers characterizes the examined herbs. Homogeneously dipolar broadened EPR spectra were measured for all the tested herbs. Slow spin-lattice relaxation processes exist in the examined samples. Practical usefulness of EPR method in food technology was discussed.     

Fonsecaea pedrosoi: lipid composition and determination of susceptibility to amphotericin B.

Conidia and mycelial cells of Fonsecaea pedrosoi ATCC 46428 were obtained for analyses of lipid composition. Total lipids, phospholipids, sterols, and qualitative sterols and fatty acid composition were determined. A higher lipid content was detected in conidia than in mycelial cells of Fonsecaea pedrosoi, which could not be attributed to total sterols and phospholipids. In both forms of this fungus, ergosterol was the only sterol detected. The minimal inhibitory concentration of amphotericin B was lower for conidia than for mycelium.     

The Effect of Oxygen at Physiological Levels on the Detection of free Radical Intermediates by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

It is well known that oxygen enhances Che relaxation of free radical EPR probes through spin lattice and Heisenberg spin-spin interactions with consequent effect on the line height and width. The two relaxation processes have opposing effects on the signal heights and depend on the concentration of oxygen, the incident microwave power, and the presence of other paramagnetic species. During EPR studies of chemical, biochemical, and cellular processes involving free radicals, molecular oxygen has significant magnetic influence on the EPR signal intensity of the free radical species under investigation in addition to affecting the rates of production of the primary species and the stability of the spin adduct nitroxides. These effects are often overlooked and can cause artifacts and lead to erroneous interpretation. In the present study, the effects of oxygen and ferricyanide on the EPR signal height of stable and persistent spin adduct nitroxides at commonly employed microwave powers were examined. The results show that under commonly adopted EPR spectrometer instrumental conditions, artifactual changes in the EPR signal of spin adducts occur and the best way to avoid them is by keeping the oxygen level constant using a gas-permeable cell.     

药用真菌灵芝液体培养过程中的抗氧化活性研究

灵芝Ganoderma lingzhi是一种重要的药用真菌,已被《中国药典》正式收录。本研究主要以菌丝体干重、多糖含量、多酚含量、黄酮含量、抗坏血酸（ascorbic acid,AA）含量、总抗氧化能力（total antioxidant capacity,T-AOC）、超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）活性、羟自由基清除能力、超氧阴离子清除能力、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH）自由基清除能力、2,2′-连氮-双(3-乙基苯并噻唑-6-磺酸)[2,2′-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid),ABTS]自由基清除能力、铁离子还原能力（ferric reducing antioxidant power,FRAP）和亚铁离子螯合能力为测定指标,对灵芝液体培养过程中的抗氧化活性进行了评价。结果显示,该菌具有较高的抗氧化活性,体现在液体培养过程中生长代谢旺盛,可分泌大量多糖、多酚、黄酮、AA等物质和SOD等酶类,对羟自由基、超氧阴离子、DPPH自由基及ABTS自由基等的清除效果显著,且具有较强的铁离子还原能力和亚铁离子螯合作用,这也说明该菌的抗氧化活性与其自身的生长状况、次级代谢产物分泌及还原能力等密切相关。此外,一定的环境胁迫压力也可以激发该菌启动自身的抗氧化系统以保护机体免受氧化损伤。     

The Influence of Ustilago maydis on Free Radicals Concentration in Zea mays Tissues

In the plant Ustilago maydis causes: 1. A lowering of free radical concentrations in tissues of nodal roots and in internodial tissues close to the fungus. 2. Conversely, in tissues of the primary root, of aerial roots, of leaves and nodes 1–5, 13, 15 and 16 it causes a rise of free radicals concentration. Ustilago maydis has a similar effect upon free radicals concentration in maize leaves as Erysiphe graminis in barley leaves.     

Superoxide formation as a result of interaction of L-lysine with dicarbonyl compounds and its possible mechanism

The EPR signal recorded in reaction medium containing L-lysine and methylglyoxal is supposed to come from the anion radical (semidione) of methylglyoxal and cation radical of methylglyoxal dialkylimine. These free radical inter-mediates might be formed as a result of electron transfer from dialkylimine to methylglyoxal. The EPR signal was observed in a nitrogen atmosphere, whereas only trace amounts of free radicals were registered under aerobic conditions. It has been established that the decay of methylglyoxal anion radical on aeration of the medium is inhibited by superoxide dismutase. Using the methods of EPR spectroscopy and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence, it has been shown that nonenzymatic generation of free radicals including superoxide anion radical takes place during the interaction of L-lysine with methylglyoxal — an intermediate of carbonyl stress — at different (including physiological) pH values. In the course of analogous reaction of L-lysine with malondialdehyde (the secondary product of the free radical derived oxidation of lipids), the formation of organic free radicals or superoxide radical was not observed.     

Mycelium cultivation, chemical composition and antitumour activity of a Tolypocladium sp. fungus isolated from wild Cordyceps sinensis

AIMS: To examine and illustrate the morphological characteristics and growth kinetics of Cs-HK1, a Tolypocladium fungus, isolated from wild Cordyceps sinensis in solid and liquid cultures, and the major chemical constituents and antitumour effects of Cs-HK1 mycelium. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Cs-HK1 fungus was isolated from the fruiting body of a wild C. sinensis and identified as a Tolypocladium sp. fungus. It grew rapidly at 22-25 degrees C on a liquid medium containing glucose, yeast extract, peptone and major inorganic salts, with a specific growth rate of 1.1 day(-1), reaching a cell density of 23.0 g dw l(-1) in 7-9 days. Exopolysaccharides accumulated in the liquid culture to about 0.3 g l(-1) glucose equivalent. In comparison with natural C. sinensis, the fungal mycelium had similar contents of protein (11.7-microg) and carbohydrate (654.6-microg) but much higher contents of polysaccharide (244.2 mg vs 129.5 mg), adenosine (1116.8-microg vs 264.6 microg) and cordycepin (65.7 microg vs 20.8 microg) (per gram dry weight). Cyclosporin A, an antibiotic commonly produced by Tolypocladium sp., was also detected from the mycelium extract. The hot water extract of mycelium showed low cytotoxic effect on B16 melanoma cells in culture (about 25% inhibition) but significant antitumour effect in animal tests, causing 50% inhibition of B16 cell-induced tumour growth in mice. CONCLUSIONS: The Tolypocladium sp. fungus, Cs-HK1, can be easily cultivated by liquid fermentation. The mycelium biomass contained the major bioactive compounds of C. sinensis, and the mycelium extract had significant antitumour activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The Cs-HK1 fungus may be a new and promising medicinal fungus and an effective and economical substitute of the wild C. sinensis for health care.     

Measurement of superoxide-derived free radicals in the reperfused heart. Evidence for a free radical mechanism of reperfusion injury

There has been considerable controversy regarding the role of oxygen free radicals as important mediators of cell damage in reperfused myocardium. This controversy regards whether superoxide and hydroxyl free radicals are generated on reperfusion and if these radicals actually cause impaired contractile function. In this study, EPR studies using the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyroline-n-oxide (DMPO) demonstrate the formation of .OH and R. free radicals in the reperfused heart. EPR signals of DMPO-OH, aN = aH = 14.9 G, and DMPO-R aN = 15.8 G aH = 22.8 G are observed, with peak concentrations during the first minute of reperfusion. It is demonstrated that these radicals are derived from .O2- since reperfusion in the presence of enzymatically active recombinant human superoxide dismutase markedly reduced the formation of these signals while inactive recombinant human superoxide dismutase had no effect. On reperfusion with perfusate pretreated to remove adventitial iron, the concentration of the DMPO-OH signal was increased 2-fold and a 4-fold decrease in the DMPO-R signal was observed demonstrating that iron-mediated Fenton chemistry occurs. Hearts reperfused with recombinant human superoxide dismutase exhibited improved contractile function in parallel with the marked reduction in measured free radicals. In order to determine if the reperfusion free radical burst results in impaired contractile function, simultaneous measurements of free radical generation and contractile function were performed. A direct relationship between free radical generation and subsequent impaired contractile function was observed. These studies suggest that superoxide derived .OH and R. free radicals are generated in the reperfused heart via Fenton chemistry. These radicals appear to be key mediators of myocardial reperfusion injury.     

Carnivorous pitcher plant uses free radicals in the digestion of prey

A study of the involvement of free oxygen radicals in trapping and digestion of insects by carnivorous plants was the main goal of the present investigation. We showed that the generation of oxygen free radicals by pitcher fluid of Nepenthes is the first step of the digestion process, as seen by EPR spin trapping assay and gel-electrophoresis. The EPR spectrum of N. gracilis fluid in the presence of DMPO spin trap showed the superposition of the hydroxyl radical spin adduct signal and of the ascorbyl radical signal. Catalase addition decreased the generation of hydroxyl radicals showing that hydroxyl radicals are generated from hydrogen peroxide, which can be derived from superoxide radicals. Gel-electrophoresis data showed that myosin, an abundant protein component of insects, can be rapidly broken down by free radicals and protease inhibitors do not inhibit this process. Addition of myoglobin to the pitcher plant fluid decreased the concentration of detectable radicals. Based on these observations, we conclude that oxygen free radicals produced by the pitcher plant aid in the digestion of the insect prey.     

Pulsed UV Laser Generated Short-Lived free Radicals from Biological Samples

EPR characterization of the short-lived free radicals generated by pulsed UV laser ablation of biological samples has been investigated using a spin trap method. The obtained EPR spectra suggest that the trapped short-lived free radicals generated by excimer laser ablation of collagen and myocardium are identical. The obtained results are discussed in association with the production scheme of free radicals and an empirical mechanism of laser generated short-lived free radicals.     

EPR detection of glutathionyl and protein-tyrosyl radicals during the interaction of peroxynitrite with macrophages (J774)

Peroxynitrite is one of the biological oxidants whose addition to cells has been shown to either activate signaling pathways or lead to cell injury, depending on cell type and oxidant concentration. The intermediacy of free radicals in these processes has been directly demonstrated only during the interaction of peroxynitrite with erythrocytes, a particular cell type, due to its high hemoglobin content. Here, we demonstrate that the addition of peroxynitrite to a macrophage cell line (J774) led to the production of glutathionyl and protein-tyrosyl radicals. The glutathionyl radical was characterized by EPR spin-trapping experiments with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide. Protein-tyrosyl radical formation was suggested by direct EPR spectroscopy and confirmed by EPR spin-trapping experiments with 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonic acid and Western blot analysis of nitrated proteins in treated macrophages. Time dependence studies of free radical formation indicate that intracellular glutathione and unidentified proteins are the initial peroxynitrite targets in macrophages and that their derived radicals trigger radical chain reactions. The results are likely to be relevant to the understanding of the bioregulatory and biodamaging effects of peroxynitrite.