Pro-oxidative effects of Tempo in systems containing oxidants

2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Tempo), previously reported by us to augment oxidation of glutathione induced by peroxynitrite (Glebska J, Skolimowski J, Kudzin Z, Gwozdzinski K, Grzelak A, Bartosz G. Pro-oxidative activity of nitroxides in their reactions with glutathione. Free Radic Biol Med 2003; 35: 310-316) was found to increase oxidation of glutathione induced by various oxidants, including persulfate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Tempo augmented also the inactivation and thiol loss of alcohol dehydrogenase induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) (AAPH) and oxidative degradation of deoxyribose induced by ammonium persulfate and tert-butyl hydroperoxide. These results point to a pro-oxidative effect of nitroxides on a range of biomolecules subjected to the action of various oxidants.     

Hydrogen abstraction ability of different aromatic nitroxides

Indolinonic aromatic nitroxides have been shown to efficiently inhibit free radical mediated oxidation reactions in biological systems. Since all antioxidants also possess pro-oxidant activity, possibly through a hydrogen abstraction process from suitable substrates, the relative hydrogen abstraction abilities of these compounds were evaluated. Different hydrogen donors were reacted with an indolinic and two indolinonic nitroxides and the rates of hydrogen abstraction were determined using UV-Vis spectroscopy. From the data obtained, a structure-activity relationship was found. In addition, the hydrogen abstraction ability of these compounds was found to be much greater than that of the aliphatic nitroxide TEMPO, despite existing reports indicating that these two classes of compounds show similar antioxidant activities in biological systems.     

Unique oxidation of imidazolidine nitroxides by potassium ferricyanide: strategy for designing paramagnetic probes with enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress

Potassium ferricyanide (PF), routinely employed for the oxidation of sterically-hindered hydroxylamines to nitroxides, is considered to be chemically inert towards the latter. In the present study, we report on an unexpected oxidative fragmentation of the imidazolidine nitroxides containing hydrogen atom in the 4-position of the heterocycle (HIMD) by PF resulting in the loss of the EPR signal. The mechanistic EPR, spectrophotometric, electrochemical and HPLC-MS studies support the assumption that the HIMD fragmentation is facilitated by the proton abstraction from the 4-position of the oxoammonium cation formed as a result of the initial one-electron HIMD oxidation. Increase in steric hindrance around the radical fragment by introducing ethyl substituents decreased the rate of ascorbate-induced HIMD reduction by more than 20 times, but did not affect the rate of ferricyanide-induced HIMD oxidation. This preferential sensitivity of HIMDs to oxidative processes has been used to detect peroxyl radicals in the presence of high concentration of the reducing agent, ascorbate. HIMD-based EPR probes capable to discriminate oxidative and reductive processes might find application in biomedicine and related fields for monitoring the oxidative stress and reactive radical species in biological systems.     

Unique oxidation of imidazolidine nitroxides by potassium ferricyanide: Strategy for designing paramagnetic probes with enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress

Abstract

Potassium ferricyanide (PF), routinely employed for the oxidation of sterically-hindered hydroxylamines to nitroxides, is considered to be chemically inert towards the latter. In the present study, we report on an unexpected oxidative fragmentation of the imidazolidine nitroxides containing hydrogen atom in the 4-position of the heterocycle (HIMD) by PF resulting in the loss of the EPR signal. The mechanistic EPR, spectrophotometric, electrochemical and HPLC–MS studies support the assumption that the HIMD fragmentation is facilitated by the proton abstraction from the 4-position of the oxoammonium cation formed as a result of the initial one-electron HIMD oxidation. Increase in steric hindrance around the radical fragment by introducing ethyl substituents decreased the rate of ascorbate-induced HIMD reduction by more than 20 times, but did not affect the rate of ferricyanide-induced HIMD oxidation. This preferential sensitivity of HIMDs to oxidative processes has been used to detect peroxyl radicals in the presence of high concentration of the reducing agent, ascorbate. HIMD-based EPR probes capable to discriminate oxidative and reductive processes might find application in biomedicine and related fields for monitoring the oxidative stress and reactive radical species in biological systems.     

Decrease in 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) EPR signal in peroxynitrite-treated erythrocyte membranes.

The treatment of erythrocyte membranes with peroxynitrite (ONOO-), a cytotoxic species formed in vivo by the almost completely diffusion controlled reaction of nitric oxide (NO*) and the superoxide anion (O2*-), led to the loss of the EPR signal of the nitroxide radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO). The decrease in the TEMPO EPR signal was peroxynitrite concentration dependent in the studied peroxynitrite concentration range (100-1000 microM). The absence of such a phenomenon in the control membranes (not treated with peroxynitrite) and in a buffer treated with peroxynitrite indicates that the effect must be caused by nitroxide radicals reacting with the products of peroxynitrite reactions with membrane components. To find out which membrane components are responsible for the decrease in EPR signal, this effect was studied in simple model systems (protein and lipid suspensions). The same phenomenon was observed in both lipid and protein systems treated with peroxynitrite, but in protein solutions the effect was greater and occurred for lower peroxynitrite concentrations. A clear effect of the loss of the EPR signal was observed for both erythrocyte membranes and bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution for a peroxynitrite concentration of 100 microM, while in the case of linolenic acid suspension, a significant difference between control and peroxynitrite-treated samples was achieved for a peroxynitrite concentration of 1000 microM. A comparison of the results obtained for the lipid and protein systems suggests that the reaction of nitroxide radicals with protein derived species plays the main role in the observed decrease in the TEMPO EPR signal in peroxynitrite treated erythrocyte membranes.     

EPR detection of glutathiyl and hemoglobin-cysteinyl radicals during the interaction of peroxynitrite with human erythrocytes

Peroxynitrite, which is formed by the fast reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide anion, has been receiving increasing attention as a mediator of human diseases. An initial controversy about the possibility of free radical production from peroxynitrite in test tubes has been resolved, and presently it is important to establish whether peroxynitrite produces radicals in cells. Here we employed the EPR spin trapping methodology with 5,5-dimethylpyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) to study the interaction of peroxynitrite with human erythrocytes. The results confirmed previous findings in demonstrating that oxyhemoglobin is the main target of peroxynitrite in erythrocytes. As we first show here, the produced ferryl-hemoglobin oxidizes its own amino acids and, most probably, amino acids from other hemoglobin monomers to produce hemoglobin-tyrosyl and hemoglobin-cysteinyl radicals. In parallel, ferryl-hemoglobin also oxidizes intracellular glutathione to produce the glutathiyl radical. The EPR spectrum of both DMPO/(*)cysteinyl-hemoglobin (a(beta)(H) = 15.4 G) and DMPO/(*)tyrosyl-hemoglobin (a(beta)(H) = 8.8 G) radical adducts was characterized. It is proposed that erythrocytes can be efficient peroxynitrite scavengers in vivo through the coupled action of oxyhemoglobin and glutathione. Overall, the results indicate that, through the intermediacy of carbon dioxide and/or hemoproteins, oxidation of glutathione to the glutathiyl radical is likely to be an important consequence of peroxynitrite production in vivo.     

Effects of reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen on iron ion release from ferritin and synthesis of dinitrosyl iron complexes

Using EPR spectroscopy it was established that Fe ions released from ferritin under the action of glutathione and superoxide took part in the formation of dinitrosyl complexes of iron with glutathione (DNIC). The reaction between O2-. and NO resulted in the formation of peroxynitrite, which oxidized glutathione to the thiyl radical. In these conditions, DNIC did not inhibit the formation of thiyl radicals but effectively slowed down the oxidative destruction of beta-carotene by peroxynitrite and free radicals of lipids. In the presence of glutathione, the inversion of the antioxidant properties of DNIC into prooxidant ones took place. S-nitrosoglutathione prevented this inversion and suppressed the free-radical oxidation of beta-carotene induced by ferritin. It was proposed that the equilibrium between S-nitrosoglutathione, DNIC, "free Fe" ions and ferritin may determine the balance between prooxidant and antioxidant processes in living organisms.     

Oxidation of DOPAC by nitric oxide: effect of superoxide dismutase

This study aimed to characterize the redox interaction between 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and nitric oxide (.NO), and to assess the reductive and oxidative decay pathways of the DOPAC semiquinone originating from this interaction. The reaction between DOPAC and.NO led to the formation of the DOPAC semiquinone radical, detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and stabilized by Mg(2+), and the nitrosyl anion detected as nitrosylmyoglobin. The EPR signal corresponding to the DOPAC semiquinone was modulated as follows: (i) it was suppressed by glutathione and ascorbic acid with the formation of new EPR spectra corresponding to the glutathionyl and ascorbyl radical, respectively; (ii) it was enhanced by Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase; the enzyme also accelerated the decay of the semiquinone species to DOPAC quinone. These results are interpreted as a one-electron oxidation of DOPAC by.NO; the reductive decay of the semiquinone back to DOPAC was facilitated by reducing agents, such as glutathione and ascorbate, whereas the oxidative decay to DOPAC quinone was facilitated by superoxide dismutase. The latter effect is understood in terms of a reversible conversion of nitrosyl anion to.NO by the enzyme. The biological relevance of these reactions is also discussed in terms of the reactivity of peroxynitrite towards DOPAC as a model with implications for aerobic conditions.     

Protection against peroxynitrite

Peroxynitrite formed in vivo from superoxide and nitric oxide can mediate oxidation, nitration, or nitrosation reactions, leading to impaired function, toxicity, and alterations in signaling pathways. Protection against peroxynitrite is important for defense of normal tissue, especially during inflammation. Biological protection against peroxynitrite is organized in three categories: prevention, interception, and repair. Prevention is the control of the formation of peroxynitrite precursors, nitric oxide and superoxide. Interception is by direct reaction with peroxynitrite, leading to non-toxic products. In this regard, organoselenium compounds, metalloporphyrin derivatives, and peroxidases (e.g. glutathione peroxidase and myeloperoxidase) exhibit high second-order rate constants with peroxynitrite. Ebselen, like glutathione peroxidase, protects in a catalytic fashion utilizing glutathione as reductant in the peroxynitrite reductase reaction. Protection by metalloporphyrins can be maintained through glutathione or ascorbate. Repair processes remove damaged products and restitute intact biomolecules.     

Interaction of peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide with dinitrosyl iron complexes containing thiol ligands in vitro

The interaction of peroxynitrite with thiolate dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNIC) has been examined and compared with the interaction with H2O2. Peroxynitrite oxidized DNIC containing various thiolate ligands--cysteine, glutathione, and bovine serum albumin. Analysis of the oxidation suggested a two-electron reaction and gave third-order rate constants of (9.3 +/- 0.5).109 M-2.sec-1 for DNIC with BSA, (4.0 +/- 0.3).108 M-2.sec-1 for DNIC with cysteine, and (1. 8 +/- 0.3).107 M-2.sec-1 for DNIC with glutathione at 20 degrees C and pH 7.6. Peroxynitrite was more reactive towards DNIC than towards sulfhydryls. Addition of sodium dithionite after the reaction led to significant restoration of the EPR signal of DNIC with cysteine. The reaction of glutathione DNIC with H2O2 was about 600 times slower than with ONOO- and not reversed by sodium dithionite. Thus peroxynitrite, in contrast to hydrogen peroxide, changes the pool of nitrosocompounds which can be responsible for interconversion, storage, and transportation of nitric oxide in vivo.     

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.     

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.     

Kinetics of superoxide-induced exchange among nitroxide antioxidants and their oxidized and reduced forms.

Nitroxide stable radicals generally serve for probing molecular motion in membranes and whole cells, transmembrane potential, intracellular oxygen and pH, and are tested as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Recently nitroxides were found to protect against oxidative stress. Unlike most low molecular weight antioxidants (LMWA) which are depleted while attenuating oxidative damage, nitroxides can be recycled. In many cases the antioxidative activity of nitroxides is associated with switching between their oxidized and reduced forms. In the present work, superoxide radicals were generated either radiolytically or enzymatically using hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry was used to follow the exchange between the nitroxide radical and its reduced form; whereas, pulse radiolysis was employed to study the kinetics of hydroxylamine oxidation. The results indicate that: a) The rate constant of superoxide reaction with cyclic hydroxylamines is pH-independent and is lower by several orders of magnitude than the rate constant of superoxide reaction with nitroxides; b) The oxidation of hydroxylamine by superoxide is primarily responsible for the non-enzymatic recycling of nitroxides; c) The rate of nitroxides restoration decreases as the pH decreases because nitroxides remove superoxide more efficiently than is hydroxylamine oxidation; d) The hydroxylamine reaction with oxidized nitroxide (comproportionation) might participate in the exchange among the three oxidation states of nitroxide. However, simulation of the time-dependence and pH-dependence of the exchange suggests that such a comproportionation is too slow to affect the rate of non-enzymatic nitroxide restoration. We conclude that the protective activity of nitroxides in vitro can be distinguished from that of common LMWA due to hydroxylamine oxidation by superoxide, which allows nitroxide recycling and enables its catalytic activity.     

Synthesis and properties of novel porphyrin spin probes containing isoindoline nitroxides

We report the synthesis of novel spin-labeled porphyrins containing isoindoline nitroxides (TMIO-APTPP and TMIO-APTSPP) and their manganese complexes (Mn-TMIO-APTPP and Mn-TMIO-APTSPP). These compounds represent potential new tools for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) as well as novel spin probes. Both TMIO-APTPP and TMIO-APTSPP have characteristic UV absorption peaks of free base porphyrin, while the characteristic absorption peaks of their manganese complexes Mn-TMIO-APTPP and Mn-TMIO-APTSPP shifted to shorter wavelengths. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy indicated that these compounds all exhibit hyperfine splittings characteristic of EPR spectra of tetramethylisoindoline nitroxides, the typical nitroxide g values of approximately 2.006, and nitrogen isotropic hyperfine coupling constants (a(N) values) of about 14 G (293 K). The observed linewidths (La) for TMIO-APTSPP (0.73 G) and Mn-TMIO-APTSPP (0.65 G) in distilled water are significantly narrower than for TMIO-APTPP (1.475 G) and Mn-TMIO-APTPP (1.55 G) in chloroform.     

Cellular accumulation and antioxidant activity of acetoxymethoxycarbonyl pyrrolidine nitroxides

Abstract

Nitroxides are widely used in biology as antioxidants, spin labels, functional spin probes for pH, oxygen and thiol levels, and tissue redox status imaging using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR); however, biological applications of nitroxides is hindered by fast bioreduction to EPR-silent hydroxylamines and rapid clearance. In this work, we have studied pyrrolidine nitroxides with acetoxymethoxycarbonyl groups which can undergo hydrolysis by cellular esterases to hydrophilic carboxylate derivatives resistant to bioreduction. Nitroxides containing acetoxymethoxycarbonyl groups were rapidly absorbed by cells from the media, 3,4-bis-(acetoxymethoxycarbonyl)-proxyl (DCP-AM2) and 3-(2-(bis(2-(acetoxymethoxy)-2-oxoethyl)amino)acetamido)-proxyl (DCAP-AM2) showing the strongest EPR signal of the cellular fraction. Remarkably, the EPR parameters of 3,4-dicarboxy-proxyl (DCP) and its mono- and di-acetoxymethyl esters are different, and consequent intracellular hydrolysis of acetoxymethoxycarbonyl groups in DCP-AM2 can be followed by EPR. To elucidate intracellular location of the resultant DCP, the mitochondrial fraction has been isolated. EPR measurements showed that mitochondria were the main place where DCP was finally accumulated. TEMPO derivatives showed expectedly much faster decay of EPR signal in the cellular fraction, compared to pyrrolidine nitroxides. It was found that supplementation of endothelial cells with 50?nM of DCP-AM2 completely normalised the mitochondrial superoxide level. Moreover, administration of DCP-AM2 to mice (1.4?mg/kg/day) resulted in substantial nitroxide accumulation in the tissues and significantly reduced hypertension. We found that hydroxylamine derivatives of dicarboxyproxyl nitroxide DCP-AM-H can be used for the detection of superoxide in vivo in angiotensin II model of hypertension. Infusion of DCP-AM-H in mice leads to accumulation of persistent EPR signal of nitroxide in the blood and vascular tissue in angiotensin II-infused wild-type but not in SOD2 overexpressing mice. Our data demonstrate that acetoxymethoxycarbonyl group containing nitroxides accumulate in mitochondria and demonstrate site-specific antioxidant activity.     

Comparison of Antioxidant Activity Between Aromatic Indolinonic Nitroxides and Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants

In view of the possible employment of nitroxide compounds in various fields, it is important to know how they compare with other synthetic antioxidant compounds currently used in several industries and with naturally occurring antioxidants. To address this issue, the antioxidant activity of two aromatic indolinonic nitroxides synthesized by us was compared with both commercial phenolic antioxidants (BHT and BHA) and with natural phenolic antioxidants (α-hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, caffeic acid, α-tocopherol). DPPH radical scavenging ability and the inhibition of both lipid and protein oxidation induced by the peroxyl-radical generator, AAPH, were evaluated. The results obtained show that overall: (i) the reduced forms of the nitroxide compounds are better scavengers of DPPH radical than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) but less efficient than the natural compounds; (ii) the nitroxides inhibit both linolenic acid micelles and bovine serum albumin (BSA) oxidation to similar extents as most of the other compounds in a concentration-dependent fashion. Since the aromatic nitroxides tested in this study are less toxic than BHT, these compounds may be regarded as potential, alternative sources for several applications. The mechanisms underlying the antioxidant activity of nitroxides were further confirmed by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy experiments and macroscale reactions in the presence of radicals generated by thermolabile azo-compounds. Distribution coefficients in octanol/buffer of the nitroxides and the other compounds were also determined as a measure of lipophilicity.     

Comparison of antioxidant activity between aromatic indolinonic nitroxides and natural and synthetic antioxidants

In view of the possible employment of nitroxide compounds in various fields, it is important to know how they compare with other synthetic antioxidant compounds currently used in several industries and with naturally occurring antioxidants. To address this issue, the antioxidant activity of two aromatic indolinonic nitroxides synthesized by us was compared with both commercial phenolic antioxidants (BHT and BHA) and with natural phenolic antioxidants (alpha-hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, caffeic acid, alpha-tocopherol). DPPH radical scavenging ability and the inhibition of both lipid and protein oxidation induced by the peroxyl-radical generator, AAPH, were evaluated. The results obtained show that overall: (i) the reduced forms of the nitroxide compounds are better scavengers of DPPH radical than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BLT) but less efficient than the natural compounds; (ii) the nitroxides inhibit both linolenic acid micelles and bovine serum albumin (BSA) oxidation to similar extents as most of the other compounds in a concentration-dependent fashion. Since the aromatic nitroxides tested in this study are less toxic than BHT, these compounds may be regarded as potential, alternative sources for several applications. The mechanisms underlying the antioxidant activity of nitroxides were further confirmed by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy experiments and macroscale reactions in the presence of radicals generated by thermolabile azo-compounds. Distribution coefficients in octanol/buffer of the nitroxides and the other compounds were also determined as a measure of lipophilicity.     

Inhibition of Peroxynitrite-Mediated Oxidation of Dopamine by Flavonoid and Phenolic Antioxidants and Their Structural Relationships

The interaction between peroxynitrite and dopamine and the inhibition of this reaction by plant-derived antioxidants have been investigated. Peroxynitrite promoted the oxidation of dopamine to 6-hydroxyindole-5-one as characterised by HPLC and photodiode array spectra, akin to the products of the tyrosinase-dopamine reaction, but no evidence of dopamine nitration was obtained. Although peroxynitrite did not cause nitration of dopamine in vitro, the catecholamine is capable of inhibiting the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine from peroxynitrite-mediated nitration of tyrosine. The plant-derived phenolic compounds, caffeic acid and catechin, inhibited peroxynitrite-mediated oxidation of dopamine. This effect is attributed to the ability of catechol-containing antioxidants to reduce peroxynitrite through electron donation, resulting in their oxidation to the corresponding o-quinones. The antioxidant effect of caffeic acid and catechin was comparable to that of the endogenous antioxidant, glutathione. In contrast, the structurally related monohydroxylated hydroxycinnamates, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, which inhibit tyrosine nitration through a mechanism of competitive nitration, did not inhibit peroxynitrite-induced dopamine oxidation. The findings of the present study suggest that certain plant-derived phenolics can inhibit dopamine oxidation.     

Nitric Oxide and Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation

Nitric oxide can have both pro-oxidant and antioxidant effects on low-density lipoprotein. Nitric oxide does not appear to react directly with components of LDL. However, in the presence of oxygen (through NO₂ and N₂O₃ formation) or superoxide (through peroxynitrite formation) nitric oxide may cause oxidation of the lipid, protein and antioxidant components of LDL. Conversely, nitric oxide is a potent inhibitor of LDL oxidation when initiated by copper ions or by azo-initiators. The possible implications of these observations to vascular pathology are discussed.     

Carbon dioxide stimulates the production of thiyl, sulfinyl, and disulfide radical anion from thiol oxidation by peroxynitrite

Reaction of peroxynitrite with the biological ubiquitous CO(2) produces about 35% yields of two relatively strong one-electron oxidants, CO(3) and ( small middle dot)NO(2), but the remaining of peroxynitrite is isomerized to the innocuous nitrate. Partial oxidant deactivation may confound interpretation of the effects of HCO3-/CO(2) on the oxidation of targets that react with peroxynitrite by both one- and two-electron mechanisms. Thiols are example of such targets, and previous studies have reported that HCO3-/CO(2) partially inhibits GSH oxidation by peroxynitrite at pH 7.4. To differentiate the effects of HCO3-/CO(2) on two- and one-electron thiol oxidation, we monitored GSH, cysteine, and albumin oxidation by peroxynitrite at pH 5.4 and 7.4 by thiol disappearance, oxygen consumption, fast flow EPR, and EPR spin trapping. Our results demonstrate that HCO3-/CO(2) diverts thiol oxidation by peroxynitrite from two- to one-electron mechanisms particularly at neutral pH. At acid pH values, thiol oxidation to free radicals predominates even in the absence of HCO3-/CO(2). In addition to the previously characterized thiyl radicals (RS.), we also characterized radicals derived from them such as the corresponding sulfinyl (RSO.) and disulfide anion radical (RSSR.-) of both GSH and cysteine. Thiyl, RSO. and RSSR.- are reactive radicals that may contribute to the biodamaging and bioregulatory actions of peroxynitrite.