HgCl2 increases the methemoglobin prooxidant activity. Possible mechanism of Hg2+-induced lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes

In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of initiation of peroxidation in HgCl2-treated erythrocytes, the effect of HgCl2 on methemoglobin-catalyzed lipid peroxidation was studied. It was found that HgCl2 reinforces the prooxidant action of methemoglobin. This effect seems not to be due to dissociation or degradation of the hemoglobin molecule to heme-containing fragments or iron-containing products of low molecular weight. The results obtained indicate that Hg2+ increases the binding of oxy- and methemoglobin to liposomes. A suggestion is made that the acceleration of methemoglobin-catalyzed peroxidation by HgCl2 is mainly due to increased binding of methemoglobin to liposomes. On the basis of these results and the results obtained previously the possible mechanism of initiation of peroxidation in Hg2+-treated erythrocytes is discussed.     

汞对玉米幼苗膜脂过氧化及体内保护系统的影响

随着处理ＨｇＣｌ２浓度的升高,细胞膜脂质过氧化水平升高,细胞膜透性增大,ＣＡＴ活性降低,ＳＯＤ、ＰＯＤ活性升高,组织可溶性蛋白质含量升高。     

Reactivity of propylene oxides towards deoxycytidine and identification of reaction products

In order to elucidate the mechanism of the stimulative effect of molybdenum on mercury-mediated renal metallothionein induction, the levels of translatable metallothionein mRNA (MT mRNA) in the kidneys of rats treated with saline or Na2MoO4 or HgCl2 or Na2MoO4 and HgCl2 were measured by translation experiments in cell-free protein synthesizing systems. The time course of accumulation of mercury in renal nuclei of rats given HgCl2 with or without Na2MoO4-pretreatment was also investigated. Molybdenum, itself, did not elevate levels of MT mRNA compared to saline controls at all time points (0, 6 and 14 h after exposure to HgCl2) but rapidly elevated the levels of the mRNA more than Hg-dosed rats when HgCl2 was also administered. On the other hand, the time course study in renal nuclei showed that the mercury content of nuclei was consistently lower in Mo-Hg-dosed rats than in Hg-dosed rats at all time points (4, 8 and 24 h after exposure to HgCl2). These results suggest that the stimulative effect of molybdenum on mercury-mediated metallothionein induction is coupled with an increase of the mRNA coding for the low molecular weight protein and that such an increase in the levels of translatable MT mRNA is not due to the difference in uptake of mercury into renal nuclei.     

Initiation of lipid peroxidation as a result of hemoglobin transformation into hemichrome induced by free fatty acids

The effects of free fatty acids on hemoglobin conversion and lipid peroxidation were studied in hemoglobin-containing liposomes (hemosomes) formed from an equimolar mixture of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). It was shown that in hemosomes oxyhemoglobin is converted into hemichrome by the interaction of saturated fatty acids (arachidic, stearic, palmitic, myristic and lauric). This is accompanied by accumulation of primary and secondary products of lipid peroxidation. All fatty acids, except for lauric acid, have a stabilizing effect on lipid peroxidation in liposomes prepared from an equimolar mixture of PC and PE. The formation of lipid peroxidation products is inhibited by superoxide dismutase, D-alpha-tocopherol, D-mannitol and thiourea. The relationships between hemoglobin conversion and lipid peroxidation in hemosomes under effects of fatty acids were studied. The mechanisms of these reactions are discussed.     

Superoxide anion and drug-induced hemolysis.

Superoxide anion, either generated during the autooxidation of dihydroxyfumaria acid or by the interaction of 1,4-naphthoquinone-2-sulfonate and intracellular hemoglobin in red cells pretreated with the intracellular superoxide dismutase inhibitor, diethyldithiocarbamate, produces structural changes in red cells hemoglobin and hypotonic lysis. No evidence for lipid peroxidation was found in red cells exposed to either 1,4 naphthoquinone-2-sulfonate in the presence of diethyldithiocarbamate or to dihydroxyfumaric acid, although the membranes of these cells exposed to either 1,4 naphthoquinone-2-sulfonate in the presence of diethyldithiocarbamate or to dihydroxyfumaric acid, although the membranes of these cells retained a green pigment. These results suggest that superoxide anion reacts with cellular hemoglobin to form hemoglobin breakdown products which bind to the red cell membrane and thereby increase the osmotic fragility of the cell.     

Possible contribution of oxyhemoglobin to the iron-induced hemolysis simultaneous effect of iron and hemoglobin on lipid peroxidation

The mechanism of iron toxicity in iron overloaded patients is not well established. A hypothesis was put forward that free radical processes are involved. Our earlier study indicates that iron-induced hemolysis is preceded by peroxidation of the membrane lipids. In the present work the simultaneous effect of iron and hemoglobin on lipid peroxidation was studied. It was found that in hemoglobin-containing liposome suspensions Fe2+ in concentrations above 10(-5) M inhibits the peroxidation, while Fe3+ drastically potentiates it, with concomitant transformation of oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin. The experiments with scavengers of activated oxygen indicate superoxide anion radical (O-.2), hydroxyl radical (OH.) and singlet oxygen (1O2) participation. The possible mechanism of the phenomenon is discussed. A conclusion is drawn that the toxic effect of Fe3+ may be associated not only with iron--membrane interaction, but also with increased methemoglobin formation and O-.2 release.     

Superoxide anion as a mediator of drug-induced oxidative hemolysis.

The superoxide dismutase inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) was utilized to study the toxic effect of 1,4-naphthoquinone 2-sulfonate (NQ), a structural analog of the hemolytic drug, menadione, on red cells. NQ was shown to react with hemoglobin and result in the generation of superoxide anion (O2-). Red cells treated with NQ were found to undergo a gradual disappearance of their oxyhemoglobin and also hemolyze. Red cells pretreated with DDC to inhibit cellular superoxide dismutase were found to be markedly sensitive to oxyhemoglobin destruction and hemolysis in the presence of NQ. Superoxide dismutase-inhibited red cells were also found to undergo a slow autohemolysis in the absence of NQ. No evidence for lipid peroxidation was obtained for red cells treated with NQ either in the presence or the absence of DDC. Ghosts prepared from superoxide dismutase-inhibited red cells exposed to NQ were found to retain a green hemoglobin-derived pigment.     

Hemoglobin-mediated oxidation of the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine to methyl radicals

Oxidation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (SDMH) catalyzed by hemoglobin is investigated by oxygen consumption studies, ESR spin-trapping experiments, and gas chromatography. Kinetic analysis and the study of the effects of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and azide on reaction rates indicate that SDMH oxidation is primarily dependent on ferric hemoglobin and autoxidatively formed H2O2. SDMH oxidation generates both methyl and hydroxyl radicals as ascertained by spin-trapping experiments with alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide, and tert-nitrosobutane. Quantitative estimates indicate that the yield of the methyl radical trapped by alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone is about 8% of the consumed oxygen. Analysis of the gaseous products by gas chromatography shows methane formation at a yield 10 times lower than that obtained for the spin-trap methyl adduct. These results are discussed within the context of the spin-trapping technique. The relative efficiencies of oxyhemoglobin in catalyzing SDMH, 2-phenylethylhydrazine, and phenylhydrazine oxidation, defined as Vmax/KM, are estimated as 1, 13, and 386, respectively. The higher efficiency obtained for the monosubstituted derivatives leads us to suggest that hemoglobin-catalyzed oxidation could be a detoxification route for these compounds. By contrast, SDMH oxidation requires a peroxidase-like activity, a fact that may be related to the efficacy and specificity of this carcinogen.     

Investigations into combined dietary deficiencies of copper,selenium, and vitamin E in the rat

Interactions between dietary Cu, Se, and vitamin E in ascorbate-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes obtained from rats fed diets deficient or adequate in these elements were investigated. Hemolysis was affected by all three dietary factors, through closely interrelated but distinct mechanisms. In vitamin E-deficient cells, hemolysis was increased and the amount of hemolysis was directly related to the amount of hemoglobin breakdown. Deficiency of Cu or Se decreased hemolysis, but only in vitamin E-deficient cells. Vitamin E did not affect the breakdown of hemoglobin, but Cu and Se did. Hemolysis and hemoglobin breakdown were decreased by the addition of glucose, through mechanisms independent of that involving reduced glutathione metabolism. These results suggest that vitamin E acts within erythrocyte membranes to prevent products of hemoglobin breakdown from initiating peroxidation and subsequent hemolysis. Effects of Cu and Se are linked with that of vitamin E by the involvement of glutathione peroxidase and Cu superoxide dismutase in the cytoplasmic breakdown of hemoglobin, rather than by a direct effect of these enzymes on lipid peroxidation. It is concluded that the erythrocyte, because of its high heme content, probably represents a special system in terms of peroxidative pathways, and these findings may not be directly applicable to other tissues.     

The involvement of superoxide and iron ions in the NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in human placental mitochondria

Incubation of human term placental mitochondria with Fe2+ and a NADPH-generating system initiated high levels of lipid peroxidation, as measured by the production of malondialdehyde. Malondialdehyde formation was accompanied by a corresponding decrease of the unsaturated fatty acid content. This NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation was strongly inhibited by superoxide dismutase and singlet oxygen scavengers, markedly stimulated by paraquat, but was not affected by hydroxyl radical scavengers. Catalase enhanced the production of malondialdehyde by placental mitochondria. The effects of catalase and hydroxyl radical scavengers suggest that the initiation of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation is not dependent upon the hydroxyl radical produced via an iron-catalyzed Fenton reaction. These studies provide evidence that hydrogen peroxide strongly inhibits NADPH-dependent mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. The inhibitory effect of superoxide dismutase and stimulatory effect of paraquat, which was abolished by the addition of superoxide dismutase, suggests that superoxide may promote NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in human placental mitochondria.     

Beneficial effect of succinic acid monoethyl ester on erythrocyte membrane bound enzymes and antioxidant status in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetes

Succinic acid monoethyl ester (EMS) was recently proposed as an insulinotropic agent for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. In the present study the effect of EMS and metformin on erythrocyte membrane bound enzymes and antioxidants activity in plasma and erythrocytes of streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabeteic model was investigated. Succinic acid monoethyl ester was administered intraperitonially for 30 days to control and diabetic rats. The effect of EMS on glucose, insulin, hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, TBARS, hydroperoxide, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxide (Gpx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), vitamins C and E, reduced glutathione (GSH) and membrane bound enzymes were studied. The effect of EMS was compared with metformin, a reference drug. The levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, TBARS, hyderoperoxide, and vitamin E were increased significantly whereas the level of insulin and hemoglobin, as well as antioxidants (SOD, CAT, Gpx, GST, vitamin C and GSH) membrane bound total ATPase, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase were decreased significantly in streptozotocin-nicotinamide diabetic rats. Administration of EMS to diabetic rats showed a decrease in the levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid peroxidation markers and vitamin E. In addition the levels of insulin, hemoglobin, enzymic antioxidants, vitamin C, and GSH and the activities of membrane bound enzymes also were increased in EMS and metformin treated diabetic rats. The present study indicates that the EMS possesses a significant beneficial effect on erythrocyte membrane bound enzymes and antioxidants defense system in addition to its antidiabetic effect.     

Lipid peroxidation induced by phenylbutazone radicals

Lipid peroxidation was investigated to evaluate the deleterious effect on tissues by phenylbutazone (PB). PB induced lipid peroxidation of microsomes in the presence of horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide (HRP-H2O2). The lipid peroxidation was completely inhibited by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase. Mannitol and dimethylsulfoxide had no effect. These results indicated no paticipation of superoxide and hydroxyl radical in the lipid peroxidation. Reduced glutathione (GSH) efficiently inhibited the lipid peroxidation. PB radicals emitted electron spin resonance (ESR) signals during the reaction of PB with HRP-H2O2. Microsomes and arachidonic acid strongly diminished the ESR signals, indicating that PB radicals directly react with unsaturated lipids of microsomes to cause thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. GSH sharply diminished the ESR signals of PB radicals, suggesting that GSH scavenges PB radicals to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Also, 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropan strongly inhibited lipid peroxidation. R-Phycoerythrin, a peroxyl radical detector substance, was decomposed by PB with HRP-H2O2. These results suggest that lipid peroxidation of microsomes is induced by PB radicals or peroxyl radicals, or both.     

Inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation by cytosolic protein in presence of ADP and high concentration of Fe2+

Microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by NADPH, but not by ascorbate, was found to be inhibited by liver cytosol. This inhibition was not dependent on glutathione and was enhanced by ADP in presence of Fe2+ at a concentration of 50 microM or higher. ATP was also effective, but not AMP or cyclic AMP. The cytosolic factor appeared to be a protein as it was heat-labile (greater than 70 degrees C), was non-dialyzable and was precipitated by ammonium sulfate and acetone. It was stable for several months in frozen state and also when heated at 50 degrees C for 10 min. The inhibition by the cytosolic protein was obtained by producing a lag in the activity of lipid peroxidation and was reversed by ceruloplasmin but not by catalase, cytochrome c, hemoglobin or superoxide dismutase. This inhibitory effect by cytosol was limited to formation of lipid peroxides whereas oxygen uptake and NADPH oxidation remained unaffected. Regulation of lipid peroxidation by nucleotide-Fe complexes and cytosolic proteins is indicated by these studies.     

Transient Formation of Superoxide Radicals in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Induced Brain Swelling

The involvement of superoxide free radicals and lipid peroxidation in brain swelling induced by free fatty acids has been studied in brain slices and homogenates. The polyunsaturated fatty acids linoleic acid (18:2), linolenic acid (18:3), arachidonic acid (20:4), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) caused brain swelling concomitant with increases in superoxide and membrane lipid peroxidation. Palmitic acid (16:0) and oleic acid (18:1) had no such effect. Furthermore, superoxide formation was stimulated by NADPH and scavenged by the addition of exogenous superoxide dismutase in cortical slice homogenates. These in vitro data support the hypothesis that both superoxide radicals and lipid peroxidation are involved in the mechanism of polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced brain edema.     

Antioxidant properties of rimantadine in influenza virus infected mice and in some model systems

Influenza virus infection is associated with development of oxidative stress in lung and blood plasma, viz. increase of primary and secondary lipid peroxidation products. It was established that rimantadine treatment led to a decrease of the products of lipid peroxidation in tissues of mice experimentally infected with influenza virus A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2). The effect is strongest in blood plasma (a decrease of about 50%) and weaker in the lung (about 20%). To elucidate the mechanism of this action of rimantadine, experiments were carried out with some model systems. The capability of rimantadine to scavenge superoxide radicals (scavenging properties) was studied in a system of xanthine-xanthine oxidase to generate superoxide. The amount of superoxide was measured spectrophotometrically by the NBT-test and chemiluminesce. Rimantadine does not show scavenging properties and its antioxidant effect observed in vivo, is not a result of its direct action on the processes of lipid peroxidation and/or interaction with antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant properties of rimantadine were investigated by measurement of induced lipid peroxidation in a Fe2+ and (Fe2+ - EDTA) system with an egg liposomal suspension. Our findings with model systems do not prove an antioxidant or prooxidant effect of the drug on the processes of lipid peroxidation. Apparently, the observed antioxidant effect of rimantadine in vivo is not connected directly with free radical processes in the organism.     

The use of cis-parinaric acid to determine lipid peroxidation in human erythrocyte membranes. Comparison of normal and sickle erythrocyte membranes

The recently developed parinaric acid assay is shown to offer possibilities for studying peroxidation processes in biological membrane systems. Taking the human erythrocyte membrane as a model, several initiating systems were investigated, as well as the effect of residual hemoglobin in ghost membrane preparations. The effectivity of a radical generating system appeared to be strongly dependent upon whether radicals are generated at the membrane level or in the water phase. Thus, cumene hydroperoxide at concentrations of 1.0-1.5 mM was found to be a very efficient initiator of peroxidation in combination with submicromolar levels of hemin-Fe3+ as membrane-bound cofactor. In combination with cumene hydroperoxide, membrane-bound hemoglobin appeared to be about 6-times more effective in promoting peroxidation than hemoglobin in the water phase. Results comparing the behaviour of normal and sickle erythrocyte ghost suspensions in the peroxidation assay suggest that the increased oxidative stress on sickle erythrocyte membranes could be due to enhanced membrane binding of sickle hemoglobin, but also partly to a characteristically higher capability of sickle hemoglobin to promote peroxidation. The order of peroxidation-promoting capabilities that could be derived from the experiments was hemin greater than sickle hemoglobin greater than normal hemoglobin.     

Cytochrome P-450 involvement in the NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in human placental mitochondria

The NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in human placental mitochondria has been found to be inhibited strongly by amphenone B, aminoglutethimide and carbon monoxide, inhibitors of cytochrome P-450-mediated reactions, but was hardly affected by respiratory chain inhibitors. Cytochrome c, an exogenous electron acceptor which is known to compete with cytochrome P-450 for the reducing equivalents, showed an inhibitory effect on NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation. The observed NADPH-dependent superoxide generation was also strongly inhibited by amphenone B and aminoglutethimide. Moreover, the lipid peroxidation in placental mitochondria was demonstrated to be stimulated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase added as superoxide generating system. This peroxidation was not affected by amphenone B and aminoglutethimide. On the other hand, the superoxide dismutase was found to inhibit both the xanthine oxidase- and NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation. These data provide evidence that cytochrome P-450 is involved in NADPH-dependent mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. It is suggested that superoxide liberated from cytochrome P-450, in combination with iron, may be responsible for initiation of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in human placental mitochondria.     

Ocimum sanctum aqueous leaf extract provides protection against mercury induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice

HgCl2 (5.0 mg/kg body weight) induced toxicity led to significant elevation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) level but decline in the glutathione content in liver of Swiss albino mice. In serum of HgCl2 treated mice there was significant elevation in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) activities but significant decline in the alkaline phosphatase activity. Animals treated with O. sanctum extract (10 mg/kg body weight, po) before and after mercury intoxication showed a significant decrease in LPO level, SGOT and SGPT activities and increase in serum alkaline phosphatase activity and glutathione (GSH) content. Ocimum treatment alone did not alter SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase activities but significantly enhanced reduced glutathione. The results suggest that oral administration of Ocimum extract provides protection against HgCl2 induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice.     

The role of the superoxide anion as a toxic species in the erythrocyte.

The toxic action of the superoxide anion (O₂^?) toward the erythrocyte was investigated with O₂^? generated through the autooxidation of dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHF). A suspension of human red cells exposed to DHF undergoes a rapid breakdown of the cellular hemoglobin to methemoglobin and other green pigments. This hemoglobin breakdown is inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase (CAT) and is accelerated by lactoperoxidase (LP) added externally to the red cell medium. Associated with the hemoglobin breakdown is a hypotonic hemolysis also inhibited by SOD or CAT and initially accelerated but later inhibited by LP. Conversion of the red cell hemoglobin to carbonmonoxyhemoglobin in an aerated medium results in no hemoglobin breakdown or hypotonic lysis in the presence of DHF, even though O₂^? can be demonstrated in the medium. Although no evidence for membrane sulfhydryl oxidation or lipid peroxidation can be demonstrated in red cells exposed to DHF, the membranes of these cells were found to retain a green pigment. The presence of this green pigment in red cell membranes was inhibited by SOD, CAT, or conversion of the cellular hemoglobin to carbonmonoxyhemoglobin, but was not inhibited by LP. These results have been interpreted as a peroxide-dependent formation of O₂^? by DHF, followed by attack of O₂^? on hemoglobin. The reaction of O₂^? with hemoglobin leads to the formation of a hemoglobin-breakdown product that binds to the red cell membrane, resulting in an increased osmotic fragility of the cell.     

Inhibition of superoxide and ferritin-dependent lipid peroxidation by ceruloplasmin

Ceruloplasmin (CP) was found to inhibit xanthine oxidase and ferritin-dependent peroxidation of phospholipid liposomes, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde formation. Ceruloplasmin was also shown to inhibit superoxide-mediated mobilization of iron from ferritin, in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured spectrophotometrically using the iron(II) chelator bathophenanthroline sulfonate. Ceruloplasmin failed to function as a peroxyl radical-scavenging antioxidant as evidenced by its inability to inhibit free radical-initiated peroxidation of linoleic acid, suggesting that CP inhibited lipid peroxidation by affecting the availability of ferritin-derived iron. In addition, CP scavenged xanthine oxidase-derived superoxide as measured spectrophotometrically via its effect on cytochrome c reduction. However, the extent of the superoxide scavenging of CP did not quantitatively account for its effects on iron release, suggesting that CP inhibits superoxide-dependent mobilization of ferritin iron independently of its ability to scavenge superoxide. The effects of CP and apoferritin on iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation in systems containing exogenously added ferrous iron was also investigated. In the absence of apoferritin, CP exhibited a concentration-dependent prooxidant effect. However, CP-dependent, iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation was inhibited by the addition of apoferritin. Apoferritin did not function as a peroxyl radical-scavenging antioxidant but was shown to incorporate iron in the presence of CP. These data suggest that CP inhibits superoxide and ferritin-dependent lipid peroxidation largely via its ability to reincorporate reductively mobilized iron back into ferritin.