Mechanism of Superoxide Anion Generation in Intact Mitochondria in the Presence of Lucigenin and Cyanide

In the presence of cyanide and various respiratory substrates (succinate or pyruvate + malate) addition of high concentrations of lucigenin (400 microM; Luc2+) to rat liver mitochondria can induce a short-term flash of high amplitude lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL). Under conditions of cytochrome oxidase inhibition by cyanide the lucigenin-induced cyanide-resistant respiration (with succinate as substrate) was not inhibited by uncouplers (FCCP) and oligomycin. Increase in transmembrane potential (Deltaphi) value by stimulating F0F1-ATPase functioning (induced by addition of MgATP to the incubation medium) caused potent stimulation of the rate of cyanide-resistant respiration. At high Deltaphi values (in the presence of MgATP) cyanide resistant respiration of mitochondria in the presence of succinate or malate with pyruvate was insensitive to tenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) or rotenone, respectively. However, in both cases respiration was effectively inhibited by myxothiazol or antimycin A. Mechanisms responsible for induction of LDCL and cyanide resistant mitochondrial respiration differ. In contrast to cyanide-resistant respiration, generation of LDCL signal, that was suppressed only by combined addition of Complex III inhibitors, antimycin A and myxothiazol, is a strictly potential-dependent process. It is observed only under conditions of high Deltaphi value generated by F0F1-ATPase functioning. The data suggest lucigenin-induced intensive generation of superoxide anion in mitochondria. Based on results of inhibitor analysis of cyanide-resistant respiration and LDCL, a two-stage mechanism of autooxidizable lucigenin cation-radical (Luc*+) formation in the respiratory chain is proposed. The first stage involves two-electron Luc2+ reduction by Complexes I and II. The second stage includes one-electron oxidation of reduced lucigenin (Luc(2e)). Reactions of Luc(2e) oxidation involve coenzyme Q-binding sites of Complex III. This results in formation of autooxidizable Luc*+ and superoxide anion generation. A new scheme for lucigenin-dependent electron pathways is proposed. It includes formation of fully reduced form of lucigenin and two-electron-transferring shunts of the respiratory chain. Lucigenin-induced activation of superoxide anion formation in mitochondria is accompanied by increase in ion permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane.     

Generation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide during redox cycling of 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-penta-2,4-dienal by mammalian microsomes and enzymes

5-(4-Nitrophenyl)penta-2,4-dienal (NPPD) stimulated NADPH-supported oxygen consumption by rat liver microsomes in a concentration-dependent manner. The NPPD stimulation of O2 uptake was not inhibited by metyrapone and was decreased in the presence of NADP+ and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. These observations suggest that the NPPD initial reduction step is mediated by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and not by cytochrome P-450. Spin-trapping studies using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) revealed the formation of superoxide anion upon incubation of NPPD, NADPH, DMPO and rat liver microsomes. Hydrogen peroxide generation was also detected in these incubations, thus confirming redox cycling of NPPD under aerobic conditions. NPPD stimulated oxygen consumption, superoxide anion formation and hydrogen peroxide generation by rat kidney, testes and brain microsomes. Other enzymes capable of nitroreduction (NADH dehydrogenase, xanthine oxidase, glutathione reductase, and NADP+ ferredoxin oxidoreductase) were also found to stimulate redox cycling of NPPD. The ability of NPPD to induce superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide formation might play a role in its reported mutagenicity.     

Vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidation by xanthine oxidase: an intrinsic property

Vanadate-dependent oxidation of NADH by xanthine oxidase does not require the presence of xanthine and therefore is not due to cooxidation. Addition of NADH or xanthine had no effect on the oxidation of the other substrate. Oxidation of NADH was high at acid pH and oxidation of xanthine was high at alkaline pH. The specific activity was relatively very high with NADH. Concentration-dependent oxidation of NADH Concentration-dependent oxidation of NADH was obtained in the presence of the polymeric form of vanadate, but not orthovanadate or metavanadate. Both NADH and NADPH were oxidized, as in the nonenzymatic system. Oxidation of NADH, but not xanthine, was inhibited by KCN, ascorbate, MnCl2, cytochrome c, mannitol, Tris, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and triiodothyronine. Oxidation of NADH was accompanied by uptake of oxygen and generation of H2O2 with a stoichiometry of 1:1:1 for NADH:O2:H2O2. A 240-nm-absorbing species was formed during the reaction which was different from H2O2 or superoxide. A mechanism of NADH oxidation is suggested wherein Vv and O2 receive one electron each successively from NADH followed by VIV giving the second electron to superoxide and reducing it to H2O2.     

On the mechanism of production of superoxide radical by reaction mixtures containing NADH, phenazine methosulfate, and nitroblue tetrazolium

In aerobic reaction mixtures containing NADH, phenazine methosulfate, and nitroblue tetrazolium, O2- production is mediated by the tetrazolium, not the phenazine. Thus, superoxide dismutase inhibited reduction of the tetrazolium, but when ferricytochrome c was substituted for the tetrazolium its reduction was not affected by this enzyme. Furthermore, NADH plus the phenazine did not accelerate the oxidation of epinephrine to adrenochrome unless the tetrazolium was present, and under those circumstances superoxide dismutase did inhibit adrenochrome formation. When the tetrazolium and ferricytochrome c were present simultaneously, addition of superoxide dismutase was seen to accelerate the reduction of the cytochrome. This is explainable by the reduction of O2- by the reduced phenazine, which thus competes with cytochrome c for the available O2-. When the O2- was eliminated by superoxide dismutase, more of the reduced phenazine was available for the direct reduction of cytochrome c.     

Are quinones producers or scavengers of superoxide ion in cells?

The effects of quinones (benzoquinone, menadione, and doxorubicin) on the superoxide production in cell free systems (xanthine oxidase and rat liver microsomes) and of polycationic electrolyte- and latex-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages have been studied. Contradictory results were obtained in cell free systems when two traditional assays for detection of superoxide ion, the cytochrome c reduction and the lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL), were used: all quinones inhibited the lucigenin-dependent CL at sufficiently large concentrations, but they did not inhibit at all the reduction of cytochrome c. It was proposed that the cytochrome c assay gave erroneous results due to the reversibility of the interaction of semiquinones with dioxygen. The effect of quinones on the superoxide production by peritoneal macrophages was biphasic: all quinones stimulated the O2-. formation at low concentrations and inhibited it at elevated concentrations. It was concluded that among the quinones studied, only menadione was capable of stimulating the superoxide production via a one-electron transfer mechanism in cell free systems, while the stimulatory effect of small concentrations of quinones on the O2-. production in macrophages was possibly due to their action on the activation of NADPH oxidase.     

A ternary mechanism for NADH oxidation by positively charged electron acceptors, catalyzed at the flavin site in respiratory complex I

The flavin mononucleotide in complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) catalyzes NADH oxidation, O(2) reduction to superoxide, and the reduction of several 'artificial' electron acceptors. Here, we show that the positively-charged electron acceptors paraquat and hexaammineruthenium(III) react with the nucleotide-bound reduced flavin in complex I, by an unusual ternary mechanism. NADH, ATP, ADP and ADP-ribose stimulate the reactions, indicating that the positively-charged acceptors interact with their negatively-charged phosphates. Our mechanism for paraquat reduction defines a new mechanism for superoxide production by complex I (by redox cycling); in contrast to direct O(2) reduction the rate is stimulated, not inhibited, by high NADH concentrations.     

Redox cycling of resorufin catalyzed by rat liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase

The O-dealkylation of 7-alkoxyresorufins to the highly fluorescent compound, resorufin (7-hydroxyphenoxazone), provides a rapid, sensitive, and convenient assay of certain forms of liver microsomal cytochrome P450. The results of this study indicate that NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase catalyzes the reduction of resorufin (and the 7-alkoxyresorufins) to a colorless, nonfluorescent compound(s). The reduction of resorufin by NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase was supported by NADPH but not NADH, and was not inhibited by dicumarol, which established that the reaction was not catalyzed by contaminating DT-diaphorase (NAD[P]H-quinone oxidoreductase). In addition to the rate of reduction, the extent of reduction of resorufin was dependent on the concentration of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. The maintenance of steady-state levels of reduced resorufin required the continuous oxidation of NADPH, during which molecular O2 was consumed. When NADPH was completely consumed, the spectroscopic and fluorescent properties of resorufin were fully restored. These results indicate that the reduction of resorufin by NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase initiates a redox cycling reaction. Stoichiometric measurements revealed of 1:1:1 relationship between the amount of NADPH and O2 consumed and the amount of H2O2 formed (measured fluorometrically). The amount of O2 consumed during the redox cycling of resorufin decreased approximately 50% in the presence of catalase, whereas the rate of O2 consumption decreased in the presence of superoxide dismutase. These results suggest that, during the reoxidation of reduced resorufin, O2 is converted to H2O2 via superoxide anion. Experiments with acetylated cytochrome c further implicated superoxide anion as an intermediate in the reduction of O2 to H2O2. However, the ability of reduced resorufin to reduce acetylated cytochrome c directly (i.e., without first reducing O2 to superoxide anion) precluded quantitative measurements of superoxide anion formation. Superoxide dismutase, but not catalase, increased the steady-state level of reduced resorufin and considerably delayed its reoxidation. This indicates that superoxide anion is not only capable of reoxidizing reduced resorufin, but is considerably more effective than molecular O2 in this regard. Overall, these results suggest that NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase catalyzes the one-electron reduction of resorufin (probably to the corresponding semiquinoneimine radical) which can either undergo a second, one-electron reduction (presumably to the corresponding dihydroquinoneimine) or a one-electron oxidation by reducing molecular O2 to superoxide anion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Superoxide anion production by lipoamide dehydrogenase redox-cycling: effect of enzyme modifiers.

Redox-cycling of porcine heart lipoamide dehydrogenase in the presence of NADH and oxygen produced O2-. (NADH-oxidase activity) as demonstrated by (a) reduction of cytochrome c; (b) reduction of the Fe(III)-ADP complex; (c) lucigenin luminescence and (d) the inhibitory effect of superoxide dismutase. NAD+ and p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibited O2-. generation whereas arsenite enhanced it. Comparison of heart and yeast enzyme preparations revealed a close correlation between lipoamide reductase and NADH-oxidase activities. It is concluded that O2-. production is a molecular property of lipoamide dehydrogenase.     

Purification and subunit structure of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase from rabbit liver.

The nicotinamide nucleotide dimers (NAD)2 and (NADP)2, obtained by electrochemical reduction of NAD+ and NADP+, are able to reduce such single-electron acceptors as the proteins cytochrome c, azurin and methaemoglobin, though at different rates. Under the same conditions the reduced nicotinamide coenzymes NADH and NADPH are not able to reduce these proteins at measurable rates unless a catalyst (phenazine methosulphate or NADH-cytochrome c reductase in the case of cytochrome) is present. The redox mechanism seems to involve the formation of an NAD(P). radical that in the presence of O2 gives rise to superoxide (O2.-), since superoxide dismutase inhibited these reactions.     

Lucigenin luminescence elicited by microsomes and its modulation by nitroazole compounds

The lucigenin luminescence elicited by rat liver microsomes and its modulation by the nitroazole compounds metronidazole and sanazole (drug AK-2123), as well as the rates of lucigenin-dependent NADPH consumption and cytochrome c reduction, were studied. The obtained data suggest that the luminescence can be the result of univalent lucigenin reduction by microsomal NAD(P)H-reductases, generation of superoxide anion radical in the redox cycle of lucigenin radicals, dioxetane formation by (di)oxygenases, and catalytic action of cytochrome P450 heme on dioxetane decomposition, followed by light emission.     

Detergent-amplified chemiluminescence of lucigenin for determination of superoxide anion production by NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase

The detergent-induced amplification of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence of O2-, generated by xanthine oxidase or microsomal NADPH oxidase was studied. An assay system is described which is at least 10 times more sensitive than normal lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence due to the amplification by high concentrations of octylphenylpolyethylene glycol (Triton X-100). Compared to the superoxide dismutase-sensitive reduction of acetylated cytochrome c, a 3750-fold lower amount of microsomal protein was necessary to produce an O2- signal 10-fold above the background. In contrast to cytochrome c reduction, detergent-amplified chemiluminescence of lucigenin was completely inhibited by superoxide dismutase and therefore more selective for O2-. The membrane-bound and Triton X-100-solubilized NADPH oxidase from microsomes of macrophages was activated by ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid and inhibited by Ca2+ and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The membrane-bound enzyme showed a Km value of 1.35 microM, which decreased to 0.95 microM after the addition of 12% (g/g) Triton X-100. The Km and Vmax values of soluble xanthine oxidase were not influenced by Triton X-100, indicating that the enzyme activities were not impaired by the high concentrations of detergent.     

Superoxide generation by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase: the effect of iron chelators and the role of superoxide in microsomal lipid peroxidation

Superoxide generation, assessed as the rate of acetylated cytochrome c reduction inhibited by superoxide dismutase, by purified NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase or intact rat liver microsomes was found to account for only a small fraction of their respective NADPH oxidase activities. DTPA-Fe3+ and EDTA-FE3+ greatly stimulated NADPH oxidation, acetylated cytochrome c reduction, and O(2) production by the reductase and intact microsomes. In contrast, all ferric chelates tested caused modest inhibition of acetylated cytochrome c reduction and O(2) generation by xanthine oxidase. Although both EDTA-Fe3+ and DTPA-Fe3+ were directly reduced by the reductase under anaerobic conditions, ADP-Fe3+ was not reduced by the reductase under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Desferrioxamine-Fe3+ was unique among the chelates tested in that it was a relatively inert iron chelate in these assays, having only minor effects on NADPH oxidation and/or O(2) generation by the purified reductase, intact microsomes, or xanthine oxidase. Desferrioxamine inhibited microsomal lipid peroxidation promoted by ADP-Fe3+ in a concentration-dependent fashion, with complete inhibition occurring at a concentration equal to that of exogenously added ferric iron. The participation of O(2) generated by the reductase in NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation was also investigated and compared with results obtained with a xanthine oxidase-dependent lipid peroxidation system. NADPH-dependent peroxidation of either phospholipid liposomes or rat liver microsomes in the presence of ADP-Fe3+ was demonstrated to be independent of O(2) generation by the reductase.     

Aldehyde oxidase functions as a superoxide generating NADH oxidase: an important redox regulated pathway of cellular oxygen radical formation

The enzyme aldehyde oxidase (AO) is a member of the molybdenum hydroxylase family that includes xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR); however, its physiological substrates and functions remain unclear. Moreover, little is known about its role in cellular redox stress. Utilizing electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping, we measured the role of AO in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the oxidation of NADH and the effects of inhibitors of AO on NADH-mediated superoxide (O(2)(??)) generation. NADH was found to be a good substrate for AO with apparent K(m) and V(max) values of 29 μM and 12 nmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. From O(2)(??) generation measurements by cytochrome c reduction the apparent K(m) and V(max) values of NADH for AO were 11 μM and 15 nmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. With NADH oxidation by AO, ≥65% of the total electron flux led to O(2)(??) generation. Diphenyleneiodonium completely inhibited AO-mediated O(2)(??) production, confirming that this occurs at the FAD site. Inhibitors of this NADH-derived O(2)(??) generation were studied with amidone the most potent exerting complete inhibition at 100 μM concentration, while 150 μM menadione, raloxifene, or β-estradiol led to 81%, 46%, or 26% inhibition, respectively. From the kinetic data, and the levels of AO and NADH, O(2)(??) production was estimated to be ~89 and ~4 nM/s in liver and heart, respectively, much higher than that estimated for XOR under similar conditions. Owing to the ubiquitous distribution of NADH, aldehydes, and other endogenous AO substrates, AO is predicted to have an important role in cellular redox stress and related disease pathogenesis.     

Effects of vanadate on the oxidation of NADH by xanthine oxidase

Vanadate (V(V)) stimulates the oxidation of NADH by xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase eliminates the effect of V(V). Paraquat stimulates both the oxidation of NADH by xanthine oxidase and the V(V) enhancement of that oxidation. Xanthine, which is a better substrate for xanthine oxidase than is NADH, causes a V(V)-dependent co-oxidation of NADH which is transient and eliminated by SOD. Urate inhibits the V(V)-stimulated oxidation of NADH by xanthine oxidase or by Rose Bengal plus light. Measurement of rates of both O2- production and V(V)-stimulated NADH oxidation showed that many molecules of NADH were oxidized per O2-. These chain lengths were an inverse function of overall reaction rate. Minimum chain lengths, calculated on the basis of 100% univalent reduction of O2 to O2-, were smaller than measured average chain lengths by a factor of five. All of these results are in accord with the view that V(V) does not directly affect the activity of the enzyme, but rather catalyzes the free radical chain oxidation of NADH by O2-. It was further shown that phosphate was not involved and that the active form of V(V) was orthovanadate, rather than decavanadate.     

Interaction of heme nonapeptide derived from cytochrome c with microsomal reductases

The interaction of heme nonapeptide (a proteolytic product of cytochrome c) with purified NADH:cytochrome b5 (EC 1.6.2.2) and NADPH:cytochrome P-450 (EC 1.6.2.4) reductases was investigated. In the presence of heme nonapeptide, NADH or NADPH were enzymatically oxidized to NAD+ and NADP+, respectively. NAD(P)H consumption was coupled to oxygen uptake in both enzyme reactions. In the presence of carbon monoxide the spectrum of a carboxyheme complex was observed during NAD(P)H oxidation, indicating the existence of a transient ferroheme peptide. NAD(P)H oxidation could be partially inhibited by cyanide, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Superoxide and peroxide ions (generated by enzymic xanthine oxidation) only oxidized NAD(P)H in the presence of heme nonapeptide. Oxidation of NAD(P)H was more rapid with O2- than O2-2. We suggest that a ferroheme-O2 and various heme-oxy radical complexes (mainly ferroheme-O-2 complex) play a crucial role in NAD(P)H oxidation.     

Antioxidant pyruvate inhibits cardiac formation of reactive oxygen species through changes in redox state

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion is associated with bursts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide radicals (O(2)(-).). Membrane-associated NADH oxidase (NADHox) activity is a hypothetical source of O(2)(-)., implying the NADH concentration-to-NAD(+) concentration ratio ([NADH]/[NAD(+)]) as a determinant of ROS. To test this hypothesis, cardiac NADHox and ROS formation were measured as influenced by pyruvate or L-lactate. Pre- and postischemic Langendorff guinea pig hearts were perfused at different pyruvate/L-lactate concentrations to alter cytosolic [NADH]/[NAD(+)]. NADHox and ROS were measured with the use of lucigenin chemiluminescence and electron spin resonance, respectively. In myocardial homogenates, pyruvate (0.05, 0.5 mM) and the NADHox blocker hydralazine markedly inhibited NADHox (16 +/- 2%, 58 +/- 9%). In postischemic hearts, pyruvate (0.1-5.0 mM) dose dependently inhibited ROS up to 80%. However, L-lactate (1.0-15.0 mM) stimulated both basal and postischemic ROS severalfold. Furthermore, L-lactate-induced basal ROS was dose dependently inhibited by pyruvate (0.1-5.0 mM) and not the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol. Pyruvate did not inhibit ROS from xanthine oxidase. The data suggest a substantial influence of cytosolic NADH on cardiac O(2)(-). formation that can be inhibited by submillimolar pyruvate. Thus cytotoxicities due to cardiac ischemia-reperfusion ROS may be alleviated by redox reactants such as pyruvate.     

External alternative NADH dehydrogenase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a potential source of superoxide

Three rotenone-insensitive NADH dehydrogenases are present in the mitochondria of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which lack complex I. To elucidate the functions of these enzymes, superoxide production was determined in yeast mitochondria. The low levels of hydrogen peroxide (0.10 to 0.18 nmol/min/mg) produced in mitochondria incubated with succinate, malate, or NADH were stimulated 9-fold by antimycin A. Myxothiazol and stigmatellin blocked completely hydrogen peroxide formation with succinate or malate, indicating that the cytochrome bc(1) complex is the source of superoxide; however, these inhibitors only inhibited 46% hydrogen peroxide formation with NADH as substrate. Diphenyliodonium inhibited hydrogen peroxide formation (with NADH as substrate) by 64%. Superoxide formation, determined by EPR and acetylated cytochrome c reduction in mitochondria was stimulated by antimycin A, and partially inhibited by myxothiazol and stigmatellin. Proteinase K digestion of mitoplasts reduced 95% NADH dehydrogenase activity with a similar inhibition of superoxide production. Mild detergent treatment of the proteinase-treated mitoplasts resulted in an increase in NADH dehydrogenase activity due to the oxidation of exogenous NADH by the internal NADH dehydrogenase; however, little increase in superoxide production was observed. These results suggest that the external NADH dehydrogenase is a potential source of superoxide in S. cerevisiae mitochondria.     

Comparison of the effects of superoxide dismutase and cytochrome c on luminol chemiluminescence produced by xanthine oxidase-catalyzed reactions

Superoxide dismutase (superoxide: superoxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.15.1.1) (SOD) and ferricytochrome c are used to check the effects on luminol chemiluminescence induced by a xanthine or hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase/oxygen system. Luminol chemiluminescence has been attributed to superoxide anion radical (O2.-) in this system. From kinetic studies on the light intensity vs. time curves it is demonstrated that addition of SOD into the system does not affect the mechanism of O2.- generation, whilst ferricytochrome c dramatically alters the time-course of the reaction. This is interpreted as the effect of cytochrome c redox cycling by reaction with H2O2, modifying oxy-radical generation in the reaction medium. Also, an alternative mechanism for luminol chemiexcitation is proposed under certain experimental conditions.     

Oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms in the inactivation of cardiac mitochondrial electron transport chain components by doxorubicin.

The quinonoid anthracycline, doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is a potent anti-neoplastic agent whose clinical use is limited by severe cardiotoxicity. Mitochondrial damage is a major component of this cardiotoxicity, and rival oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms for inactivation of the electron transport chain have been proposed. Using bovine heart submitochondrial preparations (SMP) we have now found that both oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms occur in vitro, depending solely on the concentration of doxorubicin employed. Redox cycling of doxorubicin by Complex I of the respiratory chain (which generates doxorubicin semiquinone radicals, O2-, H2O2, and .OH) caused a 70% decrease in the Vmax. for NADH dehydrogenase during 15 min incubation of SMP, and an 80% decrease in NADH oxidase activity after 2 h incubation. This inactivation required only 25-50 microM-doxorubicin and represents true oxidative damage, since both NADH (for doxorubicin redox cycling) and oxygen were obligatory participants. The damage appears localized between the NADH dehydrogenase flavin (site of doxorubicin reduction) and iron-sulphur centre N-1. Succinate dehydrogenase, succinate oxidase, and cytochrome c oxidase activities were strongly inhibited by higher doxorubicin concentrations, but this phenomenon did not involve doxorubicin redox cycling (no NADH or oxygen requirement). Doxorubicin concentrations of 0.5 mM were required for 50% decreases in these activities, except for cytochrome c oxidase which was only 30% inhibited following incubation with even 1.0 mM-doxorubicin. Our results indicate that low concentrations of doxorubicin (50 microM or less) can catalyse a site-specific oxidative damage to the NADH oxidation pathway. In contrast, ten-fold higher doxorubicin concentrations (or more) are required for non-oxidative inactivation of the electron transport chain; probably via binding to cardiolipin and/or generalized membrane chaotropic effects. The development of agents to block doxorubicin toxicity in vivo will clearly require detailed clinical studies of doxorubicin uptake in the heart.     

Reactions of Adriamycin with haemoglobin. Superoxide dismutase indirectly inhibits reactions of the Adriamycin semiquinone.

The Adriamycin semiquinone produced by the reaction of xanthine oxidase and xanthine with Adriamycin has been shown to reduce both methaemoglobin and cytochrome c. In air, but not N2, both reactions were inhibited by superoxide dismutase. With cytochrome c, superoxide formed by the rapid reaction of the semiquinone with O2, was responsible for the reduction. However, even in air, methaemoglobin was reduced directly by the Adriamycin semiquinone. Superoxide dismutase inhibited this reaction by removing superoxide and hence the semiquinone by displacing the equilibrium: Semiquinone + O2 in equilibrium or formed from quinone + O2-. to the right. This ability to inhibit indirectly reactions of the semiquinone could have wider implications for the protection given by superoxide dismutase against the cytotoxicity of Adriamycin. Oxidation of haemoglobin by Adriamycin has been shown to be initiated by a reversible reaction between the drug and oxyhaemoglobin, producing methaemoglobin and the Adriamycin semiquinone. Reaction of the semiquinone with O2 gives superoxide and H2O2, which can also react with haemoglobin. Catalase, by preventing this reaction of H2O2, inhibits oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin. Superoxide dismutase, however, accelerates oxidation, by inhibiting the reaction of the semiquinone with methaemoglobin by the mechanism described above. Although superoxide dismutase has a detrimental effect on haemoglobin oxidation, it may protect the red cell against more damaging reactions of the Adriamycin semiquinone.