Dehydrogenase conversion to oxidase and lipid peroxidation in brain after carbon monoxide poisoning.

The conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase and lipid peroxidation were measured in brain from carbon monoxide- (CO) poisoned rats. Sulfhydryl-irreversible xanthine oxidase increased from a control level of 15% to a peak of 36% over the 90 min after CO poisoning, while the conjugated diene level doubled. Reversible xanthine oxidase was 3-6% of the total enzyme activity over this span of time but increased to 31% between 90 and 120 min after poisoning. Overall, reversible and irreversible xanthine oxidase represented 66% of total enzyme activity at 120 min after poisoning. Rats depleted of this enzyme by a tungsten diet and those treated with allopurinol before CO poisoning to inhibit enzyme activity exhibited no lipid peroxidation. Treatment immediately after poisoning with superoxide dismutase or deferoxamine inhibited lipid peroxidation but had no effect on irreversible oxidase formation. Biochemical changes only occurred after removal from CO, and changes could be delayed for hours by continuous exposure to 1,000 ppm CO. These results are consistent with the view that CO-mediated brain injury is a type of postischemic reperfusion phenomenon and indicate that xanthine oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species are responsible for lipid peroxidation.     

Urate produced during hypoxia protects heart proteins from peroxynitrite-mediated protein nitration

Tyrosine nitration is a common modification to proteins in vivo, but the reactive nitrogen species responsible for nitration are often studied in vitro using just the amino acid tyrosine in simple phosphate solutions. To investigate which reactive nitrogen species could nitrate proteins in a complex biological system, we exposed rat heart and brain homogenates to peroxynitrite, nitric oxide under aerobic conditions, and other putative nitrating agents. Peroxynitrite was by far the most efficient nitrating agent when alternative targets were available to compete with tyrosine. Curiously, proteins in heart homogenates were substantially more resistant to nitration than brain homogenates. Ultrafiltration to remove low molecular weight compounds made the heart proteins equally susceptible as the brain proteins to nitration. Endogenous ascorbate and free thiols had little effect on nitration by peroxynitrite in either heart or brain. However, accumulation of urate formed by the oxidation of hypoxanthine by xanthine dehydrogenase and oxidase in heart appeared to be the major inhibitor of nitration. Heart homogenates treated with uricase, which converts urate to allantoin, showed equivalent nitration as in brain homogenates. Urate, as assayed by HPLC, was 58 +/- 8 microM in heart but only 4 +/- 2 microM in brain homogenates. Although xanthine dehydrogenase conversion to a free radical-producing oxidase can serve as an important source of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide during ischemia/reperfusion, our results suggest that urate formation by xanthine dehydrogenase may provide a significant antioxidant defense against peroxynitrite and related nitric oxide-derived oxidants.     

Short-term exercise preserves myocardial glutathione and decreases arrhythmias after thiol oxidation and ischemia in isolated rat hearts

The purpose of this study was to determine if exercise (Ex) protects hearts from arrhythmias induced by glutathione oxidation or ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two experimental groups: sedentary controls (Sed) or short-term Ex (10 days of treadmill running). Twenty-four hours after the last session, hearts were excised and exposed to either perfusion with the thiol oxidant diamide (200 μM) or global I/R. Ex significantly delayed the time to the onset of ventricular arrhythmia after irreversible diamide perfusion. During a shorter diamide perfusion protocol with washout, Ex significantly decreased the incidence of arrhythmia, as evidenced by a delayed time to the first observed arrhythmia, lower arrhythmia scores, and lower incidence of ventricular fibrillation. Ex hearts exposed to I/R (30-min ischemia/30-min reperfusion) also showed lower arrhythmia scores and incidence of ventricular fibrillation compared with Sed counterparts. Our finding that Ex protected intact hearts from thiol oxidation was corroborated in isolated ventricular myocytes. In myocytes from Ex animals, both the increase in H(2)O(2) fluorescence and incidence of cell death were delayed after diamide. Although there were no baseline differences in reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratios (GSH/GSSG) between the Sed and Ex groups, GSH/GSSG was better preserved in Ex groups after diamide perfusion and I/R. Myocardial glutathione reductase activity was significantly enhanced after Ex, and this was preserved in the Ex group after diamide perfusion. Our results show that Ex protects the heart from arrhythmias after two different oxidative stressors and support the hypothesis that sustaining the GSH/GSSG pool stabilizes cardiac electrical function during conditions of oxidative stress.     

Oxygen Radical Injury and Loss of High-Energy Compounds in Anoxic and Reperfused Rat Heart: Prevention By Exogenous Fructose-1, 6-Bisphosphate

Isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts after 10 minutes preperfusion, were subjected to a substrate-free anoxic perfusion (20 minutes) followed by 20 minutes reperfusion with a glucose-containing oxygen-balanced medium. Under the same perfusion conditions, the effect of exogenous 5mM fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate has been investigated. The xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase ratio, concentrations of high-energy phosphates and the TBA-reactive material (TBARS) were determined at the end of each perfusion period in both control and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate-treated hearts. Results indicate that anoxia induces the irreversible transformation of xanthine dehydrogenase into oxidase as a consequence of the sharp decrease of the myocardial energy metabolism. This finding is supported by the protective effect exerted by exogenous fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate which is able to maintain the correct xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase ratio by preventing the depletion of phosphorylated compounds during anoxia. Moreover, in control hearts, the release oflactate dehydrogenase during reperfusion, is paralleled by a 50% increase in the concentration of tissue TBARS. On the contrary, in fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate-treated hearts this concentration does not significantly change after reoxygenation, while a slight but significant increase of lactate dehydrogenase activity in the perfusates is observed.

On the whole these data indicate a direct contribution of oxygen-derived free radicals to the worsening of post-anoxic hearts. A hypothesis on the mechanism of action of fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate in anoxic and reperfused rat heart and its possible application in the clinical therapy of myocardial infarction are presented.     

Relation between glutathione redox changes and biliary excretion of taurocholate in perfused rat liver

The influence of the intracellular glutathione status on bile acid excretion was studied in the perfused rat liver. Perturbation of the thiol redox state by short term additions of diamide (100 microM) or hydrogen peroxide (250 microM) or t-butyl hydroperoxide (250 microM) led to a reversible inhibition of biliary taurocholate release without affecting hepatic uptake; inhibition amounted to 45% for diamide and 90% for the hydroperoxides. Concomitantly, the bile acid accumulated intracellularly. Bile flow increased from 1.3 to 2.0 microliters X min-1 X g liver-1 upon infusion of taurocholate (10 microM); the latter value was suppressed to 1.2 microliters X min-1 X g liver-1 by the addition of t-butyl hydroperoxide (250 microM). Similarly, the hepatic disposition of another bile constituent, bilirubin, was suppressed by 70% upon addition of hydrogen peroxide. While the addition of hydrogen peroxide inhibited also the endogenous release of bile acids almost completely, endogenous bile flow was much less affected, decreasing from 1.3 to 1.0 microliters X min-1 X g liver-1. Measurement of [14C]erythritol clearance showed bile/perfusate ratios of about unity both in the absence and presence of hydrogen peroxide, suggesting canalicular origin of the bile under both conditions. In livers from Se-deficient rats low in Se-GSH peroxidase (less than 5% of controls), hydrogen peroxide inhibited taurocholate transport substantially less, providing evidence for the involvement of glutathione in mediating the inhibition observed in normal livers. The percentage inhibition of taurocholate release and intracellular glutathione disulfide (GSSG) content were closely correlated. The addition of t-butyl hydroperoxide caused a several-fold increase of biliary GSSG release, whereas biliary GSH release was even decreased. The results establish a role of glutathione in canalicular taurocholate disposition.     

Uric acid stimulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by increasing platelet-derived growth factor A-chain expression

Recent data suggest that uric acid is generated locally in the vessel wall by the action of xanthine oxidase. This enzyme, activated during ischemia/reperfusion by proteolytic conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase, catalyzes the oxidation of xanthine, thereby generating free radicals and uric acid. Because of the potential role of ischemia/reperfusion in vascular disease, we studied the effects of uric acid on rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. Uric acid stimulated VSMC DNA synthesis, as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation, in a concentration-dependent manner with half-maximal activity at 150 microM. Maximal induction of DNA synthesis by uric acid (250 microM) was approximately 70% of 10% calf serum and equal to 10 ng/ml platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) AB or 20 ng/ml fibroblast growth factor. Neither uric acid precursors (xanthine and hypoxanthine) nor antioxidants (ascorbic acid, glutathione, and alpha-tocopherol) were mitogenic for VSMC. Uric acid was mitogenic for VSMC but not for fibroblasts or renal epithelial cells. The time course for uric acid stimulation of VSMC growth was slower than serum, suggesting induction of an autocrine growth mechanism. Exposure of quiescent VSMC to uric acid stimulated accumulation of PDGF A-chain mRNA (greater than 5-fold at 8 h) and secretion of PDGF-like material in conditioned medium (greater than 10-fold at 24 h). Uric acid-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation was markedly inhibited by incubation with anti-PDGF A-chain polyclonal antibodies. Thus uric acid stimulates VSMC growth via an autocrine mechanism involving PDGF A-chain. These findings suggest that generation of uric acid during ischemia/reperfusion contributes to atherogenesis and intimal proliferation following arterial injury.     

Xanthine oxidoreductase and xanthine oxidase in human cornea

Xanthine oxidoreductase (xanthine dehydrogenase + xanthine oxidase) is a complex enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine, subsequently producing uric acid. The enzyme complex exists in separate but interconvertible forms, xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase, which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), a well known causative factor in ischemia/reperfusion injury and also in some other pathological states and diseases. Because the enzymes had not been localized in human corneas until now, the aim of this study was to detect xanthine oxidoreductase and xanthine oxidase in the corneas of normal post-mortem human eyes using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Xanthine oxidoreductase activity was demonstrated by the tetrazolium salt reduction method and xanthine oxidase activity was detected by methods based on cerium ion capture of hydrogen peroxide. For immunohistochemical studies. we used rabbit antibovine xanthine oxidase antibody, rabbit antihuman xanthine oxidase antibody and monoclonal mouse antihuman xanthine oxidase/xanthine dehydrogenase/aldehyde oxidase antibody. The results show that the enzymes are present in the corneal epithelium and endothelium. The activity of xanthine oxidoreductase is higher than that of xanthine oxidase, as clearly seen in the epithelium. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of these enzymes in the diseased human cornea. Based on the findings obtained in this study (xanthine oxidoreductase/xanthine oxidase activities are present in normal human corneas), we hypothesize that during various pathological states, xanthine oxidase-generated ROS might be involved in oxidative eye injury.     

Reactive oxygen species may cause myocardial reperfusion injury

The pathogenic mechanisms responsible for heart damage following temporary coronary artery occlusion are unknown. Some damage may be mediated by a normal cellular enzyme, xanthine dehydrogenase, which converts to xanthine oxidase during myocardial ischemia. Reperfusion, with restoration of oxygen supply, may then lead to formation of superoxide by xanthine oxidase, possibly initiating a cascade of oxidative events. In support of this, reperfusion of transiently ischemic canine myocardium leads to a rapid loss of cellular glutathione and a decrease in catalase activity, both indicative of enhanced generation of activated oxygen. Allopurinol--an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase--ameliorates both biochemical damage and functional deficits ordinarily triggered by ischemia and reperfusion, suggesting one possible mode of pharmacologic intervention following acute myocardial infarction.     

Oxygen-derived radicals: a link between reperfusion injury and inflammation

Oxygen-derived free radicals (superoxide and hydroxyl) and related species (hydrogen peroxide and hypohalous acids) have well-defined roles in the inflammatory process. Their actions include the killing of microorganisms as well as participation in cell-to-cell communication among phagocytes via the activation of a superoxide-dependent chemoattractant. The active oxygen species also have roles in postischemic injury brought about by the conversion during ischemia of the enzyme xanthine dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.204) to the radical-producing xanthine oxidase (EC 1.1.3.22). Although the enzymes responsible for producing superoxide in inflammation and ischemia are quite distinct, and are triggered by very different events, there are points of interplay in the two mechanisms whereby an ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury would lead to inflammation, and conversely whereby inflammation could lead to impairment of the circulation and hence to ischemic injury.     

Proteomic analysis of antioxidant strategies of Staphylococcus aureus: diverse responses to different oxidants

The high resolution 2-D protein gel electrophoresis technique combined with MALDI-TOF MS and a recently developed fluorescence-based thiol modification assay were used to investigate the cellular response of Staphylococcus aureus to oxidative stress. Addition of hydrogen peroxide, diamide, and the superoxide generating agent paraquat to exponentially growing cells revealed complex changes in the protein expression pattern. In particular, proteins involved in detoxification, repair systems, and intermediary metabolism were found to be up-regulated. Interestingly, there is only a small overlap of proteins induced by all these stressors. Exposure to hydrogen peroxide mediated a significant increase of DNA repair enzymes, whereas treatment with diamide affected proteins involved in protein repair and degradation. The activity of proteins under oxidative stress conditions can be modulated by oxidation of thiol groups. In growing cells, protein thiols were found to be mainly present in the reduced state. Diamide mediated a strong increase of reversibly oxidized thiols in a variety of metabolic enzymes. By contrast, hydrogen peroxide resulted in the reversible oxidation especially of proteins with active site cysteines. Moreover, high levels of hydrogen peroxide influenced the pI of three proteins containing cysteines within their active sites (GapA1, AhpC, and HchA) indicating the generation of sulfinic or sulfonic acid by irreversible oxidation of thiols.     

Mechanisms of action of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal on xanthine oxidoreductase

Studies have been made on the possible involvement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal (HNE), two terminal compounds of lipid peroxidation, in modifying xanthine oxidoreductase activity through interaction with the oxidase (XO) and/or dehydrogenase (XDH) forms. The effect of the two aldehydes on XO (reversible, XO(rev), and irreversible, XO(irr)) and XDH was studied using xanthine oxidase from milk and xanthine oxidoreductase partially purified from rat liver. The incubation of milk xanthine oxidase with these aldehydes resulted in the inactivation of the enzyme following pseudo-first-order kinetics: enzyme activity was completely abolished by MDA (0.5-4 mM), while residual activity (5% of the starting value) associated with an XO(irr) form was always observed when the enzyme was incubated in the presence of HNE (0.5-4 mM). The addition of glutathione to the incubation mixtures prevented enzyme inactivation by HNE. The study on the xanthine oxidoreductase partially purified from rat liver showed that MDA decreases the total enzyme activity, acting only with the XO forms. On the contrary HNE leaves the same level of total activity but causes the conversion of XDH into an XO(irr) form.     

Hydroxyl radical is not a product of the reaction of xanthine oxidase and xanthine. The confounding problem of adventitious iron bound to xanthine oxidase

The reaction of xanthine and xanthine oxidase generates superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. In contrast to earlier works, recent spin trapping data (Kuppusamy, P., and Zweier, J.L. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 9880-9884) suggested that hydroxyl radical may also be a product of this reaction. Determining if hydroxyl radical results directly from the xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction is important for 1) interpreting experimental data in which this reaction is used as a model of oxidant stress, and 2) understanding the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Consequently, we evaluated the conditions required for hydroxyl radical generation during the oxidation of xanthine by xanthine oxidase. Following the addition of some, but not all, commercial preparations of xanthine oxidase to a mixture of xanthine, deferoxamine, and either 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide or a combination of alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl-nitrone and dimethyl sulfoxide, hydroxyl radical-derived spin adducts were detected. With other preparations, no evidence of hydroxyl radical formation was noted. Xanthine oxidase preparations that generated hydroxyl radical had greater iron associated with them, suggesting that adventitious iron was a possible contributing factor. Consistent with this hypothesis, addition of H2O2, in the absence of xanthine, to "high iron" xanthine oxidase preparations generated hydroxyl radical. Substitution of a different iron chelator, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for deferoxamine, or preincubation of high iron xanthine oxidase preparations with chelating resin, or overnight dialysis of the enzyme against deferoxamine decreased or eliminated hydroxyl radical generation without altering the rate of superoxide production. Therefore, hydroxyl radical does not appear to be a product of the oxidation of xanthine by xanthine oxidase. However, commercial xanthine oxidase preparations may contain adventitious iron bound to the enzyme, which can catalyze hydroxyl radical formation from hydrogen peroxide.     

Effect of ozone treatment on reactive oxygen species and adenosine production during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion

This study investigates whether ozone could confer protection from hepatic ischemia reperfusion by modifying the accumulation of adenosine and xanthine during ischemia. A significant increase in both adenosine and xanthine accumulation was observed as a consequence of ATP degradation during hepatic ischemia. Adenosine exerts a protective effect on hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury since the elimination of endogenous adenosine accumulation with adenosine deaminase increased the hepatic injury associated with this process. On the other hand, the high xanthine levels observed after ischemia could exert deleterious effects during reperfusion due to reactive oxygen species generation from xanthine oxidase. The administration of allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, attenuated the increase in reactive oxygen species and transaminase levels observed after hepatic reperfusion. Ozone treatment in liver maintained adenosine levels similar to those found after ischemia but led to a marked reduction in xanthine accumulation. In order to evaluate the role of both adenosine and xanthine, we tried to modify the protection confered by ozone, by modifying the concentrations of adenosine and xanthine. The metabolization of endogenous adenosine after ischemia abolished the protective effect conferred by ozone. When xanthine was administered previous to ozone treatment, the protection conferred by adenosine disappeared, showing both postischemic reactive oxygen species and transaminase levels similar to those found after hepatic ischemia reperfusion. Ozone would confer protection against the hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury by the accumulation of adenosine that in turns benefits the liver and by blocking the xanthine/xanthine oxidase pathway for reactive oxygen species generation.     

Generation of hydrogen peroxide in resting and activated platelets.

The production of hydrogen peroxide was measured by following the oxidation of dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) entrapped into platelets. Resting platelets produced nanomolar quantities of DCF, which was proportional to the concentration of platelets and was steady during 1 h of incubation. A significant increase of basal DCF fluorescence was induced by stimuli namely thrombin, arachidonic acid, the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and PMA. The effect of agonists has been also measured in the presence of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT) or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), inhibitors of catalase and glutathione peroxidase, respectively. A further significant enhancement of DCF produced in stimulated platelets was detected only in the presence of NEM. A correlation was found between the increase in DCF and externally added hydrogen peroxide or the oxidizing species formed by xanthine oxidase plus acetaldehyde. The yield was not affected by superoxide dismutase and was higher in the presence of AT or NEM. A cooperative effect in the presence of both inhibitors was shown. Glutathione peroxidase plus glutathione diminished the level of DCF to basal levels.     

Effect of ozone treatment on reactive oxygen species and adenosine production during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion

This study investigates whether ozone could confer protection from hepatic ischemia reperfusion by modifying the accumulation of adenosine and xanthine during ischemia. A significant increase in both adenosine and xanthine accumulation was observed as a consequence of ATP degradation during hepatic ischemia. Adenosine exerts a protective effect on hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury since the elimination of endogenous adenosine accumulation with adenosine deaminase increased the hepatic injury associated with this process. On the other hand, the high xanthine levels observed after ischemia could exert deleterious effects during reperfusion due to reactive oxygen species generation from xanthine oxidase. The administration of allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, attenuated the increase in reactive oxygen species and transaminase levels observed after hepatic reperfusion. Ozone treatment in liver maintained adenosine levels similar to those found after ischemia but led to a marked reduction in xanthine accumulation. In order to evaluate the role of both adenosine and xanthine, we tried to modify the protection confered by ozone, by modifying the concentrations of adenosine and xanthine. The metabolization of endogenous adenosine after ischemia abolished the protective effect conferred by ozone. When xanthine was administered previous to ozone treatment, the protection conferred by adenosine disappeared, showing both postischemic reactive oxygen species and transaminase levels similar to those found after hepatic ischemia reperfusion. Ozone would confer protection against the hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury by the accumulation of adenosine that in turns benefits the liver and by blocking the xanthine/xanthine oxidase pathway for reactive oxygen species generation.     

Purine and oxypurine production in mitochondria of ischemic and reperfused myocardium

The present study was undertaken to determine whether significant breakdown of adenine nucleotides to purine bases and oxypurines occurred in mitochondria following myocardial ischemia and ischemia followed by reperfusion, and whether allopurinol prevented this effect. The adenine nucleotides adenosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid were measured in the mitochondria and the results suggest that breakdown did occur. Malondialdehyde concentration was determined to gauge lipid peroxidation. This substance did not increase during ischemia or reperfusion, but did so in the presence of allopurinol. Xanthine dehydrogenase was converted to xanthine oxidase during reperfusion and the activity of both enzymes were inhibited by allopurinol. The results also suggested the presence of a mitochondrial 5'-nucleotidase. We conclude that significant breakdown of adenine nucleotide took place in myocardial mitochondria during ischemia and ischemia followed by reperfusion and that allopurinol may have a protective effect.     

Effect of ischemia reperfusion or hypoxia reoxygenation on lung vascular permeability and resistance

The effect of ischemia reperfusion or hypoxia reoxygenation on pulmonary vascular permeability and resistance was studied in 25 isolated blood-perfused dog lungs. Vascular permeability, assessed by determining filtration coefficient (Kf), and vascular resistances were measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. Ischemia reperfusion was produced by occluding blood flow to the lung for 3 h and reperfusing for 1 h, whereas hypoxia reoxygenation was obtained by ventilating the lung with 95% N2-5% CO2 for 3 h and then ventilating with 95% O2-5% CO2 for 1 h with no interruption of perfusion. There was a significant increase in Kf in both ischemia reperfusion and hypoxia reoxygenation groups (51 and 85%, respectively), and total vascular resistance increased greatly in both groups (386 and 532%, respectively). Two additional groups were also studied in which the ischemia reperfusion or hypoxia reoxygenation lungs were pretreated with allopurinol (20 micrograms/ml). The Kf did not significantly increase in either the allopurinol ischemia reperfusion or the allopurinol hypoxia reoxygenation groups (22 and 6%, respectively). However, total vascular resistance significantly increased in both groups (239 and 224%, respectively). Although vascular permeability is modestly increased by both ischemia reperfusion and hypoxia reoxygenation, the predominant change in these conditions is the increased vascular resistance, which predominantly affects the postcapillary resistance and would result in a greater tendency for edema to develop in these slightly damaged lungs. Allopurinol, which inhibits xanthine oxidase, attenuated the permeability changes in both groups and may be useful in preventing ischemia reperfusion injury in certain conditions.     

Protective role of cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, IDH1, in ischemic pre-conditioned kidney in mice

Ischemic pre-conditioning protects the kidney against subsequent ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). This study investigated the role of cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1), a producer of NADPH, in the ischemic pre-conditioning. Mice were pre-conditioned by 30 min of renal ischemia and 8 days of reperfusion. In non-pre-conditioned mice 30 min of ischemia had significantly increased the levels of plasma creatinine, BUN, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide in kidneys, whereas in pre-conditioned mice, the ischemia did not increase them. The reductions of reduced glutathione and NADPH after I/R were greater in non-pre-conditioned mice than in pre-conditioned mice. Ischemic pre-conditioning prevented the I/R-induced decreases in IDH1 activity and expression, but not in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In conclusion, protection of the kidney afforded by ischemic pre-conditioning may be associated with increased activity of IDH1 which relates to increased levels of NADPH, increased ratios of GSH/total glutathione, less oxidative stress and less kidney injury induced by subsequent I/R insult.     

Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate prevents oxidative stress in the isolated and perfused rat heart

Rat hearts were perfused with the Langendorff technique at constant flux in the presence of the oxidizing agents hydrogen peroxide and diamide. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate strongly prevented the decline of heart contractility due to the infusion of these oxidizing agents. On the other hand, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate had no effect on the release of total glutathione into the perfusate but prevented the loss of lactate dehydrogenase indicating a protective effect on cell membranes. Comparing the cytosolic and mitochondrial loss of glutathione, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate exerted a beneficial action only on the mitochondrial fraction. Several mechanisms of action have been considered to explain the protective action of frutose 1,6-bisphosphate. In our experimental conditions fructose 1,6-bisphosphate might stimulate its own production giving rise to dihydroxyacetone phosphate, that, after reduction to glycerol 3-phosphate, can permeate the mitochondrial membrane with the final production of energy.     

Effects of amyloid-beta peptides on hydrogen peroxide-metabolizing enzymes in rat brain in vivo

Amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides are components of senile plaques initiating degeneration of brain neurons in Alzheimer's disease. They increase reactive oxygen species generation that may exceed the defensive capacity of cells. To test the hypothesis, this study investigated the in vivo effects of Abeta peptides on mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial enzymic sources of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes in rat brain. Continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of both Abeta(25-35) and Abeta(1-40) for up to 14 days stimulated the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation in isolated neocortex mitochondria. Infusion of Abeta(1-40) led to an increase in Mn-superoxide dismutase activity and a decrease in activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase in mitochondria, to elevation of activities of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and aldehyde oxidase, forwarded the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase and corresponding increase in the rate of H2O2 formation in the cytosol. Thus, Abeta peptides increase H2O2-formation and H2O2-forming enzyme activities and inhibit H2O2-consuming enzyme activities in mitochondria and cytosol in vivo. These studies suggest that disbalance between H2O2-generating and H2O2-metabolizing enzyme activities can contribute to oxidative stress underlying neurodegeneration and neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease.