Xanthine oxido-reductase activity in ischemic human and rat intestine

We measured time course and extent of xanthine dehydrogenase (XD) to xanthine oxidase (XO) conversion in ischemic human and rat intestine. To model normothermic no-flow ischemia, we incubated fresh biopsies for 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 h. At [Formula: See Text] XO was less in humans than in rats [Formula: See Text] while XD was essentially the same [Formula: See Text] After 16 h incubation at 37°C, there was no appreciable XD-to-XO conversion and no change in neither XO nor XD activity in human intestine. In contrast, the rat intestine had [Formula: See Text] ratio doubled in the first 2 h and then maintained that value until [Formula: See Text] In conclusion, no XO-to-XD conversion was appreciable after 16 h no-flow normothermic ischemia in human intestine; in contrast, XO activity in rats increased sharply after the onset of ischemia. An immunohistochemical labelling study shows that, whereas [Formula: See Text] expression in liver tissue is localised in both hepatocytes and endothelial cells, in the intestine that expression is mostly localised in epithelial cells. We conclude that XO may be considered as a major source of reactive oxygen species in rats but not in humans.     

Myoglobin functions in the heart

The physiological role of myoglobin (Mb) within the heart depends on its oxygenation state. The myocardium exhibits a broad oxygen partial pressure (pO₂) spectrum with a transmural gradient from the epicardial to the subendocardial layer, ranging from arterial values to an average of 19.3 mm Hg down to 0 mm Hg. The function of Mb as an O₂ storage depot is well appreciated, especially during systolic compression. In addition, Mb controls myocardial nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis and thus modulates mitochondrial respiration under physiological and pathological conditions. We recently discovered the role of Mb as a myocardial O₂ sensor; in its oxygenated state Mb scavenges NO, protecting the heart from the deleterious effects of excessive NO. Under hypoxia, however, deoxygenated Mb changes its role from an NO scavenger to an NO producer. The NO produced protects the cell from short phases of hypoxia and from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this review we summarize the traditional and novel aspects of Mb and its (patho)physiological role in the heart.     

The cardioprotective effect of Mn-superoxide dismutase is lost at high doses in the postischemic isolated rabbit heart

The loss of protection by human recombinant (hr) Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) at higher doses reported previously may have been due to the weak peroxidase activity of this enzyme. To test this possibility we studied the dose-response relationship of hrMn-SOD, which lacks peroxidase activity. Isolated, buffer perfused rabbit hearts were subjected to 1 h of global ischemia followed by 1 h of reperfusion, and the percent recovery of developed tension (relative to preischemic) was measured via a left ventricular balloon connected through a pressure transducer to a polygraph recorder. The coronary effluent was assayed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. While hrMn-SOD almost completely protected against loss of function and LDH release at 2 and 5 mg/L (p < 0.01), it exacerbated the damage at 50 mg/L concentration (p < 0.05 against controls), thus giving an even sharper bell-shaped curve than seen with the hrCu,Zn-SOD. Therefore we conclude that, first, while the hrMn-SOD protects the reperfused heart at lower doses, it may exacerbate the damage at higher doses. Second, that the lack of protection seen at higher doses of hr-Cu,Zn-SOD is unlikely to be due only to its peroxidase activity.     

Reperfusion-induced arrhythmias are not prevented by ibuprofen in isolated rat heart

Free radicals have been implicated in the genesis of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and the cyclooxygenase pathways has been suggested as a potential source. We have therefore assessed whether a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, is able to reduce reperfusion-induced injury in the isolated perfused rat heart. A duration of 10 min of regional ischemia, which resulted in a high (83%) incidence of ventricular fibrillation, was selected and hearts (n = 12/group) were perfused with ibuprofen (2, 20, or 30 mg/L) throughout the experiment. Ibuprofen did not affect heart rate, although it did produce a dose-dependent increase in coronary flow. However, at all doses studied, ibuprofen had no effect upon the time to onset, incidence, or duration of arrhythmias. In subsequent studies with 30 min of regional ischemia, ibuprofen (30 mg/L) again caused vasodilatation but without effect upon heart rate or severity of arrhythmias. In conclusion, we were unable to obtain evidence in support of the concept that cyclooxygenase activity or cyclooxygenase-derived free radicals are involved in the genesis of ischemia- and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.     

血红素氧合酶-1在离体大鼠心肌缺血预适应中的作用

目的:分别观察给予HO-1诱导剂和抑制剂对心肌相对缺血再灌注损伤和缺血预适应的影响,探讨HO-1在缺血预适应中的作用.方法:实验动物随机分为对照组(CN)、缺血/再灌损伤组(I/R)、缺血预适应 缺血/再灌损伤组(PC)、HO-1诱导剂 缺血/再灌损伤组(HM)、HO-1抑制剂 缺血预适应组(ZP).心肌缺血/再灌损伤采用相对缺血/再灌损伤模型,缺血预适应则为相对缺血5min恢复5min,反复2次.测定心功能、MDA及HO-1活性变化.结果:HM组HO-1活性升高,心功能恢复率均显著高于IR组(P＜0.01),MDA含量显著低于IR组(P＜0.05).ZP组活性降低,心功能恢复率显著低于PC组(P＜0.05),MDA含量显著高于PC组(P＜0 05).结论:HO-1是缺血预适应释放的内源性活性物质之一.     

Mitochondrial superoxide production and respiratory activity: Biphasic response to ischemic duration

Long bouts of ischemia are associated with electron transport chain deficits and increases in free radical production. In contrast, little is known regarding the effect of brief ischemia on mitochondrial function and free radical production. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between the duration of ischemia, effects upon electron transport chain activities, and the mitochondrial production of free radicals. Rat hearts were subjected to increasing ischemic durations, mitochondria were isolated, and superoxide production and electron transport chain activities were measured. Results indicate that even brief ischemic durations induced a significant increase in superoxide production. This rate was maintained with ischemic durations less than 15 min, and then increased further with longer ischemic times. Mechanistically, brief ischemia was accompanied by an increase in NADH oxidase activity, reflected by a specific increase in complex IV activity. In contrast, longer ischemic durations were accompanied by a decrease in NADH oxidase activity, reflected by deficits in complexes I and IV activities.     

Ferrylmyoglobin formation induced by acute magnesium deficiency in perfused rat heart causes cardiac failure

The oxidation states in intracellular myoglobin and cytochrome oxidase aa₃ were monitored by reflectatnce spectrophotometry in isoltaed perfused rat hearts subjected to an acutely magnesium deficient environment. After exposure to low extracellular [Mg²⁺]_o (i.e., 0.3 mM) for 30 min, more than 80% of the oxymyoglobin converted to its deoxygenated form. The level of reduced cytochrome oxidase aa₃ also increased about 80% in low [Mg²⁺]_o. the deoxymyoglobin was converted further to a species identified as ferrymyoglobin by its reaction with Na₂S to form ferrous sulfmyoglobin which was optically visible. This process, set into motion by acute Mg deficiency, resulted from a direct accessibility of the exogenous peroxide to the cytosolic protein. The results suggest that a pathway leading to cardiac tissue damage, induced magnesium deficiency, is probably involved in the generation of a ferrylmyoglobin radical which could be prevented by addition of ascorbate, which is known to be a one-electron reductant of this hypervalent form of myglobin. In further studies, we also investigated whether addition of different concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) to the perfusate could enhance myocardial function after exposure to log [Mg²⁺]_o perfusion. Four concentrations of AA (0.5, 1, 5, 10 mM) were tested, indicate that they exert their effects in a concentration-dependent manner; 1 mM AA was the most effective dose in improving aortic output in a Mg-deficient heart. Ferrylmyoglobin formation was found to be formed considerably before intracellylar release of either creatine phosphokinase or lactic dehydrogenase. These studies may have wide implications as a new mechanisms by which extracellular Mg²⁺ can induce myocardial injury and subsequent cardiac failure.     

Direct Evidence for the Involvement of Free Radicals in Ischemic Insult to the Intestine

Ischemia of rat intestine was induced in vivo by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 15 min. Sodium salicylate, 100 mg/kg, given IP, 30 min prior to the ischemic event served as a specific trap for hydroxyl radicals and provided direct evidence for the involvement of free radicals during the ischemic insult. Portions of the bowel were sequentially isolated and removed. The hydroxylation products. dihyd-roxybenzoic acid (DHBA) derivatives were isolated, identified and qunatified by HPLC coupled with electrochemical detection (ECD). The level of 2,5-DHBA (Mean ± SE, ng/g tissue) in the preischemic bowel (N = 21) was 241.8 ± 10.0. It rose significantly to 313.3 ± 15.5 in the ischemic specimen (p = 0.0129) and remained unchanged in the reperfusion period (322.8 ± 15.5). The histological examination correlated well with these levels: mild villi damage in the ischemic period with no further damage in the reperfusion period.     

Oxidation of myoglobin in isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes by 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid

The oxidation of intracellular myoglobin by 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid was studied in suspensions of isolated adult rat heart cells. Myoglobin was converted to a species identified as ferrylMb by its reaction with Na2S to form ferrous sulfmyoglobin. This process was time-dependent and concentration-dependent in a manner consistent with direct accessibility of the exogenous peroxide to the cytosolic protein. The results indicate that myoglobin oxidation may be an early sign of oxidative injury and may limit myocardial function by elimination of this short-term O2 reserve.     

Time related changes in calcium handling in the isolated ischemic and reperfused rat heart

The main aim of this study was to assess the kinetics of intracellular free calcium (Ca²⁺ _i) handling by isolated rat hearts rendered ischemic for 30 min followed by 30 min of reperfusion analyzing the upstroke and downslope of the Ca²⁺ _i transient. Changes in mechanical performance and degradation of membrane phospholipids – estimated by tissue arachidonic acid content – were correlated with Ca²⁺ _i levels of the heart. The fluorescence ratio technique was applied to estimate Ca²⁺ _i. The disappearance of mechanical activity of the heart preceded that of the Ca²⁺ _i transient in the first 2 min of ischemia. The slope of upstroke of the Ca²⁺ _i transient, reflecting Ca²⁺ release, decreased by 60%, while the duration of the downslope of the transient, reflecting Ca²⁺ sequestration, expressed a significant prolongation (105 ± 17 vs. 149 ± 39 msec) during the first 3 min of ischemia. At about 20 min of ischemia end-diastolic pressure expressed a 3.5-fold increase (contracture) when the fluorescence ratio showed a 2-fold elevation. Reperfusion was accompanied with a further precipitous increase in end-diastolic pressure, while resting Ca²⁺ _i remained at end-ischemic levels. Increases in the arachidonic acid (AA) content of the ischemic and postischemic hearts were proportional to Ca²⁺ _i levels. In summary, the present findings indicate that both calcium release and removal are hampered during the early phase of ischemia. Moreover, a critical level of Ca²⁺ _i and a critical duration of ischemia may exist to provoke contracture of the heart. Upon reperfusion the hearts show membrane phospholipid degradation and signs of stunning exemplified by elevated AA levels, partial recovery of Ca²⁺ _i handling and sustained depression of mechanical performance.     

Mapping the myoglobin concentration, oxygenation, and optical pathlength in heart ex vivo using near-infrared imaging

A method that provides maps of absolute concentrations of oxygenated and deoxygenated myoglobin (Mb), its oxygenation, and its near-infrared (NIR) optical pathlength in cardiac tissue was developed. These parameters are available simultaneously. The method is based on NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopic imaging and specific processing of the NIR images, which included a first derivative of the diffuse reflectance spectrum. Mb oxygenation, total Mb concentration, and NIR light pathlength were found to be in the range of 92%, 0.3 mM, and 12.5 mm, respectively, in beating isolated buffer-perfused and arrested pig hearts. The charge-coupled device camera enables sub-millimeter spatial resolution and spectroscopic imaging in 1.5 to 2.0 min. The technique is noninvasive and nondestructive. The equipment has no mechanical contact with the tissue of interest, leaving it undisturbed.     

多巴胺在缺血性脑损伤中作用机制的研究进展

多巴胺是哺乳动物脑内重要的儿茶酚胺灰神经递质,但在某些病理条件下可引起神经毒性作用。近年来研究表明,ＤＡ在缺血性脑损伤中有重要作用。缺血时ＤＡ的酶促氧化和自身氧化导致自由基的产生被认为是ＤＡ神经毒性的主要原因,但这一观点尚需进一步探讨。     

In vitro nonenzymatic glycation enhances the role of myoglobin as a source of oxidative stress

Metmyoglobin (Mb) was glycated by glucose in a nonenzymatic in vitro reaction. Amount of iron release from the heme pocket of myoglobin was found to be directly related with the extent of glycation. After in vitro glycation, the unchanged Mb and glycated myoglobin (GMb) were separated by ion exchange (BioRex 70) chromatography, which eliminated free iron from the protein fractions. Separated fractions of Mb and GMb were converted to their oxy forms -MbO₂ and GMbO₂, respectively. H₂O₂-induced iron release was significantly higher from GMbO₂ than that from MbO₂. This free iron, acting as a Fenton reagent, might produce free radicals and degrade different cell constituents. To verify this possibility, degradation of different cell constituents catalyzed by these fractions in the presence of H₂O₂ was studied. GMbO₂ degraded arachidonic acid, deoxyribose and plasmid DNA more efficiently than MbO₂. Arachidonic acid peroxidation and deoxyribose degradation were significantly inhibited by desferrioxamine (DFO), mannitol and catalase. However, besides free iron-mediated free radical reactions, role of iron of higher oxidation states, formed during interaction of H₂O₂ with myoglobin might also be involved in oxidative degradation processes. Formation of carbonyl content, an index of oxidative stress, was higher by GMbO₂. Compared to MbO₂, GMbO₂ was rapidly auto-oxidized and co-oxidized with nitroblue tetrazolium, indicating increased rate of Mb and superoxide radical formation in GMbO₂. GMb exhibited more peroxidase activity than Mb, which was positively correlated with ferrylmyoglobin formation in the presence of H₂O₂. These findings correlate glycation-induced modification of myoglobin and a mechanism of increased formation of free radicals. Although myoglobin glycation is not significant within muscle cells, free myoglobin in circulation, if becomes glycated, may pose a serious threat by eliciting oxidative stress, particularly in diabetic patients.     

Spectral broadening of the Soret band in myoglobin: an interpretation by the full spectrum of low-frequency modes from a normal modes analysis

In this work the temperature dependence of the Soret band line shape in carbon-monoxy myoglobin is re-analyzed by using both the full correlator approach in the time domain and the frequency domain approach. The new analyses exploit the full density of vibrational states of carbon-monoxy myoglobin available from normal modes analysis, and avoid the artificial division of the entire set of vibrational modes coupled to the Soret transition into "high-frequency" and "low-frequency" subsets; the frequency domain analysis, however, makes use of the so-called short-times approximation, while the time domain one avoids it. Time domain and frequency domain analyses give very similar results, thus supporting the applicability of the short-times approximation to the analysis of hemeprotein spectra; in particular, they clearly indicate the presence of spectral heterogeneity in the Soret band of carbon-monoxy myoglobin. The analyses also show that a temperature dependence of the Gaussian width parameter steeper than the hyperbolic cotangent law predicted by the Einstein harmonic oscillator and/or a temperature dependence of inhomogeneous broadening are not sufficient to obtain quantitative information on the magnitude of an-harmonic contributions to the iron-heme plane motion. However, the dependence of the previous two quantities may be used to obtain semiquantitative information on the overall coupling of the Soret transition to the low-frequency modes and therefore on the dynamic properties of the heme pocket in different states of the protein.     

Free radicals in blood: evolving concepts in the mechanism of ischemic heart disease

There has been a considerable debate over past decade on how reactive oxidant species (ROS) in blood augment the cell signaling processes involved in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease. In particular, it is not clear whether ROS is an important component of the cross-talk between blood and elements of the vasculature during the initial and latter stages of vascular injury and development of atherosclerotic lesions. Features like the recruitment of the circulating activated monocytes, T cells and granulocytes occur extensively in patients with acute coronary syndromes. It is not known what drives the infiltration of these cells into the vessel wall in the active stages of atherosclerosis and whether ROS plays an intermediate part. Currently, the thinking is that although inflammatory processes may be prompted by different etiological factors from that of coronary heart disease, the presence of ROS in circulating blood is the key intermediary related to vascular injury and organ dysfunction. We review, the clinical and experimental data of the mechanisms involved, and evaluate the wider implications of this concept.     

A thrombocyte-induced myocardial dysfunction in the ischemic and reperfused guinea pig heart is mediated by reactive oxygen species

In recent investigations, we could demonstrate that thrombocytes are able to contribute to ischemia- and reperfusion-induced injury of the heart. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether reactive oxygen species are responsible for induction of myocardial dysfunction under these conditions. Isolated, perfused, and pressure-volume work–performing guinea pig hearts were exposed to a 30-min low-flow ischemia (1 ml/min) and were reperfused (5 ml/min). Washed, homologous blood platelets were administered as a 1-min bolus (20,000 per microliter of perfusion buffer), either during the 15th minute of ischemia or in the first or fifth minute of reperfusion in the presence of thrombin (0.3 U/ml perfusion buffer)). The radical scavengers superoxide dismutase (SOD; 10 U/ml perfusate) and catalase (30 U/ml perfusate) were added during ischemia or in the first or fifth minute of reperfusion, respectively. Intracoronary platelet retention (in percentage of platelets applied) and recovery of EHW (postischemic EHW in percentage of preischemic EHW) were quantified. Ischemic and reperfused hearts with time-matched application of platelets but without administration of SOD or catalase served as controls. Interestingly, both administration of SOD during ischemia and in reperfusion significantly improved recovery of EHW (88.4 ± 2%, 82.6 ± 1%, and 90 ± 3%, respectively) as compared with the case of controls (56.2 ± 3%, 42 ± 2%, and 75 ± 2%, respectively). Platelet retention, however, was not significantly influenced by administration of SOD during ischemia or reperfusion (26 ± 2%, 31 ± 2%, and 26 ± 2%) compared with controls (30.5 ± 3%, 33 ± 2%, and 22 ± 3%, respectively). Coadministration of catalase, on the other hand, exhibited some cardioprotective potential only in the first minute of reperfusion (recovery, 61% ± 4%) as compared with the case of control (42 ± 2%). We conclude that thrombocytes under conditions of ischemia and reperfusion are able to induce a myocardial dysfunction mediated by reactive oxygen species. Superoxide seems to play a major role in this respect.     

Cationic effect of imidazolium-based ionic liquid on the stability of myoglobin

The conformational change of myoglobin (Mb) during guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl)-induced protein unfolding in the presence of various ionic liquids (ILs) in phosphate buffer was investigated using both the Soret band absorption and the fluorescence of tryptophan measurements. The GuHCl-induced denaturation midpoints of Mb derived from the absorption and fluorescence spectra were almost similar in the presence of 150 mM ILs with the same cation 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (Bmim⁺) but different anions (BF₄⁻, NO₃⁻, Cl⁻, and Br⁻) in phosphate buffer. In addition, the denaturation midpoints of Mb in the presence of ILs were little lower than those in the absence of ILs in phosphate buffer. For the sake of clarity and comparison, we also measured the GuHCl-induced denaturation midpoints of Mb in the presence of 150 mM sodium salts with different anions (BF₄⁻, NO₃⁻, Cl⁻, and Br⁻) in phosphate buffer and found that their corresponding denaturation midpoints of Mb were almost similar to those observed in the absence of sodium salts in phosphate buffer. These experimental data indicate that Bmim⁺ cation can promote the unfolding of Mb. Further experiments revealed that the denaturation ability of ILs increases with increasing alkyl chain length of imidazolium cation of ILs and that hydroxyl-substituted imidazolium cation could also promote the unfolding of Mb.     

Roles of ferritin and iron in ischemic preconditioning of the heart

Iron and copper play major roles in biological systems, catalyzing free radical production and consequently causing damage. The relatively high levels of these metals, which are mobilized into the coronary flow following prolonged ischemia, have been incriminated as key players in reperfusion injury to the heart. In the present communication we investigated other roles of iron – providing protection to the ischemic heart via preconditioning (PC).PC was accomplished by subjecting isolated rat hearts to three episodes of 2 min ischemia separated by 3 min of reperfusion. Prolonged ischemia followed the PC phase. PC hearts (group I) were compared to hearts subjected to normal perfusion (group II, no ischemia) and to ischemia without PC (group III). Group I showed a marked improvement in the recovery of hemodynamic function vs. group III. Biochemical parameters further substantiated the PC protection provided to group I against prolonged ischemia. Correspondingly, group I presented markedly lower re-distribution and mobilization of iron and copper into the coronary flow, following prolonged ischemia, as evinced from the decrease in total levels, and in the 'free' fraction of iron and copper.During the PC phase no loss of cardiac function was observed. A small wave of re-distribution and mobilization of iron (typically less than 4–8% of the value of 35 min ischemia) was recorded. The cellular content of ferritin (Ft) measured in the heart was significantly higher in group I than in group III (0.90 and 0.54 g/mg, respectively). Also, iron-saturation of Ft was significantly lower for PC hearts, compared to both groups II and III (0.22 vs. 0.32 and 0.31 g/mg, for 35 min ischemia, respectively). These findings are in accord with the proposal that intracellular re-distribution and mobilization of small levels of iron, during PC, cause rapid accumulation of ferritin – the major iron-storage protein.It is proposed that iron play a dual role: (i) It serves as a signaling pathway for the accumulation of Ft following the PC phase. This iron is not involved in cardiac injury, but rather prepares the heart against future high levels of 'free' iron, thus reducing the degree of myocardial damage after prolonged ischemia. (ii) High levels of iron (and copper) are mobilized following prolonged ischemia and cause tissue damage.     

Nature of the ferryl heme in compounds I and II

Heme enzymes are ubiquitous in biology and catalyze a vast array of biological redox processes. The formation of high valent ferryl intermediates of the heme iron (known as Compounds I and Compound II) is implicated for a number of catalytic heme enzymes, but these species are formed only transiently and thus have proved somewhat elusive. In consequence, there has been conflicting evidence as to the nature of these ferryl intermediates in a number of different heme enzymes, in particular the precise nature of the bond between the heme iron and the bound oxygen atom. In this work, we present high resolution crystal structures of both Compound I and Compound II intermediates in two different heme peroxidase enzymes, cytochrome c peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase, allowing direct and accurate comparison of the bonding interactions in the different intermediates. A consistent picture emerges across all structures, showing lengthening of the ferryl oxygen bond (and presumed protonation) on reduction of Compound I to Compound II. These data clarify long standing inconsistencies on the nature of the ferryl heme species in these intermediates.     

Hydrogen peroxide mediates reperfusion injury in the isolated rat heart

In an isolated, normothermic rat heart model (Langendorff, 37 °C), dimethylthiourea (DMTU) infusion only during reperfusion reduced both injury and measurable hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations after global ischemia. Cardiac function was assessed by measurement of ventricular developed pressure (DP). H₂O₂ was assessed using H₂O₂ dependent aminotriazole inactivation of myocardial catalase. Depletion of xanthine oxidase by two methods (tungsten or allopurinol inhibition) also improved recovery of function and H₂O₂ production. The results indicate that XO derived H₂O₂ contributes to myocardial reperfusion injury.