Oxidative stress and altered antioxidant defenses in children with acute exacerbation of atopic dermatitis

The underlying mechanisms of skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD) are not completely understood. The purpose of the present study was to examine the involvement of oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in children with acute exacerbation of AD. We studied 13 children who were hospitalized for acute exacerbation of AD with purulent skin infection by Staphylococcal aureus (age, 1.5 to 10.0 years), and 28 age-matched healthy subjects (controls). Urine samples obtained from the patients on admission, on 2nd and 7th-9th hospital days, as well as from the controls were analyzed for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) (a marker of oxidative DNA damage), acrolein-lysine adducts (a marker of lipid peroxidation), bilirubin oxidative metabolites (BOM) (a marker of antioxidant activity of bilirubin under oxidative stress) and nitrite/nitrate (NO(x)(-)) (a marker of endogenous nitric oxide production). Of these, urinary concentrations of 8-OHdG, acrolein-lysine adducts and BOM, but not NO(x)(-), were significantly higher in AD children on admission than those in control subjects. Response to treatment was associated with significant falls in the concentrations of 8-OHdG and acrolein-lysine adducts. Urinary concentrations of acrolein-lysine adducts, but not 8-OHdG, were still significantly higher in AD patients on the 7th-9th hospital day relative to the control. Urinary BOM remained almost constant and significantly high in AD children during hospitalization. Our findings indicate that oxidative stress and altered antioxidant defenses are involved in the pathophysiology of acute exacerbation of AD, and that suppression of oxidative stress might be a potentially useful strategy for the treatment of AD.     

Oxidative stress in neonates: evaluation using specific biomarkers

Increased oxidative stress has been implicated in pathogenesis of serious diseases in neonates. We measured urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (a marker of oxidative DNA damage), acrolein-lysine adduct (a marker of lipid peroxidation and oxidative protein damage), and nitrite/nitrate (a marker of endogenous nitric oxide formation) in one-month-old neonates to examine the status of oxidative stress and its relationship to the degree of prematurity and clinical condition in neonates. Study subjects comprised three groups: healthy term neonates, clinically stable preterm neonates requiring no supplemental oxygen, and clinically sick preterm neonates requiring supplemental oxygen and ventilator support. Urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and acrolein-lysine adduct were significantly higher in sick preterm neonates than those of stable preterm and healthy term neonates. In the sick preterm group, neonates developing active retinopathy showed significantly higher levels of acrolein-lysine adduct than the other neonates without retinopathy. There were no significant differences in both urinary markers of oxidative stress between stable preterm and healthy term neonates. The urinary nitrite/nitrate levels were not significantly different among the three groups, suggesting no difference in endogenous nitric oxide formation. Collectively, these results provide evidence of augmentation of oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins, especially in clinically sick preterm neonates.     

Cerebrospinal Fluid Nitrite/Nitrate Levels in Neurologic Diseases

Abstract: Nitric oxide has been proposed to mediate cytotoxic effects in inflammatory diseases. To investigate the possibility that overproduction of nitric oxide might play a role in the neuropathology of inflammatory and noninflammatory neurological diseases, we compared levels of the markers of nitric oxide, nitrite plus nitrate, in the CSF of controls with those in patients with various neurologic diseases, including Huntington's and Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and HIV infection. We found that there were no significant increases in the CSF levels of these nitric oxide metabolites, even in patients infected with HIV or in monkeys infected with poliovirus, both of which have significantly elevated levels of the neurotoxin quinolinic acid and the marker of macrophage activation, neopterin. However, CSF quinolinic acid, neopterin, and nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly increased in a small group of patients with bacterial and viral meningitis.     

Evaluation of a urinary multi-parameter biomarker set for oxidative stress in children, adolescents and young adults

The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in pediatric diseases is an important concern, but oxidative stress status in healthy young subjects and appropriate methods for its measurement remain unclear. This study evaluated a comprehensive set of urinary biomarkers for oxidative stress in healthy children, adolescents and young adults. Results show that urinary excretion of acrolein-lysine, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), nitrite/nitrate and pentosidine were highest in the youngest subjects and decreased to constant levels by early adolescence. Urinary acrolein-lysine, 8-OHdG, nitrite/nitrate and pentosidine showed significant inverse correlations with age, but pyrraline did not change significantly with age. No significant differences in biomarkers were apparent between males and females. Younger subjects grow rapidly and sustain immune activation, and are probably exposed to high concentrations of ROS and nitric oxide. Consequently, they are more vulnerable to oxidation of lipids, proteins, DNA and carbohydrates. Normal reported values in this study are a basis for future studies of disease mechanisms involving oxidative stress and for future trials using antioxidant therapies for oxidative stress-related diseases in the pediatric field.     

Oxidative stress in childhood meningitis: measurement of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine concentration in cerebrospinal fluid

To examine the involvement of reactive oxygen species, we measured the concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of oxidative stress, in cerebrospinal fluid samples from 63 children with and without meningitis. We observed that the mean concentration of 8-OHdG in samples obtained during the early phase of bacterial meningitis, but not aseptic meningitis, was significantly higher than that in control samples. Clinical and laboratory improvement was associated with a fall in the 8-OHdG concentration in the patients with bacterial meningitis. Our findings suggest the presence of enhanced oxidative stress in the central nervous system of children with bacterial meningitis.     

Oxidative stress in childhood meningitis: measurement of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine concentration in cerebrospinal fluid

Abstract

To examine the involvement of reactive oxygen species, we measured the concentration of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of oxidative stress, in cerebrospinal fluid samples from 63 children with and without meningitis. We observed that the mean concentration of 8-OHdG in samples obtained during the early phase of bacterial meningitis, but not aseptic meningitis, was significantly higher than that in control samples. Clinical and laboratory improvement was associated with a fall in the 8-OHdG concentration in the patients with bacterial meningitis. Our findings suggest the presence of enhanced oxidative stress in the central nervous system of children with bacterial meningitis.     

Extraordinary Changes in Excitatory Amino Acid Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy of Children

The correlation between the glutamate-glutamine cycle and nitric oxide (NO) production in the central nervous system (CNS) of a new type of influenza-associated encephalopathy in children is discussed. When measurements of several amino acids and NOx (nitrite/nitrate) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using HPLC-fluorescence and -UV methods, respectively, were made. the CSF glutamate levels of patients with the new type of encephalitis were significantly lower, and both glutamine and NOx levels were significantly higher than those of the control group and the patients of the meningitis group. Results indicate that the turnover rate of glutamate in CNS, particularly in the brain, increases in the influenza-associated encephalopathy. The high mortality in the disease may correlate with the hyperactivity of supra-spinal glutamate neurons and the subsequent high activity levels of NOx in CNS.     

Level of lactoferrin in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis

Study showed 9-fold increase of concentration of lactoferrin (LF) in serum of patients with bacterial meningitis (BM) compared with normal concentration and 5-fold increase of LF concentration in patients with aseptic meningitis (AM). Level of LF in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with BM and AM was 200-fold and 22-fold higher than in control group respectively. In 71% of patients with AM concentration of protein in CSF did not exceed minimal level observed in patients with BM. Level of LF in serum and CSF during treatment statistically significantly decreased. Concentration of LF (the latter is marker of neutrophilic granulocytes activation) can be used as a characteristic of acuteness and intensity of inflammatory process in central nervous system, whereas detection of LF in CSF--as additional criterion in differential diagnostics between bacterial and viral meningitis. Furthermore, repeated measurement of LF level can be useful for monitoring of disease course and assessment of effect of treatment.     

Influence of vitamin C and vitamin E on redox signaling: Implications for exercise adaptations

The exogenous antioxidants vitamin C (ascorbate) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) often blunt favorable cell signaling responses to exercise, suggesting that redox signaling contributes to exercise adaptations. Current theories posit that this antioxidant paradigm interferes with redox signaling by attenuating exercise-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generation. The well-documented in vitro antioxidant actions of ascorbate and α-tocopherol and characterization of the type and source of the ROS/RNS produced during exercise theoretically enable identification of redox-dependent mechanisms responsible for the blunting of favorable cell signaling responses to exercise. This review aimed to apply this reasoning to determine how the aforementioned antioxidants might attenuate exercise-induced ROS/RNS production. The principal outcomes of this analysis are (1) neither antioxidant is likely to attenuate nitric oxide signaling either directly (reaction with nitric oxide) or indirectly (reaction with derivatives, e.g., peroxynitrite); (2) neither antioxidant reacts appreciably with hydrogen peroxide, a key effector of redox signaling; (3) ascorbate but not α-tocopherol has the capacity to attenuate exercise-induced superoxide generation; and (4) alternate mechanisms, namely pro-oxidant side reactions and/or reduction of bioactive oxidized macromolecule adducts, are unlikely to interfere with exercise-induced redox signaling. Out of all the possibilities considered, ascorbate-mediated suppression of superoxide generation with attendant implications for hydrogen peroxide signaling is arguably the most cogent explanation for blunting of favorable cell signaling responses to exercise. However, this mechanism is dependent on ascorbate accumulating at sites rich in NADPH oxidases, principal contributors to contraction-mediated superoxide generation, and outcompeting nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase isoforms. The major conclusions of this review are: (1) direct evidence for interference of ascorbate and α-tocopherol with exercise-induced ROS/RNS production is lacking; (2) theoretical analysis reveals that both antioxidants are unlikely to have a major impact on exercise-induced redox signaling; and (3) it is worth considering alternate redox-independent mechanisms.     

Antioxidant effects of dihydrocaffeic acid in human EA.hy926 endothelial cells

Dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA) is a metabolite of caffeic acid with potent antioxidant properties. Since DHCA has been detected in human plasma following coffee ingestion, we tested the hypothesis that DHCA protects the endothelium from oxidative stress in a model in human-derived EA.hy926 endothelial cells. During culture for 16-24 hours, the cells accumulated DHCA against a concentration gradient to low millimolar concentrations. In alpha-tocopherol-loaded cells, DHCA spared alpha-tocopherol during overnight culture in a dose-dependent manner. In response to oxidant stress induced by a water-soluble free radical initiator, both alpha-tocopherol and DHCA diminished oxidation of cis-parinaric acid that had been incorporated into the cells, although their antioxidant activities were not additive. DHCA also decreased intracellular oxidation of dihydrofluorescein due to redox cycling by menadione. This suggests that the protective effects of DHCA were caused by scavenging of intracellular reactive oxygen species. DHCA also increased nitric oxide synthase activity in a dose-dependent manner in cultured cells, which was associated with a comparable increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein. Although the DHCA concentrations required for these effects are higher than those likely to be present in plasma or the interstitium, these results indicate that DHCA can function as an intracellular antioxidant.     

血清降钙素原在小儿早期中枢神经系统感染鉴别诊断中的价值

目的研究细菌性脑膜炎和病毒性脑炎患儿血清降钙素原（PCT）水平的变化,探讨其在小儿早期中枢神经系统感染鉴别诊断中的价值。方法采用双抗夹心免疫发光测量法,检测78例早期中枢神经系统感染患儿的血清及脑脊液降钙素原水平,分析它们之间的相关性;并和脑脊液白细胞数、血白细胞数、血清C反应蛋白相对比;PCT阳性细菌性脑膜炎患儿使用抗生素治疗后再测定血清PCT。结果33例急性细菌性脑膜炎患儿的血清降钙素原浓度为（18．46±9．18）ng／mL,45例急性病毒性脑炎的血清降钙素原水平轻度升高（0．58±0．31）ng／mL,P〈0．01,两者相比较差异有统计学意义。细菌性脑膜炎组患儿血清PCT在经过抗生素治疗后较入院时明显下降,两者比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。并且在细菌组急性期脑脊液PCT与血清PCT存在正相直线相关性。结论血清降钙素原检测在小儿早期中枢神经系统感染鉴别诊断中有重要应用价值。     

Oxidative Stress in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Aseptic and Bacterial Meningitis

This study aimed to determine whether patients with aseptic and bacterial meningitis presented alterations in oxidative stress parameters of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A total of 30 patients were used in the research. The CSF oxidative stress status has been evaluated through many parameters, such as lipid peroxidation through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant defense systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid. TBARS levels, SOD and GST activity increase in aseptic meningitis and in bacterial meningitis. The ascorbic acid concentration increased significantly in patients with both meningitis types. The reduced glutathione levels were reduced in CSF of patients with aseptic and bacterial meningitis. In present study we may conclude that oxidative stress contributes at least in part to the severe neurological dysfunction found in meningitis.     

Adenine Nucleotide Hydrolysis in Patients with Aseptic and Bacterial Meningitis

The meningitis is a disease with high mortality rates capable to cause neurologic sequelae. The adenosine (the final product of ATP hydrolysis by ectonucleotidases), have a recognized neuroprotective actions in the central nervous system (CNS) in pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was evaluate the adenine nucleotides hydrolysis for to verify one possible role of ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis in inflammatory process such as meningitis. The hydrolysis was verified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from human patients with aseptic and bacterial meningitis. Our results showed that the ATP hydrolysis was reduced 12.28% (P < 0.05) in bacterial meningitis and 22% (P < 0.05) in aseptic meningitis. ADP and AMP hydrolysis increased 79.13% (P < 0.05) and 26.37% (P < 0.05) in bacterial meningitis, respectively, and 57.39% (P < 0.05) and 42.64% (P < 0.05) in aseptic meningitis, respectively. This may be an important protective mechanism in order to increase adenosine production.     

Nitrite Generates an Oxidant Stress and Increases Nitric Oxide in EA.hy926 Endothelial Cells

Nitrite is a breakdown product of nitric oxide that in turn is oxidized to nitrate in cells. In this work, we investigated whether reactive oxidant species might be generated during nitrite metabolism in cultured EA.hy926 endothelial cells. Nitrite was taken up by the cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and oxidized to nitrate, which accumulated in cells to concentrations almost 10-fold those of nitrite. Conversion of low millimolar concentrations of nitrite to nitrate was associated with increased oxidant stress in the cells. This manifested as increased oxidation of dihydrofluorescein in tandem with depletion of both GSH and ascorbate. Further, loading cells with ascorbate or treatment with desferrioxamine prevented nitrite-induced dihydrofluorescein oxidation. Nitrite within cells also increased the fluorescence of 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein and inhibited the activity of cellular glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which are markers of intracellular nitrosation reactions. Intracellular ascorbate partially prevented both of these effects of nitrite. Although ascorbate can reduce nitrite to nitric oxide at low pH, in endothelial cells loaded with ascorbate, its predominant effect at high nitrite concentrations is to prevent potentially damaging nitrosation reactions.     

Nitrite generates an oxidant stress and increases nitric oxide in EA.hy926 endothelial cells

Nitrite is a breakdown product of nitric oxide that in turn is oxidized to nitrate in cells. In this work, we investigated whether reactive oxidant species might be generated during nitrite metabolism in cultured EA.hy926 endothelial cells. Nitrite was taken up by the cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and oxidized to nitrate, which accumulated in cells to concentrations almost 10-fold those of nitrite. Conversion of low millimolar concentrations of nitrite to nitrate was associated with increased oxidant stress in the cells. This manifested as increased oxidation of dihydrofluorescein in tandem with depletion of both GSH and ascorbate. Further, loading cells with ascorbate or treatment with desferrioxamine prevented nitrite-induced dihydrofluorescein oxidation. Nitrite within cells also increased the fluorescence of 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein and inhibited the activity of cellular glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which are markers of intracellular nitrosation reactions. Intracellular ascorbate partially prevented both of these effects of nitrite. Although ascorbate can reduce nitrite to nitric oxide at low pH, in endothelial cells loaded with ascorbate, its predominant effect at high nitrite concentrations is to prevent potentially damaging nitrosation reactions.     

Molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress-related neonatal jaundice

Oxidative stress is a pathological condition characterized by an overload of oxidant products, named free radicals, which are not well counteracted by antioxidant systems. Free radicals induce oxidative damage to many body organs and systems. In neonatal red blood cells, free-radical mediated-oxidative stress leads to eryptosis, a suicidal death process of erythrocytes consequent to alteration of cell integrity. Neonatal red blood cells are targets and at the same time generators of free radicals through the Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions. Enhanced eryptosis in case of oxidative stress damage may cause anemia if the increased loss of erythrocytes is not enough compensated by enhanced new erythrocytes synthesis. The oxidative disruption of the red cells may cause unconjugated idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. High levels of bilirubin are recognized to be dangerous for the central nervous system in newborns, however, many studies have highlighted the antioxidant function of bilirubin. Recently, it has been suggested that physiologic concentration of bilirubin correlates with higher antioxidant status while high pathological bilirubin levels are associated with pro-oxidants effects. The aim of this educational review is to provide an updated understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying erythrocyte oxidant injury and its reversal in neonatal idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia.     

Antitumour and antioxidant activity of some Red Sea seaweeds in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in vivo

The antitumour activities of extracts from the Red Sea seaweeds Jania rubens, Sargassum subrepandum, and Ulva lactuca were investigated in an in vivo mice model based on intramuscular injection of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells. In parallel, antioxidant activities were measured. Tumour marker levels, liver biochemical parameters, and hepatic oxidant/antioxidant status were measured to prove the anticancer and antioxidant nature of the algal extracts. Significant decreases in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and a-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, activities of liver enzymes, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and an increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were recorded in groups treated with the algal extracts. Jania rubens was selected for phytochemical screening of its phytoconstituents. In addition, carotenoids, halides, minerals, lipoidal matters, proteins, and carbohydrates were studied. Furthermore, 7-oxo-cholest-5(6)-en-3-ol (1) and cholesterol (2) were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction.     

FimH adhesin of Escherichia coli K1 type 1 fimbriae activates BV-2 microglia

The generation of intense inflammation in the subarachnoid space in response to meningitis-causing bacteria contributes to brain dysfunction and neuronal injury in bacterial meningitis. Microglia, the major immune effector cells in the central nervous system (CNS), become activated by bacterial components to produce proinflammatory immune mediators. In this study, we showed that FimH adhesin, a tip component of type 1 fimbriae of meningitis-causing Escherichia coli K1, activated the murine microglial cell line, BV-2, which resulted in the production of nitric oxide and the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK and p-38, and nuclear factor-kappaB were involved in FimH adhesin-mediated microglial activation. These findings suggest that FimH adhesin contributes to the CNS inflammatory response by virtue of activating microglia in E. coli meningitis.     

The catalytic mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cd1 nitrite reductase

The cd1 NiRs (nitrite reductases) are enzymes catalysing the reduction of nitrite to NO (nitric oxide) in the bacterial energy conversion denitrification process. These enzymes contain two distinct redox centres: one covalently bound c-haem, which is reduced by external electron donors, and another peculiar porphyrin, the d1-haem (3,8-dioxo-17-acrylate-porphyrindione), where nitrite is reduced to NO. In the present paper, we summarize the most recent results on the mechanism of nitrite reduction by the cd1 NiR from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We discuss the essential catalytic features of this enzyme, with special attention to the allosteric regulation of the enzyme's activity and to the mechanism employed to avoid product inhibition, i.e. trapping of the active-site reduced haem by the product NO. These results shed light on the reactivity of cd1 NiRs and assign a central role to the unique d1-haem, present only in this class of enzymes.