When Do Metal Complexes Protect the Biological System from Superoxide Toxicity and When Do They Enhance It?

Many copper and iron complexes can be reduced by O^-₂ as well as by H₂O₂. According to the rates of reduction and the concentration of O^-₂ and H₂O₂, the metal complexes may serve either as catalyst of O^-₂ dismutation or as catalysts of the reaction between O^-₂ and H₂O₂ to form OH' radical (Haber-Weiss reaction). Various factors which influence whether metal complexes protect the biological systems from superoxide toxicity or enhance it are discussed.     

Regulation of prostaglandin E2 production by the superoxide radical and nitric oxide in mouse peritoneal macrophages

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of NO and O^-₂ on enzymatic components of cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway in peritoneal macrophages. Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) resulted in time-dependent production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). This stimulation was also accompanied by the production of other reactive oxygen species such as superoxide (O^-₂), and by increased expression of COX-2. Our results provide evidence that O^-₂ may be involved in the pathways that result in arachidonate release and PGE₂ formation by COX-2 in murine peritoneal macrophages stimulated by LPS. However, we were not able to demonstrate that NO participates in the regulation of PG production under our experimental conditions.     

Is Redox-Cycling Ubiquinone Involved In Mitochondrial Oxygen Activation?

In most tissues mitochondria consume more than 90% of cellular oxygen. Although the greatest part of it undergoes tetravalent reduction thereby conserving free energy changes in the form of ATP. a great deal of evidence exists in the literature that also univalently reduced dioxygen is released during respiration. Redox-cycling ubiquinone was considered most frequently to be involved in this univalent e^- transfer to oxygen out of sequence however, other components of the respiratory chain could not be excluded. Our investigations on this problem questioned the role of redox-cycling ubiquinone in mitochondrial O^-₂ formation while H₂O₂ is supposed to accept e^- from this source. The paper provides experimental evidence that H₂O₂ in fact may operate as an oxidant of ubisemiquinone while dioxygen requires protons for such a reaction which are not available in the phospholipid bilayer where ubiquinone undergoes one e^-redox-cycling     

Role of reactive oxygen species in cardiac preconditioning: study with photoactivated Rose Bengal in isolated rat hearts

Oxygen radical scavengers have been shown to prevent the development of ischemic preconditioning, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) might be involved in this phenomenon. In the present study, we have investigated whether direct exposure to ROS produced by photoactivated Rose Bengal (RB) could mimic the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning.

Methods In vitro generation of ROS from photoactivated RB in a physiological buffer was first characterised by ESR spectroscopy in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidone (oxoTEMP) or 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). In a second part of the study, isolated rat hearts were exposed for 2.5 min to photoactivated RB. After 5 min washout, hearts underwent 30 min no-flow normothermic ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion.

Results and Conclusions The production of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) by photoactivated RB in the perfusion medium was evidenced by the ESR detection of the nitroxyl radical oxoTEMPO. Histidine completely inhibited oxoTEMPO formation. In addition, the use of DMPO has indicated that (i) superoxide anions (O^·-₂) are produced directly and (ii) hydroxyl radicals (HO^·) are formed indirectly from the successive O^·-₂ dismutation and the Fenton reaction. In the perfusion experiments, myocardial post-ischemic recovery was dramatically impaired in hearts previously exposed to the ROS produced by RB photoactivation (¹O₂, O^·-₂, H₂O₂ and HO^·) as well as when ¹O₂ was removed by histidine (50 mM) addition. However, functional recovery was significantly improved when hearts were exposed to photoactivated RB in presence of superoxide dismutase (10⁵ IU/L) and catalase (10⁶ IU/L).

Further studies are now required to determine whether the cardioprotective effects of Rose Bengal in presence of O^·-₂ and H₂O₂ scavengers are due to singlet oxygen or to other species produced by Rose Bengal degradation.     

Ligand induced P---H bond formation and a comparison of the reactivity of two isomers of the carbonyl hydride [Pt2(μ-PBu2)2(H)(CO)(PBu2H)]CF3SO3

The Pt₂ ^(II) isomeric terminal hydrides [(CO)(H)Pt(μ-PBu^t ₂)₂Pt(PBu^t ₂H)]CF₃SO₃ (1a), and [(CO)Pt(μ-PBu^t ₂)₂Pt(PBu^t ₂H)(H)]CF₃SO₃ (1b), react rapidly with 1 atm of carbon monoxide to give the same mixture of two isomers of the Pt₂ ^(I) dicarbonyl [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(CO)₂(PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (3-Pt); the solid state structure of the isomer bearing the carbonyl ligands pseudo-trans to the bridging phosphide was solved by X-ray diffraction. A remarkable difference was instead found between the reactivity of 1a and 1b towards carbon disulfide or isoprene. In both cases 1b reacts slowly to afford [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(μ,η²,η²-CS₂)(PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (4-Pt), and [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(μ,η²,η²-isoprene) (PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (6-Pt), respectively. In the same experimental conditions, 1a is totally inert. A common mechanism, proceeding through the preassociation of the incoming ligand followed by the P---H bond formation between one of the bridging P atoms and the hydride ligand, has been suggested for these reactions.     

Studies of Hypervalent Iron

The iron (IV), (V) and (VI) oxidation states are of great interest because of their role in catalytic oxidation/ hydroxylation reactions. This report summarizes the information currently available on the kinetic and chemical properties of the water-soluble ions of FeO²₄-, FeO^3-₄ and FeO^4-₄, their prorogated forms. and/or simple complex derivatives. The discussion includes their radiation-induced formation, decay kinetics, reactivity with other compounds, determination of their respective pK_a, values as well as spectral properties.     

Oxidation and Cross-Linking of Human Hemoglobins by Activated Oxygen Species

The effect of activated oxygen species on human hemoglobins was studied. All radicals induced polymerization in Hb A both intermolecular and by cross-linking of subunits (intramolecular). However, a system producing mainly superoxide ion gave the most important changes. An oxidation step is necessary to produce polymerization since in the case of cyanmet Hb A (where there is no possible oxidation) no polymerization occurs. The effect of O^-₂ on blocked SH β 93 Hbs or on the abnormal Hbs tested was practically identical to that on Hb A although their autoxidation rates were modified. Consequently the action of radicals is different from autoxidation processes and the modified residues in the abnormal hemoglobins are not involved in the action of superoxide ion on Hb.

The kinetics of oxidation of Hb by H₂O₂ followed two steps: the first is the oxidation of oxy Hb to ferri Hb and the second is hemichrome formation. This last step is independent of the presence of H₂O₂ since it is not inhibited by catalase. The kinetics of oxidation to ferri Hb were of second order and the rate constant was found to be 16 M^-1 sec^-1.     

Interactions of superoxide anion with enzyme radicals: kinetics of reaction with lysozyme tryptophan radicals and corresponding effects on tyrosine electron transfer

The kinetics of O^·-₂ reaction with semi-oxidized tryptophan radicals in lysozyme, Trp^·(Lyz) have been investigated at various pHs and conformational states by pulse radiolysis. The Trp^·(Lyz) radicals were formed by Br^·-₂ oxidation of the 3-4 exposed Trp residues in the protein. At pH lower than 6.2, the apparent bimolecular rate is about 2 × 10⁸M^-1s^-1; but drops to 8 × 10⁷M^-1s^-1 or less above pH 6.3 and in CTAC micelles. Similarly, the apparent bimolecular rate constant for the intermolecular Trp^·(Lyz) + Trp^·(Lyz) recombination reaction is about (4-7 × 10⁶M^-1s^-1) at/or below pH 6.2 then drops to 1.3-1.6 × 10⁶M^-1s^-1 at higher pH or in micelles. This behavior suggests important conformational and/or microenvironmental rearrangement with pH, leading to less accessible semioxidized Trp^· residues upon Br^·-₂ reaction. The kinetics of Trp^·(Lyz) with ascorbate, a reducing species rather larger than O^·-₂ have been measured for comparison. The well-established long range intramolecular electron transfer from Tyr residues to Trp radicals-leading to the repair of the semi-oxidized Trp^·(Lyz) and formation of the tyrosyl phenoxyl radical is inhibited by the Trp^·(Lyz)+O^·-₂ reaction, as is most of the Trp^·(Lyz)+Trp^·(Lyz) reaction. However, the kinetic behavior of Trp^·(Lyz) suggests that not all oxidized Trp residues are involved in the intermolecular recombination or reaction with O^·-₂. As the kinetics are found to be quite pH sensitive, this study demonstrates the effect of the protein conformation on O^·-₂ reactivity. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the kinetics of a protein-O^·-₂ reaction not involving the detection of change in the redox state of a prosthetic group to probe the reactivity of the superoxide anion.     

东北帽儿山地区生长季大气氮湿沉降动态变化

利用雨量器收集降雨样品的方法,研究了帽儿山地区大气氮湿沉降的浓度、沉降量及其动态变化规律。研究结果表明：2011年随降雨输入到该地区的大气氮沉降量为19.16 kg·hm^-2,其中,NH⁺₄-N、NO^-₃-N和溶解有机氮（DON）输入量分别占湿沉降量的52%、26%和22%,NH⁺₄-N/NO^-₃-N沉降量接近2.0。降雨中NH⁺₄-N对当地大气氮湿沉降输入量的贡献率最大,其平均浓度为1.59 mg·L^-1。氮湿沉降浓度存在明显的季节差异,以5和9月氮浓度最高,7月最低。该区NH⁺₄-N、NO^-₃-N和总氮（TN）湿沉降输入量与降雨量均存在极显著正相关,决定系数分别为0.65、0.63和0.76,而DON输入量与降雨量相关性交差（P>0.05）,其决定系数为0.24。     

Mechanism of O2 generation in reduction and oxidation cycle of ubiquinones in a model of mitochondrial electron transport systems

O⁻₂ generation in mitochondrial electron transport systems, especially the NADPH-coenzyme Q₁₀ oxidoreductase system, was examined using a model system, NADPH-coenzyme Q₁-NADPH-dependent cytochrome P-450 reductase. One electron reduction of coenzyme Q₁ produces coenzyme Q₁ and O⁻₂ during enzyme-catalyzed reduction and O₂ + coenzyme Q₁ are in equilibrium with O⁻₂ + coenzyme Q₁ in the presence of enough O₂. The coenzyme Q₁ produced can be completely eliminated by superoxide dismutase, identical to bound coenzyme Q₁₀ radical produced in a succinate/fumarate couple-KCN-submitochondrial system in the presence of O₂. Superoxide dismutase promotes electron transfer from reduced enzyme to coenzyme Q₁ by the rapid dismutation of O₂⁻ generated, thereby preventing the reduction of coenzyme Q₁ by O⁻₂. The enzymatic reduction of coenzyme Q₁ to coenzyme Q₁H₂ via coenzyme Q₁ is smoothly achieved under anaerobic conditions. The rate of coenzyme Q₁H₂ autoxidation is extremely slow, i.e., second-order constant for [O₂][coenzyme Q₁H₂] = 1.5 M⁻¹ · s⁻¹ at 258 μM O₂, pH 7.5 and 25°C.     

Electron spin resonance detection of extracellular superoxide anion released by cultured endothelial cells

Objective and Methods Endothelium produces oxygen-derived free radicals which play a major role in vessel wall physiology and pathology. Whereas NO^· production from endothelium has been extensively characterized, little is known about endothelium-derived O^-·₂. In the present study, we determined the O^-·₂ production of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) using the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1 pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy.

Results An ESR adduct DMPO-OH detected in the supernatant of BAEC after stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187 originated from the trapping of extracellular O^-·₂, because coincubation with superoxide dismutase (30 U/ml) completely suppressed the ESR signal, whereas catalase (2000 U/ml) had no effect. A23187 stimulated extracellular O^-·₂ production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The coenzymes NADH and NADPH both increased the ESR signal, whereas a flavin antagonist, diphenylene iodonium, abolished the ESR signal. Phorbol myristate acetate potentiated, whereas bisindolylmaleimide I inhibited the A23187-stimulated O^-·₂ production, suggesting the involvement of protein kinase C. These signals were not altered L-NAME, a NO-synthase inhibitor, suggesting that the endogenous production of NO^· did not alter O^-·₂ production. Finally, the amount of O^-·₂ generated by A23187-stimulated post-confluent BAEC was one order of magnitude higher than that evoked by rat aortic smooth muscle cells stimulated under the same conditions.     

Electrochemical Characteristics of Nitro-Heterocyclic Compounds of Biological Interest IV. Lifetime of the Metronidazole Radical Anion

Electrochemical studies on metronidazole using mixed aqueous/dimethylformamide (DMF) solvents have allowed us to generate the one-electron addition product, the nitro radical anion, RNO^-₂. Cyclic volt-ammetric techniques have been employed to study the tendency of RNO^-₂ to undergo further chemical reaction. The return-to-forward peak current ratio. ip/ip_f. was found to increase towards unity with increasing DMF content of the medium, indicating the extended lifetime of RNO^-₂. Second order kinetics for the decay of RNO^-₂ were established at all DMF concentrations examined. Extrapolation has allowed the rate constant and a first half-life of 8.4 × 10⁴dm²/mol-sec and 0.059 seconds respectively, to be determined for the decay of RNO^-₂ in a purely aqueous media. This is impossible by direct electrochemical measurement in water. due to a different reduction mechanism, giving the hydroxylamine derivative in a single 4-electron step. The application of the technique to other nitro-aromatic compounds is discussed.     

Partitioning of electrostatic and conformational contributions in the redox reactions of modified cytochromes c

The reduction of acetylated, fully succinylated and dicarboxymethyl horse cytochromes c by the radicals CH₃CH(OH), CO₂, O₂, and e⁻_aq′ and the oxidation of the reduced cytochrome c derivatives by Fe(CN)³⁻₆ were studied using the pulse radiolysis technique. Many of the reactions were also examined as a function of ionic strength. By obtaining rate constants for the reactions of differently charged small molecules redox agents with the differently charged cytochrome c derivatives at both zero ionic strength and infinite ionic strength, electrostatic and conformational contributions to the electron transfer mechanism were effectively partitioned from each other in some cases. In regard to cytochrome c electron transfer mechanism, the results, especially those for which conformational influences predominate, are supportive of the electron being transferred in the heme edge region.     

Thermochemistry of aqueous solutions of alkylated nucleic acid bases. II. Apparent molar relative enthalpies of dilution of solutions containing uracil and thymine derivatives

Apparent molar relative enthalpies of dilution φ_Lof aqueous solutions of a series of alkylated diketopyrimidines: m¹Ura, m^1,3₂Ura, m^1,3₂Thy, m^1,3,6₃Ura and e^1,3₂Thy were measured as a function of concentration of the solutes at three temperatures 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K. Dilution proved to be an endothermic process over the whole range of molalities m and temperatures studied for all compounds except the e^1,3₂Thy solution, the dilution of which, with the exception of the lowest concentrations (m > 0.2–0.3) was an exothermic process. Partial molar relative enthalpies of dilution -L₂(m) derived from φ_L(m) functions were analysed as if they were composed of two additive contributions: an endothermic one -L₂, (m₁) and an exothermic one 1.2, (m_as0), owing to the presence in the solutions of a free monomer m₁ or associated species m_as, respectively. Partial molar heat capacities of the solutes, evaluated by differentiation of -L₂(m) functions in respect to temperature, decreased with the rise of concentration in the order of the tendency of the solutes to stacking association. Changes in heat content and in heat capacity of solutions upon their dilution are interpreted in terms of involvement of hydrophobic hydration and association of the solutes.     

Catalase catalyzes nitrotyrosine formation from sodium azide and hydrogen peroxide

Sodium azide (NaN₃) is known as an inhibitor of catalase, and a nitric oxide (NO) donor in the presence of catalase and H₂O₂. We showed here that catalase-catalyzed oxidation of NaN₃ can generate reactive nitrogen species which contribute to tyrosine nitration in the presence of H₂O₂. The formation of free-tyrosine nitration and protein-bound tyrosine nitration by the NaN₃/catalase/H₂O₂ system showed a maximum level at pH 6.0. Free-tyrosine nitration induced by peroxynitrite was inhibited by ethanol and dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO), and augmented by superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, free-tyrosine nitration induced by the NaN₃/catalase/H₂O₂ system was not affected by ethanol, DMSO and SOD. NO^-₂ and NO donating agents did not affect free-tyrosine nitration by the NaN₃/catalase/H₂O₂ system. The reaction of NaN₃ with hydroxyl radical generating system showed free-tyrosine nitration, but no formation of nitrite and nitrate. The generation of nitrite (NO^-₂) and nitrate (NO^-₃) by the NaN₃/catalase/H₂O₂ system was maximal at pH 5.0. These results suggested that the oxidation of NaN₃ by the catalase/H₂O₂ system generates unknown peroxynitrite-like reactive nitrogen intermediates, which contribute to tyrosine nitration.     

Spectroscopic and electrical properties of the [W(C3Se5)3] anion complex (C3Se5 = 1,3-diselenole-2-selone-4,5-diselenolate) and the oxidized species

[NBuⁿ₄]₂[W(C₃Se₅)₃] (C₃Se₅²⁻ = 1,3-diselenole-2-selone-4,5- diselenolate(2−)) was prepared by the reaction of Na₂[C₃Se₅] with WCl₆ in ethanol, followed by addition of [NBuⁿ₄]Br. The cyclic voltammogram in dichloromethane exhibits two oxidation peaks at −0.04 and +0.03 V (versus SCE). The complex reacted with [Fe(C₅Me₅)₂][BF₄], iodine or [TTF]₃[BF₄]₂ (TTF^·+ = the tetrathiafulvalenium radical cation) in acetonitrile to afford the oxidized complexes [Fe(C₅Me₅)₂]_0.5[W(C₃Se₅)₃], [NBuⁿ₄]_0.1[W(C₃Se₅)₃] and [TTF]_0.5[W(C₃Se₅)₃], respectively. Current-controlled electrochemical oxidation of the complex in acetonitrile gave [NBuⁿ₄]_0.6[W(C₃Se₅)₃]. The oxidized complexes exhibit electrical conductivities of 4.7×10 ⁻⁵−1.5×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature measured for compacted pellets. Electronic absorption, IR and ESR spectra of these complexes are discussed.     

Photogeneration of singlet oxygen (1O2) and free radicals (Sen·-, O·-2) by tetra-brominated hypocrellin B derivative

To improve photodynamic activity of the parent hypocrellin B (HB), a tetra-brominated HB derivative (compound 1) was synthesized in high yield. Compared with HB, compound 1 has enhanced red absorption and high molar extinction coefficients. The photodynamic action of compound 1, especially the generation mechanism and efficiencies of active species (Sen^·-, O^·-₂ and ¹O₂) were studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spectrophotometric methods. In the deoxygenated DMSO solution of compound 1, the semiquinone anion radical of compound 1 is photogenerated via the self-electron transfer between the excited and ground state species. The presence of electron donor significantly promotes the reduction of compound 1. When oxygen is present, superoxide anion radical (O^·-₂) is formed via the electron transfer from Sens^·- to the ground state molecular oxygen. The efficiencies of Sens^·- and O^·-₂ generation by compound 1 are about three and two times as much as that of HB, respectively. Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) can be produced via the energy transfer from triplet compound 1 to ground state oxygen molecules. The quantum yield of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is 0.54 in CHCl₃ similar to that of HB. Furthermore, it was found that the accumulation of Sens^·- would replace that of O^·-₂ or ¹O₂ with the depletion of oxygen in the sealed system.     

Antioxidant Enzymes of Larvae of the Cabbage Looper Moth, Trzchoplusza Ni: Subcellular Distribution and Activities of Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione Reductase

In the mid-fifth instar larvae of the cabbage looper moth, Trichoplusia ni, the subcellular distribution of total superoxide dismutase was as follows: 3.05 units (70.0%), 0.97 units (22.3%), and 0.33 units (7.6%) mg^-1 protein in the mitochondrial, cytosolic and nuclear fractions, respectively. No superoxide dismutase activity was detected in the microsomal fraction. Catalase activity was unusually high and as follows: 283.4 units (47.3%), 150.1 units (25.1%). 142.3 units (23.8%), and 22.9 units (3.8%) mg^-1 protein in the mitochondrial, cytosolic, microsomal (containing peroxisomes), and nuclear fractions. No glutathione peroxidase activity was found, but appreciable glutathione reductase activity was detected with broad subcellular distribution as follows: 3.86 units (36.1%), 3.68 units (34.0%). 2.46 units (23.0%). and 0.70 units (6.5%) mg^-1 protein in the nuclear, mitochondrial, and cytosolic fractions, respectively. The unusually wide intracellular distribution of catalase in this phytophagous insect is apparently an evolutionary adaptation to the absence of glutathione peroxidase; hence, lack of a glutathione peroxidase-glutathione reductase role in alleviating stress from lipid peroxidation. Catalase working sequentially to superoxide dismutase, may nearly completely prevent the formation of the lipid peroxidizing OH radical from all intracellular compartments by the destruction of H₂O₂ which together with O^-₂ is a precursor of OH.     

Kinetics and mechanism of iron exchange in hydroxamate siderophores: Catalysis of the iron(III) transfer from ferrioxamine B to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

The oxalate catalyzed iron(III) transfer from a trihydroxamate siderophore ferrioxamine B, [Fe(Hdfb)⁺], to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (H₄edta) has been studied spectro-photometrically in weakly acidic aqueous solutions at 298 K and a constant 2.0 M ionic strength maintained by NaClO₄. The results reveal that oxalate is a more efficient catalyst than the so far studied synthetic monohydroxamic acids. Any role of reduction of Fe(Hdfb)⁺ by oxalate in the catalysis has been rejected by the experimentally observed preservation of the oxalate concentration during the reaction time. Therefore, catalysis has been proposed to be a substitution based process. Under our experimental conditions Fe(Hdfb)⁺ is hexacoordinated and addition of oxalate results in the formation of Fe(H₂dfb)(C₂O₄), Fe(H₃dfb)(C₂O₄)⁻₂ and Fe(C₂O₄)³⁻₃. Therefore, catalysis was proposed to be accomplished by the intermediate formation of the ternary and tris(oxalato) complexes. All three complexes react with H₂edta²⁻ to form thermodynamically stable Fe(edta)⁻ as a final reaction product. Whereas the formation of the ternary complexes is fast enough to feature a pre-equilibrium process to the iron exchange reaction, the formation of Fe(C₂O₄)³⁻₃ is slow and is directly involved in the rate determining step of the Fe(edta)⁻ formation. Nonlinear dependencies of the rate constant on the oxalate and the proton concentrations have been observed and a four parallel path mechanism is proposed for the exchange reaction. The rate and equilibrium constants for the various reaction paths were determined from the kinetic and equilibrium study involving the desferrioxamine B- (H₄dfb⁺), oxalate- and proton-concentration variations. The observed proton catalysis was attributed to the fast monoprotonation of ferrioxamine B as well as of the oxalate ligand. The observed catalysis of iron dissociation from the siderophore has been discussed in view of its significance with respect to in vivo microbial iron transport.