Idiosyncratic NSAID drug induced oxidative stress

Many idiosyncratic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause GI, liver and bone marrow toxicity in some patients which results in GI bleeding/ulceration/fulminant hepatic failure/hepatitis or agranulocytosis/aplastic anemia. The toxic mechanisms proposed have been reviewed. Evidence is presented showing that idiosyncratic NSAID drugs form prooxidant radicals when metabolised by peroxidases known to be present in these tissues. Thus GSH, NADH and/or ascorbate were cooxidised by catalytic amounts of NSAIDs and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of peroxidase. During GSH and NADH cooxidation, oxygen uptake and activation occurred. Furthermore the formation of NSAID oxidation products was prevented during the cooxidation indicating that the cooxidation involved redox cycling of the first formed NSAID radical product. The order of prooxidant catalytic effectiveness of fenamate and arylacetic acid NSAIDs was mefenamic acid>tolfenamic acid>flufenamic acid, meclofenamic acid or diclofenac. Diphenylamine, a common moiety to all of these NSAIDs was a more active prooxidant for NADH and ascorbate cooxidation than these NSAIDs which suggests that oxidation of the NSAID diphenylamine moiety to a cation and/or nitroxide radical was responsible for the NSAID prooxidant activity. The order of catalytic effectiveness found for sulfonamide derivatives was sulfaphenazole>sulfisoxazolez.Gt;dapsone>sulfanilic acid>procainamide>sulfamethoxazole>sulfadiazine>sulfadimethoxine whereas sulfanilamide, sulfapyridine or nimesulide had no prooxidant activity. Although indomethacin had little prooxidant activity, its major in vivo metabolite, N-deschlorobenzoyl indomethacin had significant prooxidant activity. Aminoantipyrine the major in vivo metabolite of aminopyrine or dipyrone was also more prooxidant than the parent drugs. It is hypothesized that the NSAID radicals and/or the resulting oxidative stress initiates the cytotoxic processes leading to idiosyncratic toxicity.     

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

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

Phenothiazine radicals inactivate Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase: enzyme protection by radical scavengers

Phenothiazine cation radicals (PTZ + •) irreversibly inactivated Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH). These radicals were obtained by phenothiazine (PTZ) peroxidation with myeloperoxidase (MPO) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP/H 2 O 2 ) systems. LADH inactivation depended on PTZ structure and incubation time. After 10 min incubation of LADH with the MPO-dependent systems, promazine, trimeprazine and thioridazine were the most effective; after 30 min incubation, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine and promethazine were similarly effective. HRP-dependent systems were equally or more effective than the corresponding MPO-dependent ones. Chloro, trifluoro, propionyl and nitrile groups at position 2 of the PTZ ring significantly decreased molecular activity, specially with the MPO/H 2 O 2 systems. Comparison of inactivation values for LADH and T. cruzi trypanothione reductase demonstrated a greater sensitivity of LADH to chlorpromazine and perphenazine and a 10-fold lower sensitivity to promazine, thioridazine and trimeprazine. Alkyl-amino, alkyl-piperidinyl or alkyl-piperazinyl groups at position 10 modulated PTZ activity to a limited degree. Production of PTZ + • radicals was demonstrated by optical and ESR spectroscopy methods. PTZ + • radicals stability depended on their structure as demonstrated by promazine and thioridazine radicals. Thiol compounds such as GSH and N -acetylcysteine, l -tyrosine, l -tryptophan, the corresponding peptides, ascorbate and Trolox, prevented LADH inactivation by the MPO/H 2 O 2 /thioridazine system, in close agreement with their action as PTZ + • scavengers. NADH (not NAD + ) produced transient protection of LADH against thioridazine and promazine radicals, the protection kinetics being affected by the relatively fast rate of NADH oxidation by these radicals. The role of the observed effects of PTZ radicals for PTZ cytotoxicity is discussed.     

Effectiveness of phenoxyl radicals generated by peroxidase/H2O2-catalyzed oxidation of caffeate, ferulate, and p-coumarate in cooxidation of ascorbate and NADH

The rate of ascorbate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide plus hydrogen (NADH) cooxidation (i.e., their nonenzymic oxidation by peroxidase/H₂O₂-generated phenoxyl radicals of three hydroxycinnamates: caffeate, ferulate and p-coumarate) was studied in vitro. The reactions initiated by different sources of peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) [isolates from soybean (Glycine max L.) seed coat, maize (Zea mays L.) root-cell wall, and commercial horseradish peroxidase] were monitored. Native electrophoresis of samples and specific staining for peroxidase activity revealed various isoforms in each of the three enzyme sources. The peroxidase sources differed both in the rate of H₂O₂-dependent hydroxycinnamate oxidation and in the order of affinity for the phenolic substrates. The three hydroxycinnamates did not differ in their ability to cooxidize ascorbate, whereas NADH cooxidation was affected by substitution of the phenolic ring. Thus, p-coumarate was more efficient than caffeate in NADH cooxidation, with ferulate not being effective at all. Metal ions (Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺) inhibited the reaction of peroxidase with p-coumarate and affected the cooxidation rate of ascorbate and the peroxidase reaction in the same manner with all substrates used. However, inhibition of p-coumarate oxidation by metal ions did not affect NADH cooxidation rate. We propose that both the ascorbate and NADH cooxidation systems can function as mechanisms to scavenge H₂O₂ and regenerate phenolics in different cellular compartments, thus contributing to protection from oxidative damage. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Metabolic mechanisms of methanol/formaldehyde in isolated rat hepatocytes: carbonyl-metabolizing enzymes versus oxidative stress

Methanol (CH(3)OH), a common industrial solvent, is metabolized to toxic compounds by several enzymatic as well as free radical pathways. Identifying which process best enhances or prevents CH(3)OH-induced cytotoxicity could provide insight into the molecular basis for acute CH(3)OH-induced hepatoxicity. Metabolic pathways studied include those found in 1) an isolated hepatocyte system and 2) cell-free systems. Accelerated Cytotoxicity Mechanism Screening (ACMS) techniques demonstrated that CH(3)OH had little toxicity towards rat hepatocytes in 95% O(2), even at 2M concentration, whereas 50 mM was the estimated LC(50) (2h) in 1% O(2), estimated to be the physiological concentration in the centrilobular region of the liver and also the target region for ethanol toxicity. Cytotoxicity was attributed to increased NADH levels caused by CH(3)OH metabolism, catalyzed by ADH1, resulting in reductive stress, which reduced and released ferrous iron from Ferritin causing oxygen activation. A similar cytotoxic mechanism at 1% O(2) was previous found for ethanol. With 95% O(2), the addition of Fe(II)/H(2)O(2), at non-toxic concentrations were the most effective agents for increasing hepatocyte toxicity induced by 1M CH(3)OH, with a 3-fold increase in cytotoxicity and ROS formation. Iron chelators, desferoxamine, and NADH oxidizers and ATP generators, e.g. fructose, also protected hepatocytes and decreased ROS formation and cytotoxicity. Hepatocyte protein carbonylation induced by formaldehyde (HCHO) formation was also increased about 4-fold, when CH(3)OH was oxidized by the Fenton-like system, Fe(II)/H(2)O(2), and correlated with increased cytotoxicity. In a cell-free bovine serum albumin system, Fe(II)/H(2)O(2) also increased CH(3)OH oxidation as well as HCHO protein carbonylation. Nontoxic ferrous iron and a H(2)O(2) generating system increased HCHO-induced cytotoxicity and hepatocyte protein carbonylation. In addition, HCHO cytotoxicity was markedly increased by ADH1 and ALDH2 inhibitors or GSH-depleted hepatocytes. Increased HCHO concentration levels correlated with increased HCHO-induced protein carbonylation in hepatocytes. These results suggest that CH(3)OH at 1% O(2) involves activation of the Fenton system to form HCHO. However, at higher O(2) levels, radicals generated through Fe(II)/H(2)O(2) can oxidize CH(3)OH/HCHO to form pro-oxidant radicals and lead to increased oxidative stress through protein carbonylation and ROS formation which ultimately causes cell death.     

Vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidation in microsomes

Addition of vanadate, stimulated oxidation of NADH by rat liver microsomes. The products were NAD⁺ and H₂O₂. High rates of this reaction were obtained in the presence of phosphate buffer and at low pH values. The yellow-orange colored polymeric form of vanadate appears to be the active species and both ortho- and meta-vanadate gave poor activities even at mM concentrations.The activity as measured by oxygen uptake was inhibited by cyanide, EDTA, mannitol, histidine, ascorbate, noradrenaline, adriamycin, cytochrome c, Mn²⁺, superoxide dismutase, horseradish peroxidase and catalase. Mitochondrial outer membranes possess a similar activity of vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidation. But addition of mitochondria and some of its derivative particles abolished the microsomal activity. In the absence of oxygen, disappearance of NADH measured by decrease in absorbance at 340 nm continued at nearly the same rate since vanadate served as an electron acceptor in the microsomal system. Addition of excess catalase or SOD abolished the oxygen uptake while retaining significant rates of NADH disappearance indicating that the two activities are delinked. A mechanism is proposed wherein oxygen receives the first electron from NAD radical generated by oxidation of NADH by phosphovanadate and the consequent reduced species of vanadate (V^iv) gives the second electron to superoxide to reduce it H₂O₂. This is applicable to all membranes whereas microsomes have the additional capability of reducing vanadate.     

Differences in glyoxal and methylglyoxal metabolism determine cellular susceptibility to protein carbonylation and cytotoxicity

Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetic patients often leads to chronic side effects associated with protein glycation and the formation of reactive carbonyl species, such as methylglyoxal (MGO) and glyoxal (GO). We have shown that both MGO and GO carbonylated bovine serum albumin (BSA) in vitro to the same degree and stability. The carbonylated BSA formed initially could be a reversible Schiff base as the UV absorbance formed after the addition of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine was decreased when sodium borohydride was added. MGO and GO also carbonylated hepatocyte protein rapidly with similar dose and time dependence. In contrast to BSA carbonylation, the amount of carbonylated proteins in hepatocytes decreased over time, much more rapidly for hepatocytes treated with MGO than with GO. This could be attributed to the rapid hepatocyte metabolism of MGO with glyoxalase I, the predominant detoxification enzyme for MGO. Protein carbonylation and the associated toxicity caused by GO and MGO were studied in the following hepatocyte models: (1) control hepatocytes, (2) glutathione (GSH)-depleted hepatocytes, (3) mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2)-inhibited hepatocytes, (4) hepatocyte inflammation model, and (5) catalase-inhibited hepatocyte model. Carbonylation and cytotoxicity caused by MGO or GO was markedly increased in GSH-depleted hepatocytes as compared to control hepatocytes. Hepatocytes exposed to non-toxic concentrations of H(2)O(2) or hepatocytes treated with catalase inhibitors also showed a marked increase in GO-caused cytotoxicity and protein carbonylation, whereas there were only minor increases with MGO. The GO effect was attributed to potential radical formation and the inhibition effect of H(2)O(2) on aldehyde dehydrogenase, a major GO metabolising enzyme. GO-caused cytotoxicity and protein carbonylation were also increased with ALDH2-inhibited hepatocytes whereas such an increase was only observed with MGO in GSH-depleted hepatocytes.     

Quinone toxicity in hepatocytes: studies on mitochondrial Ca2+ release induced by benzoquinone derivatives

Hepatocyte cytotoxicity caused by substituted benzoquinones was associated with increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. p-Benzoquinone-induced hepatotoxicity was enhanced when the hepatocytes were loaded with Ca2+ by preincubation with ATP. A similar order of potency of the substituted benzoquinones in releasing Ca2+ from isolated mitochondria and inducing hepatocyte cytotoxicity was found; in decreasing order, this was 2-Br-, unsubstituted-, 2-CH3-, 2,6-(CH3O)2-, 2,6-(CH3)2-, 2,5-(CH3)2-, 2,3,5-(CH3)3-, and 2,3,5,6-(CH3)4-benzoquinones (duroquinone). The cellular products of quinone metabolism, hydroquinones and glutathione conjugates, did not cause mitochondrial Ca2+ release. Benzoquinone-induced mitochondrial Ca2+ release was preceded by GSH conjugate formation and NAD(P)H oxidation but followed by mitochondrial swelling. With duroquinone, a slow GSH and NADPH oxidation preceded Ca2+ release, but GSH oxidation did not occur with Se-deficient mitochondria lacking glutathione peroxidase activity. Cyanide-insensitive respiration was also observed with duroquinone but not with benzoquinone, suggesting that duroquinone undergoes redox cycling. GSH was depleted by both arylation and oxidation with 2,6-(CH3O)2-, 2,6-(CH3)2-, 2,5(CH3)2-, and 2,3,5-(CH3)3-benzoquinones. Benzoquinone concentrations that totally depleted GSH did not cause Ca2+ release until intramitochondrial NAD(P)H was oxidized. Ca2+ release was also prevented when NAD(P)H generation was stimulated by the presence of isocitrate or 3-hydroxybutyrate. This suggests that mitochondrial Ca2+ release is associated with NAD(P)H oxidation catalyzed by NADH dehydrogenase with benzoquinone or by the glutathione peroxidase-glutathione reductase system with duroquinone.     

Chemiluminescence in L-tyrosine-H2O2-horseradish peroxidase system: possible formation of tyrosine cation radical

Tyrosine-H2O2-horseradish peroxidase system at pH 7.4 emitted light in visible region. Phenolic compounds other than tyrosine were also emissive, whereas methoxy phenylalanine and phenyl compounds were not, in H2O2-peroxidase systems. Chemiluminescence spectrum of tyrosine of tyrosine-H2O2-horseradish peroxidase system showed two prominent peaks at 478 nm and 500 nm (Luminescence 1) and additional two or three peaks near 550 and 610 nm (Luminescence 2). Luminescence 1 is quite similar to the phosphorescence originated from an excited tyrosine in triplet state, while Luminescence 2 is quite similar to the phosphorescence originated from an indole in triplet state. Possible formation of tyrosine cation radical (a precursor of the excited tyrosine) and indole cation radical in the enzyme protein (a precursor of the excited tryptophan residue) were discussed.     

Purification and characterization of an NADH oxidase from extremely thermophilic anaerobic bacterium Thermotoga hypogea

Thermotoga hypogea is an extremely thermophilic anaerobic bacterium capable of growing at 90°C. It was found to be able to grow in the presence of micromolar molecular oxygen (O₂). Activity of NADH oxidase was detected in the cell-free extract of T. hypogea, from which an NADH oxidase was purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme was a homodimeric flavoprotein with a subunit of 50 kDa, revealed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It catalyzed the reduction of O₂ to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), specifically using NADH as electron donor. Its catalytic properties showed that the NADH oxidase had an apparent V_max value of 37 mol NADH oxidized min^–1 mg^–1 protein. Apparent K_m values for NADH and O₂ were determined to be 7.5 M and 85 M, respectively. The enzyme exhibited a pH optimum of 7.0 and temperature optimum above 85°C. The NADH-dependent peroxidase activity was also present in the cell-free extract, which could reduce H₂O₂ produced by the NADH oxidase to H₂O. It seems possible that O₂ can be reduced to H₂O by the oxidase and peroxidase, but further investigation is required to conclude firmly if the purified NADH oxidase is part of an enzyme system that protects anaerobic T. hypogea from accidental exposure to O₂.     

Hydroxylation of p-coumaric acid by horseradish peroxidase. The role of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals.

1. In the presence of dihydroxyfumarate, horseradish peroxidase catalyses the conversion of p-coumaric acid into caffeic acid at pH 6. This hydroxylation is completely inhibited by superoxide dismutase. 2. Dihydroxyfumarate cannot be replaced by ascorbate H2O2, NADH, cysteine or sulphite. Peroxidase can be replaced by high (10 mM) concentrations of FeSO4, but this reaction is almost unaffected by superoxide dismutase. 3. Hydroxylation by the peroxidase/dihydroxyfumarate system is completely inhibited by low concentrations of Mn2+ or Cu2+. It is proposed that this is due to the ability of these metal ions to react with the superoxide radical O2--. 4. Hydroxylation is partially inhibited by mannitol, Tris or ethanol and completely inhibited by formate. This seems to be due to the ability of these reagents to react with the hydroxyl radical -OH. 5. It is concluded that O2-- is generated during the oxidation of dihydroxyfumarate by peroxidase and reacts with H2O2 to produce hydroxyl radicals, which then convert p-coumaric acid into caffeic acid.     

A kinetic study on iron stimulation of the xanthine oxidase dependent oxidation of ascorbate

Xanthine oxidase reduces molecular oxygen to H₂O₂ and superoxide radicals during its catalytic action on xanthine, hypoxanthine or acetaldehyde. Ascorbate is catalytically oxidized by the superoxide radicals generated, when present in the reaction solution (Nishikimi 1975). The present study shows that iron ions markedly stimulate the enzyme dependent ascorbate oxidation, by acting as a red/ox-cycling intermediate between the oxidase and ascorbate. An apparent K_m-value of 10.8 M characterized the iron stimulatory effect on the reaction at pH 6.0. Reduced transition-state metals can be oxidized by H₂O₂ through a Fenton-type reaction. Catalase was found to reduce the effect of iron on the enzyme dependent ascorbate oxidation, strongly suggesting that H₂O₂, produced during catalysis, is involved in the oxidation of ferrous ions.     

The molecular mechanisms of diallyl disulfide and diallyl sulfide induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl sulfide (DAS) are the major metabolites found in garlic oil and have been reported to lower cholesterol and prevent cancer. The molecular cytotoxic mechanisms of DADS and DAS have not been determined.The cytotoxic effectiveness of hydrogen versus allyl sulfides towards hepatocytes was found to be as follows: NaHS > DADS > DAS. Hepatocyte mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and TBARS formation was increased by all three allyl sulfides. (1) DADS induced cytotoxicity was prevented by the H₂S scavenger hydroxocobalamin, which also prevented cytochrome oxidase dependent mitochondrial respiration suggesting that H₂S inhibition of cytochrome oxidase contributed to DADS hepatocyte cytotoxicity. (2) DAS cytotoxicity on the other hand was prevented by hydralazine, an acrolein trap. Hydralazine also prevented DAS induced GSH depletion, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased ROS and TBARS formation. Chloral hydrate, the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 inhibitor, however had the opposite effects, which could suggest that acrolein contributed to DAS hepatocyte cytotoxicity.     

One-electron oxidation of Trolox C (a vitamin E analogue) by peroxidases

The oxidation mechanism of Trolox C (a vitamin E analogue) by peroxidases was examined by stopped flow and ESR techniques. The results revealed that during the oxidation of Trolox C, peroxidase Compound II was the catalytic intermediate. The rate constants for the reaction of Compound II with Trolox C, which should be the rate-determining step, were estimated to be 2.1 X 10(4) and 7.2 X 10(3) M-1.s-1 for horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase, respectively, at pH 6.0. The formation of the Trolox C radical was followed by ESR. The time course of the signal was similar to that of the optical absorbance changes at 440 nm, assigned as the peak of the Trolox C radical. The signal exhibited a hyperfine structure characteristic of phenoxyl radicals. From an estimation of the radical concentration in the steady state and the velocity of the radical formation, the dismutation constant was calculated to be 5 X 10(5) M-1.s-1. The concentration of the signal in the steady state was reduced by the addition of GSH. The spectrum changed from that of the Trolox C radical to that of the ascorbate radical when the reaction was carried out in the presence of ascorbate.     

Characteristics of chemiluminescence observed in the horseradish peroxidase-hydrogen peroxide-tyrosine system.

Electrolysis or horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed oxidation of tyrosine and bityrosine in aqueous solution at pH 7.4 resulted in light emission in the visible region. Electrolysis of tyrosine emitted light which peaked at 490 nm and was almost completely quenched by superoxide dismutase (SOD), while emission by bityrosine peaked at 530 nm. In the HRP-H(2)O(2)-tyrosine system the oxidation-reduction of tyrosine emitted light with two prominent peaks, 490 and 530 nm, and was not quenched by SOD. The phenoxyl neutral radical of the tyrosine in HRP-H(2)O(2)-tyrosine system was detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry using tert-nitrosobutane as a spin trap; the spin adduct was found to adhere to the HRP molecule during the enzymatic reaction. Further, bityrosine was detected in the HRP-H(2)O(2)-tyrosine reaction system. Changes in absorption spectra of HRP and chemiluminescence intensities during HRP-catalyzed oxidation of tyrosine suggest that for photon emission compound III is a candidate superoxide donor to the phenoxyl cation radical of tyrosine on the enzyme molecule. The luminescence observed in this study might be originated from at least two exciplexes involved with the tyrosine cation radical (Tyr(*+)) and the bityrosine cation radical (BT(*+))     

Peroxidase catalysed oxygen activation by arylamine carcinogens and phenol

Peroxidase catalysed the formation of active oxygen in the presence of NADH or GSH and traces of H2O2 and arylamine or phenolic substrates. Some oxygen activation occurred with some arylamines even in the absence of NADH or GSH. Oxygen consumption was proportional to the NADH oxidized or GSSG formed. Approximately 0.80 and 0.40 mol of oxygen were consumed per mole of NADH or GSH oxidized respectively. The requirement for trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide and arylamine or phenolic substrates suggest that redox cycling resulted in H2O2 formation. It is proposed that initially formed phenoxy radicals or arylamine cation radicals oxidize NADH or GSH to radicals which react with oxygen to form superoxide radicals and H2O2.     

Nitric oxide counteracts the senescence of rice leaves induced by abscisic acid

In the present study, we evaluate the protective effect of nitric oxide (NO) against senescence of rice leaves promoted by ABA. Senescence of rice leaves was determined by the decrease of protein content. ABA treatment resulted in (1) induction of leaf senescence, (2) increase in H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, (3) decrease in reduced form glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents, and (4) increase in antioxidative enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase). All these ABA effects were reduced by free radical scavengers such as sodium benzoate and GSH. NO donors [N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN), sodium nitroprusside, 3-morpholinosydonimine, and AsA + NaNO2] were effective in reducing ABA-induced leaf senescence. PBN prevented ABA-induced increase in the contents of H2O2 and MDA, decrease in the contents of GSH and AsA, and increase in the activities of antioxidative enzymes. The protective effect of PBN on ABA-promoted senescence, ABA-increased H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation, ABA-decreased GSH and AsA, and ABA-increased antioxidative enzyme activities was reversed by 2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, a NO-specific scavenger, suggesting that the protective effect of PBN is attributable to NO released. Reduction of ABA-induced senescence by NO in rice leaves is most likely mediated through its ability to scavenge active oxygen species including H2O2.     

Effect of thiocyanate on the peroxidase and pseudocatalase activities of Leishmania major ascorbate peroxidase

We report here that the Leishmania major ascorbate peroxidase (LmAPX), having similarity with plant ascorbate peroxidase, catalyzes the oxidation of suboptimal concentration of ascorbate to monodehydroascorbate (MDA) at physiological pH in the presence of added H(2)O(2) with concurrent evolution of O(2). This pseudocatalatic degradation of H(2)O(2) to O(2) is solely dependent on ascorbate and is blocked by a spin trap, alpha-phenyl-n-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), indicating the involvement of free radical species in the reaction process. LmAPX thus appears to catalyze ascorbate oxidation by its peroxidase activity, first generating MDA and H(2)O with subsequent regeneration of ascorbate by the reduction of MDA with H(2)O(2) evolving O(2) through the intermediate formation of O(2)(-). Interestingly, both peroxidase and ascorbate-dependent pseudocatalatic activity of LmAPX are reversibly inhibited by SCN(-) in a concentration dependent manner. Spectral studies indicate that ascorbate cannot reduce LmAPX compound II to the native enzyme in presence of SCN(-). Further kinetic studies indicate that SCN(-) itself is not oxidized by LmAPX but inhibits both ascorbate and guaiacol oxidation, which suggests that SCN(-) blocks initial peroxidase activity with ascorbate rather than subsequent nonenzymatic pseudocatalatic degradation of H(2)O(2) to O(2). Binding studies by optical difference spectroscopy indicate that SCN(-) binds LmAPX (Kd = 100 +/- 10 mM) near the heme edge. Thus, unlike mammalian peroxidases, SCN(-) acts as an inhibitor for Leishmania peroxidase to block ascorbate oxidation and subsequent pseudocatalase activity.     

Oxidation of biological electron donors and antioxidants by a reactive lactoperoxidase metabolite from nitrite (NO2-): an EPR and spin trapping study

We report that a lactoperoxidase (LPO) metabolite derived from nitrite (NO2-) catalyses one-electron oxidation of biological electron donors and antioxidants such as NADH, NADPH, cysteine, glutathione, ascorbate, and Trolox C. The radical products of the reaction have been detected and identified using either direct EPR or EPR combined with spin trapping. While LPO/H2O2 alone generated only minute amounts of radicals from these compounds, the yield of radicals increased sharply when nitrite was also present. In aerated buffer (pH 7) the nitrite-dependent oxidation of NAD(P)H by LPO/H2O2 produced superoxide radical, O2*-, which was detected as a DMPO/*O2H adduct. We propose that in the LPO/H2O2/NO2-/biological electron donor systems the nitrite functions as a catalyst because of its preferential oxidation by LPO to a strongly oxidizing metabolite, most likely a nitrogen dioxide radical *NO2, which then reacts with the biological substrates more efficiently than does LPO/H2O2 alone. Because both nitrite and peroxidase enzymes are ubiquitous our observations point at a possible mechanism through which nitrite might exert its biological and cytotoxic action in vivo, and identify some of the physiological targets which might be affected by the peroxidase/H2O2/nitrite systems.     

Characterization of the reaction products of cytochrome c with glutathione by mass spectrometry

Cytochrome c and glutathione (GSH) are two important biomolecules that regulate many cellular processes. The reaction of cytochrome c with GSH involves radical oxygen species and exhibits significant complexity. In the present work, the reaction of cytochrome c with GSH in water was characterized using mass spectrometry. The results show for the first time that the reaction generates multiple products including apocytochrome c in oxidized and reduced forms, glutathionylated apocytochrome c, GSH-modified cytochrome c, and oxidized and hydroxylated species. The reaction is O(2) dependent and is rapid in water at neutral pH and 37 degrees C. The reaction involves the cleavage of thioether linkages between the heme and apocytochrome c. Evidence for the role of H(2)O(2) and other oxygen radicals in this reaction is also provided.