Formation of reactive sulfite-derived free radicals by the activation of human neutrophils: an ESR study

Sulfur Radical-Induced Redox Modifications in Proteins: Analysis and Mechanistic Aspects

SIGNIFICANCE

The sulfur-containing amino acids cysteine (Cys) and methionine (Met) are prominent protein targets of redox modification during conditions of oxidative stress. Here, two-electron pathways have received widespread attention, in part due to their role in signaling processes. However, Cys and Met are equally prone to one-electron pathways, generating intermediary radicals and/or radial ions. These radicals/radical ions can generate various reaction products that are not commonly monitored in redox proteomic studies, but they may be relevant for the fate of proteins during oxidative stress. Recent Advances: Time-resolved kinetic studies and product analysis have expanded our mechanistic understanding of radical reaction pathways of sulfur-containing amino acids. These reactions are now studied in some detail for Met and Cys in proteins, and homocysteine (Hcy) chemically linked to proteins, and the role of protein radical reactions in physiological processes is evolving.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Radical-derived products from Cys, Hcy, and Met can react with additional amino acids in proteins, leading to secondary protein modifications, which are potentially remote from initial points of radical attack. These products may contain intra- and intermolecular cross-links, which may lead to protein aggregation. Protein sequence and conformation will have a significant impact on the formation of such products, and a thorough understanding of reaction mechanisms and specifically how protein structure influences reaction pathways will be critical for identification and characterization of novel reaction products.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Future studies must evaluate the biological significance of novel reaction products that are derived from radical reactions of sulfur-containing amino acids. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 388-405.

Activation performance and mechanism of a novel heterogeneous persulfate catalyst: Metal Organic Framework MIL-53(Fe) with FeII/FeIII mixed-valence coordinative unsaturated iron center

In this work, a novel effective heterogeneous catalyst metal-organic framework MIL-53(Fe) has been synthesized for the purpose of activating persulfate (PS). Catalytic performance of MIL-53(Fe) activated under different vacuum conditions was investigated; stability and reusability of the catalyst were evaluated, and the activation mechanism was also investigated. The results indicated that vacuum activation could cause variation of the Fe^II/Fe^III relative amount ratio of the catalyst, and thus would change the catalytic activities of MIL-53(Fe), because Fe^II or Fe^III CUS (coordinative unsaturated metal site) are alternative active sites. It was found that MIL-53(Fe)-2 exhibits good performance for PS activation and could be used for multiple cycles. A removal rate of 98% for Orange G was obtained within 120min (95.7% mineralization efficiency), and 94.3% was attained in the fifth cycle. The mechanism of the activation of PS by MIL-53(Fe) was also suggested, which involves a predominant heterogeneous reaction and an auxiliary homogeneous reaction. The findings of this study provide new insight into the application of the reactive metal-organic frameworks in activating persulfate for the degradation of environmental contaminants.

Reaction pathway and oxidation mechanisms of dibutyl phthalate by persulfate activated with zero-valent iron

This study investigated reaction pathway and oxidation mechanisms of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) by persulfate (PS) activated with zero-valent iron (ZVI). The DBP degradation was studied at three pH values (acidic, neutral and basic) in the presence of different organic scavengers. Using a chemical probe method, both sulfate radical (SO4(-)) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) were found to be primary oxidants at pH3.0 and pH7.0, respectively while ·OH was the major specie to oxidize DBP at pH11.0. A similar result was found in an experiment of Electron Spin Resonance spin-trapping where in addition to OH, superoxide radical (O2(-)) was detected at pH11.0. The transformation of degradation products including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), phthalic anhydride, and acetophenone exhibited diverse variation during the reaction processes. The phthalic anhydride concentration appeared to be maximum at all pHs. Another eleven intermediate products were also found at pH3.0 by GC-MS and HPLC analysis, and their degradation mechanisms and pathways were proposed. It was suggested that dealkylation, hydroxylation, decarboxylation and hydrogen extraction were the dominant degradation mechanisms of DBP at pH3.0.

Higher susceptibility of cerebral cortex and striatum to sulfite neurotoxicity in sulfite oxidase-deficient rats

Patients affected by sulfite oxidase (SO) deficiency present severe seizures early in infancy and progressive neurological damage, as well as tissue accumulation of sulfite, thiosulfate and S-sulfocysteine. Since the pathomechanisms involved in the neuropathology of SO deficiency are still poorly established, we evaluated the effects of sulfite on redox homeostasis and bioenergetics in cerebral cortex, striatum, cerebellum and hippocampus of rats with chemically induced SO deficiency. The deficiency was induced in 21-day-old rats by adding 200ppm of tungsten, a molybdenum competitor, in their drinking water for 9weeks. Sulfite (70mg/kg/day) was also administered through the drinking water from the third week of tungsten supplementation until the end of the treatment. Sulfite decreased reduced glutathione concentrations and the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in cerebral cortex and of GST in cerebellum of SO-deficient rats. Moreover, sulfite increased the activities of complexes II and II-III in striatum and of complex II in hippocampus, but reduced the activity of complex IV in striatum of SO-deficient rats. Sulfite also decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential in cerebral cortex and striatum, whereas it had no effect on mitochondrial mass in any encephalic tissue evaluated. Finally, sulfite inhibited the activities of malate and glutamate dehydrogenase in cerebral cortex of SO-deficient rats. Taken together, our findings indicate that cerebral cortex and striatum are more vulnerable to sulfite-induced toxicity than cerebellum and hippocampus. It is presumed that these pathomechanisms may contribute to the pathophysiology of neurological damage found in patients affected by SO deficiency.

Effects of oxygen and weak magnetic field on Fe(0)/bisulfite system: performance and mechanisms

The performance and mechanisms of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) degradation by the Fe(0)/bisulfite system were systematically investigated for the first time. The evidences presented in this study verified that O2 was a crucial factor that affected the mechanism of Fe(0)/bisulfite-driven 4-NP degradation. In the Fe(0)/bisulfite/O2 system, Fe(0) acted as a supplier of Fe(2+) to catalyze bisulfite oxidation that induced a chain reaction to produce reactive radicals for 4-NP degradation. While under N2 purging condition, bisulfite worked as a specified reductant that facilitated the transformation of Fe(3+) to nascent Fe(2+) ions, which principally accounted for the reductive removal of 4-NP. The application of a weak magnetic field (WMF) efficiently improved the removal rate of 4-NP and did not alter the mechanisms in both Fe(0)/bisulfite/O2 and Fe(0)/bisulfite/N2 processes. The secondary radicals, HO(·), SO4 (·-), and SO5 (·-), were considered as the most possible active oxidants contributing to the oxidative removal of 4-NP and even partial mineralization under an oxic condition. Compared with anoxic conditions, the performance removal of 4-NP by the WMF-Fe(0)/bisulfite/O2 system showed less pHini dependence. To facilitate the application of WMF-Fe(0)/bisulfite/O2 technology in real practice, premagnetization of Fe(0) was employed to combine with bisulfite/O2 and proved to be an effective and applicable method for 4-NP removal.

Sulfur Dioxide Contributes to the Cardiac and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rats

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between sulfur dioxide (SO2) and an increase of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia. Mitochondrion is the most sensitive organelle in myocardium of animals exposed to SO2 Here we study the molecular characterization of mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiac muscles of rat after SO2 exposure. We found that the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), ATP contents, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contents, and mRNA expression of complexes IV and V subunits encoded by mtDNA were decreased after NaHSO3 treatment in vitro or SO2 inhalation in vivo The mitochondrial dysfunctions were accompanied by depressions of co-activator of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) mRNA and protein. We observed swollen mitochondria and lower amounts of cristae in hearts of rats after 3.5 mg/m(3) SO2 inhalation for 30 days. Interestingly, NaHSO3 induced mitochondrial dysfunctions marked by ΔΨm and ATP reduction could be inhibited by an antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC), accompanied by the restoration of transcriptional factors expressions. The cardiac mitochondrial dysfunctions could also be alleviated by overexpression of TFAM. SO2 induced abnormal left ventricular function was restored by NALC in vivo Our findings demonstrate that SO2 induces cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction. And inhibition of reactive oxygen species and enhancing the transcriptional network controlling mitochondrial biogenesis can mitigate the SO2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

The roles of polycarboxylates in Cr(VI)/sulfite reaction system: Involvement of reactive oxygen species and intramolecular electron transfer

In this study, the effects of polycarboxylates on both Cr(VI) reduction and S(IV) consumption in Cr(VI)/S(IV) system was investigated in acidic solution. Under aerobic condition, the productions of reactive oxygen species (ROS), i.e., SO4(-) and OH, have been confirmed in S(IV) reducing Cr(VI) process by using electron spin resonance and fluorescence spectrum techniques, leading to the excess consumption of S(IV). However, when polycarboxylates (oxalic, citric, malic and tartaric acid) were present in Cr(VI)/S(IV) system, the affinity of polycarboxylates to CrSO6(2-) can greatly promote the reduction of Cr(VI) via expanding the coordination of Cr(VI) species from tetrahedron to hexahedron. Besides, as alternatives to S(IV), these polycarboxylates can also act as electron donors for Cr(VI) reduction via intramolecular electron transfer reaction, which is dependent on the energies of the highest occupied molecular orbital of these polycarboxylates. Notably, the variant electron donating capacity of these polycarboxylates resulted in different yield of ROS and therefore the oxidation efficiencies of other pollutants, e.g., rhodamine B and As(III). Generally, this study does not only shed light on the mechanism of S(IV) reducing Cr(VI) process mediated by polycarboxylates, but also provides an escalated, cost-effective and green strategy for the remediation of Cr(VI) using sulfite as a reductant.

Cysteine Metabolism and Oxidative Processes in the Rat Liver and Kidney after Acute and Repeated Cocaine Treatment

The role of cocaine in modulating the metabolism of sulfur-containing compounds in the peripheral tissues is poorly understood. In the present study we addressed the question about the effects of acute and repeated (5 days) cocaine (10 mg/kg i.p.) administration on the total cysteine (Cys) metabolism and on the oxidative processes in the rat liver and kidney. The whole pool of sulfane sulfur, its bound fraction and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) were considered as markers of anaerobic Cys metabolism while the sulfate as a measure of its aerobic metabolism. The total-, non-protein- and protein- SH group levels were assayed as indicators of the redox status of thiols. Additionally, the activities of enzymes involved in H₂S formation (cystathionine γ-lyase, CSE; 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, 3-MST) and GSH metabolism (γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, γ-GT; glutathione S-transferase, GST) were determined. Finally, we assayed the concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as markers of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, respectively. In the liver, acute cocaine treatment, did not change concentrations of the whole pool of sulfane sulfur, its bound fraction, H₂S or sulfate but markedly decreased levels of non-protein SH groups (NPSH), ROS and GST activity while γ-GT was unaffected. In the kidney, acute cocaine significantly increased concentration of the whole pool of sulfane sulfur, reduced the content of its bound fraction but H₂S, sulfate and NPSH levels were unchanged while ROS and activities of GST and γ-GT were reduced. Acute cocaine enhanced activity of the CSE and 3-MST in the liver and kidney, respectively. Repeatedly administered cocaine enhanced the whole pool of sulfane sulfur and reduced H₂S level simultaneously increasing sulfate content both in the liver and kidney. After repeated cocaine, a significant decrease in ROS was still observed in the liver while in the kidney, despite unchanged ROS content, a marked increase in MDA level was visible. The repeated cocaine decreased 3-MST and increased γ-GT activities in both organs but reduced GST in the kidney. Our results show that cocaine administered at a relatively low dose shifts Cys metabolism towards the formation of sulfane sulfur compounds which possess antioxidant and redox regulatory properties and are a source of H₂S which can support mitochondrial bioenergetics.

In cellulo monitoring of quinone reductase activity and reactive oxygen species production during the redox cycling of 1,2 and 1,4 quinones

Quinones are highly reactive molecules that readily undergo either one- or two-electron reduction. One-electron reduction of quinones or their derivatives by enzymes such as cytochrome P450 reductase or other flavoproteins generates unstable semiquinones, which undergo redox cycling in the presence of molecular oxygen leading to the formation of highly reactive oxygen species. Quinone reductases 1 and 2 (QR1 and QR2) catalyze the two-electron reduction of quinones to form hydroquinones, which can be removed from the cell by conjugation of the hydroxyl with glucuronide or sulfate thus avoiding its autoxidation and the formation of free radicals and highly reactive oxygen species. This characteristic confers a detoxifying enzyme role to QR1 and QR2, even if this character is strongly linked to the excretion capacity of the cell. Using EPR spectroscopy and confocal microscopy we demonstrated that the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells overexpressing QR1 or QR2 compared to naive CHO cells was determined by the quinone structural type. Indeed, whereas the amount of ROS produced in the cell was strongly decreased with para-quinones such as menadione in the presence of quinone reductase 1 or 2, a strong increase in ROS was recorded with ortho-quinones such as adrenochrome, aminochrome, dopachrome, or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone in cells overexpressing QR, especially QR2. These differences could originate from the excretion process, which is different for para- and ortho-quinones. These results are of particular interest in the case of dopamine considering the association of QR2 with various neurological disorders such as Parkinson disease.

Globins Scavenge Sulfur Trioxide Anion Radical

Ferrous myoglobin was oxidized by sulfur trioxide anion radical (STAR) during the free radical chain oxidation of sulfite. Oxidation was inhibited by the STAR scavenger GSH and by the heme ligand CO. Bimolecular rate constants for the reaction of STAR with several ferrous globins and biomolecules were determined by kinetic competition. Reaction rate constants for myoglobin, hemoglobin, neuroglobin, and flavohemoglobin are large at 38, 120, 2,600, and ≥ 7,500 × 10(6) m(-1) s(-1), respectively, and correlate with redox potentials. Measured rate constants for O2, GSH, ascorbate, and NAD(P)H are also large at ∼100, 10, 130, and 30 × 10(6) m(-1) s(-1), respectively, but nevertheless allow for favorable competition by globins and a capacity for STAR scavenging in vivo. Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking sulfite oxidase and deleted of flavohemoglobin showed an O2-dependent growth impairment with nonfermentable substrates that was exacerbated by sulfide, a precursor to mitochondrial sulfite formation. Higher O2 exposures inactivated the superoxide-sensitive mitochondrial aconitase in cells, and hypoxia elicited both aconitase and NADP(+)-isocitrate dehydrogenase activity losses. Roles for STAR-derived peroxysulfate radical, superoxide radical, and sulfo-NAD(P) in the mechanism of STAR toxicity and flavohemoglobin protection in yeast are suggested.

Degradation of trichloroethene by siderite-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide and persulfate: Investigation of reaction mechanisms and degradation products

A binary catalytic system, siderite-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) coupled with persulfate (S₂O₈^2-), was investigated for the remediation of trichloroethene (TCE) contamination. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate reaction mechanisms, oxidant decomposition rates, and degradation products. By using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we identified four radicals (hydroxyl (HO·), sulfate (SO₄^-·), hydroperoxyl (HO₂·), and superoxide (O₂^-·)) in the siderite-catalyzed H₂O₂-S₂O₈^2- system. In the absence of S₂O₈^2- (i.e., siderite-catalyzed H₂O₂), a majority of H₂O₂ was decomposed in the first hour of the experiment, resulting in the waste of HO·. The addition of S₂O₈^2- moderated the H₂O₂ decomposition rate, producing a more sustainable release of hydroxyl radicals that improved the treatment efficiency. Furthermore, the heat released by H₂O₂ decomposition accelerated the activation of S₂O₈^2-, and the resultant SO₄^-· was the primary oxidative agent during the first two hours of the reaction. Dichloroacetic acid was firstly detected by ion chromatography (IC). The results of this study indicate a new insight to the reaction mechanism for the catalytic binary H₂O₂-S₂O₈^2- oxidant system, and the delineation of radicals and the discovery of the chlorinated byproduct provide useful information for efficient treatment of chlorinated-solvent contamination in groundwater.

Highly sensitive free radical detection by nitrone-functionalized gold nanoparticles

The detection of free radicals and related species has attracted significant attention in recent years because of their critical roles in physiological and pathological processes. Among the methods for the detection of free radicals, electron spin resonance (ESR) coupled with the use of the spin trapping technique has been an effective approach for characterization and quantification of these species due to its high specificity. However, its application in biological systems, especially in in vivo systems, has been greatly limited partially due to the low reaction rate between the currently available spin traps with biological radicals. To overcome this drawback, we herein report the first example of nitrone functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au@EMPO) as highly efficient spin traps in which the thiolated EMPO (2-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole 1-oxide) derivative was self-assembled on gold nanoparticles. Kinetic studies showed that Au@EMPO has a 137-fold higher reaction rate constant with ˙OH than PBN (N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone). Owing to the high rate of trapping ˙OH by Au@EMPO as well as the high stability of the resulting spin adduct (t½ ∼ 56 min), Au@EMPO affords 124-fold higher sensitivity for ˙OH than EMPO. Thus, this new nanospin trap shows great potential in trapping the important radicals such as ˙OH in various biological systems and provides a novel strategy to design spin traps with much improved properties.

Electrolytic manipulation of persulfate reactivity by iron electrodes for trichloroethylene degradation in groundwater

Activated persulfate oxidation is an effective in situ chemical oxidation process for groundwater remediation. However, reactivity of persulfate is difficult to manipulate or control in the subsurface causing activation before reaching the contaminated zone and leading to a loss of chemicals. Furthermore, mobilization of heavy metals by the process is a potential risk. An effective approach using iron electrodes is thus developed to manipulate the reactivity of persulfate in situ for trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation in groundwater and to limit heavy metals mobilization. TCE degradation is quantitatively accelerated or inhibited by adjusting the current applied to the iron electrode, following k1 = 0.00053·Iv + 0.059 (-122 A/m(3) ≤ Iv ≤ 244 A/m(3)) where k1 and Iv are the pseudo first-order rate constant (min(-1)) and volume normalized current (A/m(3)), respectively. Persulfate is mainly decomposed by Fe(2+) produced from the electrochemical and chemical corrosion of iron followed by the regeneration via Fe(3+) reduction on the cathode. SO4(•-) and ·OH cocontribute to TCE degradation, but ·OH contribution is more significant. Groundwater pH and oxidation-reduction potential can be restored to natural levels by the continuation of electrolysis after the disappearance of contaminants and persulfate, thus decreasing adverse impacts such as the mobility of heavy metals in the subsurface.

An integrated catalyst of Pd supported on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: simultaneous production of H2O2 and Fe2+ for efficient electro-Fenton degradation of organic contaminants

A novel electro-Fenton process based on Pd-catalytic production of H2O2 from H2 and O2 has been proposed recently for transforming organic contaminants in wastewaters and groundwater. However, addition of Fe(II) complicates the operation, and it is difficult to recycle Pd catalyst after treatment. This study attempts to synthesize an integrated catalyst by loading Pd onto magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Pd/MNPs) so that H2O2 and Fe(2+) can be produced simultaneously in the electrolytic system. In an undivided electrolytic cell, phenol, a probe organic contaminant, is degraded by 98% within 60 min under conditions of 50 mA, 1 g/L Pd/MNPs (5 wt% Pd), pH 3 and 20 mg/L initial concentration. The degradation rate peaks at pH 3, increases with increasing Pd loading and electric current and decreases with increasing initial concentration. A distinct mechanism, reductive dissolution of solid Fe(III) in Fe3O4 by atomic H chemisorbed on Pd surface, is responsible for Fe(2+) production from Pd/MNPs. The efficiency of phenol degradation can be sustained at the same level for ten times of repeated treatment using the Pd/MNPs catalyst. The variations of main crystal structure and magnetic property of catalysts are minimal after treatment, but low concentrations of Pd leached, which needs further evaluation.

Efficient degradation of contaminants of emerging concerns by a new electro-Fenton process with Ti/MMO cathode

The performance of a new electro-Fenton process with Ti-based mixed metal oxides (Ti/MMO) cathode, a dimensionally stable electrode, is evaluated for degrading contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) in aqueous solutions. Bisphenol A (422μgL(-1)) is completely degraded in an undivided cell using Ti/MMO as the cathode in the presence of 6.9mgL(-1) Fe(2+) within 20min under conditions of pH 4 and 25mA. Both bisphenol A degradation and H2O2 production increase with decreasing solution pH and increasing current. Ti/MMO cathode is effective for reducing O2 to H2O2 and regenerating Fe(2+) from Fe(3+). OH radicals are validated to be the predominant reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributing to bisphenol A degradation. This new electro-Fenton process is also effective for degrading bisphenol A, triclosan and ibuprofen even at a relatively high concentration of 5mgL(-1). The partial removals of total organic carbon suggest a moderate extent of mineralization. The transformation pathways of the three CECs are proposed based on the intermediates identified by HPLC and GC-MS, showing that CECs are mainly transformed to nontoxic aliphatic acids. This study demonstrates that Ti/MMO can be used as the cathode in the electro-Fenton process for degrading CECs at trace levels in waters.

Effects of reduced sulfur compounds on Pd-catalytic hydrodechlorination of trichloroethylene in groundwater by cathodic H2 under electrochemically induced oxidizing conditions

Reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) poison Pd catalysts for catalytic hydrodechlorination of contaminants in anoxic groundwater. This study investigates the effects of RSCs on Pd-catalytic hydrodechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) in oxic groundwater. Water electrolysis in an undivided electrolytic cell is used to produce H2 for TCE hydrodechlorination under oxidizing conditions. TCE is efficiently hydrodechlorinated to ethane, with significant accumulation of H2O2 under acidic conditions. The presence of sulfide at concentrations less than 93.8 μM moderately inhibits TCE hydrodechlorination and H2O2 production. The presence of sulfite at low concentrations (≤1 mM) significantly enhances TCE decay, while at high concentration (3 mM) inhibits initially and enhances afterward when sulfite concentration declines to less than 1 mM. Using radical scavenging experiments and an electron spin resonance assay, SO3(•-), which is generated from sulfite under oxidizing conditions, is validated as the new reactive species contributing to the enhancement. This study reveals a distinct mechanism of effect of sulfite on TCE hydrodechlorination by Pd and H2 in oxic groundwater and presents an alternative approach to increasing resistance of Pd to RSCs poisoning.

Sulfite-mediated oxidation of myeloperoxidase to a free radical: immuno-spin trapping detection in human neutrophils

Previous studies focused on catalyzed oxidation of (bi)sulfite, leading to the formation of the reactive sulfur trioxide ((•)SO3(-)), peroxymonosulfate ((-)O3SOO(•)), and sulfate (SO4(•-)) anion radicals, which can damage target proteins and oxidize them to protein radicals. It is known that these very reactive sulfur- and oxygen-centered radicals can be formed by oxidation of (bi)sulfite by peroxidases. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), an abundant heme protein secreted from activated neutrophils that play a central role in host defense mechanisms, allergic reactions, and asthma, is a likely candidate for initiating the respiratory damage caused by sulfur dioxide. The objective of this study was to examine the oxidative damage caused by (bi)sulfite-derived free radicals in human neutrophils through formation of protein radicals. We used immuno-spin trapping and confocal microscopy to study the protein oxidations driven by sulfite-derived radicals. We found that the presence of sulfite can cause MPO-catalyzed oxidation of MPO to a protein radical in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-activated human neutrophils. We trapped the MPO-derived radicals in situ using the nitrone spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide and detected them immunologically as nitrone adducts in cells. Our present study demonstrates that myeloperoxidase initiates (bi)sulfite oxidation leading to MPO radical damage, possibly leading to (bi)sulfite-exacerbated allergic reactions.

Antioxidant effects of vitamins C and e on the low-density lipoprotein oxidation mediated by myeloperoxidase

BACKGROUND

Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) appears to be an early step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed reaction is one of the potent pathway for LDL oxidation in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant effects of vitamins C and E on LDL oxidation mediated by MPO.

METHODS

MPO was isolated from fresh plasma by sequential centrifugation using density ultracentrifugation. It was incubated with LDL and the LDL oxidation level was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring conjugated diene absorbance at 234 nm. Furthermore, vitamin C (50-200 mM) and vitamin E (10-40 mM) were added and the LDL oxidation level was determined.

RESULTS

The purity index of MPO and its enzymatic activity were 0.69 and 1127 U/mg protein, respectively. It was demonstrated that vitamin C in vitro inhibited LDL oxidation mediated by MPO; however, vitamin E was unable to act in the same way. The protection by vitamin C was concentration dependent and maximum protective effect of vitamin C was observed at 150 mM, where about 64% of the LDL oxidation was inhibited. Vitamin C increased lag time of LDL oxidation mediated by MPO up to 2.4 times.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded from our results that vitamin C is able to improve LDL resistance to oxidative modification in vitro. In addition, vitamin C might be effective in LDL oxidation mediated by MPO in vivo, resulting in reduction of atherosclerosis process rate.

Immuno-spin trapping from biochemistry to medicine: advances, challenges, and pitfalls. Focus on protein-centered radicals

BACKGROUND

Immuno-spin trapping (IST) is based on the reaction of a spin trap with a free radical to form a stable nitrone adduct, followed by the use of antibodies, rather than traditional electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, to detect the nitrone adduct. IST has been successfully applied to mechanistic in vitro studies, and recently, macromolecule-centered radicals have been detected in models of drug-induced agranulocytosis, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and ischemia/reperfusion, as well as in models of neurological, metabolic and immunological diseases.

SCOPE OF THE REVIEW

To critically evaluate advances, challenges, and pitfalls as well as the scientific opportunities of IST as applied to the study of protein-centered free radicals generated in stressed organelles, cells, tissues and animal models of disease and exposure.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Because the spin trap has to be present at high enough concentrations in the microenvironment where the radical is formed, the possible effects of the spin trap on gene expression, metabolism and cell physiology have to be considered in the use of IST and in the interpretation of results. These factors have not yet been thoroughly dealt with in the literature.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The identification of radicalized proteins during cell/tissue response to stressors will help define their role in the complex cellular response to stressors and pathogenesis; however, the fidelity of spin trapping/immuno-detection and the effects of the spin trap on the biological system should be considered. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Current methods to study reactive oxygen species - pros and cons and biophysics of membrane proteins. Guest Editor: Christine Winterbourn.

A three-electrode column for Pd-catalytic oxidation of TCE in groundwater with automatic pH-regulation and resistance to reduced sulfur compound foiling

A hybrid electrolysis and Pd-catalytic oxidation process is evaluated for degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater. A three-electrode, one anode and two cathodes, column is employed to automatically develop a low pH condition in the Pd vicinity and a neutral effluent. Simulated groundwater containing up to 5 mM bicarbonate can be acidified to below pH 4 in the Pd vicinity using a total of 60 mA with 20 mA passing through the third electrode. By packing 2 g of Pd/Al(2)O(3) pellets in the developed acidic region, the column efficiency for TCE oxidation in simulated groundwater (5.3 mg/L TCE) increases from 44 to 59 and 68% with increasing Fe(II) concentration from 0 to 5 and 10 mg/L, respectively. Different from Pd-catalytic hydrodechlorination under reducing conditions, this hybrid electrolysis and Pd-catalytic oxidation process is advantageous in controlling the fouling caused by reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) because the in situ generated reactive oxidizing species, i.e., O(2), H(2)O(2) and OH, can oxidize RSCs to some extent. In particular, sulfite at concentrations less than 1 mM even greatly increases TCE oxidation by the production of SO(4)(•-), a strong oxidizing radical, and more OH.