Enhancement of nitroxide-reducing activity in rats after chronic administration of vitamin E, vitamin C, and idebenone examined by an in vivo electron spin resonance technique

Nitroxyl Radical as a Theranostic Contrast Agent in Magnetic Resonance Redox Imaging

Significance:In vivo assessment of paramagnetic and diamagnetic conversions of nitroxyl radicals based on cyclic redox mechanism can be an index of tissue redox status. The redox mechanism of nitroxyl radicals, which enables their use as a normal tissue-selective radioprotector, is seen as being attractive on planning radiation therapy. Recent Advances:In vivo redox imaging using nitroxyl radicals as redox-sensitive contrast agents has been developed to assess tissue redox status. Chemical and biological behaviors depending on chemical structures of nitroxyl radical compounds have been understood in detail. Polymer types of nitroxyl radical contrast agents and/or nitroxyl radical-labeled drugs were designed for approaching theranostics. Critical Issues: Nitroxyl radicals as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents have several advantages compared with those used in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging, while support by EPR spectroscopy is important to understand information from MRI. Redox-sensitive paramagnetic contrast agents having a medicinal benefit, that is, nitroxyl-labeled drug, have been developed and proposed. Future Directions: A development of suitable nitroxyl contrast agent for translational theranostic applications with high reaction specificity and low normal tissue toxicity is under progress. Nitroxyl radicals as redox-sensitive magnetic resonance contrast agents can be a useful tool to detect an abnormal tissue redox status such as disordered oxidative stress. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 95-121.

Both idebenone and idebenol are localized near the lipid-water interface of the membrane and increase its fluidity

Idebenone is a synthetic analog of coenzyme Q; both share a quinone moiety but idebenone has a shorter lipophilic tail ending with a hydroxyl group. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that both idebenone and idebenol widened and shifted the phase transition of 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) to a lower temperature and a phase separation with different concentrations of these molecules was observed. Also small angle X-ray diffraction and wide angle X-ray diffraction revealed that both, idebenone and idebenol, induced laterally separated phases in fluid membranes when included in DPPC membranes. Electronic profiles showed that both forms, idebenone and idebenol, reduced the thickness of the fluid membrane. (2)H NMR measurements showed that the order of the membrane decreased at all temperatures in the presence of idebenone or idebenol, the greatest disorder being observed in the segments of the acyl chains close to the lipid-water interface. (1)H NOESY MAS NMR spectra were obtained using 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine membranes and results pointed to a similar location in the membrane for both forms, with the benzoquinone or benzoquinol rings and their terminal hydroxyl group of the hydrophobic chain located near the lipid/water interface of the phospholipid bilayer and the terminal hydroxyl group of the hydrophobic chain of both compounds located at the lipid/water interface. Taken together, all these different locations might explain the different physiological behavior shown by the idebenone/idebenol compared with the ubiquinone-10/ubiquinol-10 pair in which both compounds are differently localized in the membrane.

Border between natural product and drug: comparison of the related benzoquinones idebenone and coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q₁₀ is a ubiquitous component of cellular membranes and belongs to the class of benzoquinones that mainly differ with regards to the length and composition of their hydrophobic tail. The characteristic quinone group can accept electrons from various biological sources and is converted by a one electron transfer to the unstable semiquinone or by a two electron transfer to the more stable hydroquinone. This feature makes CoQ₁₀ the bona fide cellular electron transfer molecule within the mitochondrial respiratory chain and also makes it a potent cellular antioxidant. These activities serve as justification for its popular use as food supplement. Another quinone with similarities to the naturally occurring CoQ₁₀ is idebenone, which shares its quinone moiety with CoQ₁₀, but at the same time differs from CoQ₁₀ by the presence of a much shorter, less lipophilic tail. However, despite its similarity to CoQ₁₀, idebenone cannot be isolated from any natural sources but instead was synthesized and selected as a pharmacologically active compound in the 1980s by Takeda Pharmaceuticals purely based on its pharmacological properties. Several recent clinical trials demonstrated some therapeutic efficacy of idebenone in different indications and as a consequence, many practitioners question if the freely available CoQ₁₀ could not be used instead. Here, we describe the molecular and pharmacological features of both molecules that arise from their structural differences to answer the question if idebenone is merely a CoQ₁₀ analogue as frequently perpetuated in the literature or a pharmaceutical drug with entirely different features.

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The benzoquinones CoQ₁₀ and idebenone have vastly different solubility.

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Both molecules need to get activated by cellular reductases.

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Due to their solubility both molecules are in different cellular compartments.

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Therefore, both quinones are activated by different enzymes.

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Thus, their solubility strongly determines their biological activities.

Evaluation of antioxidative effects of sesamin on the in vivo hepatic reducing abilities by a radiofrequency ESR method

Antioxidative effects of sesamin (a mixture of sesamin and episesamin) were evaluated in the liver, kidney and inferior vena cava of living rats using a radiofrequency ESR method. TEMPOL, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl, was used as an in vivo redox probe, the half-life of which is believed to be correlated with the antioxidant status. The oral administration of sesamin (250 mg/kg rat weight) 3 h before ESR measurements shortened the half-life of TEMPOL in the liver by 10 - 15% as compared with the controls, but did not affect the other organs. This effect was maintained for at least 3 h after the administration, and then disappeared at 24 h, corresponding to the results of our preliminary pharmacokinetic studies. Changes in the reducing ability were observed only in the hepatic sites of the sesamin-treated rats. These findings suggest that sesamin exhibits effective antioxidant activity in the liver via modulation of the intracellular redox status related to TEMPOL reduction.

Endothelin activation of reactive oxygen species mediates stress-induced pressor response in Dahl salt-sensitive prehypertensive rats

Experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that endothelin (ET) and/or reactive oxygen species contribute to the pressor response induced by acute air jet stress in normotensive Dahl salt-sensitive rats maintained on a normal salt diet (prehypertensive). Mean arterial pressure was chronically monitored by telemetry before and after 3-day treatment with the free radical scavenger 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidinoxyl (Tempol) or ET receptor antagonists ABT-627 (ET A antagonist) or A-182086 (ET A/B antagonist) supplied in the drinking water. Rats were restrained and subjected to pulsatile air jet stress (3 minutes). Plasma samples at baseline and during acute stress were analyzed for 8-isoprostane (measure of reactive oxygen species production) and ET. Neither Tempol nor ET receptor antagonist treatment had an effect on baseline mean arterial pressure or plasma 8-isoprostane. The pressor response to acute stress was accompanied by significant increases in plasma 8-isoprostane and ET. Tempol significantly reduced both the total pressor response (area under the curve) and the stress-mediated increase in plasma 8-isoprostane; conversely, Tempol had no effect on the stress-induced increase in plasma ET. Combined ET(A/B) antagonism, but not selective ET(A) receptor blockade, similarly suppressed the pressor response to stress and stress-mediated rise in 8-isoprostane. Together these results indicate that reactive oxygen species contribute to the pressor response to acute air jet stress. Furthermore, the increase in reactive oxygen species occurs downstream of ET(B) receptor activation.

Increased Oxidants and Reduced Antioxidants in Irradiated Parenteral Nutrition Solutions May Contribute to the Inflammatory Response

Background/Objectives: To measure reactive oxidant production and the decline in antioxidant potential in commercially available, irradiated parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions and the effect that these have on oxidant production in patients in the intensive care unit. Subjects and Methods: Vitamin E and malondialdehyde in irradiated and nonirradiated commercially available, PN solutions were measured. The PBN (α-phenyl-n-test-butylnitrone (PBN) spin trap was used to measure free radicals and TEMPOL (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-piperidine-oxyl) was used to assess antioxidant capacity. The irradiated PN was administered (as per unit protocol) to 10 patients with gut failure and plasma and urinary isoprostanes and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured 1 hour preadministration, at the time of, and 1 and 2 hours postadministration of PN. Results: Irradiation reduced vitamin E significantly (P < .0025). Malondialdehyde products were present in both samples, but more so in irradiated samples (P < .0001), as were free radicals measured by PBN spin trapping. Irradiated samples had a higher scavenging capacity of TEMPOL free radical due to depletion of antioxidants in irradiated samples. Urinary isoprostanes increased at time 2 by 6.3 units relative to time 0 and by 5.23 units relative to time 1(Friedman ANOVA: P < .01413). Conclusions: Lipid hydroperoxides are formed in PN solutions and increase further following irradiation. This is associated with a significant reduction in vitamin E and antioxidant potential. The increase in urinary isoprostanes indicates a potentially proinflammatory effect of irradiated PN.

Chemistry and antihypertensive effects of tempol and other nitroxides

Nitroxides can undergo one- or two-electron reduction reactions to hydroxylamines or oxammonium cations, respectively, which themselves are interconvertible, thereby providing redox metabolic actions. 4-Hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (tempol) is the most extensively studied nitroxide. It is a cell membrane-permeable amphilite that dismutates superoxide catalytically, facilitates hydrogen peroxide metabolism by catalase-like actions, and limits formation of toxic hydroxyl radicals produced by Fenton reactions. It is broadly effective in detoxifying these reactive oxygen species in cell and animal studies. When administered intravenously to hypertensive rodent models, tempol caused rapid and reversible dose-dependent reductions in blood pressure in 22 of 26 studies. This was accompanied by vasodilation, increased nitric oxide activity, reduced sympathetic nervous system activity at central and peripheral sites, and enhanced potassium channel conductance in blood vessels and neurons. When administered orally or by infusion over days or weeks to hypertensive rodent models, it reduced blood pressure in 59 of 68 studies. This was accompanied by correction of salt sensitivity and endothelial dysfunction and reduced agonist-evoked oxidative stress and contractility of blood vessels, reduced renal vascular resistance, and increased renal tissue oxygen tension. Thus, tempol is broadly effective in reducing blood pressure, whether given by acute intravenous injection or by prolonged administration, in a wide range of rodent models of hypertension.

Association analysis of SOD2 variants with methamphetamine psychosis in Japanese and Taiwanese populations

SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2) plays a crucial role in protecting the cells against damage caused by free radicals, by catalyzing their detoxification. On the other hand, cell damage caused by free radical generation following methamphetamine administration has been postulated as one of the possible pathophysiological mechanisms for methamphetamine psychosis. Hence, we investigated the association of SOD2 polymorphisms with the development of methamphetamine psychosis, in two independent populations of Japan and Taiwan. We recruited 116 patients with methamphetamine psychosis and 189 controls in Japan, and 135 patients with methamphetamine psychosis and 204 controls in Taiwan. The methamphetamine group was divided into two clinical subtypes: a transient type of psychosis (i.e., good prognosis) and a prolonged type of psychosis (i.e., poor prognosis), according to the course of the manifestation of psychosis. With reference to the genotypic and allelic frequencies of Ala/Val functional polymorphism in exon 2, we found significant differences between individuals with prolonged methamphetamine psychosis and control samples from Japan and Taiwan in the genotypic (P value 0.014 and 0.016, respectively) and in the allelic (P value 0.004 and 0.047, respectively) frequencies. Our results suggest that Ala/Val polymorphism of the SOD2 gene could be associated with the risk of developing methamphetamine psychosis.

Evaluation of the hepatic reduction of a nitroxide radical in rats receiving ascorbic acid, glutathione or ascorbic acid oxidase by in vivo electron spin resonance study

BACKGROUND

A nitroxide radical, 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPOL), is directly reduced to hydroxylamine by ascorbic acid (AsA). Ascorbic acid is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) by ascorbic acid oxidase (AAOx), and DHA is reduced to AsA by glutathione (GSH). In the present study, in vivo and ex vivo reduction of TEMPOL in the rat liver under various conditions of AsA supply was investigated using an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer equipped with a surface coil-type resonator.

METHODS

To investigate in vivo hepatic reduction of TEMPOL, an ESR study of the liver of living rats which orally received AsA or intravenously received GSH or AAOx was made. To investigate direct interactions between TEMPOL and GSH or AAOx, an in vitro ESR study was conducted. To investigate TEMPOL reduction in the hepatic homogenate, an ex vivo ESR study was performed.

RESULTS

Ascorbic acid and GSH administration increased the in vivo hepatic reducing ability of TEMPOL. In contrast, AAOx administration decreased the reducing ability. In vitro TEMPOL was not reduced by GSH and hydroxylamine was not oxidized by AAOx. Reducing ability in the hepatic homogenate of AAOx-treated rats decreased, but that for GSH-treated rats was unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Ascorbic acid administration directly increases hepatic reducing ability. Ascorbic acid, which increased in the plasma due to GSH administration, entered the liver and enhanced the hepatic reducing ability. Administration of AAOx impaired the hepatic reducing ability by oxidizing AsA in the plasma and/or the liver.

Noninvasive study of radiation-induced oxidative damage using in vivo electron spin resonance

Nitroxyl radicals injected into a whole body indicate the disappearance of signal intensity of in vivo electron spin resonance (ESR). The signal decay rates of nitroxyl have reported to be influenced by various types of oxidative stress. We examined the effect of X-irradiation on the signal decay rate of nitroxyl in the upper abdomen of mice using in vivo ESR. The signal decay rates increased 1 h after 15 Gy irradiation, and the enhancement was suppressed by preadministration of cysteamine, a radioprotector. These results suggest that the signal decay of nitroxyl in whole mice is enhanced by radiation-induced oxidative damage. The in vivo ESR system probing the signal decay of nitroxyl could provide a noninvasive technique for the study of oxidative stress caused by radiation in a living body.