Copper and Inflammation

Effect of fluorine position on the coordinating ability of fluorosalicylic acids--an experimental study complemented with computations

The complexation of 3-, 4-, and 6-fluorosalicylic acids (HL) with copper(II) was investigated in aqueous solution by pH-potentiometry combined with UV-visible spectrophotometry, and in 50 v/v % water-methanol mixture by the two-dimensional ESR simulation method. Both methods showed the formation of [CuLH(-1)] and [CuL(2)H(-2)](2-) of high stabilities, and, at low excess of ligand, the ESR-silent mixed hydroxido complex [Cu(2)L(2)H(-3)](-). Further species were also identified by the two-dimensional ESR simulation method: [CuL](+) in the acidic region, the minor dimer [Cu(2)L(2)H(-2)], and the cis and the trans isomers for [CuL(2)H(-2)](2-). The position of the fluorine atom in the aromatic ring had significant effect on the coordination abilities of the ligands, in good correlation with their reported biological activities. It was 3-fluorosalicylic acid, which formed the most stable complexes [CuLH(-1)] and [CuL(2)H(-2)](2-), while the mononuclear complexes with 6-fluorosalicylic acid were found to be the least stable. For the other ligands (including 5-fluorosalicylic acid studied recently), complexes of medium stabilities were formed. For the interpretation of these findings, ab initio and semi-empirical quantum chemical calculations were carried out for the ligand molecules, isolated and surrounded by water molecules, respectively.

Complexation of 5-fluorosalicylic acid with copper(II): A pH-potentiometric, UV–vis spectroscopic, and electron spin resonance study by the two-dimensional simulation of spectra

The copper(II)-5-fluorosalicylic acid system was investigated in water and 50 v/v% water-methanol mixture by pH potentiometry combined with UV-vis spectrophotometry, and by the two-dimensional ESR simulation method, respectively. The data revealed that the stable paramagnetic mono- and bis(salicylato) copper(II) complexes [CuLH(-1)] and [CuL2H(-2)](2-) are formed, and at low excess of ligand, the ESR-silent mixed hydroxo complex [Cu2L2H(-3)](-) is also a major species. By the two-dimensional ESR simulation method, the species [CuL]+ in the acidic region, and the minor dimer [Cu2L2H(-2)] were also identified, and the cis and trans isomers of [CuL2H(-2)](2-) were characterized. In frozen solutions, the ESR analysis revealed a slight rhombic distortion of coordination polyhedra for the latter three species.

Effects of allopurinol on in vivo suppression of arthritis in mice and ex vivo modulation of phagocytic production of oxygen radicals in whole human blood

Recently, we demonstrated elevated levels of xanthine oxidase in serum of patients with various inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The present study reports the antiarthritic efficacy of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor and immunosuppressant allopurinol in DBA/1xB10A(4r) mice suffering from peroxochromate-induced arthritis. A profound dose-dependent suppression of arthritis was noted (P < 0.001). The ED50 was 80 +/- 14 mumol/kg/day. The arthritis index correlated positively to the phagocytic production of oxygen radicals (r2 > 0.672) and negatively to the concentrations of allopurinol (r2 = 0.915). Ex vivo, allopurinol and various conventional antirheumatic drugs were screened for the inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-stimulated whole human blood chemiluminescence. The concentrations of antirheumatic drugs required to inhibit the chemiluminescence by 50% were compared to the therapeutic doses administered to rheumatic patients. While D-penicillamine and cis-platinum(II) increased the phagocytic generation of superoxide, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and slow-acting antirheumatic drugs (SAARDs) inhibited the whole blood chemiluminescence in a dose-dependent manner. Therapeutic doses of NSAIDs, SAARDs, or steroids inhibited the phagocytic generation of reactive oxygen species by 10-50%. In addition to well-known mechanisms of action of NSAIDs and SAARDs, our results support the hypothesis that most common anti-rheumatic drugs act also by modulating the levels of reactive oxygen species, which serve important mediator and signal transduction functions in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Pharmacologically safe antioxidants like allopurinol, which simultaneously modify the oxidative burst of phagocytes, inhibit xanthine oxidase, and display immunosuppressive effects may well be suited to control the consequences of chronic phagocytic hyperreactivity in rheumatic patients.

Copper-dependent antioxidase defenses in inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Gel-filtered sera of patients with various inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases (N = 354) were screened for the presence of the inflammation marker Cu-thionein. The concentrations of Cu-thionein were significantly diminished in patients with connective tissue diseases (P < 0.001). Sera of patients suffering from inflammatory rheumatic diseases were almost totally depleted of this low-molecular-weight copper protein that exerts pronounced superoxide dismutase activity and scavenges effectively hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen. Cortisone treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and polymyalgia rheumatica replenished impressively the serum concentration of Cu-thionein. The partial oxidation of the EPR-silent Cu(I)-chromophore to Cu(II)/Cu(I)-thionein, which is essential for the catalytic dismutation of superoxide, was monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance in the presence of activated neutrophils and monocytes. Release of Cu-thionein during the oxidative burst of peripheral blood monocytes was demonstrated in vitro. The role of prooxidant-antioxidant imbalances in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases is discussed.

Trace element concentrations (Cu, Zn, Fe) in sera from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

The trace element concentrations (Cu, Zn, Fe) in sera from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy are reported. Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy have high copper and low zinc concentrations in serum compared to healthy controls. The trace element concentration profile is different from that of other heart diseases like myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease. The copper concentration in serum shows a highly significant inverse relationship with the ejection fraction and the cardiac index. Pathophysiological processes which raise the copper concentration in serum may influence the ejection fraction and the cardiac index.

Antiinflammatory reactivity of copper(I)-thionein

In unseparated human blood the reactivity of yeast copper (I)-thionein on TPA-activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes was evaluated and compared with low Mr copper chelates exerting Cu2Zn2 superoxide dismutase mimetic activity. Cu, 18 microM, in the form of Cu-thionein was sufficient to inhibit the superoxide production of activated human blood phagocytes by 50%. Furthermore, the scavenging of hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen by Cu(I)-thionein was determined, using the 2-deoxyribose fragmentation assay induced by decaying K3CrO8 and the NADPH oxidation caused by UVA illuminated psoralen, respectively. The inhibitory reactivity of Cu-thionein in both assays was compared with that of serum proteins including albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and ferritin. The galactosamine/endotoxin-induced hepatitis in male NMRI mice was used to evaluate the antiinflammatory reactivity of Cu-thionein in vivo. The serum copper, superoxide dismutase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase concentrations, as well as the activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in unseparated blood seemed most appropriate to quantify the protective capacity of Cu-thionein in the course of an oxidative stress-dependent liver injury. The intraperitoneal application of 32.5 mumols/kg thionein-Cu limited this damage to 45%.

Reactivity of active center analogs of Cu2Zn2 superoxide dismutase on activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes

In unseparated human blood the Cu2Zn2 superoxide dismutase mimetic reactivity of several differently coordinated low Mr copper chelates on TPA-activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes was evaluated and compared to their apo-chelates, CuSO4, and the native enzyme. Similar to intact superoxide dismutase, 350-400 nM Cu flexibly complexed in a di-Schiff base mode in CuPu(Py)2 and CuPu(Im)2, respectively, was sufficient to inhibit the oxidative burst-dependent superoxide production of human blood phagocytes by 50%. Acetate- or biuret-type copper chelates behaved like CuSO4. The catalytic superoxide dismuting reactivity of the di-Schiff base active center analogs of SOD was confirmed using isolated porcine PMNs. Even in the presence of 600 microM albumin as a model for competitive copper chelation in biological fluids CuPu(Py)2 and CuPu(Im)2 remained active. The stability during the Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox cycling was demonstrated in the presence of activated PMNs and albumin, taking advantage of the electron paramagnetic properties of CuPu(Py)2 and CuPu(Im)2.

Cytotoxicity of a low molecular weight Cu2Zn2 superoxide dismutase active center analog in human erythroleukemia cells

The cytotoxicity of SOD-mimics was studied in human K562 erythroleukemia cells. CuPUPY, a low molecular weight copper complex with properties typical of a Cu2Zn2 SOD active center analog was shown to display pronounced toxicity upon incubation with human K562 erythroleukemia cells, while the ligand, CuSO4 or CuEDTA did not affect vitality. Externally added catalase decreased the cytotoxic effects of CuPUPY by 50% indicating an involvement of hydrogen peroxide in toxicity. An increased oxygen uptake and glutathione oxidation by K562 cells in the presence of CuPUPY suggested that toxicity might be due to a copper-mediated redox-cycle. In fact addition of glutathione to a solution of CuPUPY resulted in glutathione oxidation, O2-consumption and H2O2-generation. CuPUPY proved to be less toxic to human lymphocytes than to K562 cells. This selectivity may be related to the low content of antioxidative enzymes in K562 cells.

Anticarcinogenic reactivity of copper-dischiffbases with superoxide dismutase-like activity

CuPu(Py)2 and CuPu(Im)2, two novel dischiffbase coordinated low Mr active centre analogues of Cu2Zn2 superoxide dismutase, were shown to effectively catalyze the production of hydroxyl radicals in the presence and absence of TPA-activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These stable copper chelates exhibited a pronounced anticarcinogenic reactivity in male Sprague Dawley rats implanted with Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells. When four doses of 5 mumol/kg CuPu(Py)2 and CuPu(Im)2, respectively, were administered intratumorally, reduction in tumor size, delay of metastasis and a significant increase in survival of the hosts were observed, resulting in 75% of total remissions. 60% of the animals recovered totally from the carcinosarcoma, when CuPu(Py)2 was applicated intravenously.

Copper-thionein in melanoma

The phenomenon of an elevated copper concentration in melanoma tumors was examined. It was demonstrated that 50-60% of total tissue copper is associated with metallothionein. The amino acid composition, electronic absorption and fluorescence were identical to that of the many known vertebrate Cu-thioneins. The immunological identification of melanoma tissue metallothionein was successful. The elevated Cu-thionein concentration in melanoma tumor tissue is not yet understood. It appears to be a common concept that in most tumors transient changes of the copper status parallel the metallothionein levels.

A five-coordinate copper complex with superoxide dismutase mimetic activity from Streptomyces antibioticus

A Cu(II) complex of desferrithiocin from Streptomyces antibioticus was prepared and characterized. The first shell atoms, including one nitrogen and four oxygens, were arranged around the copper in a square-planar pyramide. Due to the axially Jahn-Teller-distorted Cu-O distance at 224.7 pm, a distinct Cu2Zn2superoxide dismutase mimetic activity was measured. The Cu-complex survived 600 microM bovine serum albumin and the thermodynamic stability (pK = 17.4) was not very different from that of Cu-EDTA. The electronic absorption properties, circular dichroism and electron paramagnetism were in accordance with those of the type-II copper species.