Uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation alters lipid peroxidation-derived free radical production but not recovery of postischemic rat hearts and post-hypoxic endothelial cells

Oleic Acid Alleviates Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat by Its Radicals Scavenging Activity

Toxic heavy metal cadmium wildly pollutes the environment and threats the human health. Effective treatment of cadmium-induced toxicity and organ damage is an important issue. Cadmium causes organ damage through inducing oxidative stress. Our previous study also found oleic acid (OA) synthesis-related gene can confer resistance to cadmium and alleviate cadmium-induced stress in yeast. However, its alleviation mechanism on cadmium stress especially in animals is still unclear. In this study, the alleviative effects of OA on cadmium and cadmium-induced oxidative stress in rats were investigated. Oral administration of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg/day OA can significantly increase the survival rate of rats intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg/day cadmium continuously for 7 days. Similar to ascorbic acid (AA), OA can significantly reduce the cadmium-induced lipid peroxidation in multiple organs of rats. The investigation of OA on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity showed that OA increased the SOD activity of cadmium-treated rat organs. More important, OA reduced the level of superoxide radical O^2- of cadmium-treated rat organs. And OA exhibited a strong DPPH radicals scavenging activity at dose of 10, 20 and 30 mg/mL, which may contributed to alleviating cadmium-induced oxidative stress. This study revealed that OA could significantly alleviate cadmium stress via reducing cadmium-induced lipid peroxidation and SOD activity inhibition through its radicals scavenging activity.

The nature and mechanism of superoxide production by the electron transport chain: Its relevance to aging

Most biogerontologists agree that oxygen (and nitrogen) free radicals play a major role in the process of aging. The evidence strongly suggests that the electron transport chain, located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, is the major source of reactive oxygen species in animal cells. It has been reported that there exists an inverse correlation between the rate of superoxide/hydrogen peroxide production by mitochondria and the maximum longevity of mammalian species. However, no correlation or most frequently an inverse correlation exists between the amount of antioxidant enzymes and maximum longevity. Although overexpression of the antioxidant enzymes SOD1 and CAT (as well as SOD1 alone) have been successful at extending maximum lifespan in Drosophila, this has not been the case in mice. Several labs have overexpressed SOD1 and failed to see a positive effect on longevity. An explanation for this failure is that there is some level of superoxide damage that is not preventable by SOD, such as that initiated by the hydroperoxyl radical inside the lipid bilayer, and that accumulation of this damage is responsible for aging. I therefore suggest an alternative approach to testing the free radical theory of aging in mammals. Instead of trying to increase the amount of antioxidant enzymes, I suggest using molecular biology/transgenics to decrease the rate of superoxide production, which in the context of the free radical theory of aging would be expected to increase longevity. This paper aims to summarize what is known about the nature and mechanisms of superoxide production and what genes are involved in controlling the rate of superoxide production.

Pharmacological approaches to the treatment of oxidative stress-induced cardiovascular dysfunctions

Cardiovascular diseases are a growing major global health problem. Our understanding of the mechanisms of pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases has been gaining significant advances and a wealth of knowledge implicates oxidative stress as a key causative agent. However, to date, most efforts to treat heart failure using conventional antioxidant therapies have been less than encouraging. With increasing incidences of cardiovascular disease in young as well as in aging populations, and the problem of long-term diminishing efficacy of conventional therapeutics, the need for new treatments has never been greater. In this review, a variety of therapeutic targets and compounds applied to treat cardiovascular diseases via inhibition of oxidative stress are presented.

TEGDMA induces mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress in human gingival fibroblasts

Free monomers including triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) are released by resin composite. Recent studies in vitro have demonstrated that TEGDMA induced GSH depletion and production of radical oxygen species (ROS) in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) but the exact mechanism of these events remains unclear. Our purpose is to investigate the origin of ROS production. TEGDMA induces a rapid (within 30 min) and drastic depletion of ATP concomitant with the GSH depletion. After 3h incubation, TEGDMA induced an increase of lipid peroxidation associated with LDH leakage. Our data also showed that TEGDMA produced damage at mitochondrial level. This is demonstrated by the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in HGF treated with TEGDMA. The protective effect of carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation on lipid peroxidation and LDH leakage suggests that mitochondria can be implicated in these events. Trolox, a soluble derivative of Tocopherol, weakly prevents ATP but not GSH depletion and totally protects the cells against lipid peroxidation, MMP collapse and cell death. Thus, the present results suggest that TEGDMA induces lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial damage, which contribute to cell death.

Nitronyl nitroxides, a novel group of protective agents against oxidative stress in endothelial cells forming the blood-brain barrier

Nitronyl nitroxides (NN) effectively decompose free radicals (. As brain endothelium, forming the blood-brain barrier (BBB), is both the main source and the target of reactive species during cerebral oxidative stress, we studied the effect of NN on brain endothelial cells injured by the mediator of oxidative stress H(2)O(2) (. H(2)O(2) caused hydroxyl radical generation, lipid peroxidation, membrane dysfunction, membrane leak and cell death, concentration dependently. Due to 0.5 mM H(2)O(2), oxy-radical-induced membrane phospholipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) increased to 0.61+/-0.04 nmol/mg protein vs control (0.32+/-0.03, p<0.05), cells lost cytosolic proteins into the medium and viability decreased to 28+/-2% of control (p<0.05). Permeability through the endothelial monolayer (measure for the tightness of the BBB) rose to 250+/-40% after 0.15 mM H(2)O(2) (p<0.001). Addition of 10 microM of the NN 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-diphenyl-4-methoxy-2-imidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxyl (NN-2), 1 mM phenylbutyl nitrone (PBN), or 10 microM of the lazaroid U83836E improved cell viability during incubation with 0.5 mM H(2)O(2) to 57+/-1%, 49+/-2%, and 42+/-3% (p<0.05, vs drug-free H(2)O(2) group). The permeability enhancement by 0.15 mM H(2)O(2) was reduced to 171+/-21%, 170+/-25%, and 118+/-32% (p<0.05 vs drug-free H(2)O(2) group). Generally, the assumption is supported that during cerebral oxidative stress the protection should also be directed to the cells of the BBB, which can be provided by antioxidative approaches. NN represent a new group of antioxdatively acting cytoprotectiva improving the survival and function of the endothelium against oxidative stress.

Hypothesis: the mitochondrial NO(*) signaling pathway, and the transduction of nitrosative to oxidative cell signals: an alternative function for cytochrome C oxidase

Nitric oxide (NO(*)) signaling is diverse, and involves reaction with free radicals, metalloproteins, and specific protein amino acid residues. Prominent among these interactions are the heme protein soluble guanylate cyclase and cysteine residues within several proteins such as caspases, the executors of apoptosis. Another well characterized site of NO(*) binding is the terminal complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, cytochrome c oxidase, although the downstream signaling effects of this interaction remain unclear. Recently, it has been recognized that the intracellular formation of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) by controlled mechanisms contributes to what we term "redox tone," and so controls the activity and activation thresholds of redox-sensitive signaling pathways. In this hypothesis paper, it is proposed that NO(*)-dependent modulation of the respiratory chain can control the mitochondrial generation of H(2)O(2) for cell signaling purposes without affecting ATP synthesis.

Vitamin E succinate protects hepatocytes against the toxic effect of reactive oxygen species generated at mitochondrial complexes I and III by alkylating agents

The mechanism of alpha-tocopheryl succinate (TS) cytoprotection against mitochondria-derived oxidative stress was investigated. Incubation of isolated rat hepatocytes with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), a mitochondrial alkylating toxicant caused mitochondrial dysfunction and necrotic cell death that was dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Mitochondria isolated from these cells showed a 3-fold increase in lipid hydroperoxides and a selective depletion of alpha-tocopherol (T), which preceded cell death. The pretreatment of hepatocytes with TS dramatically enriched cells and mitochondria with alpha-tocopherol and provided these membranes with complete protection against EMS-induced oxidative damage. TS pretreatment suppressed EMS-induced cellular ROS production, generated from mitochondrial complex I and III sites. In addition, the treatment with either rotenone (ROT, a complex I inhibitor) or antimycin A (AA, a complex III inhibitor) potentiated EMS-induced lipid peroxidation and necrotic cell death which were again completely prevented by TS treatment. Surprisingly, TS did not protect hepatocytes against thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), a complex II inhibitor-induced enhancement of EMS-induced toxic oxidative damage. We conclude that the inhibition of mitochondrial ROS production and lipid peroxidation by T released from TS, are the critical events responsible for TS-mediated cytoprotection against toxic oxidative stress derived from both mitochondrial complexes I and III. Our findings suggest that TS treatment may prove useful in combating diseases associated with mitochondrial-derived oxidative stress.

Role of 4-hydroxynonenal in modification of cytochrome c oxidase in ischemia/reperfused rat heart

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a characteristic of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the heart. While oxidative stress has been implicated in mitochondrial damage in I/R injury, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. 4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE) is a toxic aldehyde generated by lipid peroxidation. The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of HNE in I/R-induced damage of a crucial component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, cytochrome c oxidase (COX). I/R was induced in male WKY rats by 15 mins of ischemia followed by reperfusion for up to 3 h. COX activity was measured spectrophotometrically at 550 nm. HNE adducts with COX subunits were detected by Western Blot using an HNE-histidine antibody. HNE and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were measured in mitochondria by HPLC. Following 3 h of reperfusion, COX activity was reduced to 59% of control, accompanied by increases in HNE adducts with COX (P<0.05). Mitochondrial HNE content in reperfused hearts was increased to 165% of control, whereas GSH was decreased to 62% of control (P<0.05). After purified COX was incubated with HNE in vitro, COX activity was decreased progressively with increasing concentrations of HNE, accompanied by concentration-dependent formation of HNE adducts with COX. GSH prevented HNE adduct formation as well as COX inhibition by HNE. These results suggest that HNE, via adduct formation with COX subunits, plays an important role in COX dysfunction caused by reperfusion. The findings also indicate that decreases in mitochondrial GSH stores in reperfused myocardium could potentiate HNE-mediated COX damage.

Isolated perfused rat hearts release secondary free radicals during ischemia reperfusion injury: cardiovascular effects of the spin trap alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone

Free radicals produced during myocardial post-ischemic reperfusion are aggravating factors for functional disturbances and cellular injury. The aim of our work was to investigate the significance of the secondary free radical release during non ischemic perfusion and post-ischemic reperfusion and to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of the spin trap used. For that purpose, isolated perfused rat hearts underwent 0, 20, 30 or 60 min of a total ischemia, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. The spin trap: alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) was used (3 mM). Functional parameters were recorded and samples of coronary effluents were collected and analyzed using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) to identify and quantify the amount of spin adducts produced. During non ischemic perfusion, almost undetectable levels of free radical release were observed. Conversely, a large and long-lasting (30 min) release of spin adducts was detected from the onset of reperfusion. The free radical species were identified as alkyl and alkoxyl radicals with amounts reaching 40 times the pre-ischemic values. On the other hand, PBN showed a cardioprotective effect, allowing a significant reduction of rhythm disturbances and a better post-ischemic recovery for the hearts which were submitted to 20 min of ischemia. When the duration of ischemia increased, the protective effects of PBN disappeared and toxic effects became more important. Our results have therefore confirmed the antioxidant and protective properties of a spin trap agent such as PBN. Moreover, we demonstrated that the persistent post-ischemic dysfunction was associated with a sustained production and release of free radical species.

*NO and oxyradical metabolism in new cell lines of rat brain capillary endothelial cells forming the blood-brain barrier

To investigate the relevance of *NO and oxyradicals in the blood-brain barrier (BBB), differentiated and well-proliferating brain capillary endothelial cells (BCEC) are required. Therefore, rat BCEC (rBCEC) were transfected with immortalizing genes. The resulting lines exhibited endothelial characteristics (factor VIII, angiotensin-converting enzyme, high prostacyclin/thromboxane release rates) and BBB markers (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase). The control line rBCEC2 (mock transfected) revealed fibroblastoid morphology, less factor VIII, reduced gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, weak radical defence, low prostanoid metabolism, and limited proliferation. Lines transfected with immortalizing genes (especially rBCEC4, polyoma virus large T antigen) conserved primary properties: epitheloid morphology, subcultivation with high proliferation rate under pure culture conditions, and powerful defence against reactive oxygen species (Mn-, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione) effectively controlling radical metabolism. Only 100 microM H2O2 overcame this defence and stimulated the formation of eicosanoids similarly as in primary cells. Some BBB markers were expressed to a lower degree; however, cocultivation with astrocytes intensified these markers (e.g., alkaline phosphatase) and paraendothelial tightness, indicating induction of BBB properties. Inducible NO synthase was induced by a cytokine plus lipopolysaccharide mixture in all lines and primary cells, resulting in *NO release. Comparing the cell lines obtained, rBCEC4 are stable immortalized and reveal the best conservation of properties from primary cells, including enzymes producing or decomposing reactive species. These cells can be subcultivated in large amounts and, hence, they are suitable to study the role of radical metabolism in the BBB and in the cerebral microvasculature.

"Chemical preconditioning" by 3-nitropropionate reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in cardiac-arrested rat lungs

BACKGROUND

Chemical preconditioning was defined as the induction of resistance to massive disruption of energy metabolism through prior chemical suppression of oxidative phosphorylation, by which phenomena similar to those resulting from increased ischemic tolerance as a result of ischemic preconditioning can be induced. It could be induced by the inhibitor of either mitochondrial complex I or II. We investigated whether or not chemical preconditioning by 3-nitropropionate (an inhibitor of the mitochondrial complex II) can suppress ischemia-reperfusion injury in cardiac-arrested lungs, which will be the major problem in lung transplants donated from non-heart-beating cadavers.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In an isolated rat lung perfusion model with fresh rat blood as perfusate, administration of 3-nitropropionate (20 mg/kg) immediately before the induction of cardiac arrest attenuated pulmonary dysfunction during reperfusion after 1 hr postmortem warm ischemia and 1 hr cold preservation. 3-Nitropropionate administration reduced the mitochondrial respiratory functions (state 3 and state 4 respiration, and the respiratory control ratio) before cardiac arrest and kept them at a lower level of activity than when decreased by ischemia alone. 3-Nitropropionate administration also reduced the ATP levels immediately after drug administration. However, 3-nitropropionate did not significantly reduce lipid peroxidation in the lung tissue and mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that chemical preconditioning by 3-nitropropionate administration immediately before cardiac arrest suppressed succinate-related oxidation during postmortem warm ischemia and reduced ischemia-reperfusion injury in cardiac arrested rat lungs.

Hypoxia/reoxygenation stimulates intracellular calcium oscillations in human aortic endothelial cells

BACKGROUND

We have previously shown that hydrogen peroxide stimulates endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. This study was performed to determine whether posthypoxic reoxygenation stimulates [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in vascular endothelial cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Hypoxia (glucose-free 95% N(2)/5% CO(2) bicarbonate buffer for 60 minutes) stimulated an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) from 111.9+/-7. 9 to 161.7+/-17.7 nmol/L (n=12, P:<0.01) in indo 1-loaded human aortic endothelial cells. On reoxygenation (glucose-containing 95% air/5% CO(2) bicarbonate buffer), 13 of 16 cells responded with repetitive [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations with an average amplitude of 570. 6+/-59.3 nmol/L, occurring at a mean interval of 0.28+/-0.04/min and persisting for >/=60 minutes. [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations were still observed in 4 of 7 cells studied in Ca(2+)-free buffer but did not occur when the intracellular Ca(2+) store was first depleted during hypoxia by either 1 micromol/L thapsigargin or by 10 mmol/L caffeine (n=6 for each). Reoxygenation-induced [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations were abolished by 10 micromol/L diphenyleneiodonium, an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase (n=7), and by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-catalase (5000 U/mL, n=4) but were not prevented by inhibitors of xanthine oxidase (n=5), cyclooxygenase (n=4), nitric oxide synthase (n=5), the mitochondrial electron transport chain (n=4), or by PEG-superoxide dismutase (n=5).

CONCLUSIONS

Posthypoxic reoxygenation stimulates repetitive [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations that are dependent on Ca(2+) release from an intracellular pool and require extracellular Ca(2+) to be maintained. These oscillations may be initiated by NAD(P)H oxidase-derived hydrogen peroxide and may play a role in signal transduction during ischemia/reperfusion in vivo.

Glutathione depletion and the production of reactive oxygen species in isolated hepatocyte suspensions

Diethyl maleate (DEM) (5 mM) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) (35 mM) treatments rapidly depleted cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) below detectable levels (1 nmol/10(6) cells), and induced lipid peroxidation and necrotic cell death in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. In hepatocytes incubated with 2.5 mM DEM and 10 mM EMS, however, the complete depletion of cellular GSH observed was not sufficient to induce lipid peroxidation or cell death. Instead, DEM- and EMS-induced lipid peroxidation and cell death were dependent on increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as measured by increases in dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. The addition of antioxidants (vitamin E succinate and deferoxamine) prevented lipid peroxidation and cell death, suggesting that lipid peroxidation is involved in the sequence of events leading to necrotic cell death induced by DEM and EMS. To investigate the subcellular site of ROS generation, the cytochrome P450 inhibitor, SKF525A, was found to reduce EMS-induced lipid peroxidation but did not protect against the loss of cell viability, suggesting a mitochondrial origin for the toxic lipid peroxidation event. In agreement with this conclusion, mitochondrial electron transport inhibitors (rotenone, thenoyltrifluoroacetone and antimycin A) increased EMS-induced lipid peroxidation and cell death, while the mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, blocked EMS- and DEM-mediated ROS production and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, EMS treatment resulted in the significant loss of mitochondrial alpha-tocopherol shortly after its addition, and this loss preceded losses in cellular alpha-tocopherol levels. Treatment of hepatocytes with cyclosporin A, a mitochondrial permeability transition inhibitor, oxypurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, or BAPTA-AM, a calcium chelator, provided no protection against EMS-induced cell death or lipid peroxidation. Our results indicate that DEM and EMS induce cell death by a similar mechanism, which is dependent on the induction of ROS production and lipid peroxidation, and mitochondria are the major source for this toxic ROS generation. Cellular GSH depletion in itself does not appear to be responsible for the large increases in ROS production and lipid peroxidation observed.