2-Mercaptopropionylglycine improves aortic flow after reoxygenation in working rat hearts

[Anti-inflammatory constituents, aloesin and aloemannan in Aloe species and effects of tanshinon VI in Salvia miltiorrhiza on heart]

Cinnamoyl, p-coumaroyl, feruloyl, caffeoyl aloesin, and related compounds were isolated from Aloe species. The antiinflammatory and antioxidative activities of these compounds were examined based on the structure-activity relationship. It was suggested that the bioactivities may link to acyl ester groups in aloesin, together with those of aloesin-related compounds. However, investigations using the contact hypersensitivity response indicated a preventive effect of aloesin on the UV-B-induced immune suppression. Furthermore, aloesin inhibited tyrosine hydroxylase and dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) oxidase activities of tyrosinase from normal human melanocyte cell lysates. These results show that aloesin prevents not only UV-B-induced immune suppression, but also could be a positive pigment-altering agent for cosmetic application. In preclinical study, aloe extract was investigated using phagocytosis and nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) reduction in adult bronchial asthma, and high molecular-weight materials, such as polysaccharide and glycoprotein fractions, were identified as active ingredients. The neutral polysaccharides, aloemannan and acemannan showed antitumor, antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive activities, and glycoprotein fractions with bradykinindegrading and cell proliferation-stimulating activities were identified from the nondialysate fraction of the gel part of Aloe species. Verectin fractionated from Aloe vera gel was examined biochemically and immunochemically, and verectin antibody was used in the appraisal of commercial Aloe vera gel products. It was reported that aloesin stimulates the proliferation of cultured human hepatoma SK-Hep 1 cells. Thus aloesin, related compounds, and high molecular-weight materials, such as aloemannan and verectin, may act in concert to exert therapeutic properties for wounds, burns and inflammation. The biodisposition of fluoresceinylisothiocyanate (FITC)--labeled aloemannan (FITC-AM) with the homogenate from some organs in mice was demonstrated, and FITC-AM was metabolized to a smaller molecule (MW 3000) by the large intestinal microflora in feces. The modified aloe polysaccharide (MW: 80000) with cellulase under restricted conditions, immunologically stimulated the recovery of UV-B-induced tissue in jury. Thus the modified polysaccharides of aloemannan, together with acemannan (MW: about 600000), are expected to participate in biological activity following oral administration. The effects of tanshinone VI, a diterpenoid isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, on the heart are reviewed. First, the effects on the posthypoxic recovery of contractile function of perfused rat hearts were examined. Hypoxia/reoxygenation induced a release of purine nucleosides and bases (ATP metabolites) and resulted in little recovery of contractile force of reoxygenated hearts. Pretreatment of the perfused heart with 42 nM tanshinone VI under hypoxic conditions attenuated the release of ATP metabolites during hypoxia/reoxygenation. Treatment with tanshinone VI enhanced the posthypoxic recovery of myocardial contractility. These results show that tanshinone VI may protect the heart against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and improve the posthypoxic cardiac function. Second, the effects of tanshinone VI on in vitro myocardial remodeling were examined. Cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from neonatal rat hearts, and simultaneously prepared insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) induced the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. IGF-1 increased the collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts, that is, in vitro fibrosis. The hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes was attenuated in the presence of tanshinone VI in the culture medium. The fibrosis of cardiac fibroblasts was decreased by treatment with tanshinone VI. When tanshinone VI was added to cardiac fibroblast-conditioned medium, the medium-mediated hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes was also attenuated. These results show that tanshinone VI may attenuate in vitro cardiac remodeling. The series of studies has shown that tanshinone VI protects the myocardium against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and attenuates progression of in vitro myocardial remodeling, suggesting that tanshinone VI is a possible agent for the treatment of cardiac disease with contractile failure.

ADP- and oligomycin-sensitive redox behavior of F0 b thiol in ATPsynthase depends on neighbored primary structure: investigations using 14-C-labeled alpha lipoic acid

Purified ATPsynthase of bovine heart mitochondria has been analyzed for its mobility and reactivity of oligomycin-sensitive sulfhydryl regions in presence of the substrate ADP and oligomycin. Labeling of thiol groups at the hydrophobic F_0 region of the ATPsynthase was increased in the enzyme initially treated with SDS, N-ethylmaleimide and dithiothreitol (modified enzyme). After dialysis or gel permeation the ATPsynthase was treated with [14C] alpha lipoic acid at a molar ratio of 35-85/1 (lipoic acid/ATPsynthase) corresponding to 4-8.6 nmol/mg protein. Under these conditions, ATPase activity of the native enzyme was significantly decreased. After preincubation with ADP, PAGE of the native, [14C] labeled enzyme revealed an increase of radioactivity at a region of 25 kDa deduced to Cys 197 of subunit b. In the modified enzyme the increase in radioactivity was found at 10 kDa. In this context, the sequence Lys-Cys-Ile around Cys 197 of subunit b suggests excessive reactivity of this thiol, as well as ready reversibility by -SH-S-S- interchange. Therefore, previously observed reaction by thiol reagents and antioxidants from outside the mitochondrion can be interpreted with Cys 197 of F0 b. It accounts for sulfhydryl unmasked by binding of ADP at F1.

Attenuation of the acute adriamycin-induced cardiac and hepatic oxidative toxicity by N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine in rats

The protective effect of the synthetic aminothiol, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (MPG) on adriamycin (ADR) induced acute cardiac and hepatic oxidative toxicity was evaluated in rats. ADR toxicity, induced by a single intraperitoneal injection (15 mg/kg), was indicated by an elevation in the level of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). ADR produced significant elevation in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), indicating lipid peroxidation, and significantly inhibited the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in heart and liver tissues. In contrast, a single injection of ADR did not affect the cardiac or hepatic glutathione (GSH) content and cardiac catalase (CAT) activity but elevated hepatic CAT. Pretreatment with MPG, (2.5 mg/kg) intragastrically, significantly reduced TBARS concentration in both heart and liver and ameliorated the inhibition of cardiac and hepatic SOD activity. In addition, MPG significantly decreased the serum level of GOT, GPT, CK-MB, and LDH of ADR treated rats. These results suggest that MPG exhibited antioxidative potentials that may protect heart and liver against ADR-induced acute oxidative toxicity. This protective effect might be mediated, at least in part, by the high redox potential of sulfhydryl groups that limit the activity of free radicals generated by ADR.

Menadione mimics the infarct-limiting effect of preconditioning in isolated rat hearts

The role of mitochondrial free radicals in the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning was examined in isolated buffer-perfused rat hearts. Infarct size in control rat hearts subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion was 32.6 +/- 3.4% of the risk zone. Ischemic preconditioning (3 cycles of 5-min global ischemia/5-min reperfusion) before the same regional ischemia and reperfusion protocol significantly reduced infarct size to 2.6 +/- 0.8% of the risk zone. Perfusion with menadione (3.0 microM), a generator of mitochondrial free radicals, in lieu of preconditioning ischemia significantly reduced infarction to 10.9 +/- 2.7%. N-2-mercaptopropionylglycine (1.0 mM), a free radical scavenger, blocked the protection of menadione, significantly increasing infarction to 23.5 +/- 1.1%. Myxothiazol (0.6 microM), a site III mitochondrial inhibitor, blocked the protection of menadione and significantly increased infarction to 25.2 +/- 3.8%. The infarct-limiting effect of menadione was attenuated to 19.7 +/- 1.5% of the risk zone by 10 microM SB203580, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor. Furthermore, menadione significantly increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation to a level 5.6-fold over basal. These results indicate that free radicals that originate within mitochondria can activate p38 MAPK and protect hearts against infarction.

Lipoic acid reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models

Hypoxia and reoxygenation were studied in rat hearts and ischemia and reperfusion in rat hindlimbs. Free radicals are known to be generated through these events and to propagate complications. In order to reduce hypoxic/ischemic and especially reoxygenation/reperfusion injury the (re)perfusion conditions were ameliorated including the treatment with antioxidants (lipoate or dihydrolipoate). In isolated working rat hearts cardiac and mitochondrial parameters are impaired during hypoxia and partially recover in reoxygenation. Dihydrolipoate, if added into the perfusion buffer at 0.3 microM concentration, keeps the pH higher (7. 15) during hypoxia as compared to controls (6.98). The compound accelerates the recovery of the aortic flow and stabilizes it during reoxygenation. With dihydrolipoate, ATPase activity is reduced, ATP synthesis is increased and phosphocreatine contents are higher than in controls. Creatine kinase activity is maintained during reoxygenation in the dihydrolipoate series. Isolated rat hindlimbs were stored for 4 h in a moist chamber at 18 degrees C. Controls were perfused for 30 min with a modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 60 mmHg followed by 30 min Krebs-Henseleit perfusion at 100 mmHg. The dihydrolipoate group contained 8.3 microM in the modified reperfusate (controlled reperfusion). With dihydrolipoate, recovery of the contractile function was 49% (vs. 34% in controls) and muscle flexibility was maintained whereas it decreased by 15% in the controls. Release of creatine kinase was significantly lower with dihydrolipoate treatment. Dihydrolipoate effectively reduces reoxygenation injury in isolated working rat hearts. Controlled reperfusion, including lipoate, prevents reperfusion syndrome after extended ischemia in exarticulated rat hindlimbs and in an in vivo pig hindlimbs model.

Gradual changes in permeability of inner mitochondrial membrane precede the mitochondrial permeability transition

Some compounds are known to induce solute-nonselective permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) in Ca2+-loaded mitochondria. Existing data suggest that this process, following the opening of a mitochondrial permeability transition pore, is preceded by different solute-selective permeable states of IMM. At pH 7, for instance, the K0.5 for Ca2+-induced pore opening is 16 microM, a value 80-fold above a therapeutically relevant shift of intracellular Ca2+ during ischemia in vivo. The present work shows that in the absence of Ca2+, phenylarsine oxide and tetraalkyl thiuram disulfides (TDs) are able to induce a complex sequence of IMM permeability changes. At first, these agents activated an electrogenic K+ influx into the mitochondria. This K+-specific pathway had K0.5 = 35 mM for K+ and was inhibited by bromsulfalein with Ki = 2.5 microM. The inhibitors of mitochondrial KATP channel, ATP and glibenclamide, did not inhibit K+ transport via this pathway. Moreover, 50 microM glibenclamide induced by itself K+ influx into the mitochondria. After the increase in K+ permeability of IMM, mitochondria become increasingly permeable to protons. Mechanisms of H+ leak and nonselective permeability increase could also be different depending on the type of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) inducer. Thus, permeabilization of mitochondria induced by phenylarsine oxide was fully prevented by ADP and/or cyclosporin A, whereas TD-induced membrane alterations were insensitive toward these inhibitors. It is suggested that MPT in vivo leading to irreversible apoptosis is irrelevant in reversible ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Studies of hypoxemic/reoxygenation injury: without aortic clamping. VI. Counteraction of oxidant damage by exogenous antioxidants: N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine and catalase

This study tests the hypothesis that antioxidants administered before reoxygenation can reduce oxygen-mediated damage and improve myocardial performance. Of 25 Duroc-Yorkshire piglets (2 to 3 weeks, 3 to 5 kg) five underwent 60 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass without hypoxemia (control group), and five others underwent 30 minutes of hypoxemia on cardiopulmonary bypass with a circuit primed with oxygen tension about 25 mm Hg blood followed by reoxygenation on cardiopulmonary bypass (no treatment). In vitro studies were performed to obtain the optimal dosage of the antioxidants N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine and and catalase to be used in subsequent in vivo experimental studies; cardiac homogenates were incubated in 0 to 5 mmol/L concentrations of the oxidant t-butylhydroperoxide and malondialdehyde production was measured. Fifteen piglets were made hypoxemic on cardiopulmonary bypass for 30 minutes, and the antioxidants N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine at either 30 or 80 mg/kg body weight or N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, 30 mg/kg body weight, and catalase, 50,000 U/kg body weight, were added to the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit 15 minutes before reoxygenation. Left ventricular contractility, which was expressed as end-systolic elastance, was measured by conductance catheter before hypoxemia and after reoxygenation. Myocardial antioxidant reserve capacity was determined after reoxygenation by incubating cardiac homogenates in the oxidant t-butylhydroperoxide and measuring subsequent malondialdehyde elution. The in vitro bioassay studies showed a dose-dependent reduction of lipid peroxidation with N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, with maximal benefits of a 40% decrease and malondialdehyde elaboration occurring with N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine and catalase compared with untreated cardiac homogenates. Cardiopulmonary bypass (no hypoxemia) caused no oxidant damage or changes in contractile function after cardiopulmonary bypass. Reoxygenation without treatment raised conjugated diene levels 57%,* lowered antioxidant reserve capacity 51%,* and was associated with only 38%* recovery of contractile function (p < 0.05 vs control). In contrast, treatment with antioxidants avoided lipid peroxidation, maintained antioxidant reserve capacity, and resulted in a dose-dependent improvement in left ventricular contractility with complete recovery occurring in N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine and catalase-treated piglets (*p < 0.05 vs no treatment). This study confirms the occurrence of hypoxemic/reoxygenation injury in immature hearts placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and shows that biochemical and functional damage can be counteracted by adding antioxidants to the cardiopulmonary bypass priming fluid. Contractile function improved in a dose-dependent manner, and oxygen-mediated damage could be avoided by mercaptopropionyl glycine/catalase treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Enhanced expression of superoxide dismutase messenger RNA in viral myocarditis. An SH-dependent reduction of its expression and myocardial injury

The oxygen free radical system has been reported to be activated by influenza virus infection in the lungs. However, the involvement of oxygen radicals in viral myocarditis is still unknown. Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and potent free radical scavenger with a sulfhydryl group, was effective for the treatment of viral myocarditis, while enalapril, an ACE inhibitor without a sulfhydryl group, was not effective against acute myocarditis. In this study, we investigated the role of oxygen radicals in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis and the therapeutic effects of agents with a sulfhydryl group. 4-wk-old BALB/c mice were inoculated with the encephalomyocarditis virus, and treated with captopril or N,2-mercapto-propionyl glycine (MPG), a sulfhydryl-containing amino acid derivative without ACE inhibiting property, from days 4 to 14. On day 14, captopril and MPG significantly improved survival of mice and myocardial injury (necrosis, cellular infiltration, and calcification) in a dose-dependent manner compared with the infected control group. Thus, captopril and MPG were effective for the treatment of virus-induced myocarditis. Furthermore, a striking induction of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and copper/zinc SOD (Cu/Zn-SOD) mRNAs in infected hearts was found (8-13-fold for Mn-SOD and 4-11-fold for Cu/Zn-SOD) when compared with age-matched uninfected mice hearts. MPG completely inhibited the increase of both mRNAs, even when treatment was started on day 4. Thus, oxygen radicals may play an important role in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis, and a therapeutic approach by eliminating oxygen radicals seems possible.

Generation of free radicals in Langendorff and working hearts during normoxia, hypoxia, and reoxygenation

The release of .OH and alkyl free radicals into the coronary flow were compared in Langendorff perfused and working rat hearts during normoxia (30 min), hypoxia (30 min) and reoxygenation (60 min) by means of spin-trapping techniques using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO). In Langendorff hearts, there was a small but steady increase in the radical concentration during the course of hypoxia and reoxygenation. At the start of reoxygenation, only small initial peaks of hydroxyl and alkyl radicals occurred. After a general decrease of free radical production during hypoxia, working hearts produced nearly double the amount of free radicals during reoxygenation as Langendorff hearts. After an initial large increase during early reoxygenation, the amount of free radicals produced fluctuated on a high level during the remaining reoxygenation period. Heart work is thus correlated with an increased production of free radicals, possibly due to an increase in oxygen consumption by the heart.

Reduction of infarct size by cell-permeable oxygen metabolite scavengers

The timely restoration of blood flow to severely ischemic myocardium limits myocardial infarct size. However, experimental studies demonstrate that the myocardial salvage achieved is suboptimal because of additional injury that occurs during reperfusion, due in part to the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites. Initially, superoxide (O2-) was considered to be the central mediator of reperfusion injury. While there are several potential pathways of O2- generation in reperfused myocardium, O2- is poorly reactive toward tissue biomolecules. However, O2-, in the presence of redox-active metals such as iron, generates .OH or hydroxyl-like species that are highly reactive with cell constituents. Thus, while O2- may initiate reaction sequences leading to myocardial injury, it may not be the actual injurious agent. In vitro studies suggest that oxygen metabolite injury occurs at intracellular sites and involves iron-catalyzed processes. Consistent with this mechanism, extracellular oxygen metabolite scavengers have not convincingly reduced infarct size. However, treatment around the time of reperfusion, after ischemia is well established, with cell-permeable scavengers of .OH reduce infarct size. Results with these cell-permeable agents suggest that in the intact animal during regional ischemia and reperfusion, oxygen metabolite injury also occurs at intracellular sites. Cell-permeable scavenger agents are a promising class of drugs for potential clinical use, though further experimental and toxicologic studies are required.

Thiol compounds as protective agents in erythrocytes under oxidative stress

The potential for the thiol-containing drugs, N-acetyl cysteine and N-mercaptopropionyl glycine, to act as antioxidants intracellularly has been studied in erythrocytes under oxidative stress. The effects have been compared with that of the glutathione peroxidase inhibitor, mercaptosuccinate. The results show differential responses of sickle and normal erythrocytes to the thiol compounds. N-acetyl cysteine is the more efficacious with no toxic effects in these systems. N-Mercaptopropionyl glycine is not only limited in its ability to demonstrate antioxidant capacity in erythrocytes but also exerts deleterious effects.

Dihydrolipoic acid activates oligomycin-sensitive thiol groups and increases ATP synthesis in mitochondria

Investigations with dihydrolipoic acid in rat heart mitochondria and mitoplasts reveal an activation of ATP-synthase up to 45%, whereas ATPase activities decrease by 36%. In parallel with an increase in ATP synthesis oligomycin-sensitive mitochondrial -SH groups are activated at 2-4 nmol dihydrolipoic acid/mg protein. ATPase activation by the uncouplers carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and oleate is diminished by dihydrolipoic acid, and ATP synthesis depressed by oleate is partially restored. No such efficiency of dihydrolipoic acid is seen with palmitate-induced ATPase activation or decrease of ATP synthesis. This indicates different interference of oleate and palmitate with mitochondria. In addition to its known coenzymatic properties dihydrolipoic acid may act as a substitute for coenzyme A, thereby diminishing the uncoupling efficiency of oleate. Furthermore, dihydrolipoic acid is a very potent antioxidant, shifting the -SH-S-S- equilibrium in mitochondria to the reduced state and improving the energetic state of cells.