Disruption of Energy Transfer and Redox Status by Sulfite in Hippocampus, Striatum, and Cerebellum of Developing Rats

Increased ROS levels, antioxidant defense disturbances and bioenergetic disruption induced by thiosulfate administration in the brain of neonatal rats

Sulfite oxidase deficiencies, either caused by deficiency of the apoenzyme or the molybdenum cofactor, and ethylmalonic encephalopathy are inherited disorders that impact sulfur metabolism. These patients present with severe neurodeterioration accompanied by cerebral cortex and cerebellum abnormalities, and high thiosulfate levels in plasma and tissues, including the brain. We aimed to clarify the mechanisms of such abnormalities, so we assessed the ex vivo effects of thiosulfate administration on energetic status and oxidative stress markers in cortical and cerebellar tissues of newborn rats. Thiosulfate (0.5 µmol/g) or PBS (vehicle) was injected into the fourth ventricle of rat pups. Thirty minutes after the injection, animals were euthanized and the brain structures were utilized for the experiments. Our data showed that thiosulfate decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in the cortical structure. Thiosulfate also increased DCFH oxidation, hydrogen peroxide generation and glutathione reductase activity. In the cerebellum, thiosulfate reduced SOD and glutathione peroxidase activities but increased GST and CAT activities as well as DCFH oxidation. Regarding energy metabolism, thiosulfate specifically decreased complex IV activity in the cortex, whereas it increased cerebellar complex I and creatine kinase activities, indicating bioenergetic disturbances. The results suggest that the accumulation of thiosulfate causing redox disruption and bioenergetic alterations has a prominent role in the pathogenesis of sulfur metabolism deficiencies.

3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaric Acid Disrupts Brain Bioenergetics, Redox Homeostasis, and Mitochondrial Dynamics and Affects Neurodevelopment in Neonatal Wistar Rats

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acidemia (HMGA) is a neurometabolic inherited disorder characterized by the predominant accumulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) in the brain and biological fluids of patients. Symptoms often appear in the first year of life and include mainly neurological manifestations. The neuropathophysiology is not fully elucidated, so we investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of HMG on redox and bioenergetic homeostasis in the cerebral cortex and striatum of neonatal rats. Neurodevelopment parameters were also evaluated. HMG decreased the activity of glutathione reductase (GR) and increased catalase (CAT) in the cerebral cortex. In the striatum, HMG reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, CAT, GR, glutathione S-transferase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Regarding bioenergetics, HMG decreased the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and respiratory chain complexes II-III and IV in the cortex. HMG also decreased the activities of citrate synthase and succinate dehydrogenase, as well as complex IV in the striatum. HMG further increased DRP1 levels in the cortex, indicating mitochondrial fission. Finally, we found that the HMG-injected animals showed impaired performance in all sensorimotor tests examined. Our findings provide evidence that HMG causes oxidative stress, bioenergetic dysfunction, and neurodevelopmental changes in neonatal rats, which may explain the neuropathophysiology of HMGA.

Glycine disrupts myelin, glutamatergic neurotransmission, and redox homeostasis in a neonatal model for non ketotic hyperglycinemia

Non ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is an inborn error of glycine metabolism caused by mutations in the genes encoding glycine cleavage system proteins. Classic NKH has a neonatal onset, and patients present with severe neurodegeneration. Although glycine accumulation has been implicated in NKH pathophysiology, the exact mechanisms underlying the neurological damage and white matter alterations remain unclear. We investigated the effects of glycine in the brain of neonatal rats and MO3.13 oligodendroglial cells. Glycine decreased myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) in the corpus callosum and striatum of rats on post-natal day (PND) 15. Glycine also reduced neuroglycan 2 (NG2) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit 1 (NR1) in the cerebral cortex and striatum on PND15. Moreover, glycine reduced striatal glutamate aspartate transporter 1 (GLAST) content and neuronal nucleus (NeuN), and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) on PND15. Glycine also increased DCFH oxidation and malondialdehyde levels and decreased GSH concentrations in the cerebral cortex and striatum on PND6, but not on PND15. Glycine further reduced viability but did not alter DCFH oxidation and GSH levels in MO3.13 cells after 48- and 72-h incubation. These data indicate that impairment of myelin structure and glutamatergic system and induction of oxidative stress are involved in the neuropathophysiology of NKH.

Sulfite Impairs Bioenergetics and Redox Status in Neonatal Rat Brain: Insights into the Early Neuropathophysiology of Isolated Sulfite Oxidase and Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiencies

Isolated sulfite oxidase (ISOD) and molybdenum cofactor (MoCD) deficiencies are genetic diseases biochemically characterized by the toxic accumulation of sulfite in the tissues of patients, including the brain. Neurological dysfunction and brain abnormalities are commonly observed soon after birth, and some patients also have neuropathological alterations in the prenatal period (in utero). Thus, we investigated the effects of sulfite on redox and mitochondrial homeostasis, as well as signaling proteins in the cerebral cortex of rat pups. One-day-old Wistar rats received an intracerebroventricular administration of sulfite (0.5 µmol/g) or vehicle and were euthanized 30 min after injection. Sulfite administration decreased glutathione levels and glutathione S-transferase activity, and increased heme oxygenase-1 content in vivo in the cerebral cortex. Sulfite also reduced the activities of succinate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and respiratory chain complexes II and II-III. Furthermore, sulfite increased the cortical content of ERK1/2 and p38. These findings suggest that redox imbalance and bioenergetic impairment induced by sulfite in the brain are pathomechanisms that may contribute to the neuropathology of newborns with ISOD and MoCD. Sulfite disturbs antioxidant defenses, bioenergetics, and signaling pathways in the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats. CII: complex II; CII-III: complex II-III; CK: creatine kinase; GST: glutathione S-transferase; HO-1: heme oxygenase-1; SDH: succinate dehydrogenase; SO32-: sulfite.

Myelin Disruption, Neuroinflammation, and Oxidative Stress Induced by Sulfite in the Striatum of Rats Are Mitigated by the pan-PPAR agonist Bezafibrate

Sulfite predominantly accumulates in the brain of patients with isolated sulfite oxidase (ISOD) and molybdenum cofactor (MoCD) deficiencies. Patients present with severe neurological symptoms and basal ganglia alterations, the pathophysiology of which is not fully established. Therapies are ineffective. To elucidate the pathomechanisms of ISOD and MoCD, we investigated the effects of intrastriatal administration of sulfite on myelin structure, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in rat striatum. Sulfite administration decreased Fluoromyelin^TM and myelin basic protein staining, suggesting myelin abnormalities. Sulfite also increased the staining of NG2, a protein marker of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. In line with this, sulfite also reduced the viability of MO3.13 cells, which express oligodendroglial markers. Furthermore, sulfite altered the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), indicating neuroinflammation and redox homeostasis disturbances. Iba1 staining, another marker of neuroinflammation, was also increased by sulfite. These data suggest that myelin changes and neuroinflammation induced by sulfite contribute to the pathophysiology of ISOD and MoCD. Notably, post-treatment with bezafibrate (BEZ), a pan-PPAR agonist, mitigated alterations in myelin markers and Iba1 staining, and IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS and HO-1 expression in the striatum. MO3.13 cell viability decrease was further prevented. Moreover, pre-treatment with BEZ also attenuated some effects. These findings show the modulation of PPAR as a potential opportunity for therapeutic intervention in these disorders.

Synergistic effects of lipopolysaccharide and rotenone on dopamine neuronal damage in rats

INTRODUCTION

The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is still unknown. Until now, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PD. However, the specific synergistic role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the occurrence and development of PD remains unclear.

METHODS

The changes in motor behavior, dopamine (DA) neurons quantification and their mitochondrial respiratory chain, glial cells activation and secreted cytokines, Nrf2 signaling pathway, and redox balance in the brain of rats were evaluated.

RESULTS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation and rotenone (ROT)-induced oxidative stress synergistically aggravated motor dysfunction, DA neuron damage, activation of glial cells, and release of related mediators, activation of Nrf2 signaling and destruction of oxidative balance. In addition, further studies indicated that after ROT-induced oxidative stress caused direct damage to DA neurons, LPS-induced inflammatory effects had stronger promoting neurotoxic effects on the above aspects.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress synergistically aggravated DA neuronal loss. Furtherly, oxidative stress followed by neuroinflammation caused more DA neuronal loss than neuroinflammation followed by oxidative stress.

Ethylmalonic acid impairs bioenergetics by disturbing succinate and glutamate oxidation and induces mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in rat cerebellum

Tissue accumulation and high urinary excretion of ethylmalonic acid (EMA) are found in ethylmalonic encephalopathy (EE), an inherited disorder associated with cerebral and cerebellar atrophy whose pathogenesis is poorly established. The in vitro and in vivo effects of EMA on bioenergetics and redox homeostasis were investigated in rat cerebellum. For the in vitro studies, cerebellum preparations were exposed to EMA, whereas intracerebellar injection of EMA was used for the in vivo evaluation. EMA reduced state 3 and uncoupled respiration in vitro in succinate-, glutamate-, and malate-supported mitochondria, whereas decreased state 4 respiration was observed using glutamate and malate. Furthermore, mitochondria permeabilization and succinate supplementation diminished the decrease in state 3 with succinate. EMA also inhibited the activity of KGDH, an enzyme necessary for glutamate oxidation, in a mixed manner and augmented mitochondrial efflux of α-ketoglutarate. ATP levels were markedly reduced by EMA, reflecting a severe bioenergetic disruption. Docking simulations also indicated interactions between EMA and KGDH and a competition with glutamate and succinate for their mitochondrial transporters. In vitro findings also showed that EMA decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca²⁺ retention capacity, and induced swelling in the presence of Ca²⁺ , which were prevented by cyclosporine A and ADP and ruthenium red, indicating mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). Moreover, EMA, at high concentrations, mildly increased ROS levels and altered antioxidant defenses in vitro and in vivo. Our data indicate that EMA-induced impairment of glutamate and succinate oxidation and MPT may contribute to the pathogenesis of the cerebellum abnormalities in EE.

The mitochondrial-targeted reactive species scavenger JP4-039 prevents sulfite-induced alterations in antioxidant defenses, energy transfer, and cell death signaling in striatum of rats

Sulfite oxidase (SO) deficiency is a disorder caused either by isolated deficiency of SO or by defects in the synthesis of its molybdenum cofactor. It is characterized biochemically by tissue sulfite accumulation. Patients present with seizures, progressive neurological damage, and basal ganglia abnormalities, the pathogenesis of which is not fully established. Treatment is supportive and largely ineffective. To address the pathophysiology of sulfite toxicity, we examined the effects of intrastriatal administration of sulfite in rats on antioxidant defenses, energy transfer, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and apoptosis pathways in rat striatum. Sulfite administration decreased glutathione (GSH) concentration and glutathione peroxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase activities in striatal tissue. Creatine kinase (CK) activity, a crucial enzyme for cell energy transfer, was also decreased by sulfite. Superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) and catalase (CAT) proteins were increased, while heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was decreased. Additionally, sulfite altered phosphorylation of MAPK by decreasing of p38 and increasing of ERK. Sulfite further augmented the content of GSK-3β, Bok, and cleaved caspase-3, indicating increased apoptosis. JP4-039 is a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant that reaches higher intramitochondrial levels than other traditional antioxidants. Intraperitoneal injection of JP4-039 before sulfite administration preserved activity of antioxidant enzymes and CK. It also prevented or attenuated alterations in SOD1, CAT, and HO-1 protein content, as well as changes in p38, ERK, and apoptosis markers. In sum, oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by sulfite injection are prevented by JP4-039, identifying this molecule as a promising candidate for pharmacological treatment of SO-deficient patients.

Sulfite Alters the Mitochondrial Network in Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiency

Molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder belonging to the large family of inborn errors in metabolism. Patients typically present with encephalopathy and seizures early after birth and develop severe neurodegeneration within the first few weeks of life. The main pathomechanism underlying MoCD is the loss of function of sulfite oxidase (SO), a molybdenum cofactor (Moco) dependent enzyme located in mitochondrial intermembrane space. SO catalyzes the oxidation of sulfite (SO₃^2–) to sulfate (SO₄^2–) in the terminal reaction of cysteine catabolism, and in the absence of its activity, sulfurous compounds such as SO₃^2–, S-sulfocysteine, and thiosulfate accumulate in patients. Despite growing evidence that these compounds affect neuronal and mitochondrial function, the molecular basis of neuronal dysfunction and cell death in MoCD is still poorly understood. Here we show that mitochondria are severely affected by the loss of SO activity. SO-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts display reduced growth rates and impaired ATP production when cultured in galactose, which is an indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction. We also found that mitochondria in SO-deficient cells form a highly interconnected network compared to controls while displaying a slight decrease in motility and unchanged mitochondrial mass. Moreover, we show that the mitochondrial network is directly influenced by SO₃^2–, as a moderate elevation of SO₃^2– lead to the formation of an interconnected mitochondrial network, while high SO₃^2– levels induced fragmentation. Finally, we found a highly interconnected mitochondrial network in MoCD patient-derived fibroblasts, similar to our findings in mouse-derived fibroblasts. We therefore conclude that altered mitochondrial dynamics are an important contributor to the disease phenotype and suggest that MoCD should be included among the mitochondrial disorders.