Lipid oxidation in biological membranes. Electron transfer proteins as initiators of lipid autoxidation

A versatile delivery vehicle for cellular oxygen and fuels or metabolic sensor? A review and perspective on the functions of myoglobin

A canonical view of the primary physiological function of myoglobin (Mb) is that it is an oxygen (O2) storage protein supporting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, especially as the tissue O2 partial pressure (Po2) drops and Mb off-loads O2. Besides O2 storage/transport, recent findings support functions for Mb in lipid trafficking and sequestration, interacting with cellular glycolytic metabolites such as lactate (LAC) and pyruvate (PYR), and "ectopic" expression in some types of cancer cells and in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Data from Mb knockout (Mb-/-) mice and biochemical models suggest additional metabolic roles for Mb, especially regulation of nitric oxide (NO) pools, modulation of BAT bioenergetics, thermogenesis, and lipid storage phenotypes. From these and other findings in the literature over many decades, Mb's function is not confined to delivering O2 in support of oxidative phosphorylation but may serve as an O2 sensor that modulates intracellular Po2- and NO-responsive molecular signaling pathways. This paradigm reflects a fundamental change in how oxidative metabolism and cell regulation are viewed in Mb-expressing cells such as skeletal muscle, heart, brown adipocytes, and select cancer cells. Here, we review historic and emerging views related to the physiological roles for Mb and present working models illustrating the possible importance of interactions between Mb, gases, and small-molecule metabolites in regulation of cell signaling and bioenergetics.

[Clinical manifestations of asthma during combination therapy using ceruloplasmin]

AIM

To estimate the time course of clinical changes in patients with asthma during combination therapy using ceruloplasmin (CP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 92 asthmatic patients were examined. Their medical history data were collected; external lung function testing and clinical, laboratory, and instrumental examinations, involving the determination of the indicators of lipid peroxidation (LPO) (malonic dialdehyde (MDA), methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin) and the antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase (COD), sulfhydryl groups), were performed in all the patients over time. According to the therapy used, the patients were divided into 2 groups matched for gender, age, and clinical manifestations of the disease. A study group consisted of 45 patients who took CP in addition to conventional therapy. A comparison group included 47 patients receiving standard therapy.

RESULTS

During the combination therapy using CP, the asthmatic patients showed a reduction in the elevated concentrations of MDA, methemoglobin, and carboxyhemoglobin and increases in the activity of COD and in the levels of sulfhydryl groups, which was followed by a considerable clinical improvement. During the conventional therapy, the indicators of LPO remained high and those of the antioxidant system did low, suggesting permanent oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

CP incorporation into the combination therapy of asthmatic patients contributes to elimination of prooxidant-antioxidant imbalance, which is followed by a marked positive clinical effect.

Acetaminophen inhibits cytochrome c redox cycling induced lipid peroxidation

Cytochrome (cyt) c can uncouple from the respiratory chain following mitochondrial stress and catalyze lipid peroxidation. Accumulating evidence shows that this phenomenon impairs mitochondrial respiratory function and also initiates the apoptotic cascade. Therefore, under certain conditions a pharmacological approach that can inhibit cyt c catalyzed lipid peroxidation may be beneficial. We recently showed that acetaminophen (ApAP) at normal pharmacologic concentrations can prevent hemoprotein-catalyzed lipid peroxidation in vitro and in vivo by reducing ferryl heme to its ferric state. We report here, for the first time, that ApAP inhibits cytochrome c-catalyzed oxidation of unsaturated free fatty acids and also the mitochondrial phospholipid, cardiolipin. Using isolated mitochondria, we also showed that ApAP inhibits cardiolipin oxidation induced by the pro-apoptotic protein, tBid. We found that the IC(50) of the inhibition of cardiolipin oxidation by ApAP is similar in both intact isolated mitochondria and cardiolipin liposomes, suggesting that ApAP penetrates well into the mitochondria. Together with our previous results, the findings presented herein suggest that ApAP is a pleiotropic inhibitor of peroxidase catalyzed lipid peroxidation. Our study also provides a potentially novel pharmacological approach for inhibiting the cascade of events that can result from redox cycling of cyt c.

Identification of the Several New Radicals Formed in the Reaction Mixture of Oxidized Linoleic Acid with Ferrous Ions using HPLC-ESR and HPLC-ESR-MS

ESR, HPLC-ESR and HPLC-ESR-MS analyses were performed for the reaction mixtures of oxidized linoleic acid with ferrous ions combined use of spin trapping technique. More than 14 peaks were detected on the HPLC-ESR elution profile. In addition to 7-carboxyheptyl and pentyl radicals, several new radicals such as 7-carboxyldihydroxyheptyl, 1,5-dihydroxypentyl, 8-carboxy-1-hydroxyoctyl, 7-carboxy-1-hydroxyheptyl, 1-hydroxypentyl and 1-hydroxyhexyl were identified using HPLC-ESR and HPLC-ESR-MS.

Myoglobin-induced lipid oxidation. A review

An overview of myoglobin-initiated lipid oxidation in simple model systems, muscle, and muscle-based foods is presented. The potential role of myoglobin spin and redox states in initiating lipid oxidation is reviewed. Proposed mechanisms for myoglobin-initiated lipid oxidation in muscle tissue (pH 7.4) and meat (pH 5.5) are evaluated with the purpose of putting forward general mechanisms explaining present observations regarding the catalytic events.

Cytochrome c catalyses the formation of pentyl radical and octanoic acid radical from linoleic acid hydroperoxide

A reaction of 13-hydroperoxide octadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE) with cytochrome c was analysed using ESR, HPLC-ESR and HPLC-ESR-MS by the combined use of the spin-trapping technique. The ESR, HPLC-ESR and HPLC-ESR-MS analyses showed that cytochrome c catalyses formation of pentyl and octanoic acid radicals from 13-HPODE. On the other hand, only the alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-t-butylnitrone/octanoic acid radical adduct was detected in the elution profile of HPLC-ESR for a mixture of 13-HPODE with haematin, indicating that haematin catalyses the formation of octanoic acid radical. In addition, the reaction of 13-HPODE with cytochrome c was inhibited by chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid via two possible mechanisms, i.e. reducing cytochrome c (chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid) and scavenging the radical intermediates (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid).

A unique antioxidant activity of phosphatidylserine on iron-induced lipid peroxidation of phospholipid bilayers

The relationship between the antioxidant effect of acidic phospholipids, phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylserine (PS), on iron-induced lipid peroxidation of phospholipid bilayers and their abilities to bind iron ion was examined in egg yolk phosphatidylcholine large unilamellar vesicles (EYPC LUV). The effect of each acidic phospholipid added to the vesicles at 10 mol% was assessed by measuring phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides (PC-OOH) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. The addition of dipalmitoyl PS (DPPS) showed a significant inhibitory effect, although the other two acidic phospholipids, dipalmitoyl PA (DPPA) and dipalmitoyl PG (DPPG), did not exert the inhibition. Neither dipalmitoyl PC (DPPC) nor dipalmitoyl phophatidylethanolamine (DPPE) showed any remarkable inhibition on this system. None of the tested phospholipids affected the lipid peroxidation rate remarkably when the vesicles were exposed to a water-soluble radical generator. The iron-binding ability of each phospholipid was estimated on the basis of the amounts of iron recovered in the chloroform/methanol phase after separation of the vesicle solution to water/methanol and chloroform/methanol phases. EYPC LUV containing DPPS, DPPA, and DPPG had higher amounts of bound iron than those containing DPPC and DPPE, indicating that these three acidic phospholipids possess an iron-binding ability at a similar level. Nevertheless, only DPPS suppressed iron-dependent decomposition of PC-OOH significantly. Therefore, it is likely that these three acidic phospholipids possess a significant iron-binding ability, although this ability per se does not warrant them antioxidative activities. The ability to suppress the iron-dependent decomposition of PC-OOH may explain the unique antioxidant activity of PS.

Prooxidant activity of beta-hematin (synthetic malaria pigment) in arachidonic acid micelles and phospholipid large unilamellar vesicles

Intraerythrocytic malaria parasite has evolved a unique pathway to detoxify hemoglobin-derived heme by forming a crystal of Ferri-protoporphyrin IX dimers, known as hemozoin or "malaria pigment." The prooxidant activity of beta-hematin (BH), the synthetic malaria pigment obtained from hematin at acidic pH, was studied in arachidonic acid micelles and phospholipid Large Unilamellar Vesicles (LUVs) and compared to that of alpha-hematin (AH, Ferri-protoporphyrin IX-hydroxide) and hemin (HE, Ferri-protoporphyrin-chloride). Lipid peroxidation was measured as production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The extent of peroxidation induced by either AH or BH was strongly dependent upon the content of pre-existing hydroperoxides and efficiently inhibited by triphenylphosphine, a deoxygenating agent able to reduce hydroperoxides to hydroxides and by lipophilic scavengers. BH prooxidant activity was linearly related to the material, whereas that of AH seemed dependent on the aggregation state of the porphyrin. Maximal activity was observed when AH was present in concentration lower than 2 microM. In this case a shift of spectra in the Soret region, leading to the increase of the O.D. 400/385 nm ratio, suggested a transition toward a less aggregated state. BH prooxidant activity was significantly lower than that of monomeric AH, yet higher than that of AH aggregates. Differently from AH aggregates, BH-induced peroxidation was unaffected by GSH and inhibited rather than enhanced by acidic pH (5.7) and chloroquine. UV/Vis spectroscopy of AH aggregates at acidic pH, low GSH concentrations and chloroquine suggests a shift of AH aggregates toward the less aggregated state, more active as peroxidation catalyst.

Prooxidant effects of ferrous iron, hemoglobin, and ferritin in oil emulsion and cooked-meat homogenates are different from those in raw-meat homogenates

Oil emulsion and raw and cooked tissue homogenates were used to determine the mechanisms of various iron forms on the catalysis of lipid peroxidation. Flax oil (0.25 g) was blended with 160 mL maleate buffer (0.1 M, pH 6.5) to prepare an oil emulsion. Raw or cooked turkey leg meat was used to prepare meat homogenates. Samples were prepared by adding iron from each of the various sources, reactive oxygen species, or enzyme (xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase) systems into the oil emulsion or meat homogenates. In oil emulsion and cooked-meat homogenates, ferrous iron and hemoglobin had strong prooxidant effects, but ferritin became prooxidant only when ascorbate was present. Hemoglobin and ferritin had no prooxidant effect in raw-meat homogenates. The status of heme iron and the released iron from hemoglobin had little effect on the prooxidant effect of hemoglobin in oil emulsion and cooked meat homogenate systems. The prooxidant effect of ferrous iron in oil emulsion and cooked-meat homogenates disappeared in the presence of superoxide (.O2-), H2O2, or xanthine oxidase systems. In raw-meat homogenates, however, ferrous had strong prooxidant effects even in the presence of .O2-, or H2O2. The status of free iron was the most important factor in the oxidation of oil emulsion and cooked-meat homogenates but the impact in raw-meat homogenates was small.

Kinetics of radiation- and cytochrome c-induced modifications in liposomes analysed by FT-Raman spectroscopy

Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy on artificial lipid membranes was used to study radiation-induced peroxidation processes as a function of time after radiation exposure. The time dependent intensity changes of the Raman lines of various C=C bondings were compared to results obtained by measuring conjugated dienes and by the thiobarbituric acid test for malondialdehydes. The results show that mainly the cis C=C bonds of the lipid chains are involved and, therefore, indicate that gamma-radiation induces conformational changes in the lipid chain while the mobility of the lipid chains is reduced. New Raman bands can be assigned to aldehyde products induced at the end of the peroxidation process. The immediate decrease of the =CH vibration lines was directly correlated with the formation of conjugated C=C double bonds suggesting that these vibration lines are in contrast to the C=C lines solely Raman active, when isolated C=C bonds are present. Cytochrome c (ox.) incorporated into the bilayer of the artificial membranes induced autooxidation processes not influenced by gamma-radiation. It was observed that cytochrome c (ox.)-induced changes of the relative intensity of the C=C bonds differ from those induced by gamma-radiation. These results of cytochrome c together with the inhibitory effects of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol suggest that the radical species involved in the cytochrome c induced process might be different from the free radicals involved in the gamma-radiation-induced process.

How does superoxide dismutase protect against tumor necrosis factor: a hypothesis informed by effect of superoxide on "free" iron

The manganese-containing mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is induced by TNF and protects against the necrotic effect of this cytokine. Yet TNF does not increase production of O2- in mitochondria. How is this to be reconciled? TNF is known to increase production of arachidonate, by activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Arachidonate will be converted to the corresponding alkyl hydroperoxide by lipoxygenase. O2- increases "free" iron by oxidizing [4Fe-4S] clusters of dehydratases, such as aconitase. Ferrous iron in turn reacts with alkyl hydroperoxides, in an analogue of the Fenton reaction, to produce alkoxyl radicals: which can initiate the oxidation of polyunsaturated lipids by a free radical chain reaction. MnSOD protects against TNF by decreasing O2- attack on [4Fe-4S] clusters and thus lowering free iron. Inhibitors of PLA2 and of lipoxygenase should also protect by decreasing fatty acyl hydroperoxides and they are known to do so. Cells having little mitochondrial MnSOD, or cells unable to induce that defensive enzyme in response to TNF, will consequently have relatively high levels of "free" iron in that organelle; leading to enhanced lipid peroxidation. Such cells will be preferentially killed by this cytokine.

Effects of membrane charges and hydroperoxides on Fe(II)-supported lipid peroxidation in liposomes

The processes in producing a lag phase in Fe2+-supported lipid peroxidation in liposomes were investigated. Incorporation of phosphatidylserine (PS) or dicetyl phosphate (DCP) into phosphatidylcholine [PC(A)] liposomes, which have arachidonic acid, produced a marked lag phase in Fe(2+)-supported peroxidation, where PS was more effective than DCP. Phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl [PC(DP)] with a net-neutral charge was still effective in producing a lag phase, though weak. Increasing concentrations of PS, DCP, and PC(DP) prolonged the lag period. Initially after adding Fe2+, slight oxygen consumption occurred in PC(A)/PS liposomes including hydroperoxides, followed by a lag phase. An increase in the hydroperoxide resulted in a shortening of the lag period. The initial events of Fe2+ oxidation accompanied by oxygen consumption were dependent on the hydroperoxide content, but significant changes in diene conjugation and hydroperoxide levels at this stage were not found. The molar ratios of both disappeared Fe2+ and consumed O2 to preformed hydroperoxide in liposomes with or without tert-butylhydroxytoluene were constant, regardless of the different amounts of lipid hydroperoxides. The antioxidant completely inhibited the propagation of lipid peroxidation in the lipid phase, following a lag phase. In a model system containing 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, Fe2+ were consumed. We suggest that Fe2+ retained at a high level on membrane surfaces play a role in producing a lag phase following the terminating behavior of a sequence of free radical reactions initiated by hydroperoxide decomposition, probably by intercepting peroxyl radicals.

Pharmaceutics and drug delivery aspects of heme and porphyrin therapy

The importance of porphyrins and metalloporphyrins as therapeutic drugs has increased significantly over the last decade. This review highlights some of the challenges faced by pharmaceutical scientists in formulating these drugs into stable, effective, and safe dosage forms. Most activity in the clinic has focused on three areas: photodynamic therapy of cancer (e.g., hematoporphyrin derivatives), porphyrias and hematological diseases (e.g., heme), and various forms of jaundice (e.g., tin porphyrins). The biodistribution, stability, aggregation, toxicology, and analytical methodology of porphyrin drugs are all important considerations in the pharmaceutical development of porphyrin drugs. The utility of delivery systems such as liposomes hold promise of increasing the therapeutic potential of these drugs. Future prospects for therapeutic applications of porphyrin drugs are also discussed.

Coupling of dihydroriboflavin oxidation to the formation of the higher valence states of hemeproteins

The reactions between hydrogen peroxide and hemeproteins have been coupled to the oxidation of dihydroriboflavin so as to provide a simple method for measuring the rate constant of hemeprotein peroxidation. Dihydroriboflavin rapidly reduces the higher oxidation states of iron and the hydroxy radicals which are the products of the hemeprotein/hydrogen peroxide reaction. The rapid reduction of these highly reactive compounds prevents the hemeproteins from undergoing irreversible chemical modifications and thus allows the kinetics of peroxidation to be studied. The rate constants at pH 7.2 and 23 degrees C for the peroxidation of horseradish peroxidase, myoglobin, and ferrocytochrome c are found to be 6.2 x 10(6), 7.5 x 10(4), and 8 x 10(3)M-1s-1, respectively. These studies suggest that reduced riboflavin might efficiently protect cells from oxidative damage such as that occurring in inflammation and reperfusion injury.

Mechanism for the generation of superoxide anion and singlet oxygen during heme compound-catalyzed linoleic acid hydroperoxide decomposition

Heme compound, hematin or cytochrome c, catalyzes the decomposition of 13-hydroperoxy linoleic acid yielding both O2- and 1O2 under aerobic conditions. No 1O2 is produced when hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide are used as substrates. In these experiments, both O2- and 1O2 could be precisely detected by a chemiluminescence method using a cypridina luciferin analog, 2-methyl-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin++ +-3-one, as a chemiluminescence probe, in the absence and presence of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase in catalytic amounts. The reduction and oxidation cycle of ferric heme compound and the bimolecular reaction of peroxyl radicals are plausible reaction mechanisms for O2- and 1O2 production, respectively, in the systems studied.

Hematin- and peroxide-catalyzed peroxidation of phospholipid liposomes

The effect of hydroperoxides on hematin-catalyzed initiation and propagation of lipid peroxidation was examined utilizing soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomes as model membranes. Polarographic and spectrophotometric methods revealed a bimodal pseudocatalytic activity for hematin. A slow initiation phase of peroxidation was observed in the presence of low peroxide concentrations, whereas a fast propagative phase was observed at higher peroxide levels. Peroxide levels were manipulated enzymatically by the combination of phospholipase A2 and lipoxidase or by the direct addition of linoleic acid hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, or hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the effect of two different techniques for liposome preparation, i.e., sonication and extrusion, were compared on the basis of peroxidation kinetics. High pressure liquid chromatography analysis showed that sonicated liposomes contained higher levels of endogenous peroxides than the extruded ones. These sonicated liposomes also exhibited more rapid peroxidation following hematin addition. Extruded liposomes were more resistant to hematin-catalyzed peroxidation but became better substrates when exogenous hydroperoxides were added. All three peroxides reacted with hematin during which decomposition of peroxide and irreversible oxidation of hematin took place. Spectral analysis of hematin indicated that a higher oxidation state of hematin iron may be transiently formed during reaction with hydroperoxides and accounts for the propagation of lipid peroxidation when reactions proceed in the presence of soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Of the three peroxides studied, linoleic acid hydroperoxide was most efficient in supporting hematin-catalyzed lipid peroxidation. The relevance of our findings is discussed in terms of the concentration dependence for lipid peroxides in determining the rate and extent of radical propagation chain reactions catalyzed by heme-iron catalysts such as hematin. Variation of hematin and linoleic hydroperoxide concentrations may provide an efficient and reproducible method for inducing and manipulating the rates and extent of lipid peroxidation through facilitation of the propagative phase of lipid peroxidation. In addition, we address a problem inherent to in vitro studies of heme-catalyzed lipid peroxidation where preparations of peroxide-free membranes should be of concern.

Cytochrome c-catalyzed membrane lipid peroxidation by hydrogen peroxide

Cytochrome c(3+)-catalyzed peroxidation of phosphatidylcholine liposomes by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was indicated by the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, oxygen consumption, and emission of spontaneous chemiluminescence. The iron chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) only partially inhibited peroxidation when H2O2 concentrations were 200 microM or greater. In contrast, iron compounds such as ferric chloride, potassium ferricyanide, and hemin induced H2O2-dependent lipid peroxidation which was totally inhibitable by DTPA. Cyanide and urate, which react at or near the cytochrome-heme, completely prevented lipid peroxidation, while hydroxyl radical scavengers and superoxide dismutase had very little or no inhibitory effect. Changes in liposome surface charge did not influence cytochrome c3+ plus H2O2-dependent peroxidation, but a net negative charge was critical in favoring cytochrome c(3+)-dependent, H2O2-independent lipid auto-oxidative processes. These results show that reaction of cytochrome c with H2O2 promotes membrane oxidation by more than one chemical mechanism, including formation of high oxidation states of iron at the cytochrome-heme and also by heme iron release at higher H2O2 concentrations. Cytochrome c3+ could react with mitochondrial H2O2 to yield "site-specific" mitochondrial membrane lipid peroxidation during tissue oxidant stress.

Induction of cytotoxicity and mutagenesis is facilitated by fatty acid hydroperoxidase activity in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells)

The metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene and 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene was studied in V79 Chinese hamster fibroblasts after supplementations with arachidonic acid or treatments with linoleic acid hydroperoxide. The extent of metabolic activation was estimated using cytotoxicity and mutagenesis as endpoints. Pretreatment of cells with arachidonic acid for 24 h resulted in significant elevations in the content of this fatty acid in cell phospholipids and increased prostaglandin synthesis. Arachidonic acid and linoleic acid hydroperoxide facilitated 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene cytotoxicity and mutagenesis, and to a lesser extent increased the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene. No other compounds tested were mutagenic under these conditions, however, linoleic acid hydroperoxide markedly increased their cytotoxicity. Arachidonic acid-facilitated toxicity and mutagenesis was inhibited by indomethacin, whereas no inhibition was seen when linoleic acid hydroperoxide was used. Nordihyroquairaretic acid abolished the cytotoxicity and mutagenesis facilitated by arachidonic acid and linoleic acid hydroperoxide. Our findings demonstrate that induction of cytotoxicity and mutagenesis following treatment of V79 cells with carcinogens may be limited by low levels of arachidonic acid in these cells. A peroxidatic mechanism is proposed, with limited substrate specificity, for the metabolic activation of chemicals in V79 cells.

Initiation of lipid peroxidation in biological systems

The direct oxidation of PUFA by triplet oxygen is spin forbidden. The data reviewed indicate that lipid peroxidation is initiated by nonenzymatic and enzymatic reactions. One of the first steps in the initiation of lipid peroxidation in animal tissues is by the generation of a superoxide radical (see Figure 16), or its protonated molecule, the perhydroxyl radical. The latter could directly initiate PUFA peroxidation. Hydrogen peroxide which is produced by superoxide dismutation or by direct enzymatic production (amine oxidase, glucose oxidase, etc.) has a very crucial role in the initiation of lipid peroxidation. Hydrogen peroxide reduction by reduced transition metal generates hydroxyl radicals which oxidize every biological molecule. Hydrogen peroxide also activates myoglobin, hemoglobin, and other heme proteins to a compound containing iron at a higher oxidation state, Fe(IV) or Fe(V), which initiates lipid peroxidation even on membranes. Complexed iron could also be activated by O2- or by H2O2 to ferryl iron compound, which is supposed to initiate PUFA peroxidation. The presence of hydrogen peroxide, especially hydroperoxides, activates enzymes such as cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. These enzymes produce hydroperoxides and other physiological active compounds known as eicosanoids. Lipid peroxidation could also be initiated by other free radicals. The control of superoxide and perhydroxyl radical is done by SOD (a) (see Figure 16). Hydrogen peroxide is controlled in tissues by glutathione-peroxidase, which also affects the level of hydroperoxides (b). Hydrogen peroxide is decomposed also by catalase (b). Caeruloplasmin in extracellular fluids prevents the formation of free reduced iron ions which could decompose hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl radical (c). Hydroxyl radical attacks on target lipid molecules could be prevented by hydroxyl radical scavengers, such as mannitol, glucose, and formate (d). Reduced compounds and antioxidants (ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, polyphenols, etc.) (e) prevent initiation of lipid peroxidation by activated heme proteins, ferryl ion, and cyclo- and lipoxygenase. In addition, cyclooxygenase is inhibited by aspirin and nonsteroid drugs, such as indomethacin (f). The classical soybean lipoxygenase inhibitors are antioxidants, such as nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and others, and the substrate analog 5,8,11,14 eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), which also inhibit cyclooxygenase (g). In food, lipoxygenase is inhibited by blanching. Initiation of lipid peroxidation was derived also by free radicals, such as NO2. or CCl3OO. This process could be controlled by antioxidants (e).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Protective effects of N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine against myocardial reperfusion injury after neutrophil depletion in the dog: evidence for the role of intracellular-derived free radicals

Reperfusion of the previously ischemic myocardium is associated with the production of oxygen free radicals and their metabolites, which contribute to the ultimate extent of irreversible myocardial injury. The relative importance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes vs intracellular-derived oxygen metabolites has remained uncertain. We evaluated the effectiveness of a free-radical scavenger, N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG), in limiting infarct size after ischemia/reperfusion in dogs that were depleted of neutrophils with specific antisera. Twenty-four urethane-anesthetized open-chest dogs were subjected to 90 min of ischemia by occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery followed by 6 hr of reperfusion. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive nonimmune serum, neutrophil antiserum, or neutrophil antiserum plus MPG (20 mg/kg intra-atrially 15 min before reperfusion was initiated and for 45 min after reperfusion). Infarct size, as a percent of the area at risk, was reduced by 33% in the neutrophil antiserum group as compared with the nonimmune group (30.7 +/- 2.7% vs 45.6 +/- 3.7%, p less than .01). The combined administration of neutrophil antiserum plus MPG reduced the size of infarction by 63% of the area at risk compared with that in the nonimmune group (17.0 +/- 2.7% vs 45.6 +/- 3.7%, p less than .01). The reduction in infarct size with neutrophil antiserum plus MPG was significantly greater than that with the neutrophil antiserum alone (p less than .01). The areas at risk did not differ among the groups. Myocardial protection could not be explained on the basis of hemodynamic differences. The observation that MPG enhances the protective effects of neutrophil depletion suggests that both extramyocardial- and intramyocardial-derived oxygen free radicals contribute significantly to reperfusion-induced myocardial injury.

Detection of oxygen consumption during very early stages of lipid peroxidation by ESR nitroxide spin probe method

Oxygen consumption during the very early stages of the spontaneous peroxidation of egg yolk phosphatidylcholine membranes was studied by monitoring the oxygen concentration in the aqueous phase of the sample using a spin-probe closed-chamber method. The method depends on the broadening by oxygen of the proton superhyperfine lines of the electron spin resonance spectra of the nitroxide radical spin probe 3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrroline-1-yloxyl. It is concluded that this method is useful in monitoring lipid peroxidation and that it monitors the onset of the peroxidation process before the commonly used thiobarbituric acid assay detects the peroxidation products.

Phospholipid oxidation catalyzed by cytochrome c in liposomes

Oxidation of liposome phospholipids has been studied in the presence of cytochrome c. Sonicated vesicles of soya bean or egg-yolk lipids, or purified phospholipid preparations, were treated with oxidized cytochrome c at a 10:4 lipid/protein ratio (w/w). Lipid peroxidation was examined by oxygen polarography, gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and the thiobarbituric acid test. Oxidized, but not reduced, cytochrome effectively catalyzes lipid oxidation under these conditions. Oxygen consumption and disappearance of unsaturated fatty acids follow closely similar patterns, the O2 consumption rate showing a maximum (1.53 mol O2/min per mol heme) shortly before fatty acid loss reaches its peak. GLC and O2 consumption data suggest that monohydroperoxides are the most abundant oxidized species in the system. The thiobarbituric acid reaction, however, appears only to be of qualitative value in peroxidation studies. In order to test the mechanism through which oxidation occurs in our system, the effect of liposome composition and the presence of antioxidants was tested, both on cytochrome c binding to bilayers and on O2 consumption. Oxidized and reduced cytochrome c bind the lipid bilayers with similar affinity, but only the oxidized form is active in autoxidation. Antioxidants do not modify either cytochrome c binding to sonicated liposomes. Lipid composition does influence considerably cytochrome binding, and O2 consumption is correspondingly altered. Studies with various antioxidants and inhibitors suggest that both free radicals and singlet oxygen may be involved in the process under study.

Myoglobin-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide dependent arachidonic acid peroxidation

Hemeproteins promote lipid hydroperoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation in vitro. Only recently have studies demonstrated that certain hemeproteins peroxidize lipids in a lipid-hydroperoxide-independent manner. To understand fully the interaction between reactive oxygen metabolites, myoglobin and lipid, we investigate the possibility that myoglobin may use xanthine oxidase-generated superoxide and/or hydrogen peroxide to catalyze peroxidation of a polyunsaturated fatty acid. Our studies demonstrate that myoglobin, in the presence of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase, catalyze the peroxidation of arachidonic acid. Oxy (ferrous) myoglobin appears to be the most effective catalyst for arachidonic acid peroxidation when compared to metmyglobin, hemoglobin, or ADP-iron chelates. Inhibition studies reveal that myoglobin uses hydrogen peroxide, not superoxide to form either an oxo-heme-oxidant or caged radical that initiates arachidonate peroxidation. The reactivity of this oxidant is similar to that of ferryl iron or hydroxyl free radical. Our results suggest that this reaction may be important in myocardial reperfusion injury since reoxygenation of ischemic myocardium results in a burst of xanthine oxidase-generated superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in proximity to cellular myoglobin.

The importance of free radicals and catalytic metal ions in human diseases

The study of free radical reactions is not an isolated and esoteric branch of science. A knowledge of free radical chemistry and biochemistry is relevant to an understanding of all diseases and the mode of action of all toxins, if only because diseased or damaged tissues undergo radical reactions more readily than do normal tissues. However it does not follow that because radical reactions can be demonstrated, they are important in any particular instance. We hope that the careful techniques needed to assess the biological role of free radicals will become more widely used.

The effect of desferrioxamine on antigen-induced inflammation in the rat air pouch

The effect of desferrioxamine, a relatively specific iron chelating drug, has been examined in an allergic air pouch model of inflammation in the rat. The model has both an acute and chronic phase and allows quantitative measurements of the cellular and exudative response within the pouch fluid and the tissue response in the membrane that develops around the preformed cavity. Desferrioxamine given as a single bolus injection, directly into the cavity, stimulated the acute inflammatory phase, increasing both the exudative and leukocyte response, in a dose-dependent fashion. In marked contrast, repeated injections during the acute to chronic phase or during the established chronic reaction, led to a reduction in both leukocyte numbers within the cavity and the amount of granulation tissue surrounding it. The exudative response was, however, unaltered. These results are discussed in relation to the potential role of iron in promoting an acute and chronic inflammatory reaction.

HgCl2 increases the methemoglobin prooxidant activity. Possible mechanism of Hg2+-induced lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes

In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of initiation of peroxidation in HgCl2-treated erythrocytes, the effect of HgCl2 on methemoglobin-catalyzed lipid peroxidation was studied. It was found that HgCl2 reinforces the prooxidant action of methemoglobin. This effect seems not to be due to dissociation or degradation of the hemoglobin molecule to heme-containing fragments or iron-containing products of low molecular weight. The results obtained indicate that Hg2+ increases the binding of oxy- and methemoglobin to liposomes. A suggestion is made that the acceleration of methemoglobin-catalyzed peroxidation by HgCl2 is mainly due to increased binding of methemoglobin to liposomes. On the basis of these results and the results obtained previously the possible mechanism of initiation of peroxidation in Hg2+-treated erythrocytes is discussed.

NADH oxidation in submitochondrial particles protects respiratory chain activity against damage by adriamycin-Fe3+

Oxidative decomposition of polyunsaturated fatty acid moieties of membrane lipid in pig heart submitochondrial particles, as initiated by ferric ion complexes of the antineoplastic drug adriamycin and concomitant inactivation of oxidase activities, is counteracted by EDTA, low oxygen pressure, a phenolic antioxidant and NADH oxidation through the respiratory chain but not by scavengers of reactive oxygen species. Protection by NADH is strengthened by removal of cytochrome c from the submitochondrial particles and by antimycin A but abolished by rotenone. Inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase activity by the adriamycin-Fe3+ complex is reversible and activity is recovered upon cholate solubilization of the particles. ADP inhibits binding of the complex to the submitochondrial particles and protects both cytochrome c oxidase activity and membrane lipid. The results are discussed in relation to the possible role of mitochondrial function in protection against free-radical-mediated effects of adriamycin.

Destruction of phospholipids and respiratory-chain activity in pig-heart submitochondrial particles induced by an adriamycin-iron complex

Ferric ion complexes of the antibiotic and antitumor agent adriamycin support peroxidation of phospholipids in pig heart submitochondrial particles as judged by disappearance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, loss in extractable phospholipid, adriamycin-Fe3+-dependent oxygen consumption and formation of material with ultraviolet absorption. Peroxidation was stimulated to an extent of about 100% at low rates of NADH oxidation in the submitochondrial particles, whereas oxidation rates higher than 50 nmol NADH oxidized x min-1 x mg protein-1 appeared to protect the membrane lipids. NADH oxidase, NADH-cytochrome c reductase as well as cytochrome c oxidase activities in the submitochondrial particles were progressively inactivated during incubation with adriamycin in the presence of Fe3+ ions, whereas NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity remained fully stable.