Peroxidase catalysed oxygen activation by arylamine carcinogens and phenol

Evaluation of toxicological aspects of three new benzoxazole compounds with sunscreen photophysical properties using in silico and in vitro methods

Sunscreening chemicals protect against damage caused by sunlight most absorbing UVA or UVB radiations. In this sense, 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole derivatives with amino substituents in the 4' and 5' positions have an outstandingly high Sun Protection Factor and adequate photostability, but their toxicity is not yet known. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of three synthetic 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole derivatives for their possible application as sunscreens. In silico tools were used in order to assess potential risks regarding mutagenic, carcinogenic, and skin sensitizing potential. Bioassays were performed in L929 cells to assess cytotoxicity in MTT assay and genotoxic activities in the Comet assay and micronucleus test. Also, the Salmonella/microsome assay was performed to evaluate gene mutations. The in silico predictions indicate a low risk of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of the compounds while the skin sensitizing potential was low or inconclusive. The 2-(4'-amino-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazol compound was the most cytotoxic and genotoxic among the compounds evaluated in L929 cells, but none induced mutations in the Salmonella/microsome assay. The amino substituted at the 4' position of the phenyl ring appears to have greater toxicological risks than substituents at the 5' position of 2-(phenyl)benzoxazole. The findings warrant further studies of these compounds in cosmetic formulations.

Benzene's toxicity: a consolidated short review of human and animal studies by HA Khan

Khan's review is a brief summary of the complex field of study revolving around bone marrow toxicity and leukemogenesis observed in people chronically exposed to benzene. These comments are intended to demonstrate the use of the Kahn review as a launching pad for an in-depth analysis of the several related areas that must be fully explored to understand benzene-related diseases. The accumulated evidence demonstrates that benzene-induced bone marrow damage results from the production of hematotoxins that are metabolic products of benzene metabolism. The metabolism of benzene is described with respect to the formation benzene metabolites with emphasis on phenol and hydroquinone, which are the major metabolites, the significance of the formation of glutathione conjugates, the activity of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), and the ring opening products. Results are shown suggesting that oxidative stress induced by benzene metabolites is likely to be a significant factor in damaging DNA in bone marrow cells. Although a variety of effects on bone marrow can be demonstrated it is not yet clear which metabolites are most important in either benzene-induced aplastic anemia or leukemia. Benzene metabolism alone is insufficient to fully describe benzene toxicity. The impact of benzene metabolites on bone marrow cells must be fully explored to determine how benzene exposure can result in decreased viability or genetic toxicity to cells in the bone marrow. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 687— 696

The interaction of diamines and polyamines with the peroxidase-catalyzed metabolism of aromatic amines: a potential mechanism for the modulation of aniline toxicity

Synthetic and biological amines such as ethylenediamine (EDA), spermine, and spermidine have not been previously investigated in free-radical biochemical systems involving aniline-based drugs or xenobiotics. We aimed to study the influence of polyamines in the modulation of aromatic amine radical metabolites in peroxidase-mediated free radical reactions. The aniline compounds tested caused a relatively low oxidation rate of glutathione in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and H2O2; however, they demonstrated marked oxygen consumption when a polyamine molecule was present. Next, we characterized the free-radical products generated by these reactions using spin-trapping and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry. Primary and secondary but not tertiary polyamines dose-dependently enhanced the N-centered radicals of different aniline compounds catalyzed by either HRP or myeloperoxidase, which we believe occurred via charge transfer intermediates and subsequent stabilization of aniline-derived radical species as suggested by isotopically labeled aniline. Aniline/peroxidase reaction product(s) were monitored at 435 nm by kinetic spectrophotometry in the presence and absence of a polyamine additive. Using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, the dimerziation product of aniline, azobenzene, was significantly amplified when EDA was present. In conclusion, di- and poly-amines are capable of enhancing the formation of aromatic-amine-derived free radicals, a fact that is expected to have toxicological consequences.

Simultaneous detection of the antioxidant and pro-oxidant activity of dietary polyphenolics in a peroxidase system

The ability to reduce the peroxidase (myeloglobin/H2O2)-generated ABTS*+ [2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation] has been used to rank the antioxidant activity of various agents including dietary flavonoids and chalcones. Surprisingly, we found that in the presence of catalytic concentrations of the phenol B-ring containing flavonoids, apigenin, naringenin and the chalcone phloretin, the formation of the ABTS*+ was initially increased. The enhanced formation of the ABTS*+ was attributed to the peroxidase/H2O2 mediated generation of polyphenolic phenoxyl radicals that were able to co-oxidize ABTS. The relative ABTS*+ generating ability of these dietary polyphenolics correlated with their ability to co-oxidize NADH to the NAD* radical with the resultant generation of superoxide. This pro-oxidant activity was not observed for either luteolin or eriodyctiol, which are B-ring catecholic analogues of apigenin and naringenin, respectively, suggesting that these antioxidants are incapable of the transition metal-independent generation of reactive oxygen species. This pro-oxidant activity of the polyphenolics therefore needs to be taken into account when quantifying antioxidant activity.

N-oxidation of aromatic amines by intracellular oxidases

The introduction includes a literature review of DNA reactive species and DNA adduct formation that results from aromatic amine N-oxidation catalyzed by hepatic cytochrome P450 vs. that catalyzed by nonhepatic peroxidases. Experimental evidence is then described for a novel oxidative stress mechanism involving prooxidant N-cation radical formation by both oxidases, which is proposed as a contributing mechanism for aromatic amine induced cytotoxicity and carcinogenesis. Aromatic amine N-cation radicals formed by peroxidases were found to cooxidize GSH or NADH and form reactive oxygen species. The latter could explain the reported DNA oxidative damage found in vivo following methylaminoazobenzene administration [Hirano et al. Analyses of Oxidative DNA Damage and Its Repair Activity in the Livers of 3'-Methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-Treated Rodents. Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 2000, 91, 681-685]. It was also found that the prooxidant activity of the aromatic amine increased as its redox potential, i.e., ease of oxidation decreased with o-anisidine and aminofluorene being the most effective at forming reactive oxygen species. This suggests that the rate-limiting step in the cooxidation is the rate of arylamine oxidation by the peroxidase. Incubation of hepatocytes with aromatic amines caused a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential before cytotoxicity ensued. The CYP1A2-induced hepatocytes isolated from 3-methylcholanthrene administered rats were much more susceptible to some arylamines and were protected by CYP1A2 inhibitors. Hepatocyte GSH was also depleted by all arylamines tested and extensive GSH oxidation occurred with o-anisidine and aminofluorene, which was prevented by CYP1A2 inhibitors. This suggests that in intact hepatocytes CYP1A2 may also catalyze a one-electron oxidation of some arylamines to form prooxidant cation radicals, which cooxidize GSH to form the reactive oxygen species.

Myeloperoxidase-catalyzed redox-cycling of phenol promotes lipid peroxidation and thiol oxidation in HL-60 cells

Various types of cancer occur in peroxidase-rich target tissues of animals exposed to aryl alcohols and amines. Unlike biotransformation by cytochrome P450 enzymes, peroxidases activate most substrates by one-electron oxidation via radical intermediates. This work analyzed the peroxidase-dependent formation of phenoxyl radicals in HL-60 cells and its contribution to cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The results showed that myeloperoxidase-catalyzed redox cycling of phenol in HL-60 cells led to intracellular formation of glutathionyl radicals detected as GS-DMPO nitrone. Formation of thiyl radicals was accompanied by rapid oxidation of glutathione and protein-thiols. Analysis of protein sulfhydryls by SDS-PAGE revealed a significant oxidation of protein SH-groups in HL-60 cells incubated in the presence of phenol/H2O2 that was inhibited by cyanide and azide. Additionally, cyanide- and azide-sensitive generation of EPR-detectable ascorbate radicals was observed during incubation of HL-60 cell homogenates in the presence of ascorbate and H2O2. Oxidation of thiols required addition of H2O2 and was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with the inhibitor of heme synthesis, succinylacetone. Radical-driven oxidation of thiols was accompanied by a trend toward increased content of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine in the DNA of HL-60 cells. Membrane phospholipids were also sensitive to radical-driven oxidation as evidenced by a sensitive fluorescence HPLC-assay based on metabolic labeling of phospholipids with oxidation-sensitive cis-parinaric acid. Phenol enhanced H2O2-dependent oxidation of all classes of phospholipids including cardiolipin, but did not oxidize parinaric acid-labeled lipids without addition of H2O2. Induction of a significant hypodiploid cell population, an indication of apoptosis, was detected after exposure to H2O2 and was slightly but consistently and significantly higher after exposure to H2O2/phenol. The clonogenicity of HL-60 cells decreased to the same extent after exposure to H2O2 or H2O2/phenol. Treatment of HL-60 cells with either H2O2 or H2O2/phenol at concentrations adequate for lipid peroxidation did not cause a detectable increase in chromosomal breaks. Detection of thiyl radicals as well as rapid oxidation of thiols and phospholipids in viable HL-60 cells provide strong evidence for redox cycling of phenol in this bone marrow-derived cell line.

Oxygen activation during peroxidase catalysed metabolism of flavones or flavanones

Flavonoids containing phenol B rings, e.g. naringenin, naringin, hesperetin and apigenin, formed prooxidant metabolites that oxidised NADH upon oxidation by peroxidase/H2O2. Extensive oxygen uptake occurred which was proportional to the NADH oxidised and was increased up to twofold by superoxide dismutase. Only catalytic amounts of flavonoids and H2O2 were required indicating a redox cycling mechanism that activates oxygen and generates H2O2. NADH also prevented the oxidative destruction of flavonoids by peroxidase/H2O2 until the NADH was depleted. These results suggest that prooxidant phenoxyl radicals formed by these flavonoids cooxidise NADH to form NAD radicals which then activated oxygen. Similar oxygen activation mechanisms by other phenoxyl radicals have been implicated in the initiation of atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis by xenobiotic phenolic metabolites. This is the first time that a group of flavonoids have been identified as prooxidants independent of transition metal catalysed autoxidation reactions.

Oxidation of guaiacol by myeloperoxidase: a two-electron-oxidized guaiacol transient species as a mediator of NADPH oxidation

The present study was first aimed at a complete steady-state kinetic analysis of the reaction between guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) and the myeloperoxidase (MPO)/H2O2 system, including a description of the isolation and purification of MPO from human polymorphonuclear neutrophil cells. Secondly, the overall reaction of the oxidation of NADPH, mediated by the reactive intermediates formed from the oxidation of guaiacol in the MPO/H2O2 system, was analysed kinetically. The presence of guaiacol stimulates the oxidation of NADPH by the MPO/H2O2 system in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitantly, the accumulation of biphenoquinone (BQ), the final steady-state product of guaiacol oxidation, is lowered, and even inhibited completely, at high concentrations of NADPH. Under these conditions, the stoichiometry of NADPH:H2O2 is 1, and the oxidation rate of NADPH approximates to that of the rate of guaiacol oxidation by MPO. The effects of the presence of superoxide dismutase, catalase and of anaerobic conditions on the overall oxidation of NADPH have also been examined, and the data indicated that superoxide formation did not occur. The final product of NADPH oxidation was shown to be enzymically active NADP+, while guaiacol was generated continuously from the reaction between NADPH and oxidized guaiacol product. In contrast, similar experiments performed on the indirect, tyrosine-mediated oxidation of NADPH by MPO showed that a propagation of the free radical chain was occurring, with generation of both O2(-.) and H2O2. BQ, in itself, was able to spontaneously oxidize NADPH, but neither the rate nor the stoichiometry of the reaction could account for the NADPH-oxidation process involved in the steady-state peroxidation cycle. These results provide evidence that the oxidation of NADPH does not involve a free nucleotide radical intermediate, but that this is probably due to a direct electron-transfer reaction between NADPH and a two-electron-oxidized guaiacol intermediate.

Oxidative modifications produced in HL-60 cells on exposure to benzene metabolites

We have studied the effects of the benzene metabolites hydroquinone, p-benzoquinone or 1,2,4-benzenetriol on cytotoxicity, active oxygen formation, hydrogen peroxide (i.e. hydroperoxide) production and nitric oxide formation in HL-60 cells. We also examined the effects of these compounds on antioxidant enzymes and intracellular antioxidants in these cells. The cytotoxicity of benzene metabolites to HL-60 cells was found to be of the order of p-benzoquinone>hydroquinone>benzenetriol. No appreciable changes in the basal levels of either superoxide anion production or nitric oxide formation were observed following exposures to the benzene metabolites, but significant increases in superoxide were seen on stimulation with TPA for each metabolite, whereas hydroquinone and p-benzoquinone, but not 1,2,4-benzenetriol, increased nitric oxide production under these conditions. Following exposure to the benzene metabolites, HL-60 cells showed significant rises in hydrogen peroxide formation compared to controls. The study of antioxidant enzymes and intracellular antioxidants suggested that the benzene metabolites inhibit or reduce the levels of different antioxidant mechanisms and, thereby, cause the accumulation of free radicals in these cells predisposing them for oxidative damage.

Murine pulmonary Ca(2+)-transport system activated by allergic immune response retains sensitivity to oxidative stress

Exaggerated oxygen radical production by airway cells may contribute to increased airway responsiveness and heightened smooth muscle constriction in asthmatic lungs. Smooth muscle cell contractility in the lung is regulated by Ca2+ homeostasis. The contribution of inflammatory cells to these events is unclear. A murine model of allergic pulmonary hypersensitivity was developed to study the role of Ca2+ transport in allergic pulmonary reactions. Sensitization of mice was accomplished by injection with ovalbumin (OA) (1 or 50 micrograms) or OA (1 microgram) plus Al(OH)3. Pulmonary responses were elicited by inhalation provocation challenge with OA aerosol and quantified by the extent of inflammatory cell infiltrate at 24 h. Increased Ca2+ transport was found in microsomes and homogenates of the lung after antigen challenge. Activation of Ca2+ transport was correlated with the severity of the allergic pulmonary response as evidenced from specific antibody production and inflammatory cell infiltrate. The greatest increase in Ca2+ transport was noted in microsomes from mice sensitized with OA plus adjuvant. Ca2+ transport in sensitized, but not in control mice, was responsive to oxidative stress induced by addition of phenol and hydrogen peroxide. Lung homogenates from both groups of animals responded similarly to phenoxyl radical-induced oxidative stress induced by phenol plus exogenous tyrosinase. These results are the first to indicate heightened Ca2+ transport in pulmonary microsomes following an allergic lung response and emphasize the role of aluminum hydroxide in enhancing allergic reactions in the lung. The responsiveness of the system to oxidative stress suggests that oxidative mechanisms may contribute to the physiologic and pathologic manifestations, such as airway hyperreactivity, associated with allergic pulmonary disease.

Mitochondrial oxidation of p-phenylenediamine derivatives in vitro: structure-activity relationships and correlation with myotoxic activity in vivo

A number of p-phenylenediamine derivatives are known to cause necrosis of skeletal and/or cardiac muscle when administered to experimental animals. Compounds of this type are oxidized to semiquinonedi-imines or quinonedi-imines by mitochondria in vitro, establishing alternative pathways for electron transport in the respiratory chain with concomitant decreases in respiratory control and ADP:O ratios. Muscle mitochondria were found to be particularly effective in promoting p-phenylenediamine oxidation in vitro and the magnitude of the mitochondrial effects of the various compounds tested correlated well with their ability to cause muscle necrosis in vivo. It is suggested that mitochondrial oxidation may be involved in the initiation of the myotoxic effects of these compounds and account for their target-site specificity.

Peroxidase/hydrogen peroxide--or bone marrow homogenate/hydrogen peroxide--mediated activation of phenol and binding to protein

1. 14C-Phenol was metabolized by rat bone marrow homogenate and H2O2. The homogenate catalyst, however, was inactivated by preincubation with H2O2, presumably due to inactivation of the enzyme(s) involved in phenol metabolism. 2. The majority of the metabolized 14C-phenol was bound to bone marrow proteins. o,o'-Biphenol and p,p'-biphenol were the principal non-protein-bound products. Ascorbate was unable to remove phenol oxidation products bound to protein, although o,o'-biphenol recovery from the reaction mixture was markedly enhanced. Prior alkylation of protein thiols with N-ethylmaleimide decreased the binding of 14C-phenol oxidation products to bone marrow proteins by only 10-20%. 3. 14C-Phenol (200 microM) metabolism by horseradish peroxidase (10 micrograms) and H2O2 (200 microM) also resulted in extensive binding to externally added bovine serum albumin. The absorption spectrum of 14C-phenol oxidation products bound to bovine serum albumin was similar to that of bound oxidation products of o,o'-biphenol but not of p,p'-biphenol. 4. Protease digestion of bovine serum albumin bound 14C-phenol oxidation products, followed by ethyl acetate extraction, extracted 75% of the 14C, indicating that most of the binding is probably non-covalent. Up to 32% of the 14C-phenol oxidation products binding to bovine serum albumin may be covalent, since derivation with dinitrofluorobenzene and extraction under acid, but not alkaline, conditions extracted the 14C. The percentage of metabolites covalently bound to bovine serum albumin was increased to 59% when horseradish peroxidase concentration was decreased to 0.2 micrograms. 5. The thiol groups of bovine serum albumin were unaffected by o,o'-biphenol oxidation products, slightly decreased by phenol oxidation products, but were completely depleted by p,p'-biphenol oxidation products. 6. These results indicate that o,o'-biphenol oxidation products are responsible for much of the 14C-phenol binding to protein.

Myeloperoxidase catalysed cooxidative metabolism of methimazole: oxidation of glutathione and NADH by free radical intermediates

The myeloperoxidase catalysed oxidation of methimazole in the presence of NADH or GSH resulted in oxygen uptake suggesting that metabolism proceeded via a one electron mechanism. The GSH was oxidised to GSSG and the thiyl radical could be trapped with DMPO while NADH was oxidized to NAD+. Metabolism proceeded without the inactivation of the enzyme myeloperoxidase. Myeloperoxidase catalyzed oxidation of other substrates which proceed via one electron intermediates; 2,6-dimethylphenol, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-phenylenediamine and luminol, were all stimulated by methimazole providing further evidence for a methimazole free radical. The presence of iodide stimulated the oxidation of methimazole but inhibited the oxygen uptake in the presence of GSH or NADH suggesting that metabolism in this case proceeded by a two electron mechanism. In contrast, another S-thioureylene drug, thiourea; did not cause oxygen uptake when oxidised in the presence of GSH or NADH indicating that the myeloperoxidase oxidation of thiourea proceeded primarily by a two electron mechanism. The horseradish peroxidase catalysed one electron oxidation of p'p'-biphenol, and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine was reversibly inhibited by methimazole and thiourea by preventing the accumulation of oxidation products via reductive mechanisms whereas the reversible inhibition of guaiacol and luminol oxidation was the result of competitive inhibition. With p,p'-biphenol, and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine unstable adduct formation could be demonstrated.

Free radicals and carcinogenesis

The role of free radicals and active states of oxygen in human cancer is as yet unresolved. Various lines of evidence provide strong but inferential evidence that free radical reactions can be of crucial importance in certain carcinogenic mechanisms. A central point in considering free radical reactions in carcinogenesis is that human cancer is really a group of highly diverse diseases for which the initial causation and the progression to clinical disease occur through a wide variety of mechanisms. Furthermore, for many human cancers it appears that there are alternate pathways capable of tumor initiation and tumor progression. While for certain of these pathways free radical reactions appear necessary, it is unlikely that there are human cancers for which free radicals, or any other mechanism, are sufficient for the entire process beginning with the genetic alteration leading to a somatic mutation and eventually resulting in clinically overt disease. It is crucial that we view free radical reactions as among a panoply of mechanisms leading to human cancer, and consider research about the role of free radicals in cancer as opportunities to prevent the initiation or progression of human cancer.

Muscle necrosis by N-methylated p-phenylenediamines in rats: structure-activity relationships and correlation with free-radical production in vitro

Certain derivatives of p-phenylenediamine have been shown to cause necrosis of cardiac and skeletal muscle in rats; in vitro, such compounds are known to autoxidize to the corresponding radical cations, with concomitant formation of oxygen free-radicals. In the present study, the autoxidation rates of p-phenylenediamine and its N-methyl, dimethyl, trimethyl and tetramethyl derivatives have been determined and compared with the severity of the muscle necrosis induced by each of these compounds in rats. A close correlation was observed between autoxidation rate in vitro and toxicity in vivo, suggesting that free-radical species may be involved in the initiation of the muscle damage caused by these substances.

Mutagenic activation of xenobiotics by plant enzymes

Genetic evidence has indicated that plants can activate certain xenobiotics to mutagens, but biochemical evidence is as yet scarce. Nevertheless, plant microsomal enzymes and peroxidases have been shown to form reactive intermediates, the best studied examples being 2-aminofluorene, benzo[a]pyrene and pentachlorophenol. The latter two xenobiotics are converted to quinoid derivatives which are, in principle, able to redox cycle and generate active oxygen species. In analogy to results obtained in mammalian systems, covalent binding of reactive intermediates to DNA as well as fragmentation of DNA, are proposed as major mechanisms of action of mutagenic plant metabolites.

Radical formation during the peroxidase catalyzed metabolism of carcinogens and xenobiotics: the reactivity of these radicals with GSH, DNA, and unsaturated lipid

Radicals generated by the peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of a wide variety of substrates oxidize GSH, NADH, or arachidonate with accompanying oxygen activation. Substrates studied include carcinogens, drugs, or xenobiotics. The effectiveness of the various radicals is partly related to their one-electron oxidation potential. High redox potential radicals were particularly effective at oxidizing these biomolecules. Low redox potential radicals did not react with GSH, NADH, or arachidonate, but can directly activate oxygen to form hydroxyl radicals or undergo scission to carbon radicals. The hydroxyl and carbon radicals have a high redox potential and readily oxidize biomolecules. DNA strand breakage also occurs with some high redox potential radicals, but DNA did not react with low redox potential radicals. The extensive binding of xenobiotics to DNA in the peroxidase system was attributed to noncovalent binding by polymeric products or covalent binding by the two electron oxidation product (formed by radical dismutation or oxidation). The latter can cause alkali labile DNA strand breaks. GSH conjugate formation was also attributed to the two electron oxidation product. Radicals have been trapped in intact cells and oxygen activation or lipid peroxidation has been demonstrated but it is still not clear whether the associated GSH oxidation, DNA strand breakage and cytotoxicity is the result of direct action by radicals. Indirect enzymic mechanisms for free radical mediated DNA strand breakage and cytotoxicity are discussed.

Oxygen activation during drug metabolism

The peroxidase-H2O2 catalyzed oxidation of certain drugs in the presence of GSH resulted in extensive oxidation to thiyl radicals and GSSG. NADH or arachidonate in place of GSH was also readily oxidized. Extensive oxygen uptake ensued resulting in the formation of superoxide radicals and H2O2. Only catalytic amounts of drugs and low peroxide levels were required, indicating a radox cycling mechanism. Active drugs included morphine, phenothiazines, aminopyrine, p-phenetidine, acetaminophen and 4-N,N-(CH3)2-aminophenol. Other drugs, including dopamine and methyl-alpha-dopa, did not catalyze oxygen uptake, nor was GSH oxidized to GSSG. Instead, GSH was depleted by GSH conjugate formation. Drugs of the former group, e.g. acetaminophen, aminopyrine or N,N-(CH3)2-aniline, have also been found by other investigators to form GSSG and hydrogen peroxide when added to hepatocytes or when perfused through an isolated liver. Although cytochrome P-450 normally catalyzes a two-electron oxidation of drugs, serious consideration should be given to some one-electron oxidation occurring as well and resulting in radical formation, oxygen activation and GSSG formation.

Glutathione conjugate formation without N-demethylation during the peroxidase catalysed N-oxidation of N,N',N,N'-tetramethylbenzidine

The mechanism of peroxidative N-dealkylation of alkylamines proceeds via one-electron oxidation to the iminium cation which reacts with water to give the N-hydroxymethyl derivative which decomposes to formaldehyde and the N-demethylated product. This reaction is normally inhibited by glutathione by reduction of the cation radical with subsequent formation of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) with oxygen uptake. It was found that the horseradish peroxidase catalyzed N-demthylation of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylbenzidine (N4-TMB) in the presence of glutathione leads to the formation of water-soluble metabolites identified by high field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry as 3,3'-(diglutathion-S-yl) and 2,2'-(diglutathion-S-yl)-N4-TMB. Smaller amounts of (monoglutathion-S-yl)-N4-TMB were also found. Only trace amounts of GSSG were formed and no oxygen uptake was observed. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry in the presence of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) did not indicate the presence of a DMPO-glutathionyl adduct. These results indicate that glutathione inhibited the N-demethylation of N4-TMB under the described reaction conditions not by reduction of the cation radical but by conjugate formation. The mechanism of N-demethylation must involve removal of two successive electrons to give the benzoquinone-diimine which undergoes rearrangement to the iminium cation followed by reaction with water.

Glutathione oxidation during peroxidase catalysed drug metabolism

The peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of certain drugs in the presence of glutathione (GSH) resulted in extensive oxidation to oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Extensive oxygen uptake ensued and thiyl radicals could be trapped. Only catalytic amounts of drugs were required indicating a redox cycling mechanism. Active drugs included phenothiazines, aminopyrine, p-phenetidine, acetaminophen and 4-N,N-(CH3)2-aminophenol. Other drugs, including dopamine and alpha-methyl dopa, did not catalyse oxygen uptake, nor were GSSG or thiyl radicals formed. Instead, GSH was depleted by GSH conjugate formation. Drugs of the former group, e.g. acetaminophen, aminopyrine or N,N-(CH3)2-aniline have also been found by other investigators to form GSSG and hydrogen peroxide when added to hepatocytes or when perfused through an isolated liver. Although cytochrome P-450 normally catalyses a two-electron oxidation of drugs, serious consideration should be given for some one-electron oxidation resulting in radical formation, oxygen activation and GSSG formation.

Peroxidase-catalyzed-3-(glutathion-S-yl)-p,p'-biphenol formation

Oxidation of p,p'-biphenol with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-hydrogen peroxide in the presence of bovine serum albumin or with bone marrow cell homogenate-hydrogen peroxide resulted in the formation of reactive products that conjugate with protein. Glutathione prevented the protein binding. Glutathione readily reacted with p,p'-biphenoquinone, the principal oxidation product of p,p'-biphenol in the HRP-hydrogen peroxide system and resulted in the formation of several glutathione conjugates, p,p'-biphenol and small amounts of oxidized glutathione. The major glutathione conjugate was identified as 3-(glutathion-S-yl)-p,p'-biphenol by high field nuclear magnetic resonance and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The same conjugate was formed in the bone marrow homogenate-hydrogen peroxide system. p,p'-Biphenoquinone reduction by glutathione to p,p'-biphenol without glutathione oxidation was explained by the rapid reduction of p,p'-biphenoquinone by 3-(glutathion-S-yl)-p,p'-biphenol.