Free radical scavenging mechanisms during pulmonary thromboembolism in rats

Neutrophil-Free Radical Generation and Enzymatic Antioxidants in Migraine Patients

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of circulating neutrophils if any in oxidative stress in migraine by evaluating free radical generation and activities of enzymatic antioxidants in the blood in 55 patients with migraine and 60 healthy controls. Free radical generation was assessed by flow cytometry, while activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was estimated in blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) by standard procedures. Platelet SOD was also measured. No significant change was found in free radical generation and in the activity of catalase, SOD and GPx in migraine patients. Univariate analysis of PMN catalase level revealed that migraineurs with a positive family history had significantly lower catalase activity compared with those with a negative family history. No correlation was found in the activity of antioxidant enzymes with age, duration of disease, time since last attack and headache index. The platelet SOD also did not show any significant change in patients of migraine without aura. Platelet aggregation in the presence or absence of PMNs was also not altered significantly. Thus the findings of the present study suggest that neutrophils are not the cause of oxidative stress observed in migraine patients.

The combination of modified antioxidant enzymes for anti-thrombotic protection of the vascular wall: the significance of covalent connection of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities

Vascular wall protection can be achieved by preventive attachment to the vascular wall of antioxidants and elimination/neutralization of toxic products after their disproportioning. For this purpose we have prepared covalent conjugates between the vascular wall glycosaminglycan chondroitin sulfate (CHS) and the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The following conjugates were obtained: SOD-CHS, CAT-CHS and SOD-CHS-CAT. Their anti-thrombotic activity was compared in a rat model of arterial thrombosis by measuring the time of occlusion emergence and thrombus mass. It is noteworthy that the effectiveness of single bolus injections of SOD-CHS/CAT-CHS mixture was much lower than that of the bienzymic SOD-CHS-CAT conjugate. The conjugate SOD-CHS-CAT proved to be anti-thrombotically effective in doses two orders of magnitude lower than the native biocatalysts and an order of magnitude lower than SOD-CHS and CAT-CHS derivatives. For effective anti-thrombotic protection in oxidative conditions it is important to maintain the stable connection of SOD and CAT activity on the vascular wall and the large size of these conjugates. Covalent conjugate SOD-CHS-CAT is the best prospect for pharmaceutical development.

Catalase and chondroitin sulfate derivatives against thrombotic effect induced by reactive oxygen species in a rat artery

Antithrombotic activity of catalase (CAT) and chondroitin sulfate (CHS) preparations was studied in a rat model of arterial injury induced by ferrous chloride. Equal doses (according to catalytically active CAT) were used to examine the effect of native CAT, CAT-CHS covalent conjugate and mixture of native CAT and free CHS in a ratio corresponding to their contents in the conjugate. The antithrombotic activity of the derivatives was determined by the time during which arterial occlusion developed (occlusion time) and by the mass of the formed thrombus. The antithrombotic activities of the conjugate and mixture were similar and markedly higher than that of native CAT. The conjugate was more effective with respect to deceleration and prevention of arterial occlusion. Small doses of the preparations altered the structure of the formed thrombus, promoting sustained blood flow. Further investigations of the antithrombotic activity of CAT, superoxide dismutase and CHS derivatives have been outlined.

A study on nitric oxide, beta-adrenergic receptors and antioxidant status in the polymorphonuclear leukocytes from the patients of depression

BACKGROUND

alterations in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNs) receptors, second messenger system and in their responses have been found associated with depression. Recently role of tetrahydrobiopterin and nitric oxide has also been reported in the depressive disorders. It was therefore considered worthwhile to investigate the NOS activity in the PMNs, which like neurons, also express neuronal NOS (nNOS), antioxidant enzyme levels [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)] and beta-adrenergic receptors in the patients of depression.

METHODS

patients were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV and were medication free, while healthy age-matched controls were also included in the study to estimate nitrite content, beta-adrenergic receptors and antioxidant enzymes in the PMNs according to the standard methodologies.

RESULTS

an analysis of 66 cases of depression and 114 controls revealed 73% decrease in nitrite content and 71% decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor binding in the patients as compared to the healthy controls. However, activities of SOD, catalase and Gpx were not significantly altered in the patients.

CONCLUSION

the results of the present study for the first time indicate alterations the NOS activity in PMNs obtained form the patients of affective disorders.

Nitric oxide- and oxygen-derived free radical generation from control and lipopolysaccharide-treated rat polymorphonuclear leukocyte

Previous studies from this lab have shown NO-mediated modulation of free radical generation from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), following hypoxic-reoxygenation as well as in the normoxic cells. The present study is an attempt to investigate further the regulation of NO and free radical generation in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated PMNs. PMNs were isolated from the rat blood and peritoneal cavity, 4 h after LPS (1 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and nitrite content were increased in the peripheral and peritoneal PMNs following LPS treatment. An increase in the apparent V(max) for l-arginine uptake was also observed in the LPS-treated peripheral PMNs, while peritoneal PMNs exhibited increase in both apparent V(max) and affinity for l-arginine. Synthesis of nitrite did not augment after increasing the availability of substrate to control PMNs, however, peripheral and peritoneal PMNs from LPS-treated rats utilized l-arginine more efficiently for nitrite synthesis. NOS activity, l-arginine uptake, and its utilization were maximal in the peritoneal PMNs. Arachidonic acid (AA, 1 x 10(-6) M)-induced free radical generation from PMNs was also enhanced significantly after LPS treatment. Preincubation of PMNs with nitrite elevated the free radical generation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) release. MPO and antioxidant enzyme activity in the PMNs was significantly augmented after LPS treatment. NOS inhibitors, aminoguanidine and 7-nitroindazole, inhibited arachidonic acid-induced free radical generation from LPS treated PMNs. The results obtained thus indicate that augmentation of free radical generation from rat PMNs following LPS treatment appears to be regulated by NO and MPO.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte nitrite content and antioxidant enzymes in Parkinson's disease patients

OBJECTIVE

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the alteration in the peripheral neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in Parkinson's disease patients. Therefore, basal nitrite content in PMNs, platelets and in the plasma of PD and control Indian population were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We estimated nitrite, the nitric oxide (NO) metabolite, in neutrophils (PMNs), platelets and in plasma of control and in L-dopa treated Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. We also measured the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the PMNs.

RESULTS

We observed a significant increase in the basal nitrite content in PMNs of PD patients without any alteration in the plasma and platelets. Thus, the change was specific to PMNs. Catalase activity was significantly less in the PMNs of PD patients, but SOD and GPx remained unaltered.

CONCLUSION

Results obtained in the PD patients exhibit an increase in the NOS activity in PMNs. Thus, involvement of NO is suggested in PD.

Alterations in the free radical generation and nitric oxide release from rat peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes following thrombosis

The present investigation was undertaken to study the alterations in free radical generation and release of nitric oxide (NO) from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) following thrombosis. Thrombosis was induced in rats by intravenous injection of collagen and adrenaline. PMNLs were separated from rat blood by using dextran sedimentation and Ficoll-Hypaque. Arachidonic acid (AA), formyl methionine leucine phenylalanine (FMLP) and opsonized zymosan (OZ) induced free radical generation was estimated as luminol (LCL) and Lucigenin (LUCDCL) dependent chemiluminescence. PMNLs nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and NO release were measured by using [14C] L-Arginine (L-Arg) and oxy-hemoglobin respectively. LCL and LUCDCL responses in rat PMNLs were significantly attenuated following thrombosis. There was no change in the release of myeloperoxidase enzyme (MPO) from PMNLs obtained following thrombosis. PMNLs NOS activity and NO release were also found to be increased after thrombosis. Pretreatment of rat PMNLs with 10 mM L-NAME (NO precursor) or 100 microM sodium nitroprusside (NO donor), resulted in significant reduction of AA induced LCL response. Results obtained indicate that NO release form PMNLs was augmented while free radical generation response was attenuated after the induction of thrombosis.

Alterations in the bioantioxidants following thrombosis

The role of free radicals in rat thrombosis has been demonstrated by studying its scavenging enzyme system. Changes in the bio-antioxidants (GSH-redox cycle, total thiol groups, vitamins E and C) that also offer protection against the free radicals, have, however, not been studied so far. This investigation was undertaken to understand the involvement of these antioxidants during thrombosis. The tissues investigated following thrombosis were blood, platelets, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs), heart, and lung. Glutathione (GSH) content in the platelets was observed to be depleted. However, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) contents in the platelets, PMNLs, and blood remain unaltered. In addition, in the whole blood GSH levels were increased significantly, whereas there was no change in the GSSG level. Activity of glutathione reductase (GR) was decreased significantly in platelets and lungs with an increase in the total thiol groups in the lung homogenate. Activity of Glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) remained unaltered in all the tissues studied. In addition, 24% and 15% decrease in the alpha-tocopherol concentration was observed in thrombocytes and PMNLs, respectively, with no change in the ascorbate levels in these cells. Results of this investigation suggest alterations in the GSH-redox cycle in blood, platelets, and lung after thrombosis in the rat.