Susceptibility of myelin glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids to oxidative attack by hydroxyl free radicals as measured by the thiobarbituric acid test

Examining the relationship between nutrition and cerebral structural integrity in older adults without dementia

The proportion of adults aged 60 years and over is expected to increase over the coming decades. This ageing of the population represents an important health issue, given that marked reductions to cerebral macro- and microstructural integrity are apparent with increasing age. Reduced cerebral structural integrity in older adults appears to predict poorer cognitive performance, even in the absence of clinical disorders such as dementia. As such, it is becoming increasingly important to identify those factors predicting cerebral structural integrity, especially factors that are modifiable. One such factor is nutritional intake. While the literature is limited, data from available cross-sectional studies indicate that increased intake of nutrients such as B vitamins (for example, B6, B12 and folate), choline, n-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, or increased adherence to prudent whole diets (for example, the Mediterranean diet) predicts greater cerebral structural integrity in older adults. There is even greater scarcity of randomised clinical trials investigating the effects of nutritional supplementation on cerebral structure, though it appears that supplementation with B vitamins (B6, B12 and folic acid) or n-3 fatty acids (DHA or EPA) may be beneficial. The current review presents an overview of available research examining the relationship between key nutrients or adherence to select diets and cerebral structural integrity in dementia-free older adults.

Glycerophospholipid Supplementation as a Potential Intervention for Supporting Cerebral Structure in Older Adults

Modifying nutritional intake through supplementation may be efficacious for altering the trajectory of cerebral structural decline evident with increasing age. To date, there have been a number of clinical trials in older adults whereby chronic supplementation with B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, or resveratrol, has been observed to either slow the rate of decline or repair cerebral tissue. There is also some evidence from animal studies indicating that supplementation with glycerophospholipids (GPL) may benefit cerebral structure, though these effects have not yet been investigated in adult humans. Despite this paucity of research, there are a number of factors predicting poorer cerebral structure in older humans, which GPL supplementation appears to beneficially modify or protect against. These include elevated concentrations of homocysteine, unbalanced activity of reactive oxygen species both increasing the risk of oxidative stress, increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory messengers, as well as poorer cardio- and cerebrovascular function. As such, it is hypothesized that GPL supplementation will support cerebral structure in older adults. These cerebral effects may influence cognitive function. The current review aims to provide a theoretical basis for future clinical trials investigating the effects of GPL supplementation on cerebral structural integrity in older adults.

Phospholipids in foods: prooxidants or antioxidants?

Lipid oxidation is one of the major causes of quality deterioration in natural and processed foods and thus a large economic concern in the food industry. Phospholipids, especially lecithins, are already widely used as natural emulsifiers and have been gaining increasing interest as natural antioxidants to control lipid oxidation. This review summarizes the fatty acid composition and content of phospholipids naturally occurring in several foods. The role of phospholipids as substrates for lipid oxidation is discussed, with a focus on meats and dairy products. Prooxidant and antioxidant mechanisms of phospholipids are also discussed to get a better understanding of the possible opportunities for using phospholipids as food antioxidants.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activation and circulatory shock

Sepsis is associated with increased production of reactive oxidant species. Oxidative and nitrosative stress can lead to activation of the nuclear enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), with subsequent loss of cellular functions. Activation of PARP may dramatically lower the intracellular concentration of its substrate, NAD thus slowing the rate of glycolysis, electron transport and subsequently ATP formation. This process can result in cell dysfunction and cell death. In addition, PARP enhances the expression of various pro-inflammatory mediators, via activation of NF-kappaB, MAP kinase and AP-1 and other signal transduction pathways. Preclinical studies in various rodent and large animal models demonstrate that PARP inhibition or PAR deficiency exerts beneficial effects on the haemodynamic and metabolic alterations associated with septic and haemorrhagic shock. Recent human data also support the role of PARP in septic shock: In a retrospective study in 25 septic patients, an increase in plasma troponin level was related to increased mortality risk. In patients who died, significant myocardial damage was detected, and histological analysis of heart showed inflammatory infiltration, increased collagen deposition, and derangement of mitochondrial criptae. Immunohistochemical staining for poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR), the product of activated PARP was demonstrated in septic hearts. There was a positive correlation between PAR staining and troponin I; and a correlation of PAR staining and LVSSW. Thus, there is significant PARP activation in animal models subjected to circulatory shock, as well as in the hearts of septic patients. Based on the interventional studies in animals and the correlations observed in patients we propose that PARP activation may be, in part responsible for the cardiac depression and haemodynamic failure seen in humans with severe sepsis. Interestingly, recent studies reveal that the protective effects of PARP inhibitors are predominant in male animals, and are not apparent in female animals. Oestrogen, by providing a baseline inhibitory effect on PARP activation, may be partially responsible for this gender difference.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation by reactive nitrogen species--relevance for the pathogenesis of inflammation

Oxidative and nitrosative stress triggers DNA strand breakage, which then activates the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Nitrogen-derived reactive oxidant species capable of involving DNA single strand breakage and PARP activation include peroxynitrite (the reaction product of nitric oxide and superoxide), but not nitric oxide per se. Activation of PARP may dramatically lower the intracellular concentration of its substrate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, thus slowing the rate of glycolysis, electron transport, and subsequently ATP formation. This process can result in cell dysfunction and cell death. Here we review the role of reactive nitrogen species in the process of PARP activation, followed by the effect of pharmacological inhibition or genetic inactivation of PARP on the course of various forms of inflammation.

Peroxidation of liposomal palmitoyllinoleoylphosphatidylcholine (PLPC), effects of surface charge on the oxidizability and on the potency of antioxidants

Peroxidation of membrane phospholipids is an important determinant of membrane function. Previously we studied the kinetics of peroxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) residues in model membranes (liposomes) made by sonication of palmitoyllinoleoylphosphatidylcholine (PLPC). Since most biomembranes are negatively-charged, we have now studied the effect of negative surface charge on the kinetics of peroxidation of liposomes made of PLPC and 9% of one of the negatively-charged phospholipids phosphatidylserine (PS) or phosphatidic acid (PA). Peroxidation was initiated by either CuCl2 or AAPH and continuously monitored spectrophotometrically. The following results were obtained: (i) The negative charge had only a slight effect on AAPH-induced peroxidation, but accelerated markedly copper-induced peroxidation of the liposomes, probably by increasing the binding of copper to the membrane surface. (ii) Ascorbic acid (AA) inhibited AAPH-induced but promoted copper-induced peroxidation in all the studied liposomes, probably by enhancing the production of free radicals upon reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I). (iii) alpha-tocopherol (Toc) inhibited AAPH-induced peroxidation in all the studied liposomes, whereas the effect of tocopherol on copper-induced peroxidation varied from being pro-oxidative in PA-containing liposomes, to being extremely anti-oxidative in PS-containing liposomes, even at very low tocopherol concentrations. The significance of the latter unusual protective effect, which we attribute to recycling of tocopherol by a PS-Cu complex, requires further investigation.

Structural characterization of plasmenylcholine photooxidation products

Oxidative damage to plasmenyl-type lipids contributes to decreased membrane barrier function, loss of membrane structure and formation of nonlamellar defects in membrane bilayers. Previous results from this laboratory have shown that membrane-soluble sensitizers (e.g. zinc phthalocyanine and bacteriochlorophyll a) mediate the photooxidation of palmitoyl plasmenylcholine (1-O-alk-1'-Z-enyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; PPlsC) vesicles with the subsequent creation of lamellar defect structures, vesicle contents leakage and membrane-membrane fusion. Because plasmalogen lipids are significant components of sarcoplasma and myelin membranes, we sought to characterize the products of their photooxidation. This study focuses on the photooxidation of PPlsC vesicles in the presence of the water-soluble sensitizer, aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPcS4(4-)). Attack of photogenerated singlet oxygen on the 1-O-alkenyl ether linkage of PPlsC lipids was expected to generate dioxetane- and ene-type photoproducts. The products formed during continuous aerobic irradiation (28 mW/cm2, (610 nm) of PPlsC vesicles in the presence of AlPcS4(4-) were separated via reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD) or evaporative light-scattering detection (ELSD). Photooxidized dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol vesicles (control) were used to optimize the HPLC-ECD conditions, using 7 alpha-hydroperoxy-cholesterol as standard. HPLC-ECD was found to be most sensitive for PPlsC hydroperoxides, whereas HPLC-ELSD was more sensitive for nonhydroperoxide photoproducts. The three major photoproducts formed during vesicle irradiation were isolated via preparative HPLC and then characterized by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. 1-Formyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-hydroxy-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine were identified as dioxetane cleavage products that coeluted at approximately 3 min. The second fraction (retention time [RT] = 48 min) was identified as a PPlsC allylic hydroperoxide. The third photoproduct, eluting at RT = 64 min, is tentatively identified as an oxidation product arising from allylic hydroperoxide degradation via Hock rearrangement or free radical decomposition.

Contrasting roles for nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in the peroxidation of myelin lipids

Peroxynitrite is formed by the reaction of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide. Since widespread peroxynitrite activity was observed during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), the effect of this strong lipid-peroxidizing agent on myelin integrity was examined. Incubation of myelin suspensions with the peroxynitrite donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) resulted in the formation of the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA). MDA formation was inhibited in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene, which interrupts the progression of the lipid peroxidation chain reaction. Superoxide dismutase inhibited the effect of SIN-1, which indicates a role for superoxide, and contradicts a role for its dismutation product, hydrogen peroxide. The latter was confirmed by the failure of the catalase to inhibit MDA formation. Neither NO nor superoxide alone induced significant MDA formation in myelin, indicating that peroxynitrite formation is required for myelin-lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, NO actually inhibited lipid peroxidation in myelin, as demonstrated using simple NO donors. On the other hand, the simultaneous production of superoxide, as achieved with the NO-donor SIN-1, negated the inhibitory effect of NO. Finally, the production of isoprostanes, novel products generated during lipid peroxidation, was examined. Peroxynitrite-induced peroxidation of myelin resulted in isoprostane formation. Furthermore, increased levels of F2-isoprostanes and neuroprostanes were observed in spinal cords of mice during early progressive stages of autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Role of poly(ADP-ribose)synthetase in inflammation

Peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals are potent initiators of DNA single strand breakage, which is an obligatory stimulus for the activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose)synthetase (PARS). Rapid activation of PARS depletes the intracellular concentration of its substrate, NAD+, slowing the rate of glycolysis, electron transport and ATP formation. This process can result in acute cell dysfunction and cell necrosis. Accordingly, inhibitors of PARS protect against cell death under these conditions. In addition to the direct cytotoxic pathway regulated by DNA injury and PARS activation, PARS also appears to modulate the course of inflammation by regulating the expression of a number of genes, including the gene for intercellular adhesion molecule 1, collagenase and the inducible nitric oxide synthase. The research into the role of PARS in inflammatory conditions is now supported by novel tools, such as novel, potent inhibitors of PARS, and genetically engineered animals lacking the gene for PARS. In vivo data demonstrate that inhibition of PARS protects against various forms of inflammation, including zymosan or endotoxin induced multiple organ failure, arthritis, allergic encephalomyelitis, and diabetic islet cell destruction. Pharmacological inhibition of PARS may be a promising novel approach for the experimental therapy of various forms of inflammation.