Hydrogen peroxide metabolism and oxidative stress in cortical, medullary and papillary zones of rat kidney

Role of hepcidin in oxidative stress and cell death of cultured mouse renal collecting duct cells: protection against iron and sensitization to cadmium

The liver hormone hepcidin regulates systemic iron homeostasis. Hepcidin is also expressed by the kidney, but exclusively in distal nephron segments. Several studies suggest hepcidin protects against kidney damage involving Fe2+ overload. The nephrotoxic non-essential metal ion Cd2+ can displace Fe2+ from cellular biomolecules, causing oxidative stress and cell death. The role of hepcidin in Fe2+ and Cd2+ toxicity was assessed in mouse renal cortical [mCCD(cl.1)] and inner medullary [mIMCD3] collecting duct cell lines. Cells were exposed to equipotent Cd2+ (0.5-5 μmol/l) and/or Fe2+ (50-100 μmol/l) for 4-24 h. Hepcidin (Hamp1) was transiently silenced by RNAi or overexpressed by plasmid transfection. Hepcidin or catalase expression were evaluated by RT-PCR, qPCR, immunoblotting or immunofluorescence microscopy, and cell fate by MTT, apoptosis and necrosis assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using CellROX™ Green and catalase activity by fluorometry. Hepcidin upregulation protected against Fe2+-induced mIMCD3 cell death by increasing catalase activity and reducing ROS, but exacerbated Cd2+-induced catalase dysfunction, increasing ROS and cell death. Opposite effects were observed with Hamp1 siRNA. Similar to Hamp1 silencing, increased intracellular Fe2+ prevented Cd2+ damage, ROS formation and catalase disruption whereas chelation of intracellular Fe2+ with desferrioxamine augmented Cd2+ damage, corresponding to hepcidin upregulation. Comparable effects were observed in mCCD(cl.1) cells, indicating equivalent functions of renal hepcidin in different collecting duct segments. In conclusion, hepcidin likely binds Fe2+, but not Cd2+. Because Fe2+ and Cd2+ compete for functional binding sites in proteins, hepcidin affects their free metal ion pools and differentially impacts downstream processes and cell fate.

Sub-chronic oral toxicity assessment (90 days) of ethanolic fraction of leaves of Neurocalyx calycinus (R. Br. ex Benn.) Rob. in rodents: A lesser known ethnomedicinal plant from the Cholanaickan tribal community, India

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety of long term consumption of ethanolic fraction of Neurocalyx calycinus leaves (NCEF) in rodents. The NCEF was subjected to detect the presence of various phytoconstituents. In acute oral toxicity study, graded doses of NCEF was administered in mice and were observed up to 14 days. In sub-chronic oral toxicity study, NCEF was administered to Wistar rats at doses of 50, 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w. per day for 90 days and after that, observed up to 28 days. NCEF showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, phenolics and glycosides. In acute toxicity study, there was no mortality and no behavioural signs of toxicity at the highest dose level (6400 mg/kg b.w.). In sub-chronic oral toxicity study, there were no significant difference observed in the consumption of food and water, body weight and relative organ weights. Haematological, serum biochemical, hepatic oxidative stress marker analysis and urine analysis revealed the non-adverse effects of prolonged oral consumption of NCEF. The histopathologic examination did not show any differences in vital organs. Based on our findings, NCEF, at dosage levels up to 1000 mg/kg b.w., is non-toxic and safe for long term oral consumption.

Iron transport in the kidney: implications for physiology and cadmium nephrotoxicity

The kidney has recently emerged as an organ with a significant role in systemic iron (Fe) homeostasis. Substantial amounts of Fe are filtered by the kidney, which have to be reabsorbed to prevent Fe deficiency. Accordingly Fe transporters and receptors for protein-bound Fe are expressed in the nephron that may also function as entry pathways for toxic metals, such as cadmium (Cd), by way of "ionic and molecular mimicry". Similarities, but also differences in handling of Cd by these transport routes offer rationales for the propensity of the kidney to develop Cd toxicity. This critical review provides a comprehensive update on Fe transport by the kidney and its relevance for physiology and Cd nephrotoxicity. Based on quantitative considerations, we have also estimated the in vivo relevance of the described transport pathways for physiology and toxicology. Under physiological conditions all segments of the kidney tubules are likely to utilize Fe for cellular Fe requiring processes for metabolic purposes and also to contribute to reabsorption of free and bound forms of Fe into the circulation. But Cd entering tubule cells disrupts metabolic pathways and is unable to exit. Furthermore, our quantitative analyses contest established models linking chronic Cd nephrotoxicity to proximal tubular uptake of metallothionein-bound Cd. Hence, Fe transport by the kidney may be beneficial by preventing losses from the body. But increased uptake of Fe or Cd that cannot exit tubule cells may lead to kidney injury, and Fe deficiency may facilitate renal Cd uptake.

Protective effects of aliskiren on ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats

The protective effect of aliskiren on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the heart and brain has been reported. Whether or not this protective effect extends into the alleviation of renal I/R injury is not known. Therefore, we investigated the protective effect of aliskiren in the kidney in this study. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham control group; sham control with aliskiren pretreatment; I/R group and I/R with aliskiren pretreatment. Aliskiren (3mg/kg) or vehicle was administrated intravenously via vena cava. Blood samples and the left kidneys were then collected to check for renal function, angiotensin II (Ang II), apoptosis and oxidative stress levels. Compared with the sham rats, serum creatinine (SCR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly increased in the I/R rats, accompanied by histopathological damage to the kidney, which included tubular cell swelling, desquamation, and cast formation. There were also more apoptotic cells and leukocyte infiltration in the I/R rats than in the sham rats. Pretreatment with aliskiren ameliorated I/R induced renal injury, i.e. reduced SCR and BUN levels, ameliorated renal histopathological changes, and decreased the apoptosis of cells and leukocyte infiltration in kidney. I/R injury also decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH-reduced form) levels, which were blocked with the aliskiren pretreatment. Aliskiren pretreatment exerts a protective effect on ischemia/reperfusion injury in the kidney, via amelioration of oxidative stress, and reduction in leukocyte infiltration and cellular apoptosis.

The influence of dietary supplementation of arachidonic acid on prostaglandin production and oxidative stress in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

In a previous study, dietary supplementation with arachidonic acid (ARA) to oysters Crassostrea gigas increased haemocyte numbers, phagocytosis, and production of reactive oxygen species level (ROS) by haemocytes (Delaporte et al., 2006). To assess if the observed stimulation of these cellular responses resulted from changes of ARA-related prostaglandin (PG) production, we analysed prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGEM) content on the same oysters fed three levels of ARA. Dietary supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could also induce an oxidative stress that could similarly increase cellular responses; therefore, two indicators of oxidative stress were analysed: peroxidation level and antioxidant defence status. Together the observed positive correlation between ARA and PGEM levels and the absence of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity changes supports the hypothesis of an immune stimulation via PG synthesis. Although ARA proportion in oyster tissues increased by up to 7-fold in response to ARA dietary supplementation, peroxidation index did not change because of a compensatory decrease in n-3 fatty acid proportion, mainly 22:6n-3. To further confirm the involvement of PG in the changes of haemocyte count, phagocytosis and ROS production upon ARA supplementation, it would be interesting to test cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase inhibitors in similar experiments.

Proteomics in investigation of protein nitration in kidney disease: technical challenges and perspectives from the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Kidneys are the mammalian organs with widest range of oxidative status ranging from the well-perfused cortex to the relatively anoxic medulla. This organ is of key interest from the perspective of hypertension, an important contributor to human mortality, and there has been growing use of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) as a model to explore oxidative stress in hypertensive kidney. Nitrosative stress is often associated with oxidative stress and, like oxidative stress, can lead to covalent modification of protein side-chains. It is especially relevant to kidney because of high levels of both nitrite/nitrate and nitric oxide synthase in medulla. Because of their relatively low abundance and their well-known role in signal transduction, nitration of tyrosines to 3-nitrotyrosines (3NT) is of particular interest in this regard. This modification has the potential to contribute to changes in regulation, in protein activity and may provide a means of specific targeting of key proteins. Mass spectrometry (MS) offers a promising route to detecting this modification. This review surveys protein nitration in kidney disease and highlights opportunities for MS detection of nitrated residues in the SHR.

Loss of clusterin expression worsens renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a challenge in clinical care of the patients with kidney transplants or acute kidney injury, and understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to injury in the kidney will lead to a novel therapy. Clusterin, a secreted glycoprotein, is an antiapoptotic protein in cancer cells. Our study is to investigate the role of clusterin in renal IRI. Renal IRI in mice was induced by clamping renal vein and artery for 45 or 50 min at 32°C. Apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) was determined by FACS analysis. Clusterin expression was examined by Western blot or immunohistochemistry. Here, we showed that clusterin protein was induced in TECs following IRI, and more tubules expressed clusterin in the kidneys following ischemia at higher temperatures. In human proximal TEC HKC-8 cultures, clusterin was upregulated by removal of serum and growth factors in medium and was downregulated by TNF-α-IFN-γ mixture. The levels of clusterin were positively correlated with cell survival in these conditions. Knockdown or knockout of clusterin expression enhanced the sensitivity of TECs to apoptosis. In experimental models of renal IRI, deficiency in clusterin expression worsened the injury, as indicated by a significant increase in renal tissue damage with higher levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and by a poorer recovery from the injury in clusterin-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Our data indicate that the reduction of inducible expression of clusterin results in an increase in TEC apoptosis in the cultures and renders mice susceptibility to IRI, implying a protective role of clusterin in kidney injury.

Histological and biochemical alterations in early-stage lobar ischemia-reperfusion in rat liver

AIM: To investigate the structural and biochemical changes in the early stage of reperfusion in the rat livers exposed to lobar ischemia-reperfusion (IR).

METHODS: The median and left lobes of the liver were subjected to 60 min ischemia followed by 5, 10, 30, 45, 60 and 120 min reperfusion. Blood samples were taken at different time intervals to test enzyme activities and biochemical alterations induced by reperfusion. At the end of each reperfusion period, the animals were killed by euthanasia and tissue samples were taken for histological examination and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Cell vacuolation, bleb formation and focal hepatitis were the most important changes occur during ischemia. While some changes including bleb formation were removed during reperfusion, other alterations including portal hepatitis, inflammation and the induction of apoptosis were seen during this stage. The occurrence of apoptosis, as demonstrated by apoptotic cells and bodies, was the most important histological change during reperfusion. The severity of apoptosis was dependent on the time of reperfusion, and by increasing the time of reperfusion, the numbers of apoptotic bodies was significantly enhanced. The amounts of lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and urea were significantly increased in serum obtained from animals exposed to hepatic IR.

CONCLUSION: Inflammation and subsequent apoptotic cell death were the most important changes in early-stage hepatic reperfusion injury, and the number of apoptotic bodies increased with time of reperfusion.

MicroRNA-target pairs in the rat kidney identified by microRNA microarray, proteomic, and bioinformatic analysis

Mammalian genomes contain several hundred highly conserved genes encoding microRNAs. In silico analysis has predicted that a typical microRNA may regulate the expression of hundreds of target genes, suggesting miRNAs might have broad biological significance. A major challenge is to obtain experimental evidence for predicted microRNA-target pairs. We reasoned that reciprocal expression of a microRNA and a predicted target within a physiological context would support the presence and relevance of a microRNA-target pair. We used microRNA microarray and proteomic techniques to analyze the cortex and the medulla of rat kidneys. Of the 377 microRNAs analyzed, we identified 6 as enriched in the renal cortex and 11 in the renal medulla. From approximately 2100 detectable protein spots in two-dimensional gels, we identified 58 proteins as more abundant in the renal cortex and 72 in the renal medulla. The differential expression of several microRNAs and proteins was verified by real-time PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. Several pairs of reciprocally expressed microRNAs and proteins were predicted to be microRNA-target pairs by TargetScan, PicTar, or miRanda. Seven pairs were predicted by two algorithms and two pairs by all three algorithms. The identification of reciprocal expression of microRNAs and their computationally predicted targets in the rat kidney provides a unique molecular basis for further exploring the biological role of microRNA. In addition, this study establishes a differential profile of microRNA expression between the renal cortex and the renal medulla and greatly expands the known differential proteome profiles between the two kidney regions.

Functional, structural, and chemical changes in myosin associated with hydrogen peroxide treatment of skeletal muscle fibers

To understand the molecular mechanism of oxidation-induced inhibition of muscle contractility, we have studied the effects of hydrogen peroxide on permeabilized rabbit psoas muscle fibers, focusing on changes in myosin purified from these fibers. Oxidation by 5 mM peroxide decreased fiber contractility (isometric force and shortening velocity) without significant changes in the enzymatic activity of myofibrils and isolated myosin. The inhibitory effects were reversed by treating fibers with dithiothreitol. Oxidation by 50 mM peroxide had a more pronounced and irreversible inhibitory effect on fiber contractility and also affected enzymatic activity of myofibrils, myosin, and actomyosin. Peroxide treatment also affected regulation of contractility, resulting in fiber activation in the absence of calcium. Electron paramagnetic resonance of spin-labeled myosin in muscle fibers showed that oxidation increased the fraction of myosin heads in the strong-binding structural state under relaxing conditions (low calcium) but had no effect under activating conditions (high calcium). This change in the distribution of structural states of myosin provides a plausible explanation for the observed changes in both contractile and regulatory functions. Mass spectroscopy analysis showed that 50 mM but not 5 mM peroxide induced oxidative modifications in both isoforms of the essential light chains and in the heavy chain of myosin subfragment 1 by targeting multiple methionine residues. We conclude that 1) inhibition of muscle fiber contractility via oxidation of myosin occurs at high but not low concentrations of peroxide and 2) the inhibitory effects of oxidation suggest a critical and previously unknown role of methionines in myosin function.

NADPH Oxidase in the Renal Medulla Causes Oxidative Stress and Contributes to Salt-Sensitive Hypertension in Dahl S Rats

Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats exhibit increased renal medullary oxidative stress and blood pressure salt-sensitivity compared with consomic, salt-resistant SS-13BN rats, despite highly similar genetic backgrounds. The present study examined potential sources of renal medullary superoxide in prehypertensive SS rats fed a 0.4% NaCl diet by assessing activity and protein levels of superoxide producing and scavenging enzymes. Superoxide production was nearly doubled in SS rats compared with SS-13BN rats as determined by urinary 8-isoprostane excretion and renal medullary oxy-ethidium microdialysate levels. Medullary superoxide production in tissue homogenates was greater in SS rats, and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium preferentially reduced SS levels to those found in SS-13BN rats. Dinitrophenol, a mitochondrial uncoupler, eliminated the remaining superoxide production in both strains, whereas inhibition of xanthine oxidase, NO synthase, and cycloxygenase had no effect. L-arginine, NO synthase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities between SS and SS-13BN rats did not differ. Chronic blood pressure responses to a 4% NaCl diet were then determined in the presence or absence of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin (3.5 microg/kg per minute), chronically delivered directly into the renal medulla. Apocynin infusion reduced renal medullary interstitial superoxide from 1059+/-130 to 422+/-80 (oxyethidium fluorescence units) and mean arterial pressure from 175+/-4 to 157+/-6 mm Hg in SS rats, whereas no effects on either were observed in the SS-13(BN). We conclude that excess renal medullary superoxide production in SS rats contributes to salt-induced hypertension, and NADPH oxidase is the major source of the excess superoxide.

Hydrogen peroxide and epidermal growth factor activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and increase sodium transport in A6 cell monolayers

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) is required for insulin stimulation of sodium transport in A6 cell monolayers. In this study, we investigate whether stimulation of the PI 3-kinase by other agents also provoked an increase in sodium transport. Both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and H2O2provoked a rise in sodium transport that was inhibited by LY-294002, an inhibitor of PI 3-kinase activity. PI 3-kinase activity was estimated in extracts from A6 cell monolayers directly by performance of a PI 3-kinase assay. We also estimated the relative importance of the PI 3-kinase pathway by two different methods: 1) coprecipitation of the p85 regulatory subunit with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies and 2) phosphorylation of PKB on both Ser 473 and Thr 308 residues observed by Western blotting. Since the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has also been implicated in the regulation of sodium transport, we also investigated whether this pathway is turned on by insulin, H2O2, or EGF. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was increased only transiently by insulin and H2O2but quite sustainedly by EGF. Inhibitors of this pathway (U-0126 and PD-98059) failed to affect the insulin and H2O2stimulation of sodium transport but increased substantially the stimulation induced by EGF. The latter effect was associated with an increase in PKB phosphorylation, thus suggesting that the stimulation of the MAPK pathway prevents, in part, the stimulation of the PI 3-kinase pathway in the transport of sodium stimulated by EGF.

Superoxide enhances Na-K-2Cl cotransporter activity in the thick ascending limb

Superoxide (O2-) enhances Na reabsorption by the thick ascending limb (THAL). Na absorption in this segment involves the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, K channel, and Na-K-ATPase. We hypothesized that O2- stimulates NaCl absorption primarily by enhancing Na-K-2Cl cotransport. First, we measured steady-state intracellular Na (Nai) and chloride (Cli). Xanthine oxidase (XO; 0.75 mU/ml) and hypoxanthine (HX; 0.125 mM) were added to the bath to increase O2-. During the control period, Nai was 12.2 +/- 1.9 mM. After treatment with O2-, it rose to 20.9 +/- 3.3 mM, a 71% increase (P < 0.01). Cli also increased (P < 0.01). Neither XO nor HX alone had a significant effect on Nai or Cli. Next, we tested cotransport activity by measuring the initial rate of increase in Nai caused by changing luminal Na-Cl-K from 50/0/0 to 140/134/4 mM. During the control period, the initial rate of increase was 0.13 +/- 0.02 arbitrary units (AU)/min. After treatment with O2-, it was 0.22 +/- 0.04 AU/min (P < 0.025), a 69% increase. Neither XO nor HX alone had a significant effect. Furosemide completely blocked the increase in intracellular Na in the control and O2- treatment periods. Next, we studied K channel activity by measuring the depolarization caused by increasing luminal K from 1 to 25 mM using a voltage-sensitive dye. During the control period, maximum depolarization was 7.31 +/- 0.77 AU. After O2- treatment, it was 6.18 +/- 0.90 AU (P < 0.05), a 15% decrease. Finally, we assessed the effects of O2- on Na-K-ATPase activity in THAL suspensions by measuring ATP hydrolysis. Vmax and K1/2 for Na were not affected by O2-. We concluded that O2- stimulates THAL NaCl absorption primarily by enhancing Na entry via Na-K-2Cl cotransport.

H2O2-induced proliferation of primary alveolar epithelial cells is mediated by MAP kinases

Exposure to supraphysiological oxygen concentrations during ventilatory oxygen therapy often causes tissue damage. Alveolar type II (AT II) cells are a major target for oxidant injury, and their ability to proliferate plays a critical role during the repair phase following injury. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced during hyperoxia, not only cause cellular damage, but may also play a role in the repair process by promoting AT II cell proliferation. We have tested the ability of ROS to induce proliferation in primary cultures of AT II cells by using a wide range of chronic and acute hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) exposures to mimic different types of oxidative stress. We found that chronic exposure to an extracellular flux of 10 microM H2O2/h can significantly increase the intracellular concentration of oxidants, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation. H2O2-induced AT II cell proliferation was preceded by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase). Inhibition of ERK and p38 activation prevented H2O2-induced proliferation. These results show that changes in intracellular oxidant concentrations can modulate downstream signaling pathways controlling AT II cell proliferation. This mechanism could be important in the repair process following hyperoxia-induced injury.

The role of reactive oxygen species in the regulation of tubular function

The phrase reactive oxygen species covers a number of molecules and atoms, including the quintessential member of the group, O2-; singlet oxygen; H2O2; organic peroxides; and OONO-. While nitric oxide (NO) is also technically a member of the reactive oxygen species family, it is generally considered with a different class of compounds and will not be considered here. To our knowledge, there are currently no published data reporting the effects of reactive oxygen species on net transepithelial flux in the proximal nephron. However, there is evidence that OONO- regulates Na+/K+ adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity as well as paracellular permeability. While it is easy to speculate that such an effect on the pump would decrease net transepithelial solute and water reabsorption, one cannot do so without knowing how other transporters are affected. O2- stimulates NaCl absorption by the thick ascending limb by activating protein kinase C and blunting the effects of NO. The effects of O2- on thick ascending limb NaCl absorption may be important for the initiation of salt-sensitive hypertension. To our knowledge, there are no published data concerning the role of reactive oxygen species in the regulation of solute absorption in either the distal convoluted tubule or the collecting duct. However, OONO- inhibits basolateral K+ channels in the cortical collecting duct, although the net effect of such inhibition is unknown.

CONCLUSION

While the regulation of tubular transport by reactive oxygen species is important to overall salt and water balance, we know very little about where and how these regulators act along the nephron.

The effect of quercetin on renal ischemia and reperfusion injury in the rat

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs in many clinical conditions such as hypovolemic shock, thromboembolism, injury and after renal transplantation. Under these conditions, ROS are considered to be the reason for cellular damage. Bioflavonoids have antioxidant and renoprotective properties. We studied the effect of quercetin, a bioflavonoid, on ischemia and reperfusion in rats. The rats (n = 28) were separated into three groups. Group I was the control group. Animals in groups II (IR) and III (IR + Q) underwent 30 min ischemia and 45 min reperfusion, respectively. Rats, in group III, also received 50 mg kg(-1) quercetin before 45 min of reperfusion. The activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, and concentrations of GSH and GSSGR were determined in renal cortex and erythrocytes. Also, the levels of MDA in renal cortex and plasma, and XO in renal cortex were measured in these groups. The renal cortex XO levels in the IR group were higher than that of the control and IR+Q groups (p<0.001). The renal cortex and plasma MDA levels in the IR group were also found to be higher than the control and IR+Q groups (p<0.01, and p<0.001, respectively). However, a decrease in MAD level of the IR+Q group was found in renal cortex and erythrocytes. In addition, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities in renal cortex and erythrocytes of quercetin-treated animals were enhanced compared to animals of the IR group. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the SOD, CAT, and GPx activities of the control and IR+Q group. A reduction of GSH and GSSGR levels in IR and IR+Q groups was detected but no significant differences were found between these groups. This study stresses that high concentration of ROS leads to renal ischemia and reperfusion, and quercetin reduces the renal injury by preventing the oxidative stress dependent on ischemia and reperfusion. Quercetin may be used in renal transplantation as an antioxidant drug.

Superoxide stimulates NaCl absorption by the thick ascending limb

The thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (THAL) plays an important role in the regulation of NaCl and water reabsorption. In vivo studies have shown that the free radical superoxide (O) stimulates Na and water reabsorption by the kidney. However, it is not known whether O regulates transport along the nephron in general or in the THAL specifically. We hypothesized that O stimulates THAL NaCl reabsorption. Cl absorption was measured in isolated, perfused THALs from Sprague-Dawley rats. First, we tested whether extracellular O stimulates Cl absorption. Addition of the O-generating system xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine increased Cl absorption from 112.7 +/- 12.0 to 146.2 +/- 13.9 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1), a 33% increase (P < 0.03). When superoxide dismutase (300 U/ml) was present in the bath, addition of xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine did not significantly increase Cl absorption (116.9 +/- 13.8 vs. 102.5 +/- 8.5 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1)). Furthermore, adding 200 nM H(2)O(2) to the bath did not significantly affect Cl absorption (from 130.3 +/- 13.7 to 125.3 +/- 19.6 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1)). Because extracellular O stimulated Cl absorption, we next tested whether endogenously produced O could stimulate transport. Under basal conditions, THALs produced detectable amounts of O, as measured by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Adding the O scavenger tempol to the bath decreased Cl absorption from 198.1 +/- 35.4 to 132.4 +/- 23.5 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1), a 31% decrease (P < 0.02). To make sure tempol was not exerting cytotoxic effects, we tested whether its effect was reversible. With tempol in the bath, Cl absorption was 117.2 +/- 9.3 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1). Sixty minutes after tempol was removed from the bath, Cl absorption had increased to 149.2 +/- 9.1 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.05). We concluded that both exogenous and endogenous O stimulate THAL NaCl absorption. To our knowledge, these are the first data showing a direct effect of O on nephron transport.

Dietary ortho phenols that induce glutathione S-transferase and increase the resistance of cells to hydrogen peroxide are potential cancer chemopreventives that act by two mechanisms: the alleviation of oxidative stress and the detoxification of mutagenic xenobiotics

Oxidative stress is implicated in the etiology of cancer, hence compounds that alleviate oxidative stress by inducing enzymes that defend against free radical damage might be useful as cancer chemopreventives. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) has been suggested to be a candidate for a critical enzyme in protecting cells against free radical damage, in part, because its level of induction correlates with protection of the cell line IMR-32 against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. The present study identified dietary ortho phenols that both induce GST and protect the cell line IMR-32 against hydrogen peroxide-caused oxidative stress. The ortho phenol (o-phenol) inducers were better protectors against oxidative stress than a number of GST inducers that did not bear phenolic groups, possibly because the phenol residues of the ortho phenols allowed their action as antioxidants as well as inducers of GST. GST has previously been thought to protect cells against cancer by detoxifying mutagenic xenobiotics. The present results suggest that ortho phenol inducers of GST might be useful as cancer chemopreventives that act by two independent mechanisms, the alleviation of oxidative stress and the detoxification of mutagenic xenobiotics.

Genetic responses to free radicals. Homeostasis and gene control

Gene regulation mechanisms have evolved allowing cells to finetune the level of "endogenous" oxidative stress and to cope with increased free radicals from external sources. Levels of H2O2 are tightly controlled in E. coli by OxyR, which is activated by H2O2 to increase scavenging activities and limit H2O2 generation by the respiratory chain. Sub-micromolar levels of H2O2 are maintained in mammalian tissues, though the regulatory systems that govern this control are unknown. Excess superoxide triggers the soxRS system in E. coli, which is controlled by the oxidant-sensitive iron-sulfur centers of the SoxR protein. Nitric oxide activates SoxR by a different modification of the iron-sulfur centers. The soxRS regulon mobilizes diverse functions to scavenge free radicals and repair oxidative damage in macromolecules, and other mechanisms that exclude many environmental agents from the cell. Mammalian cells also sense and respond to sub-toxic levels of nitric oxide, activating expression of heme oxygenase 1 through stabilization of its mRNA. These inductions give rise to adaptive resistance to nitric oxide in neuronal and other cell types.

Modulation of Chemokine Expression During Ischemia/Reperfusion in Transgenic Mice Overproducing Human Glutathione Peroxidases

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of kidney damage. There is accumulating evidence that inflammatory reactions are involved in the pathogenesis of this process. Our studies demonstrate that transgenic mice overexpressing human extracellular and intracellular glutathione peroxidases (GP) are protected against kidney I/R injury. Importantly, significant reduction in neutrophil migration was observed in GP mice compared with nontransgenic mice. Analysis of signaling molecules mediating neutrophil activation and recruitment indicates reduction in the level of KC and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 chemokine expression in transgenic animals. The molecular mechanism mediating this effect appears to involve repression of NF-κB activation at the level of IκBα and IκBβ degradation. In the case of IκBα, no apparent phosphorylation was detected. These results suggest that IκBα proteolysis is triggered during the renal I/R pro-oxidant state by a still unknown mechanism, which might be different from other stimuli. A central role of NF-κB in CXC chemokine activation was demonstrated in cell culture anoxia/ATP repletion experiments as a model of I/R. The data presented indicate the important role of GP-sensitive signal transduction pathways in the development of inflammatory response and tissue injury during I/R.

Compounds that induce isoforms of glutathione S-transferase with properties of a critical enzyme in defense against oxidative stress

Compounds that upregulate enzymes that play critical roles in protection against free radical damage might be useful in treating diseases in which free radicals are pathological. To identify critical enzymes and their upregulators, compounds that were not free radical scavengers were screened for the ability to increase the IC(50) of the human neuronal cell line IMR-32 for hydrogen peroxide. Subsequently, enzymes upregulated by compounds that increased the IC(50) were identified. All of the compounds identified that increased the IC(50) also increased the specific activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST). In addition, compound-caused increases in the specific activity of GST correlated with compound-caused increases in the IC(50), the expected behaviour if GST was a critical enzyme. The GST isoform composition changed on upregulation, suggesting the upregulation of isoforms with anti-free radical activities. Structural features of compounds concurrently increasing the IC(50) and upregulating GST were identified.

Arachidonic acid interaction with the mitochondrial electron transport chain promotes reactive oxygen species generation

A study has been carried out on the interaction of arachidonic acid and other long chain free fatty acids with bovine heart mitochondria. It is shown that arachidonic acid causes an uncoupling effect under state 4 respiration of intact mitochondria as well as a marked inhibition of uncoupled respiration. While, under our conditions, the uncoupling effect is independent of the fatty acid species considered, the inhibition is stronger for unsaturated acids. Experiments carried out with mitochondrial particles indicated that the arachidonic acid dependent decrease of the respiratory activity is caused by a selective inhibition of Complex I and III. It is also shown that arachidonic acid causes a remarkable increase of hydrogen peroxide production when added to mitochondria respiring with either pyruvate+malate or succinate as substrate. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the coupling site II was almost double than that at site I. The results obtained are discussed with regard to the impairment of the mitochondrial respiratory activity as occurring during the heart ischemia/reperfusion process.

Relation between natriuresis and urinary excretion of hydrogen peroxide

Changes in the urinary hydrogen peroxide by exercise or salt load were studied in six healthy male volunteers. Exercise was performed by bicycle ergometer for 30 min at the intensity of 80% of the maximum heart rate predicted by age. Urinary excretion rate of hydrogen peroxide showed a tendency to increase in the salt load experiment, and to decrease by exercise. Correlation coefficient between urinary excretion rate of sodium and hydrogen peroxide one hour after the load was 0.797 (0.1 > p > 0.05) in the exercise experiment, 0.892 (p <0.05) in the salt load experiment and 0.877 (p < 0.001) in both experiments. Correlation coefficient between area under the curve for sodium excretion and hydrogen peroxide excretion was also as high as 0.822 (p < 0.05) in the exercise experiment, 0.909 (p < 0.05) in the salt load experiment and 0.853 (p < 0.001) in both experiments. These results may suggest that urinary excretion rate of hydrogen peroxide is closely related to metabolism of electrolytes and fluid in the renal tubules.

Homeostatic regulation of intracellular hydrogen peroxide concentration in aerobically growing Escherichia coli

The exponential phase of aerobic growth is associated with risk of endogenous oxidative stress in which cells need to cope with an approximately 10-fold increase in the rate of H2O2 generation. We addressed this issue by studying the regulation of the intracellular concentration of H2O2 in aerobically growing Escherichia coli. Intracellular H2O2 was kept at an almost constant steady-state value of approximately 0.2 microM (variation, less than twofold) over a broad range of cell densities in rich medium. This regulation was achieved in part by a transient increase in the OxyR-dependent transcription of the catalase gene katG (monitored by using a katG::lacZ operon fusion) during exponential growth, directly correlated with the increased rate of H2O2 generation. The OxyR-regulated alkyl hydroperoxide reductase encoded by ahpFC did not detectably affect H2O2 or catalase activity levels. Induction of katG, ahpFC, and perhaps other genes prevented the accumulation of oxidatively modified lipids but may not have protected DNA: the spontaneous mutation rate was significantly increased in both wild-type and delta(oxy)R strains during exponential growth compared to that in these strains during lag or stationary phases. Strains lacking oxyR showed throughout growth an 8- to 10-fold-higher frequency of spontaneous mutation than was seen for wild-type bacteria. The ahpdelta5 allele also had a mutator effect half of that of delta(oxy)R in exponential and stationary phases and equal to that of deltaoxyR in lag phase, perhaps by affecting organic peroxide levels. These results show that oxyR-regulated catalase expression is not solely an emergency response of E. coli to environmental oxidative stress, but also that it mediates a homeostatic regulation of the H2O2 produced by normal aerobic metabolism. The activation of the oxyR regulon in this process occurs at much lower levels of H2O2 (approximately 10(-7)M) than those reported for oxyR activation by exogenous H2O2 (approximately 10(-5) M).

Effect of reactive oxygen species on endothelin-1 production by human mesangial cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is generated in abundance in renal ischemia/reperfusion with resultant decreases in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. To determine if ROS regulate ET-1 production, the effect of ROS donors or scavengers on ET-1 protein and mRNA levels in cultured human mesangial cells was examined. Incubation with xanthine/xanthine oxidase, glucose oxidase, or H2O2 caused a dose-dependent rise in ET-1 release. Similarly, xanthine/xanthine oxidase or H2O2 augmented ET-1 mRNA levels. In contrast, the ROS scavengers dimethylthiourea (DMTU), dimethylpyrroline N-oxide, or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate reduced basal ET-1 release, while DMTU lowered ET-1 mRNA levels. Deferoxamine, an iron chelator, also decreased basal ET-1 release. Superoxide dismutase potentiated the ET-1 stimulatory effect of xanthine/xanthine oxidase, while catalase abrogated the effect of xanthine/xanthine oxidase and H2O2. The effects of ROS were unrelated to changes in nitric oxide production or cytotoxicity. These data indicate that exogenously or endogenously-derived ROS can increase ET-1 production by human mesangial cells. While superoxide anion reduces ET-1 levels, H2O2 leads to enhanced production of the peptide. ROS stimulation of mesangial cell ET-1 production may contribute to impaired glomerular hemodynamics in the setting of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Mitochondrial sites of hydrogen peroxide production in reperfused rat kidney cortex

Electron transport and production of O2-/H2O2 by the NADH dehydrogenase flavin-semiquinone (FMNH.) and ubisemiquinone (UQH.) were studied in a model of in vivo ischemia-reperfusion in rat kidney. H2O2 production rates were assessed in isolated mitochondria using either succinate, with and without antimycin, or malate-glutamate, with and without rotenone. Respiratory activities of isolated mitochondria and activity of NADH- and succinate-cytochrome c reductase and of NADH- and succinate-dehydrogenase in submitochondrial particles were measured to evaluate the electron flux throughout respiratory carriers. The mitochondrial H2O2 production rate was approximately 1.5- and 4-times increased in ischemic and ischemic-reperfused kidneys, respectively. Ischemia caused a marked decrease in the electron transport throughout the NADH-UQ segment with no significant changes either in the NADH dehydrogenase activity or in the electron flux trough the succinate-cytochrome oxidase segment. Reperfusion did not further affect the NADH-ubiquinone segment but markedly inhibited the succinate-supported oxygen consumption, succinate-cytochrome c reductase and succinate dehydrogenase activity. Our results show a redistribution of the electron flux with an increased rate of superoxide anion/hydrogen peroxide production at NADH dehydrogenase in mitochondria subjected to ischemia only. After 10 min reperfusion an impairment of the electron flow at succinate-cytochrome c segment is established and hydrogen peroxide production by UQH. increases up to maximal values becoming the major source of superoxide anion/hydrogen peroxide.