Antioxidant enzyme gene transcription in copper-deficient rat liver

The emerging role of copper in depression

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element in the brain and serves as an important cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in a wide range of biochemical processes including neurobehavioral, mitochondrial respiration, and antioxidant effects. Recent studies have demonstrated that copper dyshomeostasis is tightly associated with the development of depression by inducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, these findings have remained controversial so far. Cumulative studies have shown a positive association, while some other studies showed no association and even a negative association between serum/plasma copper level and depression. Based on these conflicted results, the association was speculated to be due to the clinical features of the population, stages of the disease, severity of copper excess, and types of specimens detected in these studies. In addition, there was an inverse association between dietary copper intake and depression. Furthermore, increasing copper intake could influence dietary zinc and iron intake to prevent and treat depression. Thus, copper supplementation may be a good measure to manage depression. This review provided a deeper understanding of the potential applicability of copper in the prevention and treatment of depression.

Micronutrients in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Pathogenesis

Micronutrients include electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, and carotenoids, and are required in microgram or milligram quantities for cellular metabolism. The liver plays an important role in micronutrient metabolism and this metabolism often is altered in chronic liver diseases. Here, we review how the liver contributes to micronutrient metabolism; how impaired micronutrient metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a systemic disorder of energy, glucose, and lipid homeostasis; and how insights gained from micronutrient biology have informed NAFLD therapeutics. Finally, we highlight some of the challenges and opportunities that remain with investigating the contribution of micronutrients to NAFLD pathology and suggest strategies to incorporate our understanding into the care of NAFLD patients.

Supplemental Ascorbate or α-Tocopherol Induces Cell Death in Cu-Deficient HL-60 Cells

Cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) is the Cu-dependent, terminal respiratory complex of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Inhibition of CCO can promote oxidative stress by increasing mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because mitochondria have an important role in apoptosis as both a target and source for ROS, enhanced ROS production resulting from inhibition of CCO by Cu deficiency may trigger apoptosis. The present study focuses on the mitochondrial effects of N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-1, 3-propanediamine (TET), which inhibits CCO by causing cellular Cu deficiency, and the antioxidants ascorbate and α-tocopherol in a human promyelocyte leukemia cell line (HL-60). The following effects were observed: (i) TET reduced both cell growth and viability only in the presence of ascorbate or α-tocopherol; (ii) TET reduced CCO activity and increased mitochondrial ROS production as indicated by increased expression of Mn superoxide dismutase, but the induction of Mn superoxide dismutase was not affected by ascorbate or α-tocopherol; (iii) TET acted independently of ascorbate or α-tocopherol in disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential; (iv) TET did not increase caspase-8 activity in the absence of ascorbate or α-tocopherol; and (v) TET did not increase transfer of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol unless α-tocopherol was present. These findings indicate that reduction in CCO activity by TET-Induced Cu deficiency increased oxidative stress in HL-60 cells sufficiently to disrupt the electrochemical gradient of the inner mitochondrial membrane but did not trigger cell death. Also, ascorbate and α-tocopherol did not alleviate oxidative stress but may have become pro-oxidants, adding to the oxidant burden sufficiently to trigger cell death in TET-treated cells.

Antioxidant biochemical responses to long-term copper exposure in Bathymodiolus azoricus from Menez-Gwen hydrothermal vent

Copper (Cu) is essential to various physiological processes in marine organisms. However, at high concentrations this redox-active transition metal may enhance the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequently initiate oxidative damage. High concentrations of Cu may increase oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. Bathymodiolus azoricus is a Mytilid bivalve very common in hydrothermal environments near the Azores Triple Junction continuously exposed to high metal concentrations, including Cu, emanating from the vent fluids. The knowledge of antioxidant defence system and other stress related biomarkers in these organisms is still scarce. The aim of this work was to study the effect of Cu (25 microg l(-1); 24 days exposure; 6 days depuration) on the antioxidant stress biomarkers in the gills and mantle of B. azoricus. The expression of stress related biomarkers was tissue-dependent and results suggest that other factors than metal exposure may influence stress biomarkers, since little variation in antioxidant enzymes activities, MT concentrations, LPO and total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) occurred in both control and Cu-exposed mussels. Moreover, there is a general tendency for these parameters to increase with time, in both control and Cu-exposed mussels, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation is not metal dependent, and may be related with poor physiological conditions of the animals after long periods in adverse conditions compared to those in hydrothermal environments.

The immune system as a physiological indicator of marginal copper status?

Cu appears to have many important functional roles in the body that apparently relate, among others, to the maintenance of immune function, bone health and haemostasis. Some have suggested a role for long-term marginal Cu deficiency in the aetiology of a number of degenerative diseases. Accurate diagnosis of marginal Cu deficiency, however, has remained elusive despite an increased understanding of the biochemistry of Cu and its physiological roles in the body. Traditional markers of Cu status, such as serum Cu and caeruloplasmin protein concentrations are insensitive to subtle changes in Cu status. Cu-containing enzymes, such as Cu–Zn-superoxide dismutase, cytochromecoxidase and diamine oxidase, may be more reliable but evidence to date is not conclusive. Development of markers sensitive to marginal Cu status is essential before conclusions can be drawn concerning the risks of long-term intake of suboptimal dietary Cu. As Cu appears to be essential for maintenance of immune function, activities of specific immunological markers, altered in Cu deficiency, offer alternatives. This review evaluates a selection of immunological markers that could be considered potentially sensitive markers of marginal Cu status. The indices of immune function reviewed are neutrophil function, interleukin 2 production, blastogenic response to mitogens and lymphocyte subset phenotyping.

Copper, oxidative stress, and human health

Copper (Cu), a redox active metal, is an essential nutrient for all species studied to date. During the past decade, there has been increasing interest in the concept that marginal deficits of this element can contribute to the development and progression of a number of disease states including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Deficits of this nutrient during pregnancy can result in gross structural malformations in the conceptus, and persistent neurological and immunological abnormalities in the offspring. Excessive amounts of Cu in the body can also pose a risk. Acute Cu toxicity can result in a number of pathologies, and in severe cases, death. Chronic Cu toxicity can result in liver disease and severe neurological defects. The concept that elevated ceruloplasmin is a risk factor for certain diseases is discussed. In this paper, we will review recent literature on the potential causes of Cu deficiency and Cu toxicity, and the pathological consequences associated with the above. Finally, we will review some of the potential biochemical lesions that might underlie these pathologies. Given that oxidative stress is a characteristic of Cu deficiency, the role of Cu in the oxidative defense system will receive special attention. The concept that excess Cu may be a precipitating factor in Alzheimer's disease is discussed.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases associated with copper imbalance

Copper is an essential transition metal ion for the function of key metabolic enzymes, but its uncontrolled redox reactivity is source of reactive oxygen species. Therefore a network of transporters strictly controls the trafficking of copper in living systems. Deficit, excess, or aberrant coordination of copper are conditions that may be detrimental, especially for neuronal cells, which are particularly sensitive to oxidative stress. Indeed, the genetic disturbances of copper homeostasis, Menkes' and Wilson's diseases, are associated with neurodegeneration. Furthermore, copper interacts with the proteins that are the hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, prion diseases, and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In all cases, copper-mediated oxidative stress is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, which is a common feature of neurodegeneration. In particular we recently demonstrated that in copper deficiency, mitochondrial function is impaired due to decreased activity of cytochrome c oxidase, leading to production of reactive oxygen species, which in turn triggers mitochondria-mediated apoptotic neurodegeneration.

Accumulation of manganese superoxide dismutase under metal-depleted conditions: proposed role for zinc ions in cellular redox balance

A diet low in copper results in increased levels of MnSOD (manganese superoxide dismutase), a critical antioxidative enzyme conferring protection against oxidative stress, in rat liver mitochondria. The mechanism for this was investigated using cultured HepG2 cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived line. MnSOD activity increased 5-7-fold during incubation in a medium supplemented with metal-depleted fetal bovine serum, with a corresponding elevation of its mRNA levels. Metal depletion also decreased CuZnSOD and glutathione peroxidase levels to approx. 70-80% of baseline. When zinc ions were added to the medium at micromolar levels, MnSOD accumulation was suppressed; however, copper ions had essentially no effect on MnSOD expression. Since the intracellular redox status was shifted to a more oxidized state by metal depletion, we examined the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappaB), an oxidative stress-sensitive transactivating factor that plays a primary role in MnSOD induction. A gel shift assay indicated that the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB was increased in cells maintained in metal-depleted culture, suggesting the involvement of the transactivating function of NF-kappaB in this induction. This was further supported by the observation that curcumin suppressed both the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB and the induction of MnSOD mRNA in cells cultivated under metal-depleted conditions. These results suggest that the level of zinc, rather than copper, is a critical regulatory factor in MnSOD expression. It is possible that a deficiency of zinc in the low-copper diet may be primarily involved in MnSOD induction.

Copper-deficient rat embryos are characterized by low superoxide dismutase activity and elevated superoxide anions

The teratogenicity of copper (Cu) deficiency may result from increased oxidative stress and oxidative damage. Dams were fed either control (8.0 microg Cu/g) or Cu-deficient (0.5 microg Cu/g) diets. Embryos were collected on Gestational Day 12 for in vivo studies or on Gestational Day 10 and cultured for 48 h in Cu-deficient or Cu-adequate media for in vitro studies. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were measured in control and Cu-deficient embryos as markers of the oxidant defense system. Superoxide anions were measured as an index of exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS). No differences were found in GPX or GR activities among treatment groups. However, SOD activity was lower and superoxide anion concentrations higher in Cu-deficient embryos cultured in Cu-deficient serum compared to control embryos cultured in control serum. Even so, Cu-deficient embryos had similar CuZnSOD protein levels as controls. In the in vitro system, Cu-deficient embryos had a higher frequency of malformations and increased staining for superoxide anions in the forebrain, heart, forelimb, and somites compared to controls. When assessed for lipid and DNA oxidative damage, conjugated diene concentrations were similar among the groups, but a tendency was observed for Cu-deficient embryos to have higher 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine concentrations than controls. Thus, Cu deficiency resulted in embryos with malformations and reduced SOD enzyme activity. Increased ROS concentrations in the Cu-deficient embryo may cause oxidative damage and contribute to the occurrence of developmental defects.

Rats fed a high sucrose diet have altered heart antioxidant enzyme activity and gene expression

Several studies in human and animal models have shown that consumption of fructose facilitates oxidative damage but the mechanisms involved are unclear. In this study, the effects of two weeks of high sucrose on both oxidative stress parameters and stress-related gene expression, using a cDNA array, were investigated in rat heart. Both increased TBARS and lower Cu-Zn-SOD activity were found in heart from high sucrose fed rats compared to rats on a starch diet. Higher plasma NO level was also found in the high sucrose group, corroborating the pro-oxidant effect of fructose. The Cu-Zn-SOD mRNA level was also greater in the high sucrose group; the Mn-SOD, GPX and catalase were not different between the two groups. Increased HSP70 and decreased COMT genes expression were observed, underlying the hypertensive effect of dietary fructose. These findings confirm the pro-oxidant effect of high sucrose feeding to rats and highlight the NO/O(2)(*-) balance importance in oxidative homeostasis.

Hohenheim consensus workshop: copper

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element with many physiological functions. Homeostatic mechanisms exist to allow Cu to act as a cofactor in enzymatic processes and to prevent accumulation of Cu to toxic levels. The aim of this commentary is to better understand the role of dietary Cu supply in deficiency and under physiological and pathological conditions. The essentiality of Cu can be attributed to its role as a cofactor in a number of enzymes that are involved in the defence against oxidative stress. Cu, however, has a second face, that of a toxic compound as it is observed with accumulating evidence in hepatic, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The destructive potential of Cu can be attributed to inherent physico-chemical properties. The main property is its ability to take part in Fenton-like reactions in which the highly reactive and extremely deleterious hydroxyl radical is formed. Diseases caused by dietary Cu overload could be based on a genetic predisposition. Thus, an assessment of risk-groups, such as infants with impaired mechanisms of Cu homeostasis regarding detoxification, is of special interest, as their Cu intake with resuspended formula milk may be very high. This implies the need for reliable diagnostic markers to determine the Cu status. These topics were introduced at the workshop by the participants followed by extensive group discussion. The consensus statements were agreed on by all members. One of the conclusions is that a re-assessment of published data is necessary and future research is required.

A diet high in cholesterol and deficient in vitamin E induces lipid peroxidation but does not enhance antioxidant enzyme expression in rat liver

Expression of antioxidant enzymes (AOE), an important mechanism in the protection against oxidative stress, could be modified by the redox status of the cells. The aim of this project was to evaluate the role of vitamin E deficiency in association with a high-cholesterol diet in the hepatic lipid peroxidation and the expression of AOE. Two groups of 6 male rats were fed with a high-cholesterol or a high-cholesterol vitamin E-deficient diet. All animals were sacrificed at 72 days of treatment. Liver lipid peroxidation index (Malondialdehyde; MDA) and hepatic AOE were evaluated. Total liver RNA was extracted, and the steady state messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of glutathion peroxydase, manganese superoxide dismutase, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase were examined by northern blot. After 72 days on the diet, a significant increase in the lipid peroxidation index was observed in the vitamin E deficient group (MDA : 4.45 +/- 0.29 nmol/mg protein versus 3.65 +/- 0.1 nmol/mg protein in vitamin E normal group). Despite this oxidative stress, the activities and mRNA levels of liver AOE were not significantly different in the 2 groups. These preliminary results show that chronic vitamin E deficiency associated with high cholesterol diet is able to increase lipid peroxidation without modulation of AOE expression and activity in the liver. This suggests that beneficial effects of dietary vitamin E are due to a plasma antioxidant effect or a cell mediated action, rather than to a specific modulation of cellular enzymes.

Subcellular distribution of chelatable iron: a laser scanning microscopic study in isolated hepatocytes and liver endothelial cells

The pool of cellular chelatable iron ('free iron', 'low-molecular-weight iron', the 'labile iron pool') is usually considered to reside mainly within the cytosol. For the present study we adapted our previously established Phen Green method, based on quantitative laser scanning microscopy, to examine the subcellular distribution of chelatable iron in single intact cells for the first time. These measurements, performed in isolated rat hepatocytes and rat liver endothelial cells, showed considerable concentrations of chelatable iron, not only in the cytosol but also in several other subcellular compartments. In isolated rat hepatocytes we determined a chelatable iron concentration of 5.8+/-2.6 microM within the cytosol and of at least 4.8 microM in mitochondria. The hepatocellular nucleus contained chelatable iron at the surprisingly high concentration of 6.6+/-2.9 microM. In rat liver endothelial cells, the concentration of chelatable iron within all these compartments was even higher (cytosol, 7.3+/-2.6 microM; nucleus, 11.8+/-3.9 microM; mitochondria, 9.2+/-2.7 microM); in addition, chelatable iron (approx. 16+/-4 microM) was detected in a small subpopulation of the endosomal/lysosomal apparatus. Hence there is an uneven distribution of subcellular chelatable iron, a fact that is important to consider for (patho)physiological processes and that also has implications for the use of iron chelators to inhibit oxidative stress.

Rat embryos cultured under copper-deficient conditions develop abnormally and are characterized by an impaired oxidant defense system

Rat embryos (gestation days 9.0 and 10.0) obtained from dams that were fed a Cu-adequate (8 micrograms Cu/g) or Cu-deficient (< 0.5 micrograms Cu/g diet were cultured for 48 hr in Cu-adequate (16.2 microM) or Cu-deficient (1.0 microM) rat serum. Control embryos cultured in control serum were morphologically normal. Embryos from Cu-deficient dams developed abnormally when cultured in Cu-deficient serum; the abnormalities included distended hindbrains, blisters, blood pooling, and cardiac defects. Control embryos cultured in Cu-deficient serum and Cu-deficient embryos cultured in control serum also showed abnormal development, but to a lesser degree than that of the Cu-deficient embryos cultured in Cu-deficient serum. To test the idea that the above abnormalities were due in part to free radical induced damage occurring secondary to an impaired oxidant defense system, a chemiluminescence assay was used to detect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the cultured embryos. SOD activity was lowest in embryos cultured in Cu-deficient serum. When the Cu-deficient serum was supplemented with antioxidants (CuZnSOD or glutathione peroxidase), its teratogenicity was reduced. These data support the idea that an impaired oxidant defense system contributes to the dysmorphology associated with Cu deficiency. However, the Cu-deficient embryos also had low cytochrome c oxidase activity compared to control embryos--thus, multiple factors are likely contributing to Cu deficiency-induced abnormalities.

Involvement of zinc in intracellular oxidant/antioxidant balance

The effect of zinc (Zn) on cellular oxidative metabolism is complex and could be explained by multiple complementary interactions. In this study, we evaluated the impact of Zn on the pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance of HaCaT keratinocytes. Cells were submitted to a diffusible metal chelator able to induce intracellular Zn deprivation, TPEN, in combination or not with Zn chloride (ZnCl2), in the culture medium. The intracellular amount of Zn, copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) was determined, as well as CuZnSOD and MnSOD activities and glutathione reserves. The consequence of the modulation of Zn concentration on lipid peroxidation was also evaluated. TPEN induced a significant dose-dependent decrease in intracellular Zn and Cu (from 394-181 and 43-21 microg/g protein, respectively, after 6 h of TPEN 50 microM). No significant change in intracellular Fe concentration was found following TPEN exposure. The SOD activities were unchanged after 6 h of TPEN 50 microM application, either CuZnSOD or MnSOD. Cells exposure to TPEN induced a deep time- and dose-dependent decrease in their glutathione content (from 65-8 microM/g protein after 6 h of TPEN 50 microM), and a concomitant increase in glutathione in the cell-culture supernatants. No significant change in lipid peroxidation products was detected.