Enzymatic and non-enzymatic detoxification of 4-hydroxynonenal: Methodological aspects and biological consequences

ALDH3A1-mediated detoxification of reactive aldehydes contributes to distinct muscle responses to denervation and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis progression

Different muscles exhibit varied susceptibility to degeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neuromuscular disorder. Extraocular muscles (EOMs) are particularly resistant to ALS progression and exploring the underlying molecular nature may deliver great therapeutic value. Reactive aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is implicated in ALS pathogenesis and ALDH3A1 is an inactivation-resistant intracellular detoxifier of 4-HNE protecting eyes against UV-induced oxidative stress. Here we detected prominently higher levels of ALDH3A1 in mouse EOMs than other muscles under normal physiological conditions. In an ALS mouse model (hSOD1G93A) reaching end-stage, ALDH3A1 expression was sustained at high level in EOMs, whereas substantial upregulation of ALDH3A1 occurred in soleus and diaphragm. The upregulation was less pronounced in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle, which endured the most severe pathological remodeling as demonstrated by unparalleled upregulation of a denervation marker ANKRD1 expression. Interestingly, sciatic nerve transection in wildtype mice induced ALDH3A1 and ANKRD1 expression in an inverse manner over muscle type and time. Adeno-associated virus enforced overexpression of ALDH3A1 protected myotubes from 4-HNE-induced DNA fragmentation, plasma membrane leakage and restored MG53-mediated membrane repair. Our data indicate that ALDH3A1 may contribute to distinct muscle resistance to ALS through detoxifying reactive aldehydes.

Exploring Secondary Amine Carnosine Derivatives: Design, Synthesis, and Properties

Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide that has been advocated by some authors as an interesting scaffold for the development of potential therapeutic agents in view of the positive outcomes of its supplementation in animal models of human diseases. Its mode of action seems to depend on the quenching of toxic electrophiles, such as 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). However, carnosine's bioavailability in humans is lower than that in other mammals. The main reason for such an unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile is the activity of the enzyme human serum carnosinase (E.C. 3.4.13.20), which rapidly hydrolyzes carnosine upon absorption. Therefore, some studies have focused on the design of carnosinase-resistant derivatives that retain binding activity toward toxic electrophiles. Nevertheless, the structural modification of the N-terminus amino group of carnosine has rarely been considered, possibly because of its key role in the electrophile scavenging mechanism. This was proven, since some carnosine N-terminus modification generated inactive compounds, despite some derivatives retaining oral bioavailability and gaining resistance to carnosinase hydrolysis. Herein, we therefore report a study aimed at exploring whether the amino group of carnosine can be conveniently modified to develop carnosinase-resistant derivatives retaining the dipeptide activity toward toxic electrophiles.

Epoxides: an underestimated lipid oxidation product

Immense gains in understanding of mechanisms and effects of lipid oxidation have been achieved in the nearly 90 years over which lipid oxidation has been an active research focus. Even so, the substantial questions still being raised about lipid oxidation in this special issue show clearly that missing pieces remain and must be considered for full accounting of this important reaction in any system. In this context, epoxides are spotlighted as a critical overlooked product of lipid autoxidation - underestimated in analysis, underestimated in presence as a functionally active and competitive intermediate and product of lipid oxidation, and underestimated in potential contributions to impact of lipid oxidation on other molecules and cell functions. Logical reasons for ignoring or not finding epoxides are offered in historical development of lipid oxidation knowledge. Reactions generating lipid epoxides in autoxidation are reviewed, limitations in detecting and tracking epoxides are outlined to explain why epoxides may not be detected when they should be present, and justifications for increased research and analysis of epoxides are argued. The main goal is to provide a context for recognizing epoxides as critical products that must be accounted for in determining the state rather than extent of lipid oxidation and in tracking its consequences in oils, foods, personal care products, and tissues. A secondary goal is to stimulate new research using contemporary analyses to fill in the gaps of knowledge about epoxide formation, structure, and reactions in lipid autoxidation.

New aspects of redox signaling mediated by supersulfides in health and disease

Oxygen molecules accept electrons from the respiratory chain in the mitochondria and are responsible for energy production in aerobic organisms. The reactive oxygen species formed via these oxygen reduction processes undergo complicated electron transfer reactions with other biological substances, which leads to alterations in their physiological functions and cause diverse biological and pathophysiological consequences (e.g., oxidative stress). Oxygen accounts for only a small proportion of the redox reactions in organisms, especially under aerobic or hypoxic conditions but not under anaerobic and hypoxic conditions. This article discusses a completely new concept of redox biology, which is governed by redox-active supersulfides, i.e., sulfur-catenated molecular species. These species are present in abundance in all organisms but remain largely unexplored in terms of redox biology and life science research. In fact, accumulating evidence shows that supersulfides have extensive redox chemical properties and that they can be readily ionized or radicalized to participate in energy metabolism, redox signaling, and oxidative stress responses in cells and in vivo. Thus, pharmacological intervention and medicinal modulation of supersulfide activities have been shown to benefit the regulation of disease pathogenesis as well as disease control.

Protein Haptenation and Its Role in Allergy

Humans are exposed to numerous electrophilic chemicals either as medicines, in the workplace, in nature, or through use of many common cosmetic and household products. Covalent modification of human proteins by such chemicals, or protein haptenation, is a common occurrence in cells and may result in generation of antigenic species, leading to development of hypersensitivity reactions. Ranging in severity of symptoms from local cutaneous reactions and rhinitis to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity reactions such as Stephen-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), all these reactions have the same Molecular Initiating Event (MIE), i.e. haptenation. However, not all individuals who are exposed to electrophilic chemicals develop symptoms of hypersensitivity. In the present review, we examine common chemistry behind the haptenation reactions leading to formation of neoantigens. We explore simple reactions involving single molecule additions to a nucleophilic side chain of proteins and complex reactions involving multiple electrophilic centers on a single molecule or involving more than one electrophilic molecule as well as the generation of reactive molecules from the interaction with cellular detoxification mechanisms. Besides generation of antigenic species and enabling activation of the immune system, we explore additional events which result directly from the presence of electrophilic chemicals in cells, including activation of key defense mechanisms and immediate consequences of those reactions, and explore their potential effects. We discuss the factors that work in concert with haptenation leading to the development of hypersensitivity reactions and those that may act to prevent it from developing. We also review the potential harnessing of the specificity of haptenation in the design of potent covalent therapeutic inhibitors.

Carbonylation of Runx2 at K176 by 4-Hydroxynonenal Accelerates Vascular Calcification

BACKGROUND

Vascular calcification, which is characterized by calcium deposition in arterial walls and the osteochondrogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells, is an actively regulated process that involves complex mechanisms. Vascular calcification is associated with increased cardiovascular adverse events. The role of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), which is the most abundant stable product of lipid peroxidation, in vascular calcification has been poorly investigated.

METHODS

Serum was collected from patients with chronic kidney disease and controls, and the levels of 4-HNE and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α were measured. Sections of coronary atherosclerotic plaques from donors were immunostained to analyze calcium deposition and 4-HNE. A total of 658 patients with coronary artery disease who received coronary computed tomography angiography were recruited to analyze the relationship between coronary calcification and the rs671 mutation in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). ALDH2 knockout (ALDH2-/-) mice, smooth muscle cell-specific ALDH2 knockout mice, ALDH2 transgenic mice, and their controls were used to establish vascular calcification models. Primary mouse aortic smooth muscle cells and human aortic smooth muscle cells were exposed to medium containing β-glycerophosphate and CaCl2 to investigate cell calcification and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS

Elevated 4-HNE levels were observed in the serum of patients with chronic kidney disease and model mice and were detected in calcified artery sections by immunostaining. ALDH2 knockout or smooth muscle cell-specific ALDH2 knockout accelerated the development of vascular calcification in model mice, whereas overexpression or activation prevented mouse vascular calcification and the osteochondrogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells. In patients with coronary artery disease, patients with ALDH2 rs671 gene mutation developed more severe coronary calcification. 4-HNE promoted calcification of both mouse aortic smooth muscle cells and human aortic smooth muscle cells and their osteochondrogenic differentiation in vitro. 4-HNE increased the level of Runx2 (runt-related transcription factor-2), and the effect of 4-HNE on promoting vascular smooth muscle cell calcification was ablated when Runx2 was knocked down. Mutation of Runx2 at lysine 176 reduced its carbonylation and eliminated the 4-HNE-induced upregulation of Runx2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that 4-HNE increases Runx2 stabilization by directly carbonylating its K176 site and promotes vascular calcification. ALDH2 might be a potential target for the treatment of vascular calcification.

Redox Regulation of Xenobiotics by Reactive Sulfur and Supersulfide Species

Significance: Routine exposure to xenobiotics is unavoidable during our lifetimes. Certain xenobiotics are hazardous to human health, and are metabolized in the body to render them less toxic. During this process, several detoxification enzymes cooperatively metabolize xenobiotics. Glutathione (GSH) conjugation plays an important role in the metabolism of electrophilic xenobiotics. Recent Advances: Recent advances in reactive sulfur and supersulfide (RSS) analyses showed that persulfides and polysulfides bound to low-molecular-weight thiols, such as GSH, and to protein thiols are abundant in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The highly nucleophilic nature of hydropersulfides and hydropolysulfides contributes to cell protection against oxidative stress and electrophilic stress. Critical Issues: In contrast to GSH conjugation to electrophiles that is aided by glutathione S-transferase (GST), persulfides and polysulfides can directly form conjugates with electrophiles without the catalytic actions of GST. The polysulfur bonds in the conjugates are further reduced by perthioanions and polythioanions derived from RSS to form sulfhydrated metabolites that are no longer electrophilic but rather nucleophilic, and differ from metabolites that are formed via GSH conjugation. Future Directions: In view of the abundance of RSS in cells and tissues, metabolism of xenobiotics that is mediated by RSS warrants additional investigations, such as studies of the impact of microbiota-derived RSS on xenobiotic metabolism. Metabolites formed from reactions between electrophiles and RSS may be potential biomarkers for monitoring exposure to electrophiles and for studying their metabolism by RSS. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 679-690.

The skin sensitization adverse outcome pathway: exploring the role of mechanistic understanding for higher tier risk assessment

For over a decade, the skin sensitization Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) has served as a useful framework for development of novel in chemico and in vitro assays for use in skin sensitization hazard and risk assessment. Since its establishment, the AOP framework further fueled the existing efforts in new assay development and stimulated a plethora of activities with particular focus on validation, reproducibility and interpretation of individual assays and combination of assay outputs for use in hazard/risk assessment. In parallel, research efforts have also accelerated in pace, providing new molecular and dynamic insight into key events leading to sensitization. In light of novel hypotheses emerging from over a decade of focused research effort, mechanistic evidence relating to the key events in the skin sensitization AOP may complement the tools currently used in risk assessment. We reviewed the recent advances unraveling the complexity of molecular events in sensitization and signpost the most promising avenues for further exploration and development of useful assays.

Linarin ameliorates ischemia-reperfusion injury by the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress targeting AKR1B1

Due to various factors, there is still a lack of effective neuroprotective agents for ischemic stroke in clinical practice. Neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress are some of the important pathological mechanisms in ischemic stroke. Linarin has been reported to have anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects in myocardial ischemia, osteoarthritis, and kidney disease. Whether it exerts neuroprotective functions in ischemic stroke has not been investigated. The results showed that linarin could reduce the infarct volume in cerebral ischemia animal models, improve the neurological function scores and suppress the expression of inflammatory factors mediating the NF-κB. Meanwhile, it could protect the neurons from OGD/R-induced-apoptosis, which was related to the PERK-eIF2α pathway. Our results suggested linarin could inhibit neuronal inflammation and apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effect of linarin may be related to the inhibition of AKR1B1. Our study offers new insight into protecting against ischemia-reperfusion injury by linarin treatment in stroke.

Lipid peroxidation: Reactive carbonyl species, protein/DNA adducts, and signaling switches in oxidative stress and cancer

Under the exposure of lipids to reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation proceeds non-enzymatically and generates an extremely heterogeneous mixture of reactive carbonyl species (RCS). Among them, HNE, HHE, MDA, methylglyoxal, glyoxal, and acrolein are the most studied and/or abundant ones. Over the last decades, significant progress has been achieved in understanding mechanisms of RCS generation, protein/DNA adduct formation, and their identification and quantification in biological samples. In our review, we critically discuss the advancements in understanding the roles of RCS-induced protein/DNA modifications in signaling switches to provide adaptive cell response under physiological and oxidative stress conditions. At non-toxic concentrations, RCS modify susceptible Cys residue in c-Src to activate MAPK signaling and Cys, Lys, and His residues in PTEN to cause its reversible inactivation, thereby stimulating PI3K/PKB(Akt) pathway. RCS toxic concentrations cause irreversible Cys modifications in Keap1 and IKKβ followed by stabilization of Nrf2 and activation of NF-κB, respectively, for their nuclear translocation and antioxidant gene expression. Dysregulation of these mechanisms causes diseases including cancer. Alterations in RCS, RCS detoxifying enzymes, RCS-modified protein/DNA adducts, and signaling pathways have been implicated in various cancer types.

Lipid peroxidation in osteoarthritis: focusing on 4-hydroxynonenal, malondialdehyde, and ferroptosis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial and increasingly prevalent degenerative disease that affects the whole joint. The pathogenesis of OA is poorly understood and there is a lack of therapeutic interventions to reverse the pathological process of this disease. Accumulating studies have shown that the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-induced lipid peroxidation are involved in the pathogenesis of OA. 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) have received considerable attention for their role in cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone remodeling during OA development. Ferroptosis is a form of cell death characterized by a lack of control of membrane lipid peroxidation and recent studies have suggested that chondrocyte ferroptosis contributes to OA progression. In this review, we aim to discuss lipid peroxidation-derived 4-HNE and MDA in the progression of OA. In addition, the therapeutic potential for OA by controlling the accumulation of lipid peroxidation and inhibiting chondrocyte ferroptosis are discussed.

Ketogenic diet promotes tumor ferroptosis but induces relative corticosterone deficiency that accelerates cachexia

Glucose dependency of cancer cells can be targeted with a high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (KD). However, in IL-6-producing cancers, suppression of the hepatic ketogenic potential hinders the utilization of KD as energy for the organism. In IL-6-associated murine models of cancer cachexia, we describe delayed tumor growth but accelerated cachexia onset and shortened survival in mice fed KD. Mechanistically, this uncoupling is a consequence of the biochemical interaction of two NADPH-dependent pathways. Within the tumor, increased lipid peroxidation and, consequently, saturation of the glutathione (GSH) system lead to the ferroptotic death of cancer cells. Systemically, redox imbalance and NADPH depletion impair corticosterone biosynthesis. Administration of dexamethasone, a potent glucocorticoid, increases food intake, normalizes glucose levels and utilization of nutritional substrates, delays cachexia onset, and extends the survival of tumor-bearing mice fed KD while preserving reduced tumor growth. Our study emphasizes the need to investigate the effects of systemic interventions on both the tumor and the host to accurately assess therapeutic potential. These findings may be relevant to clinical research efforts that investigate nutritional interventions such as KD in patients with cancer.

Biochemical Control of the Mitochondrial Protein MitoNEET by Biological Thiols and Lipid-derived Electrophiles

MitoNEET is a mitochondrial [2Fe-2S] protein known for its involvement in cellular metabolism, iron regulation, and oxidative stress. The protein has been associated with diseases ranging from diabetes to Parkinson's disease which has prompted development of compounds designed to selectively target mitoNEET. Unfortunately, drug development is limited due to a lack of understanding on the mechanistic level how mitoNEET integrates into pathophysiological processes. In particular, biological compounds that govern mitoNEET function are still ill defined. We demonstrate an oxygen-dependent reaction with biological thiols catalyzed by mitoNEET. Furthermore, we observed that formation of a covalently linked mitoNEET homodimer is controlled by both thiols and lipid-derived electrophiles. Finally, we demonstrate that reduced glutathione (L-GSH) regulates the reactivity of two lipid-derived biomarkers of oxidative stress, 4-HNE and 4-ONE, towards mitoNEET. We find that exposure to L-GSH prior to treatment with either of the electrophilic aldehydes prevents the formation of the covalently linked mitoNEET dimer. Meanwhile, addition of L-GSH after electrophile treatment recovers mitoNEET from the 4-HNE induced modification but not from the modification induced by 4-ONE. Our results collectively suggest that the thiol-electrophile redox balance governing ferroptotic cell death also controls mitoNEET's state at multiple biochemical levels. These results indicate a possible role for mitoNEET in thiol-mediated oxidative stress and may inform about development of probes designed to modulate mitoNEET activity to improve pathophysiological states.

Combined Intake of Fish Oil and D-Fagomine Prevents High-Fat High-Sucrose Diet-Induced Prediabetes by Modulating Lipotoxicity and Protein Carbonylation in the Kidney

Obesity has been recognized as a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease, insulin resistance being an early common metabolic feature in patients suffering from this syndrome. This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying the induction of kidney dysfunction and the concomitant onset of insulin resistance by long-term high-fat and sucrose diet feeding in Sprague Dawley rats. To achieve this goal, our study analyzed renal carbonylated protein patterns, ectopic lipid accumulation and fatty acid profiles and correlated them with biometrical and biochemical measurements and other body redox status parameters. Rats fed the obesogenic diet developed a prediabetic state and incipient kidney dysfunction manifested in increased plasma urea concentration and superior levels of renal fat deposition and protein carbonylation. An obesogenic diet increased renal fat by preferentially promoting the accumulation of saturated fat, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic fatty acids while decreasing oleic acid. Renal lipotoxicity was accompanied by selectively higher carbonylation of proteins involved in the blood pH regulation, i.e., bicarbonate reclamation and synthesis, amino acid, and glucose metabolisms, directly related to the onset of insulin resistance. This study also tested the combination of antioxidant properties of fish oil with the anti-diabetic properties of buckwheat D-Fagomine to counteract diet-induced renal alterations. Results demonstrated that bioactive compounds combined attenuated lipotoxicity, induced more favorable lipid profiles and counteracted the excessive carbonylation of proteins associated with pH regulation in the kidneys, resulting in an inhibition of the progression of the prediabetes state and kidney disease.

Reversibility and Low Commitment to Forward Catalysis in the Conjugation of Lipid Alkenals by Glutathione Transferase A4-4

High concentrations of electrophilic lipid alkenals formed during oxidative stress are implicated in cytotoxicity and disease. However, low concentrations of alkenals are required to induce antioxidative stress responses. An established clearance pathway for lipid alkenals includes conjugation to glutathione (GSH) via Michael addition, which is catalyzed mainly by glutathione transferase isoform A4 (GSTA4-4). Based on the ability of GSTs to catalyze hydrolysis or retro-Michael addition of GSH conjugates, and the antioxidant function of low concentrations of lipid alkenals, we hypothesize that GSTA4-4 contributes a homeostatic role in lipid metabolism. Enzymatic kinetic parameters for retro-Michael addition with trans-2-Nonenal (NE) reveal the chemical competence of GSTA4-4 in this putative role. The forward GSTA4-4-catalyzed Michael addition occurs with the rapid exchange of the C2 proton of NE in D₂O as observed by NMR. The isotope exchange was completely dependent on the presence of GSH. The overall commitment to catalysis, or the ratio of first order k_cat,f for 'forward' Michael addition to the first order k_cat,ex for H/D exchange is remarkably low, approximately 3:1. This behavior is consistent with the possibility that GSTA4-4 is a regulatory enzyme that contributes to steady-state levels of lipid alkenals, rather than a strict 'one way' detoxication enzyme.

Identification of Protective Amino Acid Metabolism Events in Nursery Pigs Fed Thermally Oxidized Corn Oil

Feeding thermally oxidized lipids to pigs has been shown to compromise growth and health, reduce energy digestibility, and disrupt lipid metabolism. However, the effects of feeding oxidized lipids on amino acid metabolism in pigs have not been well defined even though amino acids are indispensable for the subsistence of energy metabolism, protein synthesis, the antioxidant system, and many other functions essential for pig growth and health. In this study, oxidized corn oil (OCO)-elicited changes in amino acid homeostasis of nursery pigs were examined by metabolomics-based biochemical analysis. The results showed that serum and hepatic free amino acids and metabolites, including tryptophan, threonine, alanine, glutamate, and glutathione, as well as associated metabolic pathways, were selectively altered by feeding OCO, and more importantly, many of these metabolic events possess protective functions. Specifically, OCO activated tryptophan-nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) synthesis by the transcriptional upregulation of the kynurenine pathway in tryptophan catabolism and promoted adenine nucleotide biosynthesis. Feeding OCO induced oxidative stress, causing decreases in glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio, carnosine, and ascorbic acid in the liver but simultaneously promoted antioxidant responses as shown by the increases in hepatic GSH and GSSG as well as the transcriptional upregulation of GSH metabolism-related enzymes. Moreover, OCO reduced the catabolism of threonine to α-ketobutyrate in the liver by inhibiting the threonine dehydratase (TDH) route. Overall, these protective metabolic events indicate that below a certain threshold of OCO consumption, nursery pigs are capable of overcoming the oxidative stress and metabolic challenges posed by the consumption of oxidized lipids by adjusting antioxidant, nutrient, and energy metabolism, partially through the transcriptional regulation of amino acid metabolism.

L-Methionine inhibits 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal accumulation and suppresses inflammation in growing rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a biomarker for oxidative stress to induce inflammation. Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid with antioxidative activity. On the other hand, the evidence on whether and how methionine can depress HNE-derived inflammation is lacking. In particular, the link between the regulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and methionine intake is unclear. This study examined the link between depression from HNE accumulation and the anti-inflammatory function of L-methionine in rats.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Male Wistar rats (3-week-old, weighing 70-80 g) were administered different levels of L-methionine orally at 215.0, 268.8, 322.5, and 430.0 mg/kg body weight for two weeks. The control group was fed commercial pellets. The hepatic HNE contents and the protein expression and mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators were measured. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels were also estimated.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, hepatic HNE levels were reduced significantly in all groups fed L-methionine, which were attributed to the stimulation of GST by L-methionine. With decreasing HNE levels, L-methionine inhibited the activation of NF-κB by up-regulating inhibitory κBα and depressing phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B. The mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators (cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrotic factor alpha) were decreased significantly by L-methionine. In contrast, the protein expression of these inflammatory mediators was effectively down regulated by L-methionine. The anti-inflammatory action of L-methionine was also reflected by the up-regulation of IL-10.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a link between the inhibition of HNE accumulation and the depression of inflammation in growing rats, which was attributed to L-methionine availability. The anti-inflammatory mechanism exerted by L-methionine was to inhibit NF-κB activation and to up-regulate GST.

Electrophilic Aldehyde 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal Mediated Signaling and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a by-product of aerobic life, are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. The excess of ROS leads to oxidative stress, instigating the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the lipid membrane through a free radical chain reaction and the formation of the most bioactive aldehyde, known as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). 4-HNE functions as a signaling molecule and toxic product and acts mainly by forming covalent adducts with nucleophilic functional groups in proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. The mitochondria have been implicated as a site for 4-HNE generation and adduction. Several studies clarified how 4-HNE affects the mitochondria's functions, including bioenergetics, calcium homeostasis, and mitochondrial dynamics. Our research group has shown that 4-HNE activates mitochondria apoptosis-inducing factor (AIFM2) translocation and facilitates apoptosis in mice and human heart tissue during anti-cancer treatment. Recently, we demonstrated that a deficiency of SOD2 in the conditional-specific cardiac knockout mouse increases ROS, and subsequent production of 4-HNE inside mitochondria leads to the adduction of several mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins. Moreover, we highlighted the physiological functions of HNE and discussed their relevance in human pathophysiology and current discoveries concerning 4-HNE effects on mitochondria.

Glutathione S-Transferase Alpha 4 Promotes Proliferation and Chemoresistance in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Glutathione S-transferase alpha 4 (GSTA4) is a phase II detoxifying enzyme that is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and regulated by the oncogenic transcription factor AP-1. However, the role of GSTA4 in these CRC cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of GSTA4 in the CRC cells by inactivating GSTA4 in HCT116 human CRC cells (Defined as HCT116^ΔGSTA4) using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and susceptibility to chemotherapeutic drugs were analyzed in vitro and in a xenograft model. The results showed that loss of GSTA4 significantly decreased cell proliferation and clonogenicity, whereas it increased intracellular reactive oxygen species and cell susceptibility to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin. Additionally, exposure of HCT116^ΔGSTA4 cells to 5-FU increased the expression of γH2AX, a hallmark of double-stranded DNA breaks. In contrast, no remarkably increased γH2AX was noted in oxaliplatin-treated HCT116^ΔGSTA4 cells compared with HCT116 cells. Moreover, loss of GSTA4 blocked the AKT and p38 MAPK pathways, leading to proliferative suppression. Finally, the xenograft model showed decreased tumor size for HCT116^ΔGSTA4 cells compared with HCT116 cells, confirming in vitro findings. These findings suggest that GSTA4 is capable of promoting proliferation, tumorigenesis, and chemoresistance and is a potential target for CRC therapy.

l-Arginine prevents 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal accumulation and depresses inflammation via inhibiting NF-κB activation

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is an inducer of inflammation. The aim of this study was to elicit the link between the inhibition of HNE accumulation and the depression of inflammation whether dependent onl-arginine availability in growing rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with different levels of l-arginine at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. The control group was fed with commercial pellets. After 14 days of oral administration, l-arginine significantly reduced hepatic accumulation of HNE and depressed inflammation in rats as compared with the control group. Compared to the control group, the anti-inflammatory action of l-arginine is reflected by upregulation of hepatic interleukin-10 (IL-10) and the suppression of hepatic cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrotic factor α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expressions in growing rats. With l-arginine administration, the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was efficaciously inhibited through the upregulation of inhibitory κBα, and the depression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that l-arginine could reduce hepatic HNE levels and depress inflammation in growing rats, revealing a link between the inhibition of HNE accumulation with the depression of inflammation, which was attributed to the availability of l-arginine. A significant finding of this study was that the anti-inflammatory mechanism exerted by l-arginine was to inhibit NF-κB activation via downregulating PI3K/Akt.

Cyclo(His-Pro) Exerts Protective Carbonyl Quenching Effects through Its Open Histidine Containing Dipeptides

Cyclo(His-Pro) (CHP) is a cyclic dipeptide which is endowed with favorable pharmacokinetic properties combined with a variety of biological activities. CHP is found in a number of protein-rich foods and dietary supplements. While being stable at physiological pH, CHP can open yielding two symmetric dipeptides (His-Pro, Pro-His), the formation of which might be particularly relevant from dietary CHP due to the gastric acidic environment. The antioxidant and protective CHP properties were repeatedly reported although the non-enzymatic mechanisms were scantly investigated. The CHP detoxifying activity towards α,β unsaturated carbonyls was never investigated in detail, although its open dipeptides might be effective as already observed for histidine containing dipeptides. Hence, this study investigated the scavenging properties of TRH, CHP and its open derivatives towards 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. The obtained results revealed that Pro-His possesses a marked activity and is more reactive than l-carnosine. As investigated by DFT calculations, the enhanced reactivity can be ascribed to the greater electrophilicity of the involved iminium intermediate. These findings emphasize that the primary amine (as seen in l-carnosine) can be replaced by secondary amines with beneficial effects on the quenching mechanisms. Serum stability of the tested peptides was also evaluated, showing that Pro-His is characterized by a greater stability than l-carnosine. Docking simulations suggested that its hydrolysis can be catalyzed by serum carnosinase. Altogether, the reported results evidence that the antioxidant CHP properties can be also due to the detoxifying activity of its open dipeptides, which might be thus responsible for the beneficial effects induced by CHP containing food.

Rice protein suppresses 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-induced inflammation owing to methionine availability

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is one of the most important products of lipid peroxidation which induces inflammation. In order to investigate the effect of rice protein (RP) on suppressing HNE-induced inflammation and the role of methionine in regulating the anti-inflammatory function of RP, Wistar rats (male, weighing180-200 g) were ad libitum fed either a pellet diet with oral administration of methionine or ad libitum fed RP for two weeks. RP and methionine significantly reduced HNE levels and effectively suppressed the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The anti-inflammatory action of RP was evident from the upregulation of IL-10 and glutathione S-transferase, which played a role in the detoxification of HNE. The results show that the molecular mechanism responsible for the anti-inflammatory function of RP is the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB activation by the downregulation of protein kinase B/phosphoinositide 3 kinase. Further, this study demonstrates that methionine availability contributes to the suppression of HNE-induced inflammation through up-regulating IL-10 and GST in rats fed RP. Novelty: RP suppresses HNE-induced inflammation. Met plays a role in up-regulating IL-10 and GST. Met availability regulates the inhibition of NF-κB by RP.

In Search of Differential Inhibitors of Aldose Reductase

Aldose reductase, classified within the aldo-keto reductase family as AKR1B1, is an NADPH dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic aldehydes. AKR1B1 is the first enzyme of the so-called polyol pathway that allows the conversion of glucose into sorbitol, which in turn is oxidized to fructose by sorbitol dehydrogenase. The activation of the polyol pathway in hyperglycemic conditions is generally accepted as the event that is responsible for a series of long-term complications of diabetes such as retinopathy, cataract, nephropathy and neuropathy. The role of AKR1B1 in the onset of diabetic complications has made this enzyme the target for the development of molecules capable of inhibiting its activity. Virtually all synthesized compounds have so far failed as drugs for the treatment of diabetic complications. This failure may be partly due to the ability of AKR1B1 to reduce alkenals and alkanals, produced in oxidative stress conditions, thus acting as a detoxifying agent. In recent years we have proposed an alternative approach to the inhibition of AKR1B1, suggesting the possibility of a differential inhibition of the enzyme through molecules able to preferentially inhibit the reduction of either hydrophilic or hydrophobic substrates. The rationale and examples of this new generation of aldose reductase differential inhibitors (ARDIs) are presented.

Chemistry and Biochemistry Aspects of the 4-Hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal

4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal (C₉H₁₆O₂), also known as 4-hydroxy-2E-nonenal (C₉H₁₆O₂; HNE) is an α,β-unsaturated hydroxyalkenal. HNE is a major aldehyde, formed in the peroxidation process of ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-6 PUFAs), such as linoleic and arachidonic acid. HNE is not only harmful but also beneficial. In the 1980s, the HNE was regarded as a “toxic product of lipid peroxidation” and the “second toxic messenger of free radicals”. However, already at the beginning of the 21st century, HNE was perceived as a reliable marker of oxidative stress, growth modulating factor and signaling molecule. Many literature data also indicate that an elevated level of HNE in blood plasma and cells of the animal and human body is observed in the course of many diseases, including cancer. On the other hand, it is currently proven that cancer cells divert to apoptosis if they are exposed to supraphysiological levels of HNE in the cancer microenvironment. In this review, we briefly summarize the current knowledge about the biological properties of HNE.

Oxidative Modification of Proteins: From Damage to Catalysis, Signaling, and Beyond

Significance: The systematic investigation of oxidative modification of proteins by reactive oxygen species started in 1980. Later, it was shown that reactive nitrogen species could also modify proteins. Some protein oxidative modifications promote loss of protein function, cleavage or aggregation, and some result in proteo-toxicity and cellular homeostasis disruption. Recent Advances: Previously, protein oxidation was associated exclusively to damage. However, not all oxidative modifications are necessarily associated with damage, as with Met and Cys protein residue oxidation. In these cases, redox state changes can alter protein structure, catalytic function, and signaling processes in response to metabolic and/or environmental alterations. This review aims to integrate the present knowledge on redox modifications of proteins with their fate and role in redox signaling and human pathological conditions. Critical Issues: It is hypothesized that protein oxidation participates in the development and progression of many pathological conditions. However, no quantitative data have been correlated with specific oxidized proteins or the progression or severity of pathological conditions. Hence, the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying these modifications, their importance in human pathologies, and the fate of the modified proteins is of clinical relevance. Future Directions: We discuss new tools to cope with protein oxidation and suggest new approaches for integrating knowledge about protein oxidation and redox processes with human pathophysiological conditions. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 1016-1080.

Gastrointestinal tissue as a "new" target of pollution exposure

Airborne pollution has become a leading cause of global death in industrialized cities and the exposure to environmental pollutants has been demonstrated to have adverse effects on human health. Among the pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is one of the most toxic and although its exposure has been more commonly correlated with respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal (GI) complications have also been reported as a consequence to PM exposure. Due to its composition, PM is able to exert on intestinal mucosa both direct damaging effects, (by reaching it either via direct ingestion of contaminated food and water or indirect inhalation and consequent macrophagic mucociliary clearance) and indirect ones via generation of systemic inflammation. The relationship between respiratory and GI conditions is well described by the lung-gut axis and more recently, has become even clearer during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, when respiratory symptoms were associated with gastrointestinal conditions. This review aims at pointing out the mechanisms and the models used to evaluate PM induced GI tract damage.

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal antimicrobial toxicity is neutralized by an intracellular pathogen

Pathogens encounter numerous antimicrobial responses during infection, including the reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst. ROS-mediated oxidation of host membrane poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) generates the toxic alpha-beta carbonyl 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE). Although studied extensively in the context of sterile inflammation, research into 4-HNE’s role during infection remains limited. Here, we found that 4-HNE is generated during bacterial infection, that it impacts growth and survival in a range of bacteria, and that the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes induces many genes in response to 4-HNE exposure. A component of the L. monocytogenes 4-HNE response is the expression of the genes lmo0103 and lmo0613, deemed rha1 and rha2 (reductase of host alkenals), respectively, which code for two NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases that convert 4-HNE to the product 4-hydroxynonanal (4-HNA). Loss of these genes had no impact on L. monocytogenes bacterial burdens during murine or tissue culture infection. However, heterologous expression of rha1/2 in Bacillus subtilis significantly increased bacterial resistance to 4-HNE in vitro and promoted bacterial survival following phagocytosis by murine macrophages in an ROS-dependent manner. Thus, Rha1 and Rha2 are not necessary for 4-HNE resistance in L. monocytogenes but are sufficient to confer resistance to an otherwise sensitive organism in vitro and in host cells. Our work demonstrates that 4-HNE is a previously unappreciated component of ROS-mediated toxicity encountered by bacteria within eukaryotic hosts.

Novel sample treatment method for the determination of free (E)-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in meat products by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry using 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-d3 as internal standard

RATIONALE

(E)-4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a reactive secondary product of lipid oxidation with biological significance. The analysis of HNE is a challenge due to its volatility and high activity. Developing sample preparation and analytical tools for the determination of free HNE is crucial for better understanding the actual level of free HNE in meat products.

METHODS

Liquid nitrogen freezing, subzero-temperature extraction and derivatization were employed for meat sample treatment. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in negative ion mode was used for the determination of free HNE after isotope-coded derivatization.

RESULTS

High repeatability and good recoveries with a limit of quantification as low as 0.25 pmol/g were found. Nineteen out of 24 samples, including chilled/processed meat products and meat-based instant foods, were found to contain free HNE with a range of 0.014-1.160 nmol/g.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed method showed satisfactory reliability, sensitivity and accuracy. We believe that such a sample preparation strategy will provide a powerful tool for better understanding the actual level of free HNE in meat products.

In-Depth AGE and ALE Profiling of Human Albumin in Heart Failure: Ex Vivo Studies

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and advanced lipoxidation end-products (ALEs), particularly carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), have been largely proposed as factors involved in the establishment and progression of heart failure (HF). Despite this evidence, the current literature lacks the comprehensive identification and characterization of the plasma AGEs/ALEs involved in HF (untargeted approach). This work provides the first ex vivo high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) profiling of AGEs/ALEs occurring in human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in plasma, characterized by several nucleophilic sites and thus representing the main protein substrate for AGE/ALE formation. A set of AGE/ALE adducts in pooled HF-HSA samples was defined, and a semi-quantitative analysis was carried out in order to finally select those presenting in increased amounts in the HF samples with respect to the control condition. These adducts were statistically confirmed by monitoring their content in individual HF samples by applying a targeted approach. Selected AGEs/ALEs proved to be mostly CML derivatives on Lys residues (i.e., CML-Lys12, CML-Lys378, CML-Lys402), and one deoxy-fructosyl derivative on the Lys 389 (DFK-Lys 389). The nature of CML adducts was finally confirmed using immunological methods and in vitro production of such adducts further confirmed by mass spectrometry.

Lipid peroxidation derived reactive carbonyl species in free and conjugated forms as an index of lipid peroxidation: limits and perspectives

Reactive carbonyl species (RCS) formed by lipidperoxidation as free forms or as enzymatic and non-enzymatic conjugates are widely used as an index of oxidative stress. Besides general measurements based on derivatizing reactions, more selective and sensitive MS based analyses have been proposed in the last decade. Untargeted and targeted methods for the measurement of free RCS and adducts have been described and their applications to in vitro and ex vivo samples have permitted the identification of many biological targets, reaction mechanisms and adducted moieties with a particular relevance to RCS protein adducts. The growing interest in protein carbonylation can be explained by considering that protein adducts are now recognized as being involved in the damaging action of oxidative stress so that their measurement is performed not only to obtain an index of lipid peroxidation but also to gain a deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress. The aim of the review is to discuss the most novel analytical approaches and their application for profiling reactive carbonyl species and their enzymatic and non-enzymatic metabolites as an index of lipid-oxidation and oxidative stress. Limits and perspectives will be discussed.

Connecting the "Dots": From Free Radical Lipid Autoxidation to Cell Pathology and Disease

Our understanding of lipid peroxidation in biology and medicine is rapidly evolving, as it is increasingly implicated in various diseases but also recognized as a key part of normal cell function, signaling, and death (ferroptosis). Not surprisingly, the root and consequences of lipid peroxidation have garnered increasing attention from multiple disciplines in recent years. Here we "connect the dots" between the fundamental chemistry underpinning the cascade reactions of lipid peroxidation (enzymatic or free radical), the reactive nature of the products formed (lipid-derived electrophiles), and the biological targets and mechanisms associated with these products that culminate in cellular responses. We additionally bring light to the use of highly sensitive, fluorescence-based methodologies. Stemming from the foundational concepts in chemistry and biology, these methodologies enable visualizing and quantifying each reaction in the cascade in a cellular and ultimately tissue context, toward deciphering the connections between the chemistry and physiology of lipid peroxidation. The review offers a platform in which the chemistry and biomedical research communities can access a comprehensive summary of fundamental concepts regarding lipid peroxidation, experimental tools for the study of such processes, as well as the recent discoveries by leading investigators with an emphasis on significant open questions.

Dienone Compounds: Targets and Pharmacological Responses

The biological responses to dienone compounds with a 1,5-diaryl-3-oxo-1,4-pentadienyl pharmacophore have been studied extensively. Despite their expected general thiol reactivity, these compounds display considerable degrees of tumor cell selectivity. Here we review in vitro and preclinical studies of dienone compounds including b-AP15, VLX1570, RA-9, RA-190, EF24, HO-3867, and MCB-613. A common property of these compounds is their targeting of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS), known to be essential for the viability of tumor cells. Gene expression profiling experiments have shown induction of responses characteristic of UPS inhibition, and experiments using cellular reporter proteins have shown that proteasome inhibition is associated with cell death. Other mechanisms of action such as reactivation of mutant p53, stimulation of steroid receptor coactivators, and induction of protein cross-linking have also been described. Although unsuitable as biological probes due to widespread reactivity, dienone compounds are cytotoxic to apoptosis-resistant tumor cells and show activity in animal tumor models.

Oxidative stress mitigation by antioxidants - An overview on their chemistry and influences on health status

The present review paper focuses on the chemistry of oxidative stress mitigation by antioxidants. Oxidative stress is understood as a lack of balance between the pro-oxidant and the antioxidant species. Reactive oxygen species in limited amounts are necessary for cell homeostasis and redox signaling. Excessive reactive oxygenated/nitrogenated species production, which counteracts the organism's defense systems, is known as oxidative stress. Sustained attack of endogenous and exogenous ROS results in conformational and oxidative alterations in key biomolecules. Chronic oxidative stress is associated with oxidative modifications occurring in key biomolecules: lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, carbonyl (aldehyde/ketone) adduct formation, nitration, sulfoxidation, DNA impairment such strand breaks or nucleobase oxidation. Oxidative stress is tightly linked to the development of cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, eye disease. The deleterious action of reactive oxygenated species and their role in the onset and progression of pathologies are discussed. The results of oxidative attack become themselves sources of oxidative stress, becoming part of a vicious cycle that amplifies oxidative impairment. The term antioxidant refers to a compound that is able to impede or retard oxidation, acting at a lower concentration compared to that of the protected substrate. Antioxidant intervention against the radicalic lipid peroxidation can involve different mechanisms. Chain breaking antioxidants are called primary antioxidants, acting by scavenging radical species, converting them into more stable radicals or non-radical species. Secondary antioxidants quench singlet oxygen, decompose peroxides, chelate prooxidative metal ions, inhibit oxidative enzymes. Moreover, four reactivity-based lines of defense have been identified: preventative antioxidants, radical scavengers, repair antioxidants, and those relying on adaptation mechanisms. The specific mechanism of a series of endogenous and exogenous antioxidants in particular aspects of oxidative stress, is detailed. The final section resumes critical conclusions regarding antioxidant supplementation.

A Global Cndp1-Knock-Out Selectively Increases Renal Carnosine and Anserine Concentrations in an Age- and Gender-Specific Manner in Mice

Carnosinase 1 (CN1) is encoded by the Cndp1 gene and degrades carnosine and anserine, two natural histidine-containing dipeptides. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest carnosine- and anserine-mediated protection against long-term sequelae of reactive metabolites accumulating, e.g., in diabetes mellitus. We have characterized the metabolic impact of CN1 in 11- and 55-week-old Cndp1-knockout (Cndp1-KO) mice and litter-matched wildtypes (WT). In Cndp1-KO mice, renal carnosine and anserine concentrations were gender-specifically increased 2- to 9-fold, respectively in the kidney and both most abundant in the renal cortex, but remained unchanged in all other organs and in serum. Renal oxidized/reduced glutathione concentrations, renal morphology and function were unaltered. In Cndp1-KO mice at week 11, renal asparagine, serine and glutamine levels and at week 55, renal arginine concentration were reduced. Renal heat-shock-protein 70 (Hspa1a/b) mRNA declined with age in WT but not in Cndp1-KO mice, transcription factor heat-shock-factor 1 was higher in 55-week-old KO mice. Fasting blood glucose concentrations decreased with age in WT mice, but were unchanged in Cndp1-KO mice. Blood glucose response to intraperitoneal insulin was gender- but not genotype-dependent, the response to intraperitoneal glucose injection was similar in all groups. A global Cndp1-KO selectively, age- and gender-specifically, increases renal carnosine and anserine concentrations, alters renal amino acid- and HSP70 profile and modifies systemic glucose homeostasis. Increase of the natural occurring carnosine and anserine levels in the kidney by modulation of CN1 represents a promising therapeutic approach to mitigate or prevent chronic kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy.

Oxidative Stress Markers Differ in Two Placental Dysfunction Pathologies: Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Aim

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are both multisystemic disorders of pregnancy that cause perinatal morbidity and mortality. Recently, researchers focused on the role of oxidative stress (OS) as a pathophysiological mechanism in the development of these pathologies. The aim of this study was to compare OS in placental-related pathologies (PIH and IUGR) and uncomplicated pregnancies. We also investigated which salivary OS markers reflect systemic oxidative status and which only reflect the state of the oral cavity. Material and Methods. A total of 104 pregnant women (n = 104; 27 with PIH, 30 with IUGR, and 47 controls) were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (ORAC), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione transferase (GST) in plasma/whole blood and/or saliva were analysed. Dietary nutrient intake was calculated using a Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SFFQ). Oral health was assessed to eliminate patients with bleeding, severe periodontitis, and other dental pathologies.

Results

In the IUGR group, increased concentration of ORAC was observed both in saliva and plasma. Also, lower plasma levels of MDA in IUGR compared to the control group was detected. No sign of oxidative stress was confirmed in the PIH group. The examined groups did not differ regarding diet and markers of inflammation. ORAC in saliva was correlated with its level in plasma. No such correlations for MDA were observed. In the IUGR group, there were no differences in OS markers in plasma, but there was a lower ALDH level in the blood compared to the control group. It confirms OS occurrence in IUGR. In IUGR, a higher activity of salivary ALDH was probably due to worse oral health.

Conclusion

Oxidative stress differs between IUGR and PIH groups: the presence of oxidative stress was confirmed only in the IUGR group. Salivary ORAC can be used to estimate ORAC in plasma. The activity of salivary ALDH reflects the state of the oral cavity.

N-Acetyl-Cysteine Regenerates Albumin Cys34 by a Thiol-Disulfide Breaking Mechanism: An Explanation of Its Extracellular Antioxidant Activity

In the present paper, the extracellular antioxidant activity of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is explained by considering its ability to regenerate the free form of albumin Cys34 by breaking the disulfide bond of the cysteinylated form (HSA-Cys). NAC’s capability to regenerate albumin Cys34 (HSA-SH) was studied by MS intact protein analysis in human plasma and in a concentration range of NAC easily achievable after oral and i.v. administration (5–50 µg/mL). NAC dose-dependently broke the HSA-Cys bond to form the dimer NAC-Cys thus regenerating Cys34, whose reduced state was maintained for at least 120 min. Cys was faster in restoring Cys34, according to the reaction constant determined with the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) reaction, but after 60 min the mixed disulfide HSA-Cys turned back due to the reaction of the dimer Cys-Cys with Cys34. The explanation for the different rate exchanges between Cys-Cys and Cys-NAC with Cys34 was given by molecular modeling studies. Finally, the Cys34 regenerating effect of NAC was related to its ability to improve the total antioxidant capacity of plasma (TRAP assay). The results well indicate that NAC greatly increases the plasma antioxidant activity and this effect is not reached by a direct effect but through the regenerating effect of Cys34.

The Disposal of Reactive Carbonyl Species through Carnosine Conjugation: What We Know Now

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Reactive Carbonyl Species are electrophiles generated by the oxidative cleavage of lipids and sugars. Such compounds have been described as important molecules for cellular signaling, whilst their accumulation has been found to be cytotoxic as they may trigger aberrant modifications of proteins (a process often referred to as carbonylation).

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A correlation between carbonylation of proteins and human disease progression has been shown in ageing, diabetes, obesity, chronic renal failure, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease. However, the fate of reactive carbonyl species is still far from being understood, especially concerning the mechanisms responsible for their disposal as well as the importance of this in disease progression.

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In this context, some data have been published on phase I and phase II deactivation of reactive carbonyl species. In the case of phase II mechanisms, the route involving glutathione conjugation and subsequent disposal of the adducts has been extensively studied both in vitro and in vivo for some of the more representative compounds, e.g. 4-hydroxynonenal.

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There is also emerging evidence of an involvement of carnosine as an endogenous alternative to glutathione for phase II conjugation. However, the fate of carnosine conjugates is still poorly investigated and, unlike glutathione, there is little evidence of the formation of carnosine adducts in vivo. The acquisition of such data could be of importance for the development of new drugs, since carnosine and its derivatives have been proposed as potential therapeutic agents for the mitigation of carbonylation associated with disease progression.

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Herein, we wish to review our current knowledge of the binding of reactive carbonyl species with carnosine together with the disposal of carnosine conjugates, emphasizing those aspects still requiring investigation such as conjugation reversibility and enzyme assisted catalysis of the reactions.

Binding modes identification through molecular dynamic simulations: A case study with carnosine enantiomers and the Teicoplanin A2-2-based chiral stationary phase

In the present study, an in silico methodology able to define the binding modes adopted by carnosine enantiomers in the setting of the chiral recognition process is described. The inter- and intramolecular forces involved in the enantioseparation process with the Teicoplanin A2-2 chiral selector and carnosine as model compound are successfully identified. This approach fully rationalizes, at a molecular level, the (S) < (R) enantiomeric elution order obtained under reversed-phase conditions. Consistent explanations were achieved by managing molecular dynamics results with advanced techniques of data analysis. As a result, the time-dependent identification of all the interactions simultaneously occurring in the chiral selector-enantiomeric analyte binding process was obtained. Accordingly, it was found that only (R)-carnosine is able to engage a stabilizing charge-charge interaction through its ionized imidazole ring with the carboxylate counter-part on the chiral selector. Instead, (S)-carnosine establishes intramolecular contacts between its ionized functional groups, that limit its conformational freedom and impair the association with the chiral selector unit.

In Vitro Aging of Human Skin Fibroblasts: Age-Dependent Changes in 4-Hydroxynonenal Metabolism

Evidence suggests that the increased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species lead to cellular aging. One of the consequences is lipid peroxidation generating reactive aldehydic products, such as 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) that modify proteins and form adducts with DNA bases. To prevent damage by HNE, it is metabolized. The primary metabolic products are the glutathione conjugate (GSH-HNE), the corresponding 4-hydroxynonenoic acid (HNA), and the alcohol 1,4-dihydroxynonene (DHN). Since HNE metabolism can potentially change during in vitro aging, cell cultures of primary human dermal fibroblasts from several donors were cultured until senescence. After different time points up to 30 min of incubation with 5 µM HNE, the extracellular medium was analyzed for metabolites via liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS). The metabolites appeared in the extracellular medium 5 min after incubation followed by a time-dependent increase. But, the formation of GSH-HNL and GSH-DHN decreased with increasing in vitro age. As a consequence, the HNE levels in the cells increase and there is more protein modification observed. Furthermore, after 3 h of incubation with 5 µM HNE, younger cells showed less proliferative capacity, while in older cells slight increase in the mitotic index was noticed.

The mercapturic acid pathway

The mercapturic acid pathway is a major route for the biotransformation of xenobiotic and endobiotic electrophilic compounds and their metabolites. Mercapturic acids (N-acetyl-l-cysteine S-conjugates) are formed by the sequential action of the glutathione transferases, γ-glutamyltransferases, dipeptidases, and cysteine S-conjugate N-acetyltransferase to yield glutathione S-conjugates, l-cysteinylglycine S-conjugates, l-cysteine S-conjugates, and mercapturic acids; these metabolites constitute a "mercapturomic" profile. Aminoacylases catalyze the hydrolysis of mercapturic acids to form cysteine S-conjugates. Several renal transport systems facilitate the urinary elimination of mercapturic acids; urinary mercapturic acids may serve as biomarkers for exposure to chemicals. Although mercapturic acid formation and elimination is a detoxication reaction, l-cysteine S-conjugates may undergo bioactivation by cysteine S-conjugate β-lyase. Moreover, some l-cysteine S-conjugates, particularly l-cysteinyl-leukotrienes, exert significant pathophysiological effects. Finally, some enzymes of the mercapturic acid pathway are described as the so-called "moonlighting proteins," catalytic proteins that exert multiple biochemical or biophysical functions apart from catalysis.

Oxidative Modifications in Advanced Atherosclerotic Plaques: A Focus on In Situ Protein Sulfhydryl Group Oxidation

Although oxidative stress has been long associated with the genesis and progression of the atherosclerotic plaque, scanty data on its in situ effects on protein sulfhydryl group modifications are available. Within the arterial wall, protein sulfhydryls and low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols are involved in the cell regulation of both Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) levels and are a target for several posttranslational oxidative modifications that take place inside the atherosclerotic plaque, probably contributing to both atherogenesis and atherosclerotic plaque progression towards complicated lesions. Advanced carotid plaques are characterized by very high intraplaque GSH levels, due to cell lysis during apoptotic and/or necrotic events, probably responsible for the altered equilibrium among protein sulfhydryls and LMW thiols. Some lines of evidence show that the prooxidant environment present in atherosclerotic tissue could modify filtered proteins also by protein-SH group oxidation, and demonstrate that particularly albumin, once filtered, represents a harmful source of homocysteine and cysteinylglycine inside the plaque. The oxidative modification of protein sulfhydryls, with particular emphasis to protein thiolation by LMW thiols and its association with atherosclerosis, is the main topic of this review.

4-Hydroxy-Trans-2-Nonenal in the Regulation of Anti-Oxidative and Pro-Inflammatory Signaling Pathways

Recent studies indicate that 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE), a major oxidative stress triggered lipid peroxidation-derived aldehyde, plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of various human pathologies including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurological, immunological, and age-related diseases and various types of cancer. HNE is the most abundant and toxic α, β-unsaturated aldehyde formed during the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in a series of free radical-mediated reactions. The presence of an aldehyde group at C1, a double bond between C2 and C3 and a hydroxyl group at C4 makes HNE a highly reactive molecule. These strong reactive electrophilic groups favor the formation of HNE adducts with cellular macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids leading to the regulation of various cell signaling pathways and processes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Many studies suggest that the cell-specific intracellular concentrations of HNE dictate the anti-oxidative and pro-inflammatory activities of this important molecule. In this review, we focused on how HNE could alter multiple anti-oxidative defense pathways and pro-inflammatory cytotoxic pathways by interacting with various cell-signaling intermediates.

ALDH2 (Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2) Protects Against Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension

OBJECTIVE

Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) increases lipid peroxidation with generation of toxic aldehydes that are metabolized by detoxifying enzymes, including ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2). However, the role of lipid peroxidation and ALDH2 in HPH pathogenesis remain undefined. Approach and Results: To determine the role of lipid peroxidation and ALDH2 in HPH, C57BL/6 mice, ALDH2 transgenic mice, and ALDH2 knockout (ALDH2^-/-) mice were exposed to chronic hypoxia, and recombinant tissue-specific ALDH2 overexpression adeno-associated viruses were introduced into pulmonary arteries via tail vein injection for ALDH2 overexpression. Human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were used to elucidate underlying mechanisms in vitro. Chronic hypoxia promoted lipid peroxidation due to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species and increased expression of lipoxygenases in lung tissues. 4-hydroxynonenal but not malondialdehyde level was increased in hypoxic lung tissues which might reflect differences in detoxifying enzymes. ALDH2 overexpression attenuated the development of HPH, whereas ALDH2 knockout aggravated it. Specific overexpression of ALDH2 using AAV1 (adeno-associated virus)-ICAM (intercellular adhesion molecule) 2p-ALDH2 and AAV2-SM22αp (smooth muscle 22 alpha)-ALDH2 viral vectors in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, but not endothelial cells, prevented the development of HPH. Hypoxia or 4-hydroxynonenal increased stabilization of HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor)-1α, phosphorylation of Drp1 (dynamin-related protein 1) at serine 616, mitochondrial fission, and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation, whereas ALDH2 activation suppressed the latter 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased 4-hydroxynonenal level plays a critical role in the development of HPH. ALDH2 attenuates the development of HPH by regulating mitochondrial fission and smooth muscle cell proliferation suggesting ALDH2 as a potential new therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension.

Post-translational inhibition of YAP oncogene expression by 4-hydroxynonenal in bladder cancer cells

The transcriptional regulator YAP plays an important role in cancer progression and is negatively controlled by the Hippo pathway. YAP is frequently overexpressed in human cancers, including bladder cancer. Interestingly, YAP expression and activity can be inhibited by pro-oxidant conditions; moreover, YAP itself can also affect the cellular redox status through multiple mechanisms. 4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE), the most intensively studied end product of lipid peroxidation, is a pro-oxidant agent able to deplete GSH and has an anti-tumoral effect by affecting multiple signal pathways, including the down-regulation of oncogene expressions. These observations prompted us to investigate the effect of HNE on YAP expression and activity. We demonstrated that HNE inhibited YAP expression and its target genes in bladder cancer cells through a redox-dependent mechanism. Moreover, the YAP down-regulation was accompanied by an inhibition of proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, as well as by an accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of cell cycle and by an induction of apoptosis. We also established the YAP role in inhibiting cell viability and inducing apoptosis in HNE-treated cells by using an expression vector for YAP. Furthermore, we identified a post-translational mechanism for the HNE-induced YAP expression inhibition, involving an increase of YAP phosphorylation and ubiquitination, leading to proteasomal degradation. Our data established that HNE can post-translationally down-regulate YAP through a redox-dependent mechanism and that this modulation can contribute to determining the specific anti-cancer effects of HNE.

Impact of inhibition of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway on biomolecules carbonylation and proteome regulation in rat cardiac cells

Cells employ multiple defence mechanisms to sustain a wide range of stress conditions associated with accumulation of modified self-biomolecules leading to lipo- and proteotoxicity. One of such mechanisms involves activation of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway for removal and degradation of modified lipids, proteins and even organelles. Biomolecules carbonylation, an irreversible oxidative modification, occurs in a variety of pathological conditions and is generally viewed as a marker of oxidative stress. Here, we used a model of rat primary cardiac cells to elucidate the role of autophagy-lysosomal pathway in the turnover of carbonylated biomolecules. Cells treated with inhibitors of autophagy-lysosomal degradation and primed with a short pulse of mild nitroxidative stress were studied using fluorescent microscopy and accumulation of carbonylated biomolecules in droplets- or vesicle-like structures was observed. Furthermore, systems-wide analysis of proteome regulation using relative label free quantification approach revealed the most significant alterations in cells treated with protease inhibitors. Interestingly, down-regulation of insulin signalling was among the most enriched pathway, as revealed by functional annotation of regulated proteins.

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Starvation induced autophagy promotes cellular carbonylation.

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Inhibition of autophagy-lysosomal flux leads to carbonyls accumulation.

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Cellular carbonyls coincide with Nile Red positive structures.

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Inhibition of autophagy-lysosomal flux induces proteome alterations.

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Impairment of autophagy-lysosomal flux results in changes in metabolic and nutrient sensing pathways.

Advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) as RAGE binders: Mass spectrometric and computational studies to explain the reasons why

Advanced Lipoxidation End-products (ALEs) are modified proteins that can act as pathogenic factors in several chronic diseases. Several molecular mechanisms have so far been considered to explain the damaging action of ALEs and among these a pathway involving the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) should be considered. The aim of the present work is to understand if ALEs formed from lipid peroxidation derived reactive carbonyl species (RCS) are able to act as RAGE binders and also to gain a deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the protein-protein engagement. ALEs were produced in vitro, by incubating human serum albumin (HSA) with 4-hydroxy-trans− 2-nonenal (HNE), acrolein (ACR) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The identification of ALEs was performed by MS. ALEs were then subjected to the VC1 Pull-Down assay (VC1 is the ligand binding domain of RAGE) and the enrichment factor (the difference between the relative abundance in the enriched sample minus the amount in the untreated one) as an index of affinity, was determined. Computation studies were then carried out to explain the factors governing the affinity of the adducted moieties and the site of interaction on adducted HSA for VC1-binding. The in silico analyses revealed the key role played by those adducts which strongly reduce the basicity of the modified residues and thus occur at their neutral state at physiological conditions (e.g. the MDA adducts, dihydropyridine-Lysine (DHPK) and N-2-pyrimidyl-ornithine (NPO), and acrolein derivatives, N-(3-formyl-3,4-dehydro-piperidinyl) lysine, FDPK). These neutral adducts become unable to stabilize ion-pairs with the surrounding negative residues which thus can contact the RAGE positive residues.

In conclusion, ALEs derived from lipid peroxidation-RCS are binders of RAGE and this affinity depends on the effect of the adduct moiety to reduce the basicity of the target amino acid and on the acid moieties surrounding the aminoacidic target.

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A wide set of ALEs-HSA was obtained by in vitro incubation of HSA with different RCS.

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ALEs-HSA before and after VC1 enrichment were fully characterized by MS.

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Retention efficiency of the identified ALEs-HSA by VC1 was determined.

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Elucidation of structural requirements making an ALE a RAGE binder was obtained by computational studies.

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The mechanism here proposed for ALEs can be considered as a general mechanism of protein-protein interaction.