Neuroprotection by nitric oxide against hydroxyl radical-induced nigral neurotoxicity

Reinforcing mitochondrial functions in aging brain: An insight into Parkinson's disease therapeutics

Mitochondria, the powerhouse of the neural cells in the brain, are also the seat of certain essential gene signaling pathways that control neuronal functions. Deterioration of mitochondrial functions has been widely reported in normal aging as well as in a spectrum of age-associated neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Evidences accumulated in the recent past provide not only advanced information on the causes of mitochondrial bioenergetics defects and redox imbalance in PD brains, but also much insight into mitochondrial biogenesis, quality control of mitochondrial proteins, and genes, which regulate intra- and extra-mitochondrial signaling that control the general health of neural cells. The mitochondrial quality control machinery is affected in aging and especially in PD, thus affecting intraneuronal protein transport and degradation, which are primarily responsible for accumulation of misfolded proteins and mitochondrial damage in sporadic as well as familial PD. Essentially we considered in the first half of this review, mitochondria-based targets such as mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial quality control pathways in PD, relevance of mitochondrial DNA mutations, mitophagy, mitochondrial proteases, mitochondrial flux, and finally mitochondria-based therapies possible for PD. Therapeutic aspects are considered in the later half and mitochondria-targeted antioxidant therapy, mitophagy enhancers, mitochondrial biogenesis boasters, mitochondrial dynamics modulators, and gene-based therapeutic approaches are discussed. The present review is a critical assessment of this information to distinguish some exemplary mitochondrial therapeutic targets, and provides a utilitarian perception of some avenues for therapeutic designs on identified mitochondrial targets for PD, a very incapacitating disorder of the geriatric population, world over.

The role of nitric oxide in stroke

Stroke is considered to be an acute cerebrovascular disease, including ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. The high incidence and poor prognosis of stroke suggest that it is a highly disabling and highly lethal disease which can pose a serious threat to human health. Nitric oxide (NO), a common gas in nature, which is often thought as a toxic gas, because of its intimate relationship with the pathological processes of many diseases, especially in the regulation of blood flow and cell inflammation. However, recent years have witnessed an increased interest that NO plays a significant and positive role in stroke as an essential gas signal molecule. In view of the fact that the neuroprotective effect of NO is closely related to its concentration, cell type and time, only in the appropriate circumstances can NO play a protective effect. The purpose of this review is to summarize the roles of NO in ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.

Role of Gasotransmitters in Oxidative Stresses, Neuroinflammation, and Neuronal Repair

To date, three main gasotransmitters, that is, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitric oxide (NO), have been discovered to play major bodily physiological roles. These gasotransmitters have multiple functional roles in the body including physiologic and pathologic functions with respect to the cellular or tissue quantities of these gases. Gasotransmitters were originally known to have only detrimental and noxious effects in the body but that notion has much changed with years; vast studies demonstrated that these gasotransmitters are precisely involved in the normal physiological functioning of the body. From neuromodulation, oxidative stress subjugation, and cardiovascular tone regulation to immunomodulation, these gases perform critical roles, which, should they deviate from the norm, can trigger the genesis of a number of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of this review is to discuss at great length physical and chemical properties and physiological actions of H₂S, NO, and CO as well as shedding light on recently researched molecular targets. We particularly put emphasis on the roles in neuronal inflammation and neurodegeneration and neuronal repair.

Nitric oxide plays a dual role in the oxidative injury of cultured rat microglia but not astroglia

Nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation are two important factors that lead to the progression of human neurological diseases. NO can be detrimental or protective to neurons under oxidative toxicity; however, in the case of brain exposure to oxidative stress, in addition to neurons, the existence of glia may also be disturbed by toxic ROS. The influence NO will have on ROS-mediated glial injury remains unclear. Here, we examined the effects of NO on cell viability under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in rat primary mixed glia cultures, as well as pure astroglia and microglia cultures. We found that in mixed glia cultures, both H2O2 and NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d,l-penicillamine (SNAP) elicited cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Combinations of H2O2 and SNAP at sublytic concentrations were sufficient to damage mixed glia, and sublytic concentrations of SNAP could reduce the insults that resulted from toxic H2O2. Furthermore, in microglia or astroglia, sublytic concentrations of H2O2 were toxic when combined with SNAP, and the potency was increased with an increased SNAP concentration. In microglia but not astroglia, a toxic H2O2-induced apoptotic injury was attenuated by a sublytic level of SNAP. H2O2 at toxic levels activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and p53 pathways and increased DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in microglia, whereas the rescue exerted by sublytic SNAP against toxic H2O2 occurred via the activation of both Akt and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascades and decreased DNA DSBs. Moreover, a sublytic concentration of SNAP induced both heat shock protein 70 and heme oxygenase-1, which may be involved in decreasing the susceptibility of microglia to H2O2 toxicity. These results suggest that NO exhibits a concentration-dependent dual action of weakening or enhancing oxidative injury in mixed glia, particularly microglia.

Nitric oxide donors as neuroprotective agents after an ischemic stroke-related inflammatory reaction

Cerebral ischemia initiates a cascade of detrimental events including glutamate-associated excitotoxicity, intracellular calcium accumulation, formation of Reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane lipid degradation, and DNA damage, which lead to the disruption of cellular homeostasis and structural damage of ischemic brain tissue. Cerebral ischemia also triggers acute inflammation, which exacerbates primary brain damage. Therefore, reducing oxidative stress (OS) and downregulating the inflammatory response are options that merit consideration as potential therapeutic targets for ischemic stroke. Consequently, agents capable of modulating both elements will constitute promising therapeutic solutions because clinically effective neuroprotectants have not yet been discovered and no specific therapy for stroke is available to date. Because of their ability to modulate both oxidative stress and the inflammatory response, much attention has been focused on the role of nitric oxide donors (NOD) as neuroprotective agents in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Given their short therapeutic window, NOD appears to be appropriate for use during neurosurgical procedures involving transient arterial occlusions, or in very early treatment of acute ischemic stroke, and also possibly as complementary treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson or Alzheimer, where oxidative stress is an important promoter of damage. In the present paper, we focus on the role of NOD as possible neuroprotective therapeutic agents for ischemia/reperfusion treatment.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors protect against rotenone-induced, oxidative stress mediated parkinsonism in rats

Rotenone is known to cause progressive dopaminergic neuronal loss in rodents, but it remains unclear how this mitochondrial complex-I inhibitor mediates neurodegeneration specific to substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). One of the proposed mechanisms is increased free radical generation owing to mitochondrial electron transport chain dysfunction following complex-I inhibition. The present study examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyl radicals (OH) in mediating rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Indications of NO involvement are evidenced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) over-expression, and increased NADPH-diaphorase staining in SNpc neurons 96h following rotenone administration. Treatment of these animals with specific neuronal NOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) and non-specific NOS inhibitor, N-ω-nitro-l-argenine methyl ester (l-NAME) caused reversal of rotenone-induced striatal dopamine depletion, and attenuation of the neurotoxin-induced decrease in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in SNpc, as well as in apomorphine and amphetamine-induced unilateral rotations. Interestingly, the study also demonstrated the contribution of OH in mediating rotenone nigral toxicity since there appeared a significant generation of the reactive oxygen species in vivo 24h following rotenone administration, a copious loss of reduced and oxidized glutathione, and increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the cytosolic fractions of the ipsilateral SNpc area on the 5th day. An OH scavenging capacity of 7-NI and l-NAME in a Fenton-like reaction, as well as complete reversal of the rotenone-induced increases in the antioxidant enzyme activities, and the loss in reduced and oxidized glutathione contents in the SNpc supported OH involvement in rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. While these results strongly suggest the contribution of both OH and NO, resulting in acute oxidative stress culminating in dopaminergic neurodegeneration caused by rotenone, the course of events indicated generation of OH as the primary event in the neurotoxic processes.

Involvement of nitric oxide in the protective effects of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate on stress induced neurobehavioral suppression and brain oxidative injury in rats

The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) on restraint stress induced neurobehavioral and brain oxidative/nitrosative stress markers was investigated in rats. Exposure of rats to restraint stress suppressed behavioral activity in the elevated plus maze and this was associated with increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) and brain NO metabolite (NOx) levels in brain homogenates. Pretreatment with DHEAS (5-40mg/s.c.) reversed the stress induced changes in behavioral and oxidative stress markers and also brain NOx levels. The beneficial effect of DHEAS (40mg/kgs.c.) was blocked by pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME (50mg/kgi.p.) while pretreatment of rats with NO-precursor l-Arginine (100mg/kg i.p.) produced potentiation of action of sub effective dose of DHEAS (5mg/kgs.c.). The DHEAS effects were stress specific as these behavioral and biochemical parameters were not much influenced in non-stressed rats. These observations suggest that pretreatment with DHEAS has a protective effect on restraint stress induced alteration of neurobehavioral changes and brain oxidative injury in rats and NO-dependent mechanisms may be involved in this effect.

Nitric oxide plays a key role in myelination in the developing brain

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is one of the most promising therapies used in neonates, but there is little information available about its effect on the developing brain. We explored the effects of both iNO and endogenous NO on developing white matter in rodents. Rat or mouse pups and their mothers were placed in a chamber containing 5 to 20 ppm of NO for 7 days after birth. Neonatal exposure to iNO was associated with a transient increase in central nervous system myelination in rats and C57BL/6 mice without any deleterious effects at low doses (5 ppm) or behavioral consequences in adulthood. Exposure to iNO was associated with a proliferative effect on immature oligodendrocytes and a subsequent promaturational effect. The role of endogenous NO in myelination was investigated in animals treated with the nitric oxides synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in the neonatal period; this led to protracted myelination defects and subsequent behavioral deficits in adulthood. These effects were reversed by rescuing L-NAME-treated animals with iNO. Thus, we demonstrate considerable effect of both exogenous and endogenous NO on myelination in rodents. These data point to potential new avenues for neuroprotection in human perinatal brain damage.

Methods for studying redox cycling of thioredoxin in mediating preconditioning-induced survival genes and proteins

Recent advances in molecular biology provide methods and tools for studying cell signaling pathways underlying hormetic mechanisms produced by radiation hormesis, ischemic, remote ischemic, and chemical preconditioning as well as withholding of nutrients and/or trophic factors. Most of the proposed key signaling pathways of hormetic mechanisms remain to be elucidated. For the investigation of possible role of thiol redox signaling systems in hormesis, a serum deprivation preconditioned human cell model, free radical assays, and molecular biological methods are employed for studying whether free radicals, the NO-cGMP-PKG cell signaling pathway, and the redox protein thioredoxin (Trx) play any roles in the hormetic mechanism against cytotoxicity caused by serum deprivation and also neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyltetrahydropyridinium ion (MPP(+)). This NO-dependent cell signaling pathway of the redox protein Trx may play a key role in the cellular protective mechanism of several potential neuroprotective agents such as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), 17beta-estradiol, selegiline as well as ebeselen, sildenafil, and rasagiline. Consistently, exogenously administrated Trx (<1 microM) provides a concentration-dependent protection for human neuroblasts against MPP(+)-induced oxidative injury. This newly discovered role of the redox protein of Trx in preconditioning-induced cell signaling and protection could lead to the development of new lead compounds for upregulation of Trx and related thiol redox proteins for cell survival, repair, proliferation, and neuronal plasticity.

Melatonin inhibits 6-hydroxydopamine production in the brain to protect against experimental parkinsonism in rodents

We tested the hypothesis that melatonin regulates formation of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in the brain and thereby protects animals from dopaminergic neurotoxicity and the development of parkinsonism in animals. Employing a ferrous-ascorbate-dopamine (FAD) hydroxyl radical ((*)OH) generating system, in the present study we demonstrate a dose-dependent attenuation of 6-OHDA generation by melatonin in vitro. Intra-median forebrain bundle infusion of FAD caused significant depletion of striatal dopamine (DA), which was blocked by melatonin. Per-oral administration of l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) for 7 days caused a dose-dependent increase in the formation of 6-OHDA in the mouse striatum, which was increased synergistically by the systemic administration of the parkinsonian neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on the 7th day of L-DOPA treatment. Melatonin treatment significantly attenuated both the L-DOPA and MPTP-induced increases in the levels of striatal 6-OHDA, and protected against striatal DA depletion caused by the neurotoxin. These observations suggest a novel mode of melatonin-induced dopaminergic neuroprotection in two models of Parkinson's disease, and suggest the possible therapeutic use of this well-known antioxidant indoleamine neurohormone in parkinsonism.

Age related differences in stress-induced neurobehavioral responses in rats: modulation by antioxidants and nitrergic agents

The effect of restraint stress (RS) on neurobehavioral and brain oxidative/nitrosative stress markers and their modulation by antioxidants and nitrergic agents were evaluated in young (2 months) and old (16 months) male Wistar rats. Exposure to RS, induced anxiogenesis when tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests and such changes were greater in the old as compared to the young rats. These behavioral alterations were associated with enhanced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reductions in glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) levels in brain homogenates-the effects being greater in intensity in the old as compared to the young animals. Pretreatment with antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol (25 and 50mg/kg) and N-acetylcysteine (100 and 200mg/kg) consistently reversed the RS-induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in both young and old rats. Similar attenuations of RS-induced changes were seen after pretreatment with NO precursor L-arginine (500 and 1000mg/kg) while the NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (50 and 100mg/kg) tended to aggravate the effects of RS in both age groups of rats. The results suggest that susceptibility to stress-induced neurobehavioral alterations may increase with age and interactions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide in the central nervous system may exert a regulatory influence in such age dependent responses to stress.

Evidence for Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Action of Nitric Oxide Donors in the Protection Against 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

In the present study we provide evidence for hydroxyl radical (*OH) scavenging action of nitric oxide (NO*), and subsequent dopaminergic neuroprotection in a hemiparkinsonian rat model. Reactive oxygen species are strongly implicated in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity caused by the parkinsonian neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Since the role of this free radical as a neurotoxicant or neuroprotectant is debatable, we investigated the effects of some of the NO* donors such as S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and nitroglycerin (NG) on in vitro *OH generation in a Fenton-like reaction involving ferrous citrate, as well as in MPP+-induced *OH production in the mitochondria. We also tested whether co-administration of NO* donor and MPP+ could protect against MPP+-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in rats. While NG, SNAP and SIN-1 attenuated MPP+-induced *OH generation in the mitochondria, and in a Fenton-like reaction, SNP caused up to 18-fold increase in *OH production in the latter reaction. Striatal dopaminergic depletion following intranigral infusion of MPP+ in rats was significantly attenuated by NG, SNAP and SIN-1, but not by SNP. Solutions of NG, SNAP and SIN-1, exposed to air for 48 h to remove NO*, when administered similarly failed to attenuate MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in vivo. Conversely, long-time air-exposed SNP solution when administered in rats intranigrally, caused a dose-dependent depletion of the striatal dopamine. These results confirm the involvement of *OH in the nigrostriatal degeneration caused by MPP+, indicate the *OH scavenging ability of NO*, and demonstrate protection by NO* donors against MPP+-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in rats.

Temporal relationship of peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage, calpain-mediated cytoskeletal degradation and neurodegeneration after traumatic brain injury

We assessed the temporal and spatial characteristics of PN-induced oxidative damage and its relationship to calpain-mediated cytoskeletal degradation and neurodegeneration in a severe unilateral controlled cortical impact (CCI) traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. Quantitative temporal time course studies were performed to measure two oxidative damage markers: 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) at 30 min, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h and 7 days after injury in ipsilateral cortex of young adult male CF-1 mice. Secondly, the time course of Ca(++)-activated, calpain-mediated proteolysis was also analyzed using quantitative western-blot measurement of breakdown products of the cytoskeletal protein alpha-spectrin. Finally, the time course of neurodegeneration was examined using de Olmos silver staining. Both oxidative damage markers increased in cortical tissue immediately after injury (30 min) and elevated for the first 3-6 h before returning to baseline. In the immunostaining study, the PN-selective marker, 3NT, and the lipid peroxidation marker, 4HNE, were intense and overlapping in the injured cortical tissue. alpha-Spectrin breakdown products, which were used as biomarker for calpain-mediated cytoskeletal degradation, were also increased after injury, but the time course lagged behind the peak of oxidative damage and did not reach its maximum until 24 h post-injury. In turn, cytoskeletal degradation preceded the peak of neurodegeneration which occurred at 48 h post-injury. These studies have led us to the hypothesis that PN-mediated oxidative damage is an early event that contributes to a compromise of Ca(++) homeostatic mechanisms which causes a massive Ca(++) overload and calpain activation which is a final common pathway that results in post-traumatic neurodegeneration.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, tolmetin and sulindac, attenuate oxidative stress in rat brain homogenate and reduce quinolinic acid-induced neurodegeneration in rat hippocampal neurons

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. Anti-inflammatory agents have been shown to be beneficial in preventing neurodegenerative disorders such as AD. In this study we investigated the possible antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), tolmetin and sulindac, using quinolinic acid (QA)-induced neurotoxicity as a model. We used the thiobarbituric acid assay to measure the extent of lipid peroxidation and the nitroblue tetrazolium assay to measure the superoxide anion generated in rat brain homogenate. QA (1 mM) induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate was significantly curtailed by co-treatment of the homogenate with tolmetin and/or sulindac. Tolmetin and sulindac both reduced the generation of superoxide anions by the known neurotoxin, potassium cyanide (KCN). Intrahippocampal injections of QA induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampus. N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor counts were conducted do give an indication of the amount protection offered by the NSAIDS. QA drastically reduced the number of NMDA binding sites by approximately 37%. This sharp decrease was considerably attenuated by the pre-treatment of the rats with tolmetin and sulindac (5 mg/kg/bd for five days). This study shows the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of tolmetin and sulindac and hereby postulates that these drugs have important implications in the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

Synthetic bovine proline-rich-polypeptides generate hydroxyl radicals and fail to protect dopaminergic neurons against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in mice

Proline-rich-polypeptides (PRPs) isolated from bovine hypothalamus have been shown to render protection against neuronal injury of the brain and spinal cord. We examined two PRPs containing 15 and 10 amino acid residues (PRP-1 and PRP-4 synthetic polypeptide) for their effect, if any, on dopaminergic neuronal damage caused by the parkinsonian neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Effects of these PRPs on hydroxyl radical ((*)OH) generation in a Fenton-like reaction as well as from isolated mitochondria were monitored, employing a sensitive salicylate hydroxylation procedure. Balb/c mice treated (i.p., twice, 16 h apart) with MPTP (30 mg/kg) or PRP-1 (1.6 mg/kg), but not PRP-4 (1.6 mg/kg) showed significant loss of striatal dopamine and norepinephrine as assayed by an HPLC-electrochemical procedure. Pretreatment with the PRPs, 30 min prior to the neurotoxin administration failed to attenuate MPTP-induced striatal dopamine or norepinephrine depletion, but significantly attenuated the MPTP-induced decrease in dopamine turnover. A significant increase in the generation of (*)OH by the PRPs in a Fenton-like reaction or from isolated mitochondria suggests their pro-oxidant action, and explains their failure to protect against MPTP-induced parkinsonism in mice.

Neuronal dysfunction in Down syndrome: contribution of neuronal models in cell culture

Down syndrome (DS) in humans, or trisomy of autosome 21, represents the hyperdiploidy that most frequently survives gestation, reaching an incidence of 1 in 700 live births. The condition is associated with multisystemic anomalies, including those affecting the central nervous system (CNS), determining a characteristic mental retardation. At a neuronal level, our group and others have shown that the condition determines marked alterations of action potential and ionic current kinetics, which may underlie abnormal processing of information by the CNS. Since the use of human tissue presents both practical and ethical problems, animal models of the human condition have been sought. Murine trisomy 16 (Ts16) is a model of the human condition, due to the great homology between human autosome 21 and murine 16. Both conditions share the same alterations of electrical membrane properties. However, the murine Ts16 condition is unviable (animals die in utero), thus limiting the quantity of tissue procurable. To overcome this obstacle, we have established immortal cell lines from normal and Ts16 mice with a method developed by our group that allows the stable in vitro immortalization of mammalian tissue, yielding cell lines which retain the characteristics of the originating cells. Cell lines derived from cerebral cortex, hippocampus, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion of Ts16 animals show alterations of intracellular Ca2+ signals in response to several neurotransmitters (glutamate, acetylcholine, and GABA). Gene overdose most likely underlies these alterations in cell function, and the identification of the relative contribution of DS associated genes on such specific neuronal dysfunction should be investigated. This could enlighten our understanding on the contribution of these genes in DS, and identify new therapeutic targets.

Nitric oxide and MPP+-induced hydroxyl radical generation

Although neuroprotective effect of nitric oxide (NO) is discussed, NO has a role of pathogenesis of cellular injury. NO is synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthase (NOS). NO contributes to the extracellular potassium-ion concentration ([K(+)](o))-induced hydroxyl radical ((*)OH) generation. Cytotoxic free radicals such as peroxinitrite (ONOO(-)) and (*)OH may also be implicated in NO-mediated cell injury. NO activation was induced by K(+) depolarization. NO may react with superoxide anion (O(2) (-)) to form ONOO(-) and its decomposition generates (*)OH. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)) involve toxicity induced by NO. Intraneuronal Ca(2+) triggered by MPP(+) may be detrimental to the functioning of dopaminergic nerve terminals in the striatum. Although the [K(+)](o)-induced depolarization enhances the formation of (*)OH product due to MPP(+), the (*)OH generation via NOS activation may be unrelated the dopamine (DA)-induced (*)OH generation. Depolarization enhances the MPP(+)-induced (*)OH formation via NOS activation. NOS inhibition is associated with a protective effect due to suppression of depolarization-induced (*)OH generation. ONOO(-) has been implicated as a causative factor under conditions in which DA neurons are damaged. These findings may be useful in elucidating the actual mechanism of free radical formation in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injuries.

Inhibition of the Fenton reaction by nitrogen monoxide

The toxicity of iron is believed to originate from the Fenton reaction which produces the hydroxyl radical and/or oxoiron2+. The effect of nitrogen monoxide on the kinetics of the reaction of iron(II) bound to citrate, ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetate (edda), ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate (edta), (N-hydroxyethyl)amine-N,N',N'-triacetate (hedta), and nitrilotriacetate (nta) with hydrogen peroxide was studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Nitrogen monoxide inhibits the Fenton reaction to a large extent. For instance, hydrogen peroxide oxidizes iron(II) citrate with a rate constant of 5.8x10(3) M(-1) s(-1), but in the presence of nitrogen monoxide, the rate constant is 2.9x10(2) M(-1) s(-1) . Similar to hydrogen peroxide, the reaction of tert-butyl hydroperoxide with iron(II) complexes is also efficiently inhibited by nitrogen monoxide. Generally, nitrogen monoxide binds rapidly to a coordination site of iron(II) occupied by water. The rate of oxidation is influenced by the rate of dissociation of the nitrogen monoxide from iron(II).

Treatment with 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolone affects the levels of nitric oxide, S-nitrosothiols, glutathione and the enzymatic activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in the dopaminergic structures of rat brain

Depletion of glutathione (GSH), nitrosative stress and chronic intoxication with some neurotoxins have been postulated to play a major role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. This study aimed to examine the effects of acute and chronic treatments with 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ), an endo-/exogenous substance suspected of producing Parkinsonism in human, on the levels of nitric oxide (NO), S-nitrosothiols and glutathione (GSH) in the whole rat brain and in its dopaminergic structures. TIQ administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg i.p. significantly increased the tissue concentrations of NO and GSH in the substantia nigra (SN), striatum (STR) and cortex (CTX) of rats receiving this compound both acutely and chronically. Moreover, it decreased the level of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and enhanced GSH:GSSG ratio affecting in this way the redox state of brain cells. TIQ also increased the level of S-nitrosothiols when measured in the whole rat brain and CTX, although it markedly decreased their level in the STR after both treatments. Inhibition of the constitutive NO synthase by l-NAME in the presence of TIQ caused decreases in GSH and S-nitrosothiol levels in the brain. The latter effect shows that the TIQ-mediated increases in GSH and S-nitrosothiol concentrations were dependent on the enhanced NO level. The above-described results suggest that TIQ can act as a modulator of GSH, NO and S-nitrosothiol levels but not as a parkinsonism-inducing agent in the rat brain.

Signaling pathways in the nitric oxide and iron-induced dopamine release in the striatum of freely moving rats: Role of extracellular Ca2+ and L-type Ca2+ channels

We showed previously that exogenous iron potentiated nitric oxide (NO) donor-induced release of striatal dopamine (DA) in freely moving rats, using microdialysis. In this study, the increase in dialysate DA induced by intrastriatal infusion of the NO-donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1, 1.0 mM for 180 min) was scarcely affected by Ca2+ omission. N-methyl-d-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MGD) is a thiol compound whose NO trapping activity is potentiated by iron(II). Intrastriatal co-infusion of MGD either alone or associated with iron(II), however, potentiated SIN-1-induced increases in dialysate DA. In contrast, co-infusion of the NO trapper 4-(carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazole-1-oxyl 3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO) significantly attenuated the increase in dialysate DA induced by SIN-1 (5.0 mM for 180 min). SIN-1+MGD+iron(II)-induced increases in dialysate DA were inhibited by Ca2+ omission or co-infusion of either deferoxamine or the L-type (Ca(v) 1.1-1.3) Ca2+ channel inhibitor nifedipine; in contrast, the increase was scarcely affected by co-infusion of the N-type (Ca(v) 2.2) Ca2+ channel inhibitor omega-conotoxin GVIA. These results demonstrate that exogenous NO-induced release of striatal DA is independent on extracellular Ca2+; however, in presence of the NO trapper MGD, NO may preferentially react with either endogenous or exogenous iron to form a complex which releases striatal DA with an extracellular Ca2+-dependent and nifedipine-sensitive mechanism.

A synthetic human proline-rich-polypeptide enhances hydroxyl radical generation and fails to protect dopaminergic neurons against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced toxicity in mice

Some of the proline-rich-polypeptides (PRPs) are shown to afford protection against spinal cord transection or crush syndrome-induced neurodegeneration in the brain. In the present study a synthetic proline-rich-polypeptide of human hypothalamus origin (h-PRP) has been examined for its potency to protect against dopaminergic neuronal damage caused by the parkinsonian neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Effect of h-PRP on hydroxyl radical (*OH) generation in a Fenton-like reaction was monitored, employing a sensitive salicylate hydroxylation procedure. Balb/c mice treated twice with MPTP (30 mg/kg. i.p., twice, 16 h apart) or h-PRP (20 microg/animal, twice, 16 h apart) showed significant loss of striatal dopamine as assayed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. h-PRP pretreatment failed to attenuate MPTP-induced striatal dopamine depletion. A dose-dependent increase in the generation of *OH by h-PRP suggests its pro-oxidant action, and explains its failure to protect against MPTP-induced parkinsonism in mice.

Intrastriatal microinjection of sodium nitroprusside induces cell death and reduces binding of dopaminergic receptors

Rat striatum was microinjected with 50 nmol sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and neural cell death as well as the binding of dopaminergic receptors were followed for 24 h after the infusion using TTC staining, cresyl violet staining, and quantitative autoradiography. Striatal cell death was observed 3 h after the infusion of SNP. A widespread area of cell death, including part of the cerebral cortex, was seen at 24 h after the infusion. A decrease of more than 80% in dopamine D1 receptor binding was seen in rat brain slices prepared 2 h after the infusion of SNP, whereas only a slight decrease in dopamine D2 receptor binding and almost no changes in dopamine transporter binding were observed. One day after the infusion, less than 10% of the binding of all three types of dopaminergic receptors remained in a widespread area in the infused side of the striatum and part of the cerebral cortex. Microinjection of either NOC-18 (50 nmol), another type of NO donor, or sodium cyanide (50 nmol) did not caused cell death. In addition, microinjection of FeCl2 (50 nmol) into the striatum caused cell death and reduction in dopamine D() receptor binding. These results suggest that iron-related radical reactions, but not NO itself, might have important roles on SNP-caused cell death. The current receptor binding study also indicated that dopamine D1 receptor binding is the most sensitive indicator for detection of cell death or cell damage induced by radical reactions in the rat striatum.

Glyceryl trinitrate, a nitric oxide donor, abrogates ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced oxidative stress and renal damage

Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), a common water pollutant and a known renal carcinogen, acts through the generation of oxidative stress and hyperproliferative response. In the present study, we show that the nitric oxide (NO) generated by the administration of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) affords protection against Fe-NTA-induced oxidative stress and proliferative response. Administration of Fe-NTA resulted in a significant (P<0.001) depletion of renal glutathione (GSH) content with concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation and elevated tissue damage marker release in serum. Parallel to these changes, Fe-NTA also caused down-regulation of GSH metabolizing enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase and several fold induction in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and rate of DNA synthesis. Subsequent exogenous administration of GTN at doses of 3 and 6mg/kg body weight resulted in significant (P<0.001) recovery of GSH metabolizing enzymes and amelioration of tissue GSH content, in a dose-dependent manner. GTN administration also inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, induction of ODC activity, enhanced rate of DNA synthesis, and pathological deterioration in a dose-dependent fashion. Further, administration of NO inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), exacerbated Fe-NTA-induced oxidative tissue injury, hyperproliferative response, and pathological damage. Overall, the study suggests that NO administration subsequent to Fe-NTA affords protection against ROS-mediated damage induced by Fe-NTA.

D-deprenyl protects nigrostriatal neurons against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity

Selegiline (L-deprenyl) is believed to render protection against l-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-neurotoxicity to a significant extent via a free radical scavenging mechanism, which is independent of its ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) in the brain. We investigated the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging action and neuroprotective effect of D-deprenyl, its less active isomer, in MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in mice to test whether the chemical structure of the molecule or its biological effects contribute to this property. To achieve this goal we studied the effects of D-deprenyl on: (1).OH production in a Fenton reaction; (2) MPTP-induced.OH generation and dopamine (DA) depletion in vivo, employing a sensitive HPLC-electrochemical procedure; and (3) formation of MPP(+) in vivo in the striatum following systemic administration of MPTP, employing an HPLC-photodiode array detection system. D-deprenyl inhibited ferrous citrate-induced.OH in vitro (0.45 microM) and MPTP-induced.OH in vivo in substantia nigra (SN) and in the striatum (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.). D-deprenyl did not, but L-deprenyl (0.5 mg/kg dose) did significantly inhibit formation of MPP(+) in the striatum 90 min following systemic MPTP injection. It failed to affect MAO-B activity at 0.5 mg/kg in the striatum, but effectively blocked MPTP-induced striatal DA depletion. The potency of D-deprenyl to scavenge MPTP-induced.OH in vivo and to render protection against the dopaminergic neurotoxicity without affecting dopamine turnover, MAO-B activity, or formation of MPP(+) in the brain indicates a direct involvement of.OH in the neurotoxic action of MPTP and antioxidant effect in the neuroprotective action of deprenyl.

The effect of inhaled nitric oxide and oxygen on the hydroxylation of salicylate in rat lungs

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is used as a selective pulmonary vasodilator, and often under conditions when a high fraction of inspired oxygen is indicated. However, little is known about the potential toxicity of iNO therapy with or without concomitant oxygen therapy. NO can combine with superoxide (O2-) to form peroxynitrite (ONOO-), which can in turn decompose to form hydroxyl radical (OH.). Both OH. and ONOO- are involved in various forms of lung injury. To begin evaluation of the effect of iNO under either normoxic or hyperoxic conditions on OH. and/or ONOO- formation, rats were exposed for 58 h to either 21% O2, 21% O2 + 10 parts per million (ppm) NO, 21% O2 + 100 ppm NO, 50% O2, 90% O2, 90% O2 + 10 ppm NO, or 90% O2 + 100 ppm NO. We used a salicylate hydroxylation assay to detect the effects of these exposures on lung OH. and/or ONOO- formation measured as the appearance of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA). Exposure to 90% O2 and 90% O2 + 100 ppm NO resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) greater lung wet weight (1.99 +/- 0.14 g and 3.14 +/- 0.30 g, respectively) compared with 21% O2 (1.23 +/- 0.01 g). Exposure to 21% O2 + 100 ppm NO led to 2.5 times the control (21% O2 alone) 2,3 DHBA formation (p < 0.05) and exposure to 90% O2 led to 2.4 times the control 2,3-DHBA formation (p < 0.05). However, with exposure to both 90% O2 and 100 ppm NO, the 2,3-DHBA formation was no greater than the control condition (21% O2). Thus, these results indicate that, individually, both the hyperoxia and the 100 ppm NO led to greater salicylate hydroxylation, but that the combination of hyperoxia and 100 ppm NO led to less salicylate hydroxylation than either did individually. The production of OH. and/or ONOO- in the lung during iNO therapy may depend on the ratio of NO to O2.

Characterization of suppression of nitric oxide production by carbon monoxide poisoning in the striatum of free-moving rats, as determined by in vivo brain microdialysis

We examined the effect of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning on the nitric oxide (NO) system in the striatum of free-moving rats by means of in vivo brain microdialysis. The extracellular levels of the oxidative NO products, nitrite (NO(2)(-)) and nitrate (NO(3)(-)), decreased during exposure to CO at 3000 ppm for 40 min, a condition which causes CO poisoning. The extracellular levels of citrulline (Cit; a by-product of NO production) and arginine (Arg; an NO precursor) also decreased during CO exposure. Following reoxygenation by withdrawal of CO, the NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-) levels gradually recovered to the control values, though Arg and Cit remained at lower levels, except for a rapid, but transient, recovery shortly before and after reoxygenation, respectively. Simultaneous application of exogenous L-Arg (50 and 100 mM) with CO exposure attenuated the decreases in NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-) during the CO exposure and accelerated their recovery following reoxygenation. However, D-Arg (100 mM) had no effect on the decrease in NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-), except for slight and transient attenuation shortly after reoxygenation. Exogenous L-Cit (10 and 100 mM) failed to attenuate the CO-induced decrease in NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-) levels. The decrease in the NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-) levels during 8% O(2) exposure for 40 min, which was comparable with that in response to 3000 ppm CO, was resistant to exogenous 100 mM L-Arg, but the recovery of the NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-) levels following reoxygenation was strongly accelerated. These findings suggest that CO poisoning suppresses NO production in rat striatum in vivo though a mechanism which may not be common with that in hypoxic hypoxia.

Traumatic brain injury in infants and children: mechanisms of secondary damage and treatment in the intensive care unit

Unfortunately no specific pharmacologic therapies are available for the treatment of TBI in patients. Current investigation of contemporary therapies for the treatment of TBI consists of recycling of previously tested therapies in the era of contemporary neurointensive care. These therapies include hypothermia, decompressive craniectomy, osmotherapy, and controlled hyperventilation. It is hoped that more detailed knowledge regarding the dominant pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with TBI-excitotoxicity, CBF dysregulation, oxidative stress, and programmed cell death-will catapult an efficacious intervention from the laboratory bench to the bedside. This intervention may be a potent agent targeting a single dominant pathway, a broad-spectrum intervention such as hypothermia, or, more likely, a combination of therapies. Meanwhile, practitioners must offer meticulous supportive neurointensive care using clinically proven therapies aimed at minimizing cerebral swelling for the management of pediatric patients who are victims of TBI.

Nuclear translocation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors leads to transcription of p53 and cell death in dopaminergic neurons

We describe a new molecular mechanism of cell death by excitotoxicity mediated through nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF kappa B) in rat embryonic cultures of dopaminergic neurons. Treatment of mesencephalic cultures with alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) resulted in a number of changes that occurred selectively in dopaminergic neurons, including persistent elevation in intracellular Ca(2+) monitored with Fura-2, and a significant increase in intramitochondrial oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123, probably associated with transient increase of mitochondrial permeability, cytochrome c release, nuclear translocation of NF kappa B, and transcriptional activation of the oncogene p53. Interruption of any of these steps by specific antagonists prevented neurite pruning and programmed cell death. In contrast, cell death was not prevented by caspase antagonists and only partly prevented by nitric-oxide synthase inhibitors. This signal transduction pathway might be a contributing mechanism in ongoing neuronal death in Parkinson disease.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sodium salicylate, but not diclofenac or celecoxib, protects against 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in rats

We evaluated the hydroxyl radical (*OH) scavenging action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sodium salicylate (SA), diclofenac and celecoxib in Fenton's reaction and their neuroprotective effects in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced striatal dopamine (DA) depletion in rats. Salicylate hydroxylation procedure employing HPLC-electrochemistry was used to assay formation of *OH in Fenton's reaction in test tubes. While SA dose- and time-dependently hydroxylated itself and inactivated *OH, celecoxib (up to 10 mM) showed no effect on *OH formation and diclofenac caused a reduction in *OH generation only at high doses (100 microM-10 mM). Administration of the non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, SA (50, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated striatal DA depletion caused by intrastriatal infusion of MPP(+) (100 nmol in 4 microl). Treatment with another nonselective, reversible COX inhibitor, diclofenac (5, 10 mg/kg) did not protect against MPP(+)-induced DA depletion. The selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib (2.5-50 mg/kg) treatment exacerbated MPP(+)-induced decrease in DA. Failure of celecoxib or diclofenac to render protection in animals against MPP(+)-induced DA depletion indicates absence of prostaglandin involvement in MPP(+) action. These results also suggest that the neuroprotective ability of SA is independent of prostaglandin mediation. A relationship between inactivation of *OH by SA and its ability to protect DA depletion in the striatum caused by MPP(+) indicates a direct involvement of *OH in the action of this neurotoxin. The present study establishes potent neuroprotective activity of SA and suggests the use of aspirin in adjuvant therapy in Parkinson's disease.

Nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside induces neurotoxicity in cerebellar granular cell culture in rats by an independent mechanism from L-type or dantrolene-sensitive calcium channels

The effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in rat cerebellar granular cell culture were investigated in the present study. All doses of the SNP (10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 microM) were able to induce cell death compared with control values (p < 0.001 for all groups tested). Interestingly enough, a nonlinear dose-response curve was obtained for SNP-induced neurotoxicity. We also investigated the possible neuroprotective effects of nimodipine and dantrolene, alone or in combination. Both drugs failed to prevent neuronal cell death at the doses tested, either alone or in combination. Despite the fact that the most effective dose was a dantrolene concentration of 10 microM with SNP 500 microM and a concentration of 1 microM with SNP 50 microM, the differences were insignificant statistically. According to our results, SNP-induced cerebellar toxicity appears to be an independent reaction from L-type or endoplasmic reticulum calcium currents.

Nitric oxide: an antioxidant and neuroprotector

Indirect evidence, including neuroprotection against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-neurotoxicity by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors and resistance of transgenic animals deficient in NOS, is controversial. We have reviewed evidence in favor of oxidative stress during the development of MPTP-neurotoxicity and the influence of antioxidants, including nitric oxide (NO) and NO donors, on MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Systemic administration of MPTP causes dose-dependent generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH) in vivo in the striatum in mice; OH scavengers protect dopaminergic neurons from this insult. On the other hand the role of NO in MPTP-neurotoxicity is controversial. Hitherto, no direct evidence for the involvement of NO in MPTP neurotoxicity has been available. MPTP does not affect inducible-NOS mRNA level or its expression in SN or the striatum. Nitroglycerine, a NO donor, can attenuate MPTP-induced dopamine depletion in the striatum by virtue of its OH scavenging action. Several other NO donors have also been shown to scavenge the OH generated, following Fenton chemistry in vitro, and to protect against in vivo dopaminergic neurotoxicity by small mass iron complex formation. This evidence suggests that NO renders protection against MPTP-induced OH-mediated nigrostriatal lesions, acting as an antioxidant.

A critical assessment of the neurodestructive and neuroprotective effects of nitric oxide

Whether nitric oxide is cytodestructive or cytoprotective is of obvious clinical importance. The debate on this subject in the past decade has generated much "heat and light". This paper focuses on the actions of NO on the nervous system and reexamines the controversial issue and the contribution of the authors and their colleagues in the light of recent findings. We also report new findings, critically assesses previous experimental data, and share perspectives on this important subject.

A study on the role of nitric oxide and iron in 3-morpholino-sydnonimine-induced increases in dopamine release in the striatum of freely moving rats

1. We showed previously that interaction between NO and iron (II), both released following the decomposition of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), accounted for the late SNP-induced dopamine (DA) increase in dialysates from the striatum of freely moving rats; in addition, we showed that co-infusion of iron (II) with the NO-donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine mimicked SNP effects on striatal DA release. 2. In the present study, intrastriatal co-infusion of iron (II) (given as FeSO(4), 1 mM for 40 min) with the NO-donor and potential peroxynitrite generator 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) (0.2, 0.5, 1.0 or 5.0 mM for 180 min), potentiated the SIN-1-induced increase in DA concentration in dialysates from the striatum of freely moving rats. Neither alone nor associated with iron (II) did SIN-1 induce changes in dialysate ascorbic acid or uric acid concentrations. 3. Neither co-infusion of a superoxide dismutase mimetic nor uric acid affected SIN-1-induced increases in dialysate DA concentration. 4. Infusion of the iron chelator deferoxamine (0.2 mM for 180 min) decreased dialysate DA and attenuated SIN-1-induced increases in dialysate DA concentrations. 5. These results suggest that iron plays a key role in SIN-1-induced release of striatal DA and do not support any role for either peroxynitrite or superoxide anion in SIN-1-induced release of striatal DA.

Iron overload, oxidative stress, and axonal dystrophy in brain disorders

Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome is an autosomal-recessive brain disorder with signs of extrapyramidal dysfunction and mental deterioration, which associate with iron accumulation in globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata. Studies of oxidant stress in parkinsonian animal models suggest a linkage of iron overload to axonal dystrophy. Redox cycling of iron complexes (i.e., ferrous citrate and hemoglobin) increases hydroxyl radicals, lipid peroxidation, axonal dystrophy, and necrotic or apoptotic cell death. An increase of oxidative stress in the basal ganglia because of redox cycling of iron complexes leads to dopamine overflow and psychomotor dysfunction. Iron overload-induced axonal dystrophy has been demonstrated consistently using in vitro and in vivo models with a prominent feature of lipid peroxidation. This iron-induced oxidative stress is often accentuated by ascorbate and oxidized glutathione, although it is suppressed by the following antioxidants: S-nitrosoglutathione or nitric oxide, MnSOD mimics, manganese, U-78517F, Trolox, and deferoxamine. Preconditioning induction of stress proteins (i.e., hemeoxygenase-1 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase) and hypothermia therapy suppress the generation of toxic reactive oxygen, lipid, and thiol species evoked by bioactive iron complexes in the brain. Finally, combined antioxidative therapeutics and gene induction procedures may prove to be useful for slowing progressive neurodegeneration caused by iron overload in the brain.

Iron chelation improves endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Some epidemiological studies have shown that increased iron stores are associated with increased cardiovascular events. Redox-active iron may contribute to lipid peroxidation, endothelial cell activation, and generation of reactive oxygen species (especially hydroxyl radical, via Fenton chemistry). Increased oxidative stress is associated with impaired action of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in patients with atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To test the hypothesis that reducing vascular iron stores would reverse endothelial dysfunction, we examined the effects of the iron chelator deferoxamine (500 mg intra-arterially over 1 hour) on vasomotor function in forearm resistance vessels of patients with coronary artery disease by venous occlusion plethysmography. Patients with coronary artery disease had impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to methacholine compared with healthy control subjects (P<0.001). Deferoxamine infusion decreased serum iron levels (P<0.001). Deferoxamine improved the blood flow response to methacholine in patients with coronary artery disease (P<0.01 by 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA) but had no effect on the response to sodium nitroprusside. In normal volunteers, deferoxamine had no effect on the response to methacholine. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine abolished augmentation of the methacholine response associated with deferoxamine. The hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol had no effect on the methacholine response.

CONCLUSIONS

Deferoxamine improved nitric oxide-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with coronary artery disease. These results suggest that iron availability contributes to impaired nitric oxide action in atherosclerosis.

The effects of nitric oxide on the oxidations of l-dopa and dopamine mediated by tyrosinase and peroxidase

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on both tyrosinase/O(2)- and horseradish peroxidase/H(2)O(2)-mediated oxidations of dopamine and its o-dihydric phenol precursor l-dopa were compared with autoxidative processes and quantitatively assessed by oxidative and reductive electrochemical detection systems. In peroxidase/H(2)O(2)/NO-catalyzed reactions, significantly more substrate was oxidized than in the corresponding control incubations lacking NO. In tyrosinase/O(2)/NO-promoted reactions the total amounts of l-dopa and dopamine oxidized were significantly less than the amounts of the substrates oxidized by enzyme alone. These data indicate that the activity of the heme protein peroxidase was enhanced by NO, whereas tyrosinase, a copper-containing monoxygenase, was inhibited. The NO-mediated reduction of tyrosinase/O(2) activity may be attributed to the formation of an inhibitory copper.nitrosyl complex. An oxidized nitrodopamine derivative, considered to be either the quinone or semiquinone of 6-nitrosodopamine, was generated in peroxidase/H(2)O(2)/NO-mediated reactions with dopamine along with two oxidized melanin precursors, dopamine quinone and dopaminechrome. No corresponding nitroso compound was formed in reactions involving l-dopa or in any of the tyrosinase-mediated reactions. The formation of such a noncyclized nitrosodopamine represents an important alternative pathway in catecholamine metabolism, one that by-passes the formation of cytoprotective indole precursors of melanin. The results of this investigation suggest that cellular integrity and function can be adversely affected by NO-promoted oxidations of dopamine and other catechols, reactions that not only accelerate their conversion to reactive quinones but also form potentially cytotoxic noncyclized nitroso derivatives. Reduced levels of dopamine in the brain through NO-enhanced oxidation of the catecholamine will almost certainly be manifested by diminished levels of the dopamine-derived brain pigment neuromelanin.

Preconditioning regulation of bcl-2 and p66shc by human NOS1 enhances tolerance to oxidative stress

Preconditioning stress induced by a transient ischemia may increase brain tolerance to oxidative stress, and the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms are not well understood. In a series of experiments, we found that endogenous nitric oxide (NO), S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and antioxidants blocked serum deprivation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells. Similar to nuclear redox factor-1 (Ref-1), mRNA of human neuronal nitric oxide synthase (hNOS1) was maximally up-regulated within 2 h after oxidative stress and down-regulated by NO/GSNO and hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger. A brief preconditioning stress induced by serum deprivation for 2 h caused a delayed increase in the expression of hNOS1 protein and the associated formation of NO and cGMP, which in turn decreased OH generation and stress-related cell death. In addition to inhibiting caspase-3 through a dithiothreitol-sensitive S-nitrosylation process, preconditioning stress concomitantly up-regulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein and down-regulated the p66shc adaptor protein. This beneficial cytoprotective process of preconditioning stress is mediated by newly synthesized NO because it can be suppressed by the inhibition of hNOS1 and guanylyl cyclase. Therefore, the constitutive isoform of hNOS1 is dynamically redox-regulated to meet both functional and compensatory demands of NO for gene regulation, antioxidant defense, and tolerance to oxidative stress.

Rebound from nitric oxide inhibition triggers enhanced monocyte activation and chemotaxis

Exposure of human peripheral blood monocytes to the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) resulted in a rapid shift in cellular conformation of spontaneously activated cells from ameboid to round. The population of activated cells, approximately 7. 1 +/- 1.2%, was reduced 7-fold to 1.1 +/- 0.4% following 0.5 h exposure to SNAP. Observation of monocytes for 6 h demonstrated a gradual release from NO inhibition initiating at 2.5 h following SNAP treatment and a period of hyperactivity that was maximal at approximately 5 h following SNAP exposure. During the rebound from the NO inhibition phase, there was a significant increase in the population of activated monocytes and an increased responsiveness to chemotactic agents such as IL-1, IL-8, and fMLP relative to that of cells treated with the chemotactic agents alone. Conformational changes induced by SNAP were associated with a reduction in F-actin and loss of filopodial extension. The loss and recovery of F-actin staining paralleled changes in cell activity, suggesting that NO may alter cellular activity by modulation of cytoskeletal actin. These data taken together suggest that inhibition of monocyte activity by NO results in an excitatory phase observed subsequent to release from NO inhibition and increased sensitivity to chemotactic agents. We propose that this rebound from NO inhibition may provide increased immunosurveillance to rectify immunological problems that have been encountered during the period of inhibition.

Neuroprotection by sodium salicylate against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neurotoxicity

The potent dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is known to produce hydroxyl radicals (OH) in vitro and in vivo. Salicylate (SA) can hydroxylate itself to form 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) by utilizing OH. In the present study we investigated the OH scavenging action and neuroprotective effects, if any, of SA in mice treated with MPTP (30 mg/kg i.p. twice, 16 h apart). MPTP treatment resulted in in vivo generation of OH and nigral neuronal insult as evidenced by dopamine depletion in nucleus caudatus putamen (NCP). This also caused significant decrease in glutathione in substantia nigra (SN) and NCP. SA administration alone in mice did not affect total monoamine oxidase (MAO) or MAO-B activities of the mitochondrial fraction or the crude enzyme preparation from SN or NCP. Pre-treatment of these animals with SA (25-100 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in dose-dependent production of 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA in NCP. SA administration prior to or following MPTP blocked the neurotoxin-induced behavioural dysfunction as well as glutathione and dopamine depletion on the 7th day indicating its potent neuroprotective action. The present study suggests that SA acts as a free radical scavenger in the brain and indicates its strength as a valuable neuroprotectant.

Basal nitric oxide limits immune, nervous and cardiovascular excitation: human endothelia express a mu opiate receptor

Nitric oxide (NO) is a major signaling molecule in the immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems. The synthesizing enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) occurs in three forms: endothelial (e), neuronal (n) and inducible (i) NOS. The first two are constitutively expressed. We surmise that in many tissues there is a basal level of NO and that the actions of several signaling molecules initiate increases in cNOS-derived NO to enhance momentary basal levels that exerts inhibitory cellular actions, via cellular conformational changes. It is our contention that much of the literature concerning the actions of NO really deal with i-NOS-derived NO. We make the case that cNOS is responsible for a basal or 'tonal' level of NO; that this NO keeps particular types of cells in a state of inhibition and that activation of these cells occurs through disinhibition. Furthermore, naturally occurring signaling molecules such as morphine, anandamide, interleukin-10 and 17-beta-estradiol appear to exert, in part, their beneficial physiological actions, i.e., immune and endothelial down regulation by the stimulation of cNOS. In regard to opiates, we demonstrate the presence of a human endothelial mu opiate receptor by RT-PCR and sequence determination, further substantiating the role of opiates in vascular coupling to NO release. Taken together, cNOS derived NO enhances basal NO actions, i.e., cellular activation state, and these actions are further enhanced by iNOS derived NO.

Neuroprotective properties of nitric oxide

The discoveries of physiological roles of nitric oxide (.NO) as the mediator of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) action and the activator of guanylyl cyclase to increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which lead to vasorelaxation in the cardiovascular system, have been awarded with the 1998 Nobel Prize of Medicine. The present review discusses putative beneficial effects of .NO in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to its prominent roles of the regulation of cerebral blood flow and the modulation of cell to cell communication in the brain, recent in vitro and in vivo results indicated that .NO is a potent antioxidative agent. .NO terminates oxidant stress in the brain by (i) suppressing iron-induced generation of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) via the Fenton reaction, (ii) interrupting the chain reaction of lipid peroxidation, (iii) augmenting the antioxidative potency of reduced glutathione (GSH) and (iv) inhibiting cysteine proteases. It is apparent that .NO--a relative long half-life nitrogen-centered weak radical--scavenges those short-lived, highly reactive free radicals such as superoxide anion (O2.-), .OH, peroxyl lipid radicals (LOO.) and thiyl radicals (i.e., GS.), yielding reactive nitrogen species including nitrites, nitrates, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-). GSNO is 100-fold more potent than GSH; it completely inhibits the weak peroxidative effect of ONOO-. Moreover, CO2 and .NO neutralize prooxidative effects of ONOO-. CO2 prevents protein oxidation but not 3-nitrotyrosine formation caused by ONOO-. Finally, neuroprotective effects of GSNO and .NO have been demonstrated in brain preparations in vivo. These novel neuroprotective properties of .NO and GSNO may have their physiological significance, since oxidative stress depletes GSH while increasing GS. and .NO formation in astroglial and endothelial cells, resulting in the generation of a more potent antioxidant GSNO and providing additional neuro-protection at microM concentrations. This putative GSNO pathway (GSH-->GS.-->GSNO-->.NO + GSSG-->GSH) may be an important part of endogenous antioxidative defense system, which could protect neurons and other brain cells against oxidative stress caused by oxidants, iron complexes, proteases and cytokines. In conclusion, .NO is a potent antioxidant against oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species, which are generated by Fenton reaction or other mechanisms in the brain via redox cycling of iron complexes.

Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species: relevance to cyto(neuro)toxic events and neurologic disorders. An overview

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are formed under physiological conditions in the human body and are removed by cellular antioxidant defense system. During oxidative stress their increased formation leads to tissue damage and cell death. This process may be especially important in the central nervous system (CNS) which is vulnerable to ROS and RNS damage as the result of the brain high O(2) consumption, high lipid content and the relatively low antioxidant defenses in brain, compared with other tissues. Recently there has been an increased number of reports suggesting the involvement of free radicals and their non-radical derivatives in a variety of pathological events and multistage disorders including neurotoxicity, apoptotic death of neurons and neural disorders: Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia. Taking into consideration the basic molecular chemistry of ROS and RNS, their overall generation and location, in order to control or suppress their action it is essential to understand the fundamental aspects of this problem. In this presentation we review and summarize the basics of all the recently known and important properties, mechanisms, molecular targets, possible involvement in cellular (neural) degeneration and apoptotic death and in pathogenesis of AD, PD and schizophrenia. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of our current knowledge of this problem and to inspire experimental strategies for the evaluation of optimum innovative therapeutic trials. Another purpose of this work is to shed some light on one of the most exciting recent advances in our understanding of the CNS: the realisation that RNS pathway is highly relevant to normal brain metabolism and to neurologic disorders as well. The interactions of RNS and ROS, their interconversions and the ratio of RNS/ROS could be an important neural tissue injury mechanism(s) involved into etiology and pathogenesis of AD, PD and schizophrenia. It might be possible to direct therapeutic efforts at oxidative events in the pathway of neuron degeneration and apoptotic death. From reviewed data, no single substance can be recommended for use in human studies. Some of the recent therapeutic strategies and neuroprotective trials need further development particularly those of antioxidants enhancement. Such an approach should also consider using combinations of radical(s) scavengers rather than a single substance.