Antiatherogenic effect of bisvanillyl-hydralazone, a new hydralazine derivative with antioxidant, carbonyl scavenger, and antiapoptotic properties

Hydralazine and Hydrazine Derivatives: Properties, Applications, and Repositioning Potential

The investigation of new drugs is slow and costly. Drug repositioning, like with Hydralazine (HDZ), an old antihypertensive, can accelerate the process. HDZ and its hydrazonic derivatives exhibit diverse biological activities, promising for new drugs. This review explores HDZ's repositioning potential and its derivatives' applications in various biological activities. It identified 70 relevant articles through database searches. HDZ shows potential in neurology, oncology, nephrology, and gynecology, with clinical trials up to Phase III. Hydralazine-valproate, marketed in Mexico, proves effective in combination with chemotherapy. Hydrazonic derivatives offer broad applications in medicine. Studying their structure-activity relationship can enhance efficacy. This review summarizes their properties and pharmacological activities succinctly.

The Targeting of Nuclear Factor Kappa B by Drugs Adopted for the Prevention and Treatment of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterised by high levels and activity of the transcription factor Nuclear Factor kappa B (NFĸB) in the maternal blood and placental cells. This factor is responsible for the regulation of over 400 genes known to influence processes related to inflammation, apoptosis and angiogenesis, and cellular responses to oxidative stress and hypoxia. Although high NFĸB activity induces hypoxia and inflammation, which are beneficial for the process of implantation, NFĸB level should be reduced in the later stages of physiological pregnancy to favour maternal immunosuppression and maintain gestation. It is believed that the downregulation of NFĸB activity by pharmacotherapy might be a promising way to treat preeclampsia. Interestingly, many of the drugs adopted for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia have been found to regulate NFĸB activity. Despite this, further innovation is urgently needed to ensure treatment safety and efficacy. The present article summarizes the current state of knowledge about the drugs recommended by cardiology, obstetrics, and gynaecology societies for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia with regard to their impact on the cellular regulation of NFĸB pathways.

Hydralazine derivative of aldehyde: A new type of [M - H]+ ion formed in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Hydralazine has been widely employed in the development of drugs, derivatization reagents, and ligands. In the present work, we reported a new type of dehydrogenated ion [M - H]⁺ that was produced from the hydralazine derivative of hexanal in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The formation of [M - H]⁺ ions in the ESI-MS was found to be independent on the mobile phase composition of the liquid chromatography and ESI source parameters. A series of hydralazine derivatives of aldehyde were investigated to confirm this phenomenon. The results showed that hydralazine derivatives of aldehydes that contained an sp³ hybridization carbon with a hydrogen at the α-position of aldehydes could form the unexpected [M - H]⁺ ions, whereas hydralazine derivative of acetone could only generate [M + H]⁺ ion in the ESI-MS. We proposed the possible formation mechanism of [M - H]⁺ ion for the hydralazine derivatives of aldehydes: the [M - H]⁺ ion was possibly formed by the loss a hydrogen molecule (H₂ ) from the protonated ion [M + H]⁺ . The results obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported this proposed formation mechanism of [M - H]⁺ ion.

Lipoxidation in cardiovascular diseases

Lipids can go through lipid peroxidation, an endogenous chain reaction that consists in the oxidative degradation of lipids leading to the generation of a wide variety of highly reactive carbonyl species (RCS), such as short-chain carbonyl derivatives and oxidized truncated phospholipids. RCS exert a wide range of biological effects due to their ability to interact and covalently bind to nucleophilic groups on other macromolecules, such as nucleic acids, phospholipids, and proteins, forming reversible and/or irreversible modifications and generating the so-called advanced lipoxidation end-products (ALEs). Lipoxidation plays a relevant role in the onset of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), mainly in the atherosclerosis-based diseases in which oxidized lipids and their adducts have been extensively characterized and associated with several processes responsible for the onset and development of atherosclerosis, such as endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Herein we will review the current knowledge on the sources of lipids that undergo oxidation in the context of cardiovascular diseases, both from the bloodstream and tissues, and the methods for detection, characterization, and quantitation of their oxidative products and protein adducts. Moreover, lipoxidation and ALEs have been associated with many oxidative-based diseases, including CVD, not only as potential biomarkers but also as therapeutic targets. Indeed, several therapeutic strategies, acting at different levels of the ALEs cascade, have been proposed, essentially blocking ALEs formation, but also their catabolism or the resulting biological responses they induce. However, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of formation and targets of ALEs could expand the available therapeutic strategies.

Proatherogenic effects of 4-hydroxynonenal

4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a α,β-unsaturated hydroxyalkenal generated by peroxidation of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid. This reactive carbonyl compound exhibits a huge number of biological properties that result mainly from the formation of HNE-adducts on free amino groups and thiol groups in proteins. In the vascular system, HNE adduct accumulation progressively leads to cellular dysfunction and tissue damages that are involved in the progression of atherosclerosis and related diseases. HNE contributes to the atherogenicity of oxidized LDL, by forming HNE-apoB adducts that deviate the LDL metabolism to the scavenger receptor pathway of macrophagic cells, and lead to the formation of foam cells. HNE activates transcription factors (Nrf2, NF-kappaB) that (dys)regulate various cellular responses ranging from hormetic and survival signaling at very low concentrations, to inflammatory and apoptotic effects at higher concentrations. Among a variety of cellular targets, HNE can modify signaling proteins involved in atherosclerotic plaque remodeling, particularly growth factor receptors (PDGFR, EGFR), cell cycle proteins, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum components or extracellular matrix proteins, which progressively alters smooth muscle cell proliferation, angiogenesis and induces apoptosis. HNE adducts accumulate in the lipidic necrotic core of advanced atherosclerotic lesions, and may locally contribute to macrophage and smooth muscle cell apoptosis, which may induce plaque destabilization and rupture, thereby increasing the risk of athero-thrombotic events.

Low-sodium diet induces atherogenesis regardless of lowering blood pressure in hypertensive hyperlipidemic mice

This study investigated the influence of sodium restriction and antihypertensive drugs on atherogenesis utilizing hypertensive (H) low-density lipoprotein-receptor knockout mice treated or not with losartan (Los) or hydralazine (Hyd) and fed low-sodium (LS) or normal-sodium (NS) chow. Despite reducing the blood pressure (BP) of H-LS mice, the LS diet caused arterial lipid infiltration due to increased plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG). Los and Hyd reduced the BP of H-LS mice, and Los effectively prevented arterial injury, likely by reducing plasma TG and nonesterified fatty acids. Aortic lipid infiltration was lower in Los-treated H-LS mice (H-LS+Los) than in normotensive (N)-LS and H-LS mice. Aortic angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor content was greater in H-NS than H-LS mice and in H-LS+Hyd than H-LS+Los mice. Carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) immunostaining was greater in H-LS than H-NS mice. CML and RAGE levels were lower in LS animals treated with antihypertensive drugs, and Hyd enhanced the AT1 receptor level. Hyd also increased the gene expression of F4/80 but not tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 or cluster of differentiation 66. The novelty of the current study is that in a murine model of simultaneous hypertension and hyperlipidemia, the pleiotropic effect of chronic, severe sodium restriction elicited aortic damage even with reduced BP. These negative effects on the arterial wall were reduced by AT1 receptor antagonism, demonstrating the influence of angiotensin II in atherogenesis induced by a severely LS diet.

4-Hydroxynonenal Contributes to Angiogenesis through a Redox-Dependent Sphingolipid Pathway: Prevention by Hydralazine Derivatives

The neovascularization of atherosclerotic lesions is involved in plaque development and may contribute to intraplaque hemorrhage and plaque fragilization and rupture. Among the various proangiogenic agents involved in the neovascularization process, proatherogenic oxidized LDLs (oxLDLs) contribute to the formation of tubes via the generation of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a major mitogenic and proangiogenic sphingolipid mediator. In this study, we investigated whether 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), an aldehydic lipid oxidation product abundantly present in oxLDLs, contributes to their proangiogenic properties. Immunofluorescence analysis of human atherosclerotic lesions from carotid endarterectomy showed the colocalization of HNE-adducts with CD31, a marker of endothelial cells, suggesting a close relationship between 4-HNE and neovessel formation. In vitro, low 4-HNE concentration (0.5-1 µM) elicited the formation of tubes by human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), whereas higher concentrations were not angiogenic. The formation of tubes by 4-HNE involved the generation of reactive oxygen species and the activation of the sphingolipid pathway, namely, the neutral type 2 sphingomyelinase and sphingosine kinase-1 (nSMase2/SK-1) pathway, indicating a role for S1P in the angiogenic signaling of 4-HNE. Carbonyl scavengers hydralazine and bisvanillyl-hydralazone inhibited the nSMase2/SK1 pathway activation and the formation of tubes on Matrigel® evoked by 4-HNE. Altogether, these results emphasize the role of 4-HNE in the angiogenic effect of oxLDLs and point out the potential interest of pharmacological carbonyl scavengers to prevent the neovascularization process.

Molecular strategies to prevent, inhibit, and degrade advanced glycoxidation and advanced lipoxidation end products

The advanced glycoxidation end products (AGEs) and lipoxidation end products (ALEs) contribute to the development of diabetic complications and of other pathologies. The review discusses the possibilities of counteracting the formation and stimulating the degradation of these species by pharmaceuticals and natural compounds. The review discusses inhibitors of ALE and AGE formation, cross-link breakers, ALE/AGE elimination by enzymes and proteolytic systems, receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGEs) and blockade of the ligand-RAGE axis.

Protein disulfide isomerase modification and inhibition contribute to ER stress and apoptosis induced by oxidized low density lipoproteins

AIMS

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an abundant endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident chaperone and oxidoreductase that catalyzes formation and rearrangement (isomerization) of disulfide bonds, thereby participating in protein folding. PDI modification by nitrosative stress is known to increase protein misfolding, ER stress, and neuronal apoptosis. As LDL oxidation and ER stress may play a role in atherogenesis, this work was designed to investigate whether PDI was inactivated by oxLDLs, thereby participating in oxLDL-induced ER stress and apoptosis.

RESULTS

Preincubation of human endothelial HMEC-1 and of macrophagic U937 cells with toxic concentration of oxLDLs induced PDI inhibition and modification, as assessed by 4-HNE-PDI adducts formation. PDI inhibition by bacitracin potentiated ER stress (increased mRNA expression of CHOP and sXBP1) and apoptosis induced by oxLDLs. In contrast, increased PDI activity by overexpression of an active wild-type PDI was associated with reduced oxLDL-induced ER stress and toxicity, whereas the overexpression of a mutant inactive form was not protective. These effects on PDI were mimicked by exogenous 4-HNE and prevented by the carbonyl-scavengers N-acetylcysteine and pyridoxamine, which reduced CHOP expression and toxicity by oxLDLs. Interestingly, 4-HNE-modified PDI was detected in the lipid-rich areas of human advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Innovation and

CONCLUSIONS

PDI modification by oxLDLs or by reactive carbonyls inhibits its enzymatic activity and potentiates both ER stress and apoptosis by oxLDLs. PDI modification by lipid peroxidation products in atherosclerotic lesions suggests that a loss of function of PDI may occur in vivo, and may contribute to local ER stress, apoptosis, and plaque progression.

Role of protein kinase C δ in ER stress and apoptosis induced by oxidized LDL in human vascular smooth muscle cells

During atherogenesis, excess amounts of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) accumulate in the subendothelial space where they undergo oxidative modifications. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) alter the fragile balance between survival and death of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) thereby leading to plaque instability and finally to atherothrombotic events. As protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) is pro-apoptotic in many cell types, we investigated its potential role in the regulation of VSMC apoptosis induced by oxLDL. We found that human VSMC silenced for PKCδ exhibited a protection towards oxLDL-induced apoptosis. OxLDL triggered the activation of PKCδ as shown by its phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. PKCδ activation was dependent on the reactive oxygen species generated by oxLDL. Moreover, we demonstrated that PKCδ participates in oxLDL-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-dependent apoptotic signaling mainly through the IRE1α/JNK pathway. Finally, the role of PKCδ in the development of atherosclerosis was supported by immunohistological analyses showing the colocalization of activated PKCδ with ER stress and lipid peroxidation markers in human atherosclerotic lesions. These findings highlight a role for PKCδ as a key regulator of oxLDL-induced ER stress-mediated apoptosis in VSMC, which may contribute to atherosclerotic plaque instability and rupture.

Protein oxidation in a group of subjects with metabolic syndrome

AIMS

To examine the protein oxidation, marker of the oxidative stress, in metabolic syndrome (MS).

METHODS

We enrolled 106 subjects (45 women and 61 men) with MS of which 43 (14 women and 27 men) were with diabetes mellitus and 63 (31 women and 32 men) were without diabetes mellitus, and 54 subjects (19 women and 35 men) as control group. The protein oxidation, expressed as carbonyl groups, was measured by an enzyme-like immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (BioCell PC test kit, Enzo Life Sciences AG, Switzerland).

RESULTS

In the whole group of MS subjects, in comparison with control group, a significant increase in carbonyl groups was present. The same datum was also evident between control group and diabetic subjects with MS and between control group and nondiabetic subjects with MS. No difference was observed between the two subgroups (diabetic and nondiabetic subjects with MS) about NOx. Few information were obtained examining the linear regression among carbonyl groups, age, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure values and metabolic pattern of MS subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

In MS subject we observed an increase of protein oxidation not influenced by diabetes mellitus. Several strategies may be employed to reduce this parameter.

Plant-derived phenolics inhibit the accrual of structurally characterised protein and lipid oxidative modifications

Epidemiological data suggest that plant-derived phenolics beneficial effects include an inhibition of LDL oxidation. After applying a screening method based on 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine-protein carbonyl reaction to 21 different plant-derived phenolic acids, we selected the most antioxidant ones. Their effect was assessed in 5 different oxidation systems, as well as in other model proteins. Mass-spectrometry was then used, evidencing a heterogeneous effect on the accumulation of the structurally characterized protein carbonyl glutamic and aminoadipic semialdehydes as well as for malondialdehyde-lysine in LDL apoprotein. After TOF based lipidomics, we identified the most abundant differential lipids in Cu(++)-incubated LDL as 1-palmitoyllysophosphatidylcholine and 1-stearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Most of selected phenolic compounds prevented the accumulation of those phospholipids and the cellular impairment induced by oxidized LDL. Finally, to validate these effects in vivo, we evaluated the effect of the intake of a phenolic-enriched extract in plasma protein and lipid modifications in a well-established model of atherosclerosis (diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in hamsters). This showed that a dietary supplement with a phenolic-enriched extract diminished plasma protein oxidative and lipid damage. Globally, these data show structural basis of antioxidant properties of plant-derived phenolic acids in protein oxidation that may be relevant for the health-promoting effects of its dietary intake.

Chaperone heat shock protein 90 mobilization and hydralazine cytoprotection against acrolein-induced carbonyl stress

Toxic carbonyls such as acrolein participate in many degenerative diseases. Although the nucleophilic vasodilatory drug hydralazine readily traps such species under "test-tube" conditions, whether these reactions adequately explain its efficacy in animal models of carbonyl-mediated disease is uncertain. We have previously shown that hydralazine attacks carbonyl-adducted proteins in an "adduct-trapping" reaction that appears to take precedence over direct "carbonyl-sequestering" reactions, but how this reaction conferred cytoprotection was unclear. This study explored the possibility that by increasing the bulkiness of acrolein-adducted proteins, adduct-trapping might alter the redistribution of chaperones to damaged cytoskeletal proteins that are known targets for acrolein. Using A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, the levels of chaperones heat shock protein (Hsp) 40, Hsp70, Hsp90, and Hsp110 were measured in intermediate filament extracts prepared after a 3-h exposure to acrolein. Exposure to acrolein alone modestly increased the levels of all four chaperones. Coexposure to hydralazine (10-100 μM) strongly suppressed cell ATP loss while producing strong adduct-trapping in intermediate filaments. Most strikingly, hydralazine selectively boosted the levels of cytoskeletal-associated Hsp90, including a high-mass species that was sensitive to the Hsp90 inhibitor 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin. Biochemical fractionation of acrolein- and hydralazine-treated cells revealed that hydralazine likely promoted Hsp90 migration from cytosol into other subcellular compartments. A role for Hsp90 mobilization in cytoprotection was confirmed by the finding that brief heat shock treatment suppressed acute acrolein toxicity in A549 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that by increasing the steric bulk of carbonyl-adducted proteins, adduct-trapping drugs trigger the intracellular mobilization of the key molecular chaperone Hsp90.

Relationship of electrophilic stress to aging

This review begins with the premise that an organism's life span is determined by the balance between two countervailing forces: (i) the sum of destabilizing effects and (ii) the sum of protective longevity-assurance processes. Against this backdrop, the role of electrophiles is discussed, both as destabilizing factors and as signals that induce protective responses. Because most biological macromolecules contain nucleophilic centers, electrophiles are particularly reactive and toxic in a biological context. The majority of cellular electrophiles are generated from polyunsaturated fatty acids by a peroxidation chain reaction that is readily triggered by oxygen-centered radicals, but propagates without further input of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, the formation of lipid-derived electrophiles such as 4-hydroxynon-2-enal (4-HNE) is proposed to be relatively insensitive to the level of initiating ROS, but to depend mainly on the availability of peroxidation-susceptible fatty acids. This is consistent with numerous observations that life span is inversely correlated to membrane peroxidizability, and with the hypothesis that 4-HNE may constitute the mechanistic link between high susceptibility of membrane lipids to peroxidation and shortened life span. Experimental interventions that directly alter membrane composition (and thus their peroxidizability) or modulate 4-HNE levels have the expected effects on life span, establishing that the connection is not only correlative but causal. Specific molecular mechanisms are considered, by which 4-HNE could (i) destabilize biological systems via nontargeted reactions with cellular macromolecules and (ii) modulate signaling pathways that control longevity-assurance mechanisms.