Hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress alters pyridine nucleotide metabolism in neonatal heart muscle cells

Allicin protects rat cardiomyoblasts (H9c2 cells) from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative injury through inhibiting the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species

Oxidative stress is considered an important factor that promotes cell death in response to a variety of pathophysiological conditions. This study investigated the antioxidant properties of allicin, the principle ingredient of garlic, on preventing oxidative stress-induced injury. The antioxidant capacities of allicin were measured by using 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cell damage on H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Allicin (0.3-10 μM) pre-incubation could concentration-dependently attenuate the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase induced by H(2)O(2) on H9c2 cells. It could also protect H9c2 cells against H(2)O(2)-induced cell damage. However, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity of allicin was shown to be low. Therefore, it is believed that the protective effect of allicin on H9c2 cells could inhibit intracellular ROS production instead of scavenging extracellular H(2)O(2) or free radicals. For the observed protective effect on H9c2 cells, allicin might also be effective in reducing free radical-induced myocardial cell death in ischemic condition.

The pathophysiology of concussion

Concussion is defined as a biomechanically induced brain injury characterized by the absence of gross anatomic lesions. Early and late clinical symptoms, including impairments of memory and attention, headache, and alteration of mental status, are the result of neuronal dysfunction mostly caused by functional rather than structural abnormalities. The mechanical insult initiates a complex cascade of metabolic events leading to perturbation of delicate neuronal homeostatic balances. Starting from neurotoxicity, energetic metabolism disturbance caused by the initial mitochondrial dysfunction seems to be the main biochemical explanation for most postconcussive signs and symptoms. Furthermore, concussed cells enter a peculiar state of vulnerability, and if a second concussion is sustained while they are in this state, they may be irreversibly damaged by the occurrence of swelling. This condition of concussion-induced brain vulnerability is the basic pathophysiology of the second impact syndrome. N-acetylaspartate, a brain-specific compound representative of neuronal metabolic wellness, is proving a valid surrogate marker of the post-traumatic biochemical damage, and its utility in monitoring the recovery of the aforementioned "functional" disturbance as a concussion marker is emerging, because it is easily detectable through proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Biochemical and neurochemical sequelae following mild traumatic brain injury: summary of experimental data and clinical implications

Although numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the pathophysiology of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), there are still no standard criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of this peculiar condition. The dominant theory that diffuse axonal injury is the main neuropathological process behind mTBI is being revealed as weak at best or inconclusive, given the current literature and the fact that neuronal injury inherent to mTBI improves, with few lasting clinical sequelae in the vast majority of patients. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that such a course, rather than being due to cell death, is based on temporal neuronal dysfunction, the inevitable consequence of complex biochemical and neurochemical cascade mechanisms directly and immediately triggered by the traumatic insult. This report is an attempt to summarize data from a long series of experiments conducted in the authors' laboratories and published during the past 12 years, together with an extensive analysis of the available literature, focused on understanding the biochemical damage produced by an mTBI. The overall clinical implications, as well as the metabolic nature of the post-mTBI brain vulnerability, are discussed. Finally, the application of proton MR spectroscopy as a possible tool to monitor the full recovery of brain metabolic functions is emphasized.

Carnitine and lipoate ameliorates lipofuscin accumulation and monoamine oxidase activity in aged rat heart

In this study we have focused on the levels of lipofuscin, monoamine oxidase and cholesterol phospholipid ratio in the heart muscle of young, middle aged and aged rats. In parallel, we have also investigated the levels of carnitine and lipoic acid during aging. We observed an increase in lipofuscin accumulation and monoamine oxidase activity in both middle aged and aged rats. Levels of both carnitine and lipoic acid decreased along with a decrease in cholesterol phospholipid ratio. These changes were normalized upon cosupplementation of carnitine and lipoic acid. Our results thus reveal that carnitine along with lipoic acid can be used as an effective supplement against free radical induced damage to the cardiac tissue.

Effects of a natural extract from Mangifera indica L, and its active compound, mangiferin, on energy state and lipid peroxidation of red blood cells

Following oxidative stress, modifications of several biologically important macromolecules have been demonstrated. In this study we investigated the effect of a natural extract from Mangifera indica L (Vimang), its main ingredient mangiferin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on energy metabolism, energy state and malondialdehyde (MDA) production in a red blood cell system. Analysis of MDA, high energy phosphates and ascorbate was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Under the experimental conditions, concentrations of MDA and ATP catabolites were affected in a dose-dependent way by H2O2. Incubation with Vimang (0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 100 microg/mL), mangiferin (1, 10, 100 microg/mL) and EGCG (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 microM) significantly enhances erythrocyte resistance to H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species production. In particular, we demonstrate the protective activity of these compounds on ATP, GTP and total nucleotides (NT) depletion after H2O2-induced damage and a reduction of NAD and ADP, which both increase because of the energy consumption following H2O2 addition. Energy charge potential, decreased in H2O2-treated erythrocytes, was also restored in a dose-dependent way by these substances. Their protective effects might be related to the strong free radical scavenging ability described for polyphenols.

Neuronal trauma model: in search of Thanatos

Trauma to the nervous system triggers responses that include oxidative stress due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). DNA is a major macromolecular target of ROS, and ROS-induced DNA strand breaks activate poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Upon activation PARP-1 uses NAD(+) as a substrate to catalyze the transfer of ADP-ribose subunits to a host of nuclear proteins. In the face of extensive DNA strand breaks, PARP-1 activation can lead to depletion of intracellular NAD(P)(H) pools, large decreases in ATP, that threaten cell survival. Accordingly, inhibition of PARP-1 activity after acute oxidative injury has been shown to increase cell survival. When NGF-differentiated PC12 cells, an in vitro neuronal model, are exposed to H(2)O(2) there is increased synthesis of poly ADP-ribose and decreases in intracellular NAD(P)(H) and ATP. Addition of the chemical PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (AB) prior to H(2)O(2) exposure blocks the synthesis of poly ADP-ribose and maintains intracellular NAD(P)(H) and ATP levels. H(2)O(2) injury is characterized by an immediate, necrotic cell death 2h after injury and a delayed apoptotic-like death 12-24h after injury. This apoptotic-like death is characterized by apoptotic membrane changes and apoptotic DNA fragmentation but is not associated with measurable caspase-3 activity. AB delays cell death beyond 24h and increases cell survival by approximately 25%. This protective effect is accompanied by significantly decreased necrosis and the apoptotic-like death associated with H(2)O(2) exposure. AB also restores caspase-3 which can be attributed to the activation of the upstream activator of caspase-3, caspase-9. Thus, the maintenance of intracellular ATP levels associated with PARP-1 inhibition shifts cell death from necrosis to apoptosis and from apoptosis to cell survival. Furthermore, the shift from necrosis to apoptosis may be explained, in part, by an energy-dependent activation of caspase-9.

Pathophysiological aspects of cellular pyridine nucleotide metabolism: focus on the vascular endothelium. Review

In recent years, pyridine nucleotides NAD(H) and NADP(H) have been established as an important molecules in physiological and pathophysiological signaling and cell injury pathways. Protein modification is catalyzed by ADP-ribosyl transferases that attach the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD+ to specific aminoacid residues of the acceptor proteins, with significant changes in the function of these acceptors. Mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation reactions have been implicated to play a role both in physiological responses and in cellular responses to bacterial toxins. Cyclic ADP-ribose formation also utilizes NAD+ and primarily serves as physiological, signal transduction mechanisms regulating intracellular calcium homeostasis. In pathophysiological conditions associated with oxidative stress (such as various forms of inflammation and reperfusion injury), activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) occurs, with subsequent, substantial fall in cellular NAD+ and ATP levels, which can determine the viability and function of the affected cells. In addition, NADPH oxidases can significantly affect the balance and fate of NAD+ and NADP in oxidatively stressed cells and can facilitate the generation of various positive feedback cycles of injury. Under severe oxidant conditions, direct oxidative damage to NAD+ has also been reported. The current review focuses on PARP and on NADPH oxidases, as pathophysiologically relevant factors in creating disturbances in the cellular pyridine nucleotide balance. A separate section describes how these mechanisms apply to the pathogenesis of endothelial cell injury in selected cardiovascular pathophysiological conditions.

Concurrent quantification of quinolinic, picolinic, and nicotinic acids using electron-capture negative-ion gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Quinolinic, picolinic, and nicotinic acids and nicotinamide are end products of the kynurenine pathway from l-tryptophan and are intermediates in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. These compounds are involved in complex interrelationships with inflammatory and apoptotic responses associated with neuronal cell damage and death in the central nervous system. To facilitate the study of these compounds, we have utilized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in electron capture negative ionization mode for their concurrent trace quantification in a single sample. Deuterium-labeled quinolinic, picolinic, and nicotinic acids were used as internal standards and the compounds were converted to their hexafluoroisopropyl esters prior to chromatography. Nicotinamide was readily quantified after conversion to nicotinic acid using gas-phase hydrolysis-a process which did not affect the deuterated internal standards. The on-column limit of quantification was less than 1 fmol for each of the analytes and calibration curves were linear. A packed column liner was used in the gas chromatograph inlet to effectively eliminate sample interference effects in the analysis of trace (femtomolar) levels of quinolinic acid. The method enables rapid and specific concurrent quantification of quinolinic, picolinic, and nicotinic acids in tissue extracts and physiological and culture media.

Inhibition of Krebs cycle enzymes by hydrogen peroxide: A key role of [alpha]-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase in limiting NADH production under oxidative stress

In this study we addressed the function of the Krebs cycle to determine which enzyme(s) limits the availability of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) for the respiratory chain under H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress, in intact isolated nerve terminals. The enzyme that was most vulnerable to inhibition by H(2)O(2) proved to be aconitase, being completely blocked at 50 microm H(2)O(2). alpha-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (alpha-KGDH) was also inhibited but only at higher H(2)O(2) concentrations (>/=100 microm), and only partial inactivation was achieved. The rotenone-induced increase in reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) [NAD(P)H] fluorescence reflecting the amount of NADH available for the respiratory chain was also diminished by H(2)O(2), and the effect exerted at small concentrations (</=50 microm) of the oxidant was completely prevented by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an inhibitor of glutathione reductase. BCNU-insensitive decline by H(2)O(2) in the rotenone-induced NAD(P)H fluorescence correlated with inhibition of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Decrease in the glutamate content of nerve terminals was induced by H(2)O(2) at concentrations inhibiting aconitase. It is concluded that (1) aconitase is the most sensitive enzyme in the Krebs cycle to inhibition by H(2)O(2), (2) at small H(2)O(2) concentrations (</=50 microm) when aconitase is inactivated, glutamate fuels the Krebs cycle and NADH generation is unaltered, (3) at higher H(2)O(2) concentrations (>/=100 microm) inhibition of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase limits the amount of NADH available for the respiratory chain, and (4) increased consumption of NADPH makes a contribution to the H(2)O(2)-induced decrease in the amount of reduced pyridine nucleotides. These results emphasize the importance of alpha-KGDH in impaired mitochondrial function under oxidative stress, with implications for neurodegenerative diseases and cell damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion.

Direct NAD(P)H hydrolysis into ADP-ribose(P) and nicotinamide induced by reactive oxygen species: a new mechanism of oxygen radical toxicity

The effect of different oxygen radical-generating systems on NAD(P)H was determined by incubating the reduced forms of the pyridine coenzymes with either Fe2+-H2O2 or Fe3+-ascorbate and by analyzing the reaction mixtures using a HPLC separation of adenine nucleotide derivatives. The effect of the azo-initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine)dihydrochloride was also tested. Results showed that, whilst all the three free radical-producing systems induced, with different extent, the oxidation of NAD(P)H to NAD(P)+, only Fe2+-H2O2 also caused the formation of equimolar amounts of ADP-ribose(P) and nicotinamide. Dose-dependent experiments, with increasing Fe2+ iron (concentration range 3-180 microM) or H2O2 (concentration range 50-1000 microM), were carried out at pH 6.5 in 50 mM ammonium acetate. NAD(P)+, ADP-ribose(P) and nicotinamide formation increased by increasing the amount of hydroxyl radicals produced in the medium. Under such incubation conditions NAD(P)+/ADP-ribose(P) ratio was about 4 at any Fe2+ or H2O2 concentration. By varying pH to 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 7.0 and 7.4, NAD(P)+/ADP-ribose(P) ratio changed to 5.5, 3.2, 1.8, 1.6, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 5.4 and 6.5, respectively. Kinetic experiments indicated that 90-95% of all compounds were generated within 5s from the beginning of the Fenton reaction. Inhibition of ADP-ribose(P), nicotinamide and NAD(P)+ production of Fe2+-H2O2-treated NAD(P)H samples, was achieved by adding mannitol (10-50 mM) to the reaction mixture. Differently, selective and total inhibition of ADP-ribose(P) and nicotinamide formation was obtained by performing the Fenton reaction in an almost completely anhydrous medium, i.e. in HPLC-grade methanol. Experiments carried out in isolated postischemic rat hearts perfused with 50 mM mannitol, showed that, with respect to values of control hearts, this hydroxyl radical scavenger prevented reperfusion-associated pyridine coenzyme depletion and ADP-ribose formation. On the basis of these results, a possible mechanism of action of ADP-ribose(P) and nicotinamide generation through the interaction between NAD(P)H and hydroxyl radical (which does not involve the C-center where "conventional" oxidation occurs) is presented. The implication of this phenomenon in the pyridine coenzyme depletion observed in postischemic tissues is also discussed.

BGP-15, a nicotinic amidoxime derivate protecting heart from ischemia reperfusion injury through modulation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase

The protective effect of O-(3-piperidino-2-hydroxy-1-propyl)nicotinic amidoxime (BGP-15) against ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury was studied in the Langendorff heart perfusion system. To understand the molecular mechanism of the cardioprotection, the effect of BGP-15 on ischemic-reperfusion-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation single-strand DNA break formation, NAD(+) catabolism, and endogenous ADP-ribosylation reactions were investigated. These studies showed that BGP-15 significantly decreased leakage of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and aspartate aminotransferase in reperfused hearts, and reduced the rate of NAD(+) catabolism. In addition, BGP-15 dramatically decreased the ischemia-reperfusion-induced self-ADP-ribosylation of nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP) and the mono-ADP-ribosylation of an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone GRP78. These data raise the possibility that BGP-15 may have a direct inhibitory effect on PARP. This hypothesis was tested on isolated enzyme, and kinetic analysis showed a mixed-type (noncompetitive) inhibition with a K(i) = 57 +/- 6 microM. Furthermore, BGP-15 decreased levels of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and single-strand DNA breaks in reperfused hearts. These data suggest that PARP may be an important molecular target of BGP-15 and that BGP-15 decreases ROS levels and cell injury during ischemia-reperfusion in the heart by inhibiting PARP activity.

Evidence for increased de novo synthesis of NAD in immune-activated RAW264.7 macrophages: a self-protective mechanism?

The parent pyridine nucleotide NAD is the end product of oxidative tryptophan catabolism via the kynurenine pathway. Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase, the rate-limiting enzyme for this pathway, is induced by the proinflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interferon-gamma treatment on intracellular NAD concentration in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. A significant increase in intracellular NAD concentration was observed following 24 h exposure to interferon-gamma. This cytokine-mediated increase in NAD concentration was markedly enhanced by the inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase or nitric oxide synthase or following treatment with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. NAD production was dependent on both the presence of tryptophan in the culture medium and on functional indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity. In agreement with previous studies a marked increase in nitric oxide production was observed in these cells following activation with interferon-gamma. These results provide evidence for the first time that de novo synthesis of NAD from tryptophan is increased concomitantly with free radical production in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with interferon-gamma. This increase in NAD biosynthesis may provide an improved supply of substrate to the nuclear repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase assisting in DNA repair and hence cell viability.

Enhanced ADP-ribosylation and its diminution by lipoamide after ischemia-reperfusion in perfused rat heart

Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) is considered to play an important role in oxidative cell damage. We assumed that ischemia-reperfusion resulting from the increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to the activation of endogenous mono- and poly-ADP-ribosylation reactions and that the reduction of ROS level by lipoamide, a less known antioxidant, can reverse these unfavorable processes. Experiments were performed on isolated Langendorff hearts subjected to 60-min ischemia followed by reperfusion. ROS, malondialdehyde, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) breaks, and NAD+ content were assayed in the hearts, and the ADP-ribosylation of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins were determined by Western blot assay. Ischemia-reperfusion caused a moderate (30.2 +/- 8%) increase in ROS production determined by the dihydrorhodamine 123 method and significantly increased the malondialdehyde production (from < 1 to 23 +/- 2.7 nmol/ml), DNA damage (undamaged DNA decreased from 71 +/- 7% to 23.1 +/- 5%), and NAD+ catabolism. In addition, ischemia-reperfusion activated the mono-ADP-ribosylation of GRP78 and the self-ADP-ribosylation of the nuclear PARP. The perfusion of hearts with lipoamide significantly decreased the ischemia-reperfusion-induced cell membrane damage determined by enzyme release (LDH, CK, and GOT), decreased the ROS production, reduced the malondialdehyde production to 5.5 +/- 2.4 nmol/ml, abolished DNA damage, and reduced NAD+ catabolism. The ischemia-reperfusion-induced activation of poly- and mono-ADP-ribosylation reactions were also reverted by lipoamide. In isolated rat heart mitochondria, dihydrolipoamide was found to be a better antioxidant than dihydrolipoic acid. Ischemia-reperfusion by ROS overproduction and increasing DNA breaks activates PARP leading to accelerated NAD+ catabolism, impaired energy metabolism, and cell damage. Lipoamide by reducing ROS levels halts PARP activation and membrane damage and improves the recovery of postischemic myocardium.

Changes of cerebral energy metabolism and lipid peroxidation in rats leading to mitochondrial dysfunction after diffuse brain injury

The effect of mild closed head trauma, induced by the weight-drop method (450 g from a 1-m height), on lipid peroxidation and energy metabolism of brain tissue was determined at various times after cerebral injury in spontaneously breathing rats (1, 10, 30 minutes and 2, 6, 15, 24, 48, and 120 hours). Animals were continuously monitored for the evaluation of blood pressure, blood gases, heart rate, and intracranial pressure. Analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid, high-energy phosphates, nicotinic coenzymes, oxypurines, and nucleosides was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on neutralized perchloric acid extract of the whole brain. Data showed that MDA, undetectable in control, sham-operated rats, was already present within 1 minute of trauma (1.77 nmol/g wet weight; SD = 0.29) and reached maximal values by 2 hours (72.26 nmol/g w.w.; SD = 11.26), showing a progressive slow decrease thereafter. In contrast, ATP, GTP, and nicotinic coenzyme (NAD and NADP) concentrations showed significant reduction only by the second hour postinjury. Maximal decrease of the ATP and GTP concentrations were seen at 6 hours postinjury, whereas NAD and NADP concentrations showed maximum decline by 15 hours. Values recorded in mechanically ventilated rats did not differ significantly from those obtained in spontaneously breathing animals. These findings, supported by the absence of blood gas and blood pressure changes in the spontaneously breathing rats, strongly support the premise that biochemical changes (primarily lipid peroxidation) are not caused by secondary ischemic-hypoxic phenomena but rather are triggered by these forces acting on the brain at the time of impact. In addition, these results suggest that depression of energy metabolism might be caused by peroxidation of the mitochondrial membrane with a consequent alteration of the main mitochondrial function-that is, the energy supply.

Role of reactive oxygen species and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase in the development of AZT-induced cardiomyopathy in rat

The short term cardiac side-effects of AZT (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, zidovudine) was studied in rats to understand the biochemical events contributing to the development of AZT-induced cardiomyopathy. Developing rats were treated with AZT (50 mg/kg/day) for 2 wk and the structural and functional changes were monitored in the cardiac muscle. AZT treatment provoked a surprisingly fast appearance of cardiac malfunctions in developing animals characterized by prolonged RR, PR and QT intervals and J point depression. Electron microscopy showed abnormal mitochondrial structure but the cardiomyocyte had normal myofibers. The AZT treatment of rats significantly increased ROS and peroxynitrite formation in heart tissues as determined by the oxidation of nonfluorescent dihydrorhodamine123 and dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) to fluorescent dyes, and induced single-strand DNA breaks. Lipid peroxidation and oxidation of cellular proteins determined from protein carbonyl content were increased as a consequence of AZT treatment. Activation of the nuclear poly-ADP-ribose polymerase and the accelerated NAD+ catabolism were also observed in AZT-treated animals. Western blot analysis showed that mono-ADP-ribosylation of glucose regulated protein (GRP78/BIP) was enhanced by AZT treatment, that process inactivates GRP78. In this way moderate decrease in the activity of respiratory complexes was detected in the heart of AZT-treated animals indicating a damaged mitochondrial energy production. There was a significant decrease in creatine phosphate concentration resulting in a decrease in creatine phosphate/creatine ratio from 2.08 to 0.58. ATP level remained close to normal but the total extractable ADP increased with 45%. The calculated free ATP/ADP ratio decreased from 340 to 94 in the heart of AZT-treated rats as a consequence of increased free ADP concentration. It was assumed that the increased free ADP in AZT-treated cardiomyocyte may help cells to compensate the defective ATP production in damaged mitochondria by activating the ATP synthesis in undamaged mitochondria. Southern blot analysis did not show decreased quantity of mtDNA deriving from AZT-treated rat hearts indicating that under our experimental conditions AZT-induced heart abnormalities are not the direct consequence of the mtDNA depletion. These data show that ROS-mediated oxidative damages, activated ADP-ribosylation reactions and accelerated NAD+ catabolism play basic roles in the development of AZT-induced cardiomyopathy in our animal model and indicated that these ROS-mediated processes can be important factors in the development of myopathy and cardiomyopathy in zidovudine-treated AIDS patients.

Leukotoxin (9, 10-epoxy-12-octadecenoate) impairs energy and redox state of isolated perfused rat lung

We investigated the perturbation of energy balance and redox state in leukotoxin (9, 10-epoxy-12octadecenoate) (Lx)- and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced lung injury, using isolated perfused rat lungs. To examine any relationship between these parameters, intracellular levels of adenine nucleotides, pyridine coenzymes and glutathione were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the freeze-dried tissues of isolated rat lungs. The tissue samples were perfused with a physiological salt solution containing either Lx only, Lx plus NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), Lx plus NG-monomethyl-D-arginine (D-NMMA), Lx plus superoxide dismutase (SOD) or ET-1 only. In isolated perfused lung tissue, 10 mol of Lx caused permeability-increased lung injury, and 10 nM of ET-1, which caused a comparable increase in wet lung weight, evoked pulmonary capillary hypertensive lung injury. Lx-injured lungs showed decreases in the contents of ATP, NADPH, NADH, reduced glutathione (GSH), (2ATP + ADP)/2(ATP + ADP + AMP) ratio (energy charge) and NADH/NAD+ ratio, and increased the contents of ADP and AMP compared with the vehicle control and ET-1-injured lungs. Such effects of Lx were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with 0.4 mM L-NMMA or 500 units/ml of SOD, but not with 0.4 mM D-NMMA. On the other hand, the ET-1-injured lung evidenced decreased tissue GSH. These findings indicate that Lx shifted the lung redox state toward oxidation and that Lx-induced lung injury was involved in the imbalance of the energy and redox state via production of nitric oxide and/or superoxide anion.

Effect of oxidative stress, produced by cumene hydroperoxide, on the various steps of protein synthesis. Modifications of elongation factor-2

We have studied the effect of oxidative stress on protein synthesis in rat liver. Cumene hydroperoxide (CH) was used as an oxidant agent. The approach used was to determine the ribosomal state of aggregation and the time for assembly and release of polypeptide chains in the process of protein synthesis in rat liver in vivo. The results suggest that the elongation step is the most sensitive to CH treatment. The measurement of both carbonyl groups content and ADP-ribosylatable elongation factor 2 (EF-2), the main protein involved in the elongation step, indicates that under CH treatment EF-2 is oxidatively modified and a lower amount of active EF-2 is present. These results are corroborated by in vitro oxidation of EF-2 and could explain for the decline in the elongation step.

DNA strand breakage and activation of poly-ADP ribosyltransferase: a cytotoxic pathway triggered by peroxynitrite

Peroxynitrite is a reactive oxidant produced from nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide. Although its reactivity and decomposition are very much dependent on the constituents of the cellular environment, peroxynitrite is considered a potent oxidant that reacts with proteins, lipids, and DNA. Inasmuch as peroxynitrite is formed in many pathophysiological conditions that are associated with NO and/or superoxide overproduction, the investigation of the cytotoxic pathways triggered by peroxynitrite is of major importance. Here we review the evidence that peroxynitrite is a potent initiator of DNA strand breakage, which is an obligatory stimulus for the activation of the nuclear enzyme poly ADP ribosyl synthetase (PARS). We present an overview of experimental data that demonstrate or suggest that the peroxynitrite-PARS pathway, by leading to cell necrosis or apoptosis, contributes to cellular injury in a number of pathophysiological conditions including shock and inflammation, pancreatic islet cell destruction, and diabetes, stroke, and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as the toxic effects of various environmental oxidants or cytotoxic drugs.

Effects of different oxidative insults on intermediary metabolism in isolated perfused rat hearts

13C and 31P NMR were used to evaluate exogenous substrate utilization and endogenous phosphate metabolites in perfused rat hearts exposed to tert-butylhydroperoxide (tert-BOOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Both reagents caused a reduction in developed pressure compared to controls and, in agreement with previous 31P NMR data, had different effects on intracellular high-energy phosphates and glycolysis. 13C Isotopomer analysis of tissue extracts showed that H2O2 and tert-BOOH also had significantly different effects on substrate utilization by the citric acid cycle. The contribution of exogenous lactate and glucose to acetyl-CoA was 43% in controls and increased to over 80% in the presence of either oxidant. With tert-BOOH, exogenous glucose and lactate were both significant contributors to acetyl-CoA (44 +/- 2 and 41 +/- 3%). However, with H2O2, exogenous lactate supplied a much higher fraction of acetyl-CoA (72 +/- 2%) than glucose (9 +/- 1%). Also, when [2-(13)C] glucose was supplied, accumulation of [2-(13)C] and [5-(13)C] fructose 1,6-bisphosphate was observed in the presence of H2O2, indicating inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. These results indicate that despite this glycolytic inhibition, H2O2 increased the utilization of pyruvate precursors when lactate was present as an alternative carbohydrate substrate.

Efficacy of lipid soluble, membrane-protective agents against hydrogen peroxide cytotoxicity in cardiac myocytes

We examined the efficacy of a group of drugs that stabilize the cell membrane and can potentially prevent cytotoxicity in cultured fetal chick cardiac myocytes exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The effects of various membrane-protective agents were determined by analysis of the kinetics of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The kinetic parameters calculated from the data include a rate constant for release of LDH (kb) and the fraction of total LDH that is released from the cells (CIIMax). The CIIMaxs derived from a range of H2O2 concentrations reveal that the mean toxic concentration of H2O2 is 1.1 mM and that the pattern of toxicity is consistent with the damage being directly proportional to the concentration of the free radicals generated from the H2O2. Maximum nontoxic concentrations of three amphiphilic membrane protective agents had no effect upon cytotoxicity from H2O2. The slightly polar lipophilic agent, Trolox C, a vitamin E derivative, was also without protective effect at a maximum nontoxic concentration. The highly lipophilic agent, probucol, had a small protective effect at 50 microM, the maximum concentration we succeeded in solubilizing in the culture medium. However, the lipophilic 21-aminosteroid U74500, delivered to the cells in an emulsion, markedly reduced cytotoxicity from H2O2. The CII Max was significantly reduced and the protection was concentration dependent over a range of concentrations from 50-400 nmol/ml. Furthermore, the inhibition by U74500 was fully consistent with a mechanism of scavenging of free radicals formed during lipid peroxidation. In support of this hypothesis, a dose of 400 nmoles/ml completely prevented an increase in lipid peroxides due to H2O2 exposure, whereas there was a sixfold increase during exposure to H2O2 in untreated myocytes. Thus, a lipid soluble 21-aminosteroid prevented lipid peroxidation and reduced cardiac myocyte injury during exposure to H2O2, probably by scavenging of free radicals formed during lipid peroxidation in the cell membrane, whereas amphiphilic agents, which probably altered the physicochemical structure of the cell membrane but did not scavenge free radicals, were not protective.

Oxidative modulation and inactivation of rabbit cardiac adenylate deaminase

Oxidative stress and adenine nucleotide catabolism occur concomitantly in several disease states, such as cardiac ischaemia-reperfusion, and may act as synergistic determinants of tissue injury. However, the mechanisms underlying this potential interaction remain ill-defined. We examined the influence of oxidative stress on the molecular, kinetic and regulatory properties of a ubiquitous AMP-catabolizing enzyme, adenylate deaminase (AMPD) (EC 3.5.4.6). To this intent, rabbit heart AMPD and an H2O2/ascorbate/iron oxidation system were employed. Enzyme exposure to the complete oxidation system acutely impaired its catalytic activity, lowered the Vmax. by 7-fold within 5 min, and rendered the enzyme unresponsive to nucleotide effectors. Irreversible AMPD inactivation resulted within about 15 min of oxidative insult and was not prevented by free-radical scavengers. Oxidative stress did not affect the molecular mass, tetrameric nature, Km, immunoreactivity or trypsinolytic pattern of the enzyme; nor did it induce carbonyl formation, Zn2+ release from the holoenzyme or net AMPD S-thiolation. This injury pattern is inconsistent with a radical-fragmentation mechanism as the basis for the oxidative AMPD inactivation observed. Rather, the sensitivity of the enzyme to both S-thiolation and thiol alkylation and the significant (3 of 9/mol of denatured enzyme) net loss of DTNB-reactive thiols on exposure to oxidant strongly implicate the conversion of essential thiol moieties into stable higher-oxidation states in the oxidative inactivation of cardiac AMPD. The altered thiol status of the enzyme on oxidative insult may prohibit a catalytically permissible conformation and, in so doing, increase AMP availability to 5'-nucleotidase in vivo.

Ischemic heart disease and antioxidants: mechanistic aspects of oxidative injury and its prevention

The disease state of myocardial ischemia results from a hypoperfusion-induced insufficiency of heart-muscle oxidative metabolism due to inadequate coronary circulation. Myocardial ischemia is an important, lifespan-limiting medical problem and a major economic health-care concern. Reperfusion, although avidly pursued in the clinic as essential to the ultimate survival of acutely ischemic heart muscle, may itself carry an injury component. Cardiac reperfusion injury appears to reflect, at least in part, an oxidant burden established upon reoxygenation of ischemic myocardium. Laboratory evidence demonstrates that oxidative stress to the heart-muscle cell (cardiomyocyte) can elicit the three known types of ischemia-reperfusion injury that directly affect the myocardium: arrhythmia, stunning, and infarction. The limited clinical occurrence of serious reperfusion arrhythmias has restricted the importance of antioxidants as antiarrhythmic agents against this form of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion damage. Despite the utmost clinical significance of lethal cardiomyocyte injury as a negative prognostic indicator for the ischemic heart-disease patient, inconsistent results of antioxidant interventions in reducing infarct size have somewhat tempered interest in antioxidant infarct trials. By contrast, the negative clinical consequences of stunning may indeed be preventable by utilizing antioxidants to help restore postischemic cardiac pump function. Several as yet unanswered questions remain regarding oxidative stress in the reperfused heart, its significance to cardiomyocyte damage, and its ability to elicit specific postischemic myocardial derangements. Targeted mechanistic studies are required to address these questions and to define the pathogenic role of oxidative stress (and, hence, the therapeutic potential of antioxidant intervention) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. The overall aim of current research in this area is to enable the cardiac surgeon/cardiologist to advance beyond the largely palliative drugs now available for management of the coronary heart-disease patient and attack directly the pathogenic determinants of heart-muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury. Optimal use of antioxidants may help address this important medical need.

Reduction of glutathione disulfide and the maintenance of reducing equivalents in hypoxic hearts after the infusion of diamide

A tissue's response to an oxidative stress is related to its capacity to supply reducing equivalents and may be affected by energy levels. The ability of intact rat heart tissue to supply NADPH and reduce glutathione disulfide (GSSG) produced by diamide was determined under normoxic or hypoxic conditions with and without glycolytic energy production. Cardiac ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) levels remained relatively constant (approximately 20 nmol/mg dry weight) during a 60 min perfusion with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing glucose. Levels of ATP and PCr were depleted 85-92% following 60 min of hypoxia. A 5 min infusion of 800 microM diamide, after 60 min of normoxia or hypoxia, oxidized 70-80% of cardiac glutathione (GSH), but had no effect on total glutathione. After a subsequent 25 min diamidefree perfusion, 75-85% of the GSSG formed was reduced in both normoxic and hypoxic hearts. The removal of glucose, or the inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxy-D-glucose, did not affect GSSG reduction. Cardiac NADH levels were increased from 0.05 to 0.5 nmol/mg dry weight after 60 min hypoxia in hearts perfused with or without glucose. A 5 min infusion of diamide in hypoxic hearts slightly decreased NADH levels, but there was no further change after a subsequent 25 min diamide-free period. Inhibition of glutathione reductase with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea prevented GSSG reduction, showing NADPH was required. However, NADPH levels were not affected by hypoxia or diamide infusion and remained constant at 0.2 nmol/mg dry weight in hearts perfused with or without glucose. Inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxy-D-glucose also did not affect NADPH levels. These results demonstrate that hypoxia did not affect the ability of oxidatively stressed, intact heart tissue to supply NADPH for the reduction of GSSG. In addition, GSSG reduction was independent of energy levels and appeared to be unaffected by glucose availability. NADH may be involved in maintaining NADPH levels through interconversion pathways.

Cellular reducing equivalents and oxidative stress

Energy has been proposed to play a role in the ability of cells and tissues to defend against oxidative stress, even though the ultimate antioxidant capacity of a tissue is determined by the supply of reducing equivalents. The pathways involved in supplying reducing equivalents in response to an oxidative stress remain unclear, particularly if competing reactions such as ATP synthesis are active. Glutathione (GSH), a major component of cellular antioxidant systems, is maintained in the reduced form by glutathione reductase. Although this enzyme is specific for NADPH, the ability of intact cells, isolated mitochondria (which are a major source of free radicals and contain antioxidant systems independent of the rest of the cell), and whole tissues to supply reducing equivalents and maintain normal levels of GSH appears to involve NADH. This article reviews available data regarding the source and pathways by which reducing equivalents are made available to reduce exogenous oxidants, and suggests energy is not a factor. An improved understanding of the mechanism by which reducing equivalents are supplied by tissues to respond to an oxidative stress may direct future research toward designing strategies for augmenting the ability of tissues to defend themselves against oxidative stress induced by reperfusion or xenobiotics.