Role of glutathione and catalase in H2O2 detoxification in LPS-activated hepatic endothelial and Kupffer cells

Molecular Mechanisms of Acute Organophosphate Nephrotoxicity

Organophosphates (OPs) are toxic chemicals produced by an esterification process and some other routes. They are the main components of herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides and are also widely used in the production of plastics and solvents. Acute or chronic exposure to OPs can manifest in various levels of toxicity to humans, animals, plants, and insects. OPs containing insecticides were widely used in many countries during the 20th century, and some of them continue to be used today. In particular, 36 OPs have been registered in the USA, and all of them have the potential to cause acute and sub-acute toxicity. Renal damage and impairment of kidney function after exposure to OPs, accompanied by the development of clinical manifestations of poisoning back in the early 1990s of the last century, was considered a rare manifestation of their toxicity. However, since the beginning of the 21st century, nephrotoxicity of OPs as a manifestation of delayed toxicity is the subject of greater attention of researchers. In this article, we present a modern view on the molecular pathophysiological mechanisms of acute nephrotoxicity of organophosphate compounds.

Sustained Energy Deficit Following Perinatal Asphyxia: A Shift towards the Fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (TIGAR)-Dependent Pentose Phosphate Pathway and Postnatal Development

Labor and delivery entail a complex and sequential metabolic and physiologic cascade, culminating in most circumstances in successful childbirth, although delivery can be a risky episode if oxygen supply is interrupted, resulting in perinatal asphyxia (PA). PA causes an energy failure, leading to cell dysfunction and death if re-oxygenation is not promptly restored. PA is associated with long-term effects, challenging the ability of the brain to cope with stressors occurring along with life. We review here relevant targets responsible for metabolic cascades linked to neurodevelopmental impairments, that we have identified with a model of global PA in rats. Severe PA induces a sustained effect on redox homeostasis, increasing oxidative stress, decreasing metabolic and tissue antioxidant capacity in vulnerable brain regions, which remains weeks after the insult. Catalase activity is decreased in mesencephalon and hippocampus from PA-exposed (AS), compared to control neonates (CS), in parallel with increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, associated with decreased glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity, a shift towards the TIGAR-dependent pentose phosphate pathway, and delayed calpain-dependent cell death. The brain damage continues long after the re-oxygenation period, extending for weeks after PA, affecting neurons and glial cells, including myelination in grey and white matter. The resulting vulnerability was investigated with organotypic cultures built from AS and CS rat newborns, showing that substantia nigra TH-dopamine-positive cells from AS were more vulnerable to 1 mM of H2O2 than those from CS animals. Several therapeutic strategies are discussed, including hypothermia; N-acetylcysteine; memantine; nicotinamide, and intranasally administered mesenchymal stem cell secretomes, promising clinical translation.

Oxidative stress responses of a freshwater fish, Labeo rohita, to a xenobiotic, bisphenol S

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an organic chemical that has been used as a substitute for bisphenol A (BPA) in making polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, thermal receipt papers, and currency bills, as BPA has been reported to have dreadful effects on the living system. From this view point, the present study investigates whether BPS has the same or rather more toxic effects like BPA or not. Limited studies were carried out on the effect of BPS on fish. The hepatic antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), along with the nonenzymatic antioxidant, glutathione, in a freshwater fish, Labeo rohita, were selected as biomarkers. The results revealed that the sublethal exposure of BPS significantly influenced the activities of these biomarkers. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) products such as malondialdehyde and conjugate diene levels were also altered by the exposure. The alteration in the levels of antioxidants and LPO products after BPS exposure clearly showed that the fish experienced oxidative stress. Furthermore, the current study showed that BPS is a pollutant with oxidative potential by disrupting the antioxidant enzymes.

Which Is More Toxic? Evaluation of the Short-Term Toxic Effects of Chlorpyrifos and Cypermethrin on Selected Biomarkers in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus 1758)

The general aim of this study was to investigate the negative short-term effects of different concentrations of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin (CYP), based on the EU legislation (MAC-EQS) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) under laboratory conditions and to compare their toxicity. The fish were exposed to the pesticides for 96 h and then different histological and biochemical biomarkers were investigated in the gills and liver, and bioaccumulation analyses were conducted. The chemical studies showed increased pesticide concentrations in the gills as the first site for pollutants compared to the liver at the 96th hour. In addition, the histological analyses showed severe alterations in the gills and liver after exposure to both tested pesticides. In the gills, we found mainly intense proliferative and, to a lesser extent, degenerative changes and alterations in the circulatory system, such as necrosis and vasodilation. In the liver, regressive and progressive lesions, as well as circulatory disturbances and inflammation, were observed. The regressive lesions showed a higher degree of expression compared to the other changes. Furthermore, we found altered enzymatic activities—catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase—in the liver, compared to the control. Overall, both tested pesticides impacted the studied biomarkers in common carp, even at concentrations lower than those permitted by law. However, the results of the comparative analysis showed a relatively higher toxicity of CYP compared to CPF in the fish. Still, questions persist as to whether the observed changes are adaptive or entirely destructive. To avoid any danger or risk, these pesticides must be applied cautiously, especially near water bodies.

Regionally Impaired Redox Homeostasis in the Brain of Rats Subjected to Global Perinatal Asphyxia: Sustained Effect up to 14 Postnatal Days

The present report evaluates the effect of global perinatal asphyxia on several parameters of oxidative stress and cell viability in rat brain tissue sampled at an extended neonatal period up to 14 days, a period characterised by intensive neuritogenesis, synaptogenesis, synaptic consolidation, pruning and delayed cell death. Perinatal asphyxia was induced by immersing foetus-containing uterine horns removed by a caesarean section from on term rat dams into a water bath at 37 °C for 21 min. Asphyxia-exposed and sibling caesarean-delivered foetuses were manually resucitated and nurtured by surrogate dams for 1 to 14 postnatal (P) days. Brain samples (mesencephalon, telencephalon and hippocampus) were assayed for glutathione (reduced and oxidated levels; spectrophotometry), tissue reducing capacity (potassium ferricyanide reducing assay, FRAP), catalase (the key enzyme protecting against oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species, Western blots and ELISA) and cleaved caspase-3 (the key executioner of apoptosis, Western blots) levels. It was found that global PA produced a regionally specific and sustained increase in GSSG/GSH ratio, a regionally specific decrease in tissue reducing capacity and a regionally and time specific decrease of catalase activity and increase of cleaved caspase-3 levels. The present study provides evidence for regionally impaired redox homeostasis in the brain of rats subjected to global PA, an effect observed up to P14, mainly affecting mesencephalon and hippocampus, suggesting a sustained oxidative stress after the posthypoxia period. The oxidative stress observed postnatally can in part be associated to a respiratory apneic-like deficit, since there was a statistically significant decrease in respiration frequency in AS compared to CS neonates, also up to P14, together with the signs of a decreased peripheral blood perfusion (pink-blue skin colour in AS, compared to the pink colour observed in all CS neonates). It is proposed that PA implies a long-term metabolic insult, triggered by the length of hypoxia, the resuscitation/reoxigenation manoevres, but also by the developmental stage of the affected brain regions, and the integrity of cardiovascular and respiratory physiological functions, which are fundamental for warrantying a proper development.

Veillonella Catalase Protects the Growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Microaerophilic and Streptococcus gordonii-Resident Environments

The oral biofilm is a multispecies community in which antagonism and mutualism coexist among friends and foes to keep an ecological balance of community members. The pioneer colonizers, such as Streptococcus gordonii, produce H₂O₂ to inhibit the growth of competitors, like the mutans streptococci, as well as strict anaerobic middle and later colonizers of the dental biofilm. Interestingly, Veillonella species, as early colonizers, physically interact (coaggregate) with S. gordonii A putative catalase gene (catA) is found in most sequenced Veillonella species; however, the function of this gene is unknown. In this study, we characterized the ecological function of catA from Veillonella parvula PK1910 by integrating it into the only transformable strain, Veillonella atypica OK5, which is catA negative. The strain (OK5-catA) became more resistant to H₂O₂ Further studies demonstrated that the catA gene expression is induced by the addition of H₂O₂ or coculture with S. gordonii Mixed-culture experiments further revealed that the transgenic OK5-catA strain not only enhanced the growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum, a strict anaerobic periodontopathogen, under microaerophilic conditions, but it also rescued F. nucleatum from killing by S. gordonii A potential role of catalase in veillonellae in biofilm ecology and pathogenesis is discussed here.IMPORTANCEVeillonella species, as early colonizers, can coaggregate with many bacteria, including the initial colonizer Streptococcus gordonii and periodontal pathogen Fusobacterium nucleatum, during various stages of oral biofilm formation. In addition to providing binding sites for many microbes, our previous study also showed that Veillonella produces nutrients for the survival and growth of periodontal pathogens. These findings indicate that Veillonella plays an important "bridging" role in the development of oral biofilms and the ecology of the human oral cavity. In this study, we demonstrated that the reducing activity of Veillonella can rescue the growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum not only under microaerophilic conditions, but also in an environment in which Streptococcus gordonii is present. Thus, this study will provide a new insight for future studies on the mechanisms of human oral biofilm formation and the control of periodontal diseases.

Central Role of Metabolism in Endothelial Cell Function and Vascular Disease

The importance of endothelial cell (EC) metabolism and its regulatory role in the angiogenic behavior of ECs during vessel formation and in the function of different EC subtypes determined by different vascular beds has been recognized only in the last few years. Even more importantly, apart from a role of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in EC dysfunction, deregulations of EC metabolism in disease only recently received increasing attention. Although comprehensive metabolic characterization of ECs still needs further investigation, the concept of targeting EC metabolism to treat vascular disease is emerging. In this overview, we summarize EC-specific metabolic pathways, describe the current knowledge on their deregulation in vascular diseases, and give an outlook on how vascular endothelial metabolism can serve as a target to normalize deregulated endothelium.

Proteome changes in the small intestinal mucosa of growing pigs with dietary supplementation of non-starch polysaccharide enzymes

Background

Non-starch polysaccharide enzymes (NSPEs) have long been used in monogastric animal feed production to degrade non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) to oligosaccharides in order to promote growth performance and gastrointestinal (GI) tract health. However, the precise molecular mechanism of NSPEs in the improvement of the mammalian small intestine remains unknown.

Methods

In this study, isobaric tags were applied to investigate alterations of the small intestinal mucosa proteome of growing pigs after 50 days of supplementation with 0.6% NSPEs (mixture of xylanase, β-glucanase and cellulose) in the diet. Bioinformatics analysis including gene ontology annotation was performed to determine the differentially expressed proteins. A protein fold-change of ≥ 1.2 and a P-value of < 0.05 were selected as thresholds.

Results

Dietary supplementation of NSPEs improved the growth performance of growing pigs. Most importantly, a total of 90 proteins were found to be differentially abundant in the small intestinal mucosa between a control group and the NSPE group. Up-regulated proteins were related to nutrient metabolism (energy, lipids, protein and mineral), immunity, redox homeostasis, detoxification and the cell cytoskeleton. Down-regulated proteins were primarily related to transcriptional and translational regulation. Our results indicate that the effect of NSPEs on the increase of nutrient availability in the intestinal lumen facilitates the efficiency of nutrient absorption and utilization, and the supplementation of NSPEs in growing pigs also modulates redox homeostasis and enhances immune response during simulating energy metabolism due to a higher uptake of nutrients in the small intestine.

Conclusions

These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of NSPEs on the small intestine of pigs, which provides new information for the better utilization of this feed additive in the future.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12953-016-0109-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Geraniol attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced liver fatty acid alterations in male rats

Background:

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is an oxidant agent and this molecule naturally occurs in the body as a product of aerobic metabolism. Geraniol is a plant-derived natural antioxidant. The aim of this study was to determine the role of geraniol on hepatic fatty acids alterations following H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in male rats.

Methods:

After randomization, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 7 each group). Geraniol (50 mg/kg, dissolved in corn oil) and H₂O₂ (16 mg/kg, dissolved in distilled water) were administered by an intraperitoneal injection. Administrations were performed during 30 days with 1-day interval.

Results:

Administration of H₂O₂ resulted with a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) peroxidase glutathione level; geraniol restored its effects on liver. However, hepatic catalase (CAT) activities were significantly higher in H₂O₂, geraniol, and geraniol+H₂O₂ groups than control group. The ratio of hepatic total saturated fatty acids increased in H₂O₂-treated animals compared with control. In addition, hepatic total unsaturated fatty acids reduced in H₂O₂ group compared with control. The percentages of both hepatic total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were not different between geraniol+H₂O₂ and control groups.

Conclusions:

H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress may affect fatty acid composition in liver and body. Geraniol can partly restore oxidative hepatic damage because it cannot completely reverse the H₂O₂-induced increase in hepatic CAT activities. Moreover, this natural compound can regulate hepatic total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids percentages against H₂O₂-induced alterations.

Low dose triterpene-quinone fraction from Ardisia crispa root precludes chemical-induced mouse skin tumor promotion

Background

Drastic increment of skin cancer incidence has driven natural product-based chemoprevention as a promising approach in anticancer drug development. Apart from its traditional usages against various ailments, Ardisia crispa (Family: Myrsinaceae) specifically its triterpene-quinone fraction (TQF) which was isolated from the root hexane extract (ACRH) was recently reported to exert antitumor promoting activity in vitro. This study aimed at determining chemopreventive effect of TQF against chemically-induced mouse skin tumorigenesis as well as elucidating its possible pathway(s).

Methods

Mice (n = 10) were initiated with single dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA) (390 nmol/100 μl) followed by, a week later, repeated promotion (twice weekly; 20 weeks) with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (1.7 nmol/100 μl). TQF (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) and curcumin (10 mg/kg; reference) were, respectively, applied topically to DMBA/TPA-induced mice 30 min before each TPA application. Upon termination, histopathological and biochemical analysis, as well as Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and transcription factor enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assays were performed to elucidate the potential mechanism of TQF.

Results

With comparison to the carcinogen control, results revealed that lower dose of TQF (10 mg/kg) conferred antitumor promoting effect via significant (P < 0.05) suppression against lipid peroxidation (LPO), apoptotic index (cell death) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), along with reduction of keratinocyte proliferation; whilst its higher dose (100 mg/kg) was found to promote tumorigenesis by significantly (P < 0.05) increasing LPO and apoptotic index, in addition to aggravating keratinocyte proliferation.

Conclusions

This study evidenced that TQF, particularly at its lower dosage (10 mg/kg), ameliorated DMBA/TPA-induced mouse skin tumorigenesis. Though, future investigations are warranted to determine the lowest possible therapeutic dose of TQF in subsequent in vivo chemopreventive studies.

The Defensive Role of Cumulus Cells Against Reactive Oxygen Species Insult in Metaphase II Mouse Oocytes

We investigated the ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), hydroxyl radical ((·)OH), and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), to overcome the defensive capacity of cumulus cells and elucidate the mechanism through which ROS differentially deteriorate oocyte quality. Metaphase II mouse oocytes with (n = 1634) and without cumulus cells (n = 1633) were treated with increasing concentration of ROS, and the deterioration in oocyte quality was assessed by the changes in the microtubule morphology and chromosomal alignment. Oocyte and cumulus cell viability and cumulus cell number were assessed by indirect immunofluorescence, staining of gap junction protein, and trypan blue staining. The treated oocytes showed decreased quality as a function of increasing concentrations of ROS when compared to controls. Cumulus cells show protection against H(2)O(2) and (·)OH insult at lower concentrations, but this protection was lost at higher concentrations (>50 μmol/L). At higher H(2)O(2) concentrations, treatment dramatically influenced the cumulus cell number and viability with resulting reduction in the antioxidant capacity making the oocyte more susceptible to oxidative damage. However, cumulus cells offered no significant protection against HOCl at any concentration used. In all circumstances in which cumulus cells did not offer protection to the oocyte, both cumulus cell number and viability were decreased. Therefore, the deterioration in oocyte quality may be caused by one or more of the following: a decrease in the antioxidant machinery by the loss of cumulus cells, the lack of scavengers for specific ROS, and/or the ability of the ROS to overcome these defenses.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals Distinct Metabolic Differences Between Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (M-CSF) Grown Macrophages Derived from Murine Bone Marrow Cells

Macrophages are crucial in controlling infectious agents and tissue homeostasis. Macrophages require a wide range of functional capabilities in order to fulfill distinct roles in our body, one being rapid and robust immune responses. To gain insight into macrophage plasticity and the key regulatory protein networks governing their specific functions, we performed quantitative analyses of the proteome and phosphoproteome of murine primary GM-CSF and M-CSF grown bone marrow derived macrophages (GM-BMMs and M-BMMs, respectively) using the latest isobaric tag based tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Strikingly, metabolic processes emerged as a major difference between these macrophages. Specifically, GM-BMMs show significant enrichment of proteins involving glycolysis, the mevalonate pathway, and nitrogen compound biosynthesis. This evidence of enhanced glycolytic capability in GM-BMMs is particularly significant regarding their pro-inflammatory responses, because increased production of cytokines upon LPS stimulation in GM-BMMs depends on their acute glycolytic capacity. In contrast, M-BMMs up-regulate proteins involved in endocytosis, which correlates with a tendency toward homeostatic functions such as scavenging cellular debris. Together, our data describes a proteomic network that underlies the pro-inflammatory actions of GM-BMMs as well as the homeostatic functions of M-BMMs.

Principles of targeting endothelial cell metabolism to treat angiogenesis and endothelial cell dysfunction in disease

The endothelium is the orchestral conductor of blood vessel function. Pathological blood vessel formation (a process termed pathological angiogenesis) or the inability of endothelial cells (ECs) to perform their physiological function (a condition known as EC dysfunction) are defining features of various diseases. Therapeutic intervention to inhibit aberrant angiogenesis or ameliorate EC dysfunction could be beneficial in diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, respectively, but current strategies have limited efficacy. Based on recent findings that pathological angiogenesis and EC dysfunction are accompanied by EC-specific metabolic alterations, targeting EC metabolism is emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of how EC metabolism is altered in disease and discuss potential metabolic targets and strategies to reverse EC dysfunction and inhibit pathological angiogenesis.

Genistein inhibits osteoclastic differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells via regulation of ROS production and scavenging

Genistein, a phytoestrogen, has been demonstrated to have a bone-sparing and antiresorptive effect. Genistein can inhibit the osteoclast formation of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced RAW 264.7 cells by preventing the translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), a redox-sensitive factor, to the nucleus. Therefore, the suppressive effect of genistein on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level during osteoclast differentiation and the mechanism associated with the control of ROS levels by genistein were investigated. The cellular antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effect of genistein were confirmed. The translation and activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 1 (Nox1), as well as the disruption of the mitochondrial electron transport chain system were obviously suppressed by genistein in a dose-dependent manner. The induction of phase II antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), was enhanced by genistein. In addition, the translational induction of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was notably increased by genistein. These results provide that the inhibitory effects of genistein on RANKL-stimulated osteoclast differentiation is likely to be attributed to the control of ROS generation through suppressing the translation and activation of Nox1 and the disruption of the mitochondrial electron transport chain system, as well as ROS scavenging through the Nrf2-mediated induction of phase II antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD1 and HO-1.

Effect of Boswellia serrata on antioxidant status in an experimental model of colitis rats induced by acetic acid

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the antioxidant effect of an extract of the plant Boswellia serrata in an experimental model of acute ulcerative colitis induced by administration of acetic acid (AA) in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extract of B. serrata (34.2 mg/kg/day) was administered orally by gavage for 2 days before and after induction of colitis with AA diluted to 4 % and in a volume of 4 ml.

RESULTS

The anal sphincter pressure in the groups treated with B. serrata showed a significant increase compared to the colitis group (P < 0.001). Histological analysis of treated animals showed less edema with preservation of mucosal crypts. Lipid peroxidation showed a significant decrease in the treated groups compared to the colitis group (P < 0.001). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity showed a significant reduction in the treated groups compared to the colitis group (P < 0.001), the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) significantly increased in the treated groups compared to colitis group (P < 0.05), and the same was the result for enzyme activity glutathione (GSH; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The extract of B. serrata has active antioxidant substances that exert protective effects in acute experimental colitis.

The sedoheptulose kinase CARKL directs macrophage polarization through control of glucose metabolism

Immune cells are somewhat unique in that activation responses can alter quantitative phenotypes upwards of 100,000-fold. To date little is known about the metabolic adaptations necessary to mount such dramatic phenotypic shifts. Screening for novel regulators of macrophage activation, we found nonprotein kinases of glucose metabolism among the most enriched classes of candidate immune modulators. We find that one of these, the carbohydrate kinase-like protein CARKL, is rapidly downregulated in vitro and in vivo upon LPS stimulation in both mice and humans. Interestingly, CARKL catalyzes an orphan reaction in the pentose phosphate pathway, refocusing cellular metabolism to a high-redox state upon physiological or artificial downregulation. We find that CARKL-dependent metabolic reprogramming is required for proper M1- and M2-like macrophage polarization and uncover a rate-limiting requirement for appropriate glucose flux in macrophage polarization.

Role of operon aaoSo-mutT in antioxidant defense in Streptococcus oligofermentans

Previously, we have found that an insertional inactivation of aao_So, a gene encoding L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), causes marked repression of the growth of Streptococcus oligofermentans. Here, we found that aao_So and mutT, a homolog of pyrophosphohydrolase gene of Escherichia coli, constituted an operon. Deletion of either gene did not impair the growth of S. oligofermentans, but double deletion of both aao_So and mutT was lethal. Quantitative PCR showed that the transcript abundance of mutT was reduced for 13-fold in the aao_So insertional mutant, indicating that gene polarity derived from the inactivation of aao_So attenuated the expression of mutT. Enzymatic assays were conducted to determine the biochemical functions of LAAO and MutT of S. oligofermentans. The results indicated that LAAO functioned as an aminoacetone oxidase [47.75 nmol H₂O₂ (min·mg protein)^–1]; and MutT showed the pyrophosphohydrolase activity, which removed mutagens such as 8-oxo-dGTP. Like paraquat, aao_So mutations increased the expression of SOD, and addition of aminoacetone (final concentration, 5 mM) decreased the mutant’s growth by 11%, indicating that the aao_So mutants are under ROS stress. HPLC did reveal elevated levels of cytoplasmic aminoacetone in both the deletion and insertional gene mutants of aao_So. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy showed increased hydroxyl radicals in both types of aao_So mutant. This demonstrated that inactivation of aao_So caused the elevation of the prooxidant aminoacetone, resulting the cellular ROS stress. Our study indicates that the presence of both LAAO and MutT can prevent endogenous metabolites-generated ROS and mutagens. In this way, we were able to determine the role of the aao_So-mutT operon in antioxidant defense in S. oligofermentans.

Role of plasmid in diesel oil degradation by yeast species isolated from petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil

Five yeast species, namely Candida tropicalis, Cryptococcus laurentii, Trichosporon asahii, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Candida rugosa isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil were found to be potent degraders of diesel oil. These microorganisms showed the presence of enzymes cytochrome P450, NADPH cytochrome c reductase, aminopyrine N demethylase, alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, naphthalene dioxygenase, catalase and glutathione S transferase when the cells were incubated for 48 h in Bushnell Haas medium supplemented with 2% diesel oil as the sole source of carbon. The cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzyme system was found to play an important role in diesel oil degradation. A plasmid approximately 12kb in size was found to be harboured by all the yeast species. The role of the plasmid on diesel oil degradation was assessed by biomass inhibition studies, which confirmed that the metabolic machinery of yeast species for diesel oil degradation was plasmid coded. This is the first report establishing the involvement of a plasmid in diesel oil degradation by yeast species.

Honey supplementation in spontaneously hypertensive rats elicits antihypertensive effect via amelioration of renal oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis and/or maintenance of elevated blood pressure in hypertension. This study investigated the effect of honey on elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). It also evaluated the effect of honey on the amelioration of oxidative stress in the kidney of SHR as a possible mechanism of its antihypertensive effect. SHR and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were randomly divided into 2 groups and administered distilled water or honey by oral gavage once daily for 12 weeks. The control SHR had significantly higher SBP and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than did control WKY. The mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were significantly downregulated while total antioxidant status (TAS) and activities of GST and catalase (CAT) were higher in the kidney of control SHR. Honey supplementation significantly reduced SBP and MDA levels in SHR. Honey significantly reduced the activities of GST and CAT while it moderately but insignificantly upregulated the Nrf2 mRNA expression level in the kidney of SHR. These results indicate that Nrf2 expression is impaired in the kidney of SHR. Honey supplementation considerably reduces elevated SBP via amelioration of oxidative stress in the kidney of SHR.

Immuno-spin trapping of a post-translational carboxypeptidase B1 radical formed by a dual role of xanthine oxidase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in acute septic mice

Post-translational modification of proteins due to exposure to radicals and other reactive species are markers of metabolic and inflammatory oxidative stress such as sepsis. This study uses the nitrone spin-trap DMPO and a combination of immuno-spin trapping and mass spectrometry to identify in vivo products of radical reactions in mice. We report the detection of dose-dependent production of DMPO-carboxypeptidase B1 (CPB1) adducts in the spleens of mice treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Additionally, we report significant detection of DMPO-CPB1 adducts in mice experiencing normal physiological conditions. Treatments with inhibitors and experiments with knock-out mice indicate that xanthine oxidase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase are important sources of the reactive species that lead to CPB1 adduct formation. We also report a significant loss of CPB1 activity following LPS challenge in conjunction with an increase in CPB1 protein accumulation. This suggests the presence of a possible mechanism for CPB1 activity loss with compensatory protein production.

Prevention of arsenic-induced hepatic apoptosis by concomitant administration of garlic extracts in mice

Garlic is well known as a folk remedy for a variety of ailments since ancient times, however, very few studies are available suggesting its beneficial role against arsenic toxicity pertaining to its ability to eliminate arsenic from the blood and soft tissues and in reversal of arsenic-induced oxidative stress in affected tissues. The present study was planned to investigate the protective efficacy of aqueous garlic extract using two different doses on parameters suggestive of hepatic injury, tissue oxidative stress and mobilization of arsenic. Further, an attempt to understand the mechanism of arsenic in inducing hepatic apoptosis was also studied. Results of the present study suggested that arsenic administration in mice caused generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing apoptosis through mitochondria-mediated pathway. The ROS generation in hepatic tissue reverted to normal values after co-administration of garlic extracts. The study provides significant evidence that garlic extracts contain strong anti-oxidant property which could be beneficial in preventing arsenic-induced toxicity in cells. However, further research is required to determine whether the results from animal studies are applicable to humans before garlic can be recommended as a putative agent against arsenic toxicity.

Pharmacokinetics and preventive effects of targeted catalase derivatives on hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in perfused rat liver

PURPOSE

To investigate the pharmacokinetics and preventive effects of liver-targeted catalase (CAT) derivatives on hepatic injury caused by reactive oxygen species.

METHODS

The hepatic uptake of 111In-CAT, galactosylated (Gal-), mannosylated (Man-) and succinylated (Suc-) CAT was investigated in isolated perfused rat livers in a single-pass constant infusion mode. Then, pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by fitting equations derived from a one-organ pharmacokinetic model to the outflow profile. Their effects in preventing hydrogen peroxide-induced injury were determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from the perfused liver.

RESULTS

The extraction of CAT derivatives by the liver was dose-dependent, and increased by the chemical modifications described. After being bound to the cell surface, chemically modified CAT derivatives were internalized by the liver faster than CAT. Preperfusion of a CAT derivative significantly reduced LDH release by hydrogen peroxide at least for 30 min, and Man-CAT and Suc-CAT effectively inhibited this release.

CONCLUSIONS

Internalized CAT derivatives are also effective in degrading hydrogen peroxide and targeted delivery of CAT to liver nonparenchymal cells by mannosylation or succinylation is a useful method for the prevention of hepatic injury caused by reactive oxygen species.

Induction of glutathione synthesis by oxidized low-density lipoprotein and 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl phosphatidylcholine: protection against quinone-mediated oxidative stress

Exposure of endothelial cells to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) leads to diverse cellular effects, including induction of the intracellular antioxidant GSH. It is not known whether lipid-or protein-derived oxidation products cause GSH induction and whether this involves increased activity of the key enzyme in its synthesis, glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL). Furthermore, the effect of oxLDL exposure on the cell's ability to combat oxidative stress has not been previously examined. In the present study we found that, in bovine aortic endothelial cells, LDL or 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl phosphatidylcholine oxidized by different reactive oxygen and nitrogen species induced GSH synthesis. However, prevention of GSH synthesis during exposure to oxLDL caused extensive cell death. The mediator causing GSH induction was shown to be a polar lipid and resulted in the increased activity of GCL as well as increased protein levels of the regulatory subunit of GCL. Pretreatment with both oxLDL and the polar lipid subfraction of the oxLDL protected cells against the toxicity of 2,3-dimethoxynaphthoquinone (DMNQ), a superoxide- and H(2)O(2)-forming compound. The potential of a low level of lipid peroxidation products to initiate cytoprotective pathways are discussed.

Clofibric acid or diethylmaleate supplemented diet decrease blood pressure in DOCA-salt treated male Sprague Dawley rats--relation with liver antioxidant status

The effects of 8-week diethylmaleate (DEM) and clofibric acid (CFA) supplemented diet on blood pressure, body and liver weights, liver antioxidant status and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were investigated in 8-week DOCA-salt treated and untreated Sprague-Dawley male rats. It appeared that DEM and particularly CFA treatments were associated with a significant decrease in blood pressure in DOCA-salt treated rats, and an accentuation of the decreases in body weights in both diet supplemented groups. This was not associated with increases in NO production in the liver. In contrast, hepatic lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased in both DOCA-salt treated and untreated groups on DEM and particularly on CFA supplemented diet. The protective effects of CFA and DEM against hepatic cellular damage could be involved in the decreases in blood pressure in DOCA-salt treated rats, where CFA was more efficient than DEM. In CFA supplemented groups, there was a strong increase in hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities and in DEM supplemented groups, increases in SOD and CAT activities and in GSH levels were observed. Our data suggest that normalization of blood pressure in DOCA-salt treated rats by CFA was due to an enhancement of the half-life of NO while DEM increased its availability.