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S Puntarulo

Publications and source records attributed to S Puntarulo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Mild iron overload effect on rat liver nuclei.

A single injection of iron-dextran significantly increased iron content in plasma, whole liver, cellular cytosol and liver nuclei. In vitro nuclear rate of Fe(3+)-EDTA reduction was not affected by the treatment. Membrane-bound enzymatic activities in the nuclei were measured after iron overload. Both NADPH- and NADH-dependent cytochrome c reductases were slightly decreased after iron overload, but cytochrome P450 was undetectable after 6 h of iron supplementation. The contents of lipid- and water-soluble antioxidants were measured in isolated nuclei from control and iron-overloaded rats. alpha-Tocopherol and beta-carotene co-elutant were decreased by 40% and 83%, respectively after 6 h of treatment. Nuclear glutathione content was not affected. The rate of generation of superoxide anion (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical-like species by isolated rat liver nuclei, were decreased by 50%, 40% and 60%, respectively after 6 h of iron supplementation. An identical qualitative response to iron overload was observed with NADPH and NADH. The inactivation of nuclear cytochrome P450, the significant loss in lipid-soluble antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene) and the decrease in enzyme-dependent oxygen radical generation, suggest that the increase in catalytic active iron induced by iron overload could affect the cellular nuclei functionality.

Animals↗

Ferritin-dependent inactivation of microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase.

Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) is a microsomal enzyme which is very sensitive to inactivation by lipid peroxidation. Experiments were carried out to evaluate whether ferritin, which is the major storage form of iron within cells, could catalyze inactivation of G6Pase and to determine the mechanism responsible for this effect of ferritin. Incubation of microsomes with NADPH in the absence of ferritin led to decreased activity of G6Pase. Ferritin stimulated this inactivation of G6Pase in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Ferritin did not stimulate G6Pase inactivation when NADH replaced NADPH as the microsomal reductant. Superoxide dismutase but not catalase or DMSO prevented the ferritin-stimulated inactivation of G6Pase suggesting a role for superoxide, but not H2O2 or hydroxyl radical, in the overall mechanism. Trolox, at concentrations which prevent lipid peroxidation, also prevented the ferritin-catalyzed inactivation of G6Pase. Inhibition of G6Pase by ferritin was further enhanced in the presence of ATP but was inhibited in the presence of EDTA or desferrioxamine; ferric-ATP stimulates, whereas ferric-EDTA inhibits microsomal lipid peroxidation. The redox cycling agent paraquat increased the ability of ferritin to inactivate G6Pase by a reaction prevented by superoxide dismutase, trolox, EDTA, and desferrioxamine, but not by catalase or DMSO. Ferritin stimulated microsomal light emission, a reaction reflecting lipid peroxidation, with time and concentration dependence, and sensitivity to scavengers (trolox, superoxide dismutase), iron chelators and paraquat, identical to the inactivation of G6Pase. These results indicate that one possible toxicological consequence of ferritin-catalyzed lipid peroxidation is inhibition of microsomal enzymes such as G6Pase.

Animals↗

Resistance of rat kidney mitochondrial membranes to oxidation induced by acute iron overload.

The effect of iron-overload on rat kidney was studied after a single injection of iron-dextran. Total iron content in kidney and isolated kidney mitochondria was markedly elevated over control values. To assess mitochondrial damage by iron overload, succinate-cytochrome c reductase and NADH-cytochrome c reductase activities as well as the rate of succinate-dependent hydrogen peroxide generation were measured. None of these activities were significantly affected by acute iron overload. The net content and the rate of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive species) formation in kidney homogenates from iron-treated rats was significantly higher than that of control animals. Total superoxide dismutase activity in the homogenates from iron overloaded kidney was decreased by 26%, as compared to controls. Catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and Mn-superoxide dismutase activities were not affected by the treatment. The content of alpha-tocopherol was consistently decreased in whole kidney homogenates (-31%), mitochondria from kidney medulla (-31%) and cortex (-34%), from iron-overloaded rats. Our data suggest that iron dextran treatment does not affect kidney integrity, even though increases in lipid peroxidation occur. Vitamin E appears to be effective in controlling iron-dextran dependent radical generation in kidney.

Animals↗

Effect of mild iron overload on liver and kidney lipid peroxidation.

1. Hepatotoxicity is the most common finding in patients with iron overload since the liver is the major recipient of iron excess, even though the kidney could be a target of iron toxicity. The effect of iron overload was studied in the early stages after iron-dextran injection in rats, as a model for secondary hemocromatosis. 2. Total hepatic and kidney iron content was markedly elevated over control values 20 h after the iron administration. Plasma GOT, GPT and LDH activities were not affected, suggesting that liver cell permeability was not affected by necrosis. 3. Spontaneous liver chemiluminescence was measured as an indicator of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Light emission was increased four-fold 6 h after iron supplementation. 4. Increases in the generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS in liver and kidney homogenates were detected after iron administration. 5. The activities of catalase, SOD and glutathione peroxidase were determined. Enzymatic activities declined in liver homogenates by 25, 36 and 32%, respectively, 20 h after iron injection. These activities were not affected in kidney as compared to control values, except for SOD activity that was decreased by 26%. 6. The content of alpha-tocopherol was decreased by 31% in whole kidney homogenates and by 40% in plasma. 7. Our data indicate that lipid peroxidation occurs after mild iron overload both in liver and kidney. Enzymatic antioxidants are consumed significantly in liver and alpha-tocopherol content decreases in kidney, suggesting an organ-specific antioxidant effect.

Animals↗

Stimulation of microsomal chemiluminescence by ferritin.

The ability of ferritin to catalyze rat liver microsomal chemiluminescence was determined in the absence and presence of the redox cycling agent paraquat, and with either NADPH or NADH as reductant. Microsomal chemiluminescence was used as a index of lipid peroxidation. In the absence of added ferritin, NADPH-dependent microsomal light emission was 4-fold greater than the NADH-dependent reaction, and was not sensitive to superoxide dismutase, catalase or DMSO. Ferritin stimulated NADPH-, but not NADH-dependent chemiluminescence in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The stimulation by ferritin was completely sensitive to superoxide dismutase, but not to catalase or DMSO, suggesting the requirement for superoxide to mobilize iron from ferritin. An iron ligand was not required for the stimulation by ferritin; the addition of certain ligands such as EDTA, DETAPAC or desferrioxamine resulted in inhibition of the stimulation by ferritin. Paraquat potentiated the effect of ferritin on microsomal chemiluminescence with NADPH as cofactor and was weakly stimulatory with NADH. The potentiation by paraquat plus ferritin was prevented by superoxide dismutase and was further elevated by ligands such as ATP. Chemiluminescence proved to be a more sensitive parameter than production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive components to evaluate the stimulation of oxygen radical production by iron released from ferritin, in the absence or in the presence of paraquat.

Animals↗

Hepatic chemiluminescence and lipid peroxidation in mild iron overload.

The effect of iron-overload on both hepatic lipid peroxidation and chemiluminescence was studied in early stages after iron-dextran injection. Total hepatic iron content was markedly elevated over control values 2-6 h after iron dose. A 4-fold increase in light emission was detected after 4-6 h after iron injection. Plasma GOT, GPT and LDH activities were not affected by the treatment suggesting that cell permeability was not affected by necrosis. Increases in the generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and chemiluminescence in liver homogenates, were determined as a function of time after iron administration, in the presence of NADPH as cofactor. Under the same experimental conditions, microsomal cytochrome P-450 content was decreased by 40%, 2 h after iron treatment. To evaluate liver antioxidant defenses, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were determined. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the homogenate was not affected by the treatment. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities declined by 25 and 36%, respectively, compared with control values 4 h after the iron dose. Our data suggest that lipid peroxidation occurs after mild iron overload even though the liver remains functional.

Animals↗

Effect of phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene treatment on NADPH- and NADH-dependent production of reactive oxygen intermediates by rat liver nuclei.

The effect of inducing the rat liver nuclear mixed-function oxidase system by phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene on NADPH- and NADH-dependent production of reactive oxygen intermediates was evaluated. The inducing agents produced a 2-fold increase in cytochrome P-450, a 50 to 70% increase in NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, and a 20 to 30% increase in NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Associated with these increases was a corresponding increase in NADPH- and NADH-dependent production of hydroxyl radical (.OH)-like species and of H2O2. Rates of .OH production were inhibited by catalase and partially sensitive to superoxide dismutase. The increase in nuclear production of .OH-like species after drug treatment appears to be due a corresponding increase in H2O2 generation. In contrast to H2O2 and .OH generation, production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive material by nuclei was not increased by the phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene treatment. Redox cycling agents such as menadione and paraquat increased oxygen radical generation to similar extents in the control and the induced nuclei. These results indicate that induction of the nuclear mixed-function oxidase system by phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene can result in a subsequent increase in production of reactive oxygen intermediates in the presence of either NADPH or NADH.

Animals↗

Oxygen radical generation by isolated microsomes from soybean seedlings.

The generation of active oxygen species by microsomes isolated from soybean seedlings was studied. NADPH-dependent superoxide anion production was 5.0 +/- 0.4 nmol . min(-1) mg(-1) of microsomal protein. Hydrogen peroxide generation by microsomes was 1.40 +/- 0.05 nmol . min(-1) mg(-1) of protein. Hydroxyl radical production, in the presence of ferric EDTA, evaluated through the generation of formaldehyde from dimethyl sulfoxide or tert-butyl alcohol was 0.50 +/- 0.04 and 0.44 +/- 0.03 nmol . min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. NADH proved to be suitable as cofactor for oxygen radical generation by microsomes from soybean seedlings. Because transition metals are implicated in radical generation by biological systems, the ability of microsomal membranes to reduce iron complexes was studied. Ferric ATP, ferric citrate, ferric ADP, ferric diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, and ferric EDTA were efficiently reduced in the presence of either NADPH or NADH as cofactor. The pattern of effectiveness of the different ferric complexes, on superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical production, was similar to that found with animal microsomes. The data presented here indicate that microsomal ability to catalyze oxygen radical generation must be considered as an important contribution to cellular radical steady-state concentrations in cells from soybean seedlings.

Journal Article↗

Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide metabolism in soybean embryonic axes during germination.

The total rate of mitochondrial O2- production in the presence of NADH as substrate increased from 200 to 1340 pmol/min per axis between 2 and 30 h of imbibition. The activities of the enzymes involved in hydroperoxide metabolism, e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and glutathione and ascorbate peroxidases, markedly changed during the germination of soybean embryonic axes. Superoxide dismutase was the enzymatic activity affected the most during the initial stages of germination. Intracellular O2- steady-state concentration, calculated from the rate of O2- production and superoxide dismutase activity, showed a 2-fold increase from 2 x 10(-8) M to 4 x 10(-8) M in germination phase I, declined in phase II to 2 x 10(-8) M and remained constant over the rest of the incubation period. The reaction of H2O2 and luminol catalyzed by Co2+ was utilized to measure H2O2 diffused out of the soybean axes after 5 to 10 min of incubation. The catalase-sensitive luminol emission of diffusates prepared from axes previously imbibed from 2 to 30 h corresponded to a H2O2 intracellular steady-state concentration in the range of 0.3 to 0.9 microM. The activity of metal-containing antioxidant enzymes was determined in the extracellular fluid. Cell wall peroxidase activity increased from 10 to 300 mumol/min per mg protein and appears as a potentially important pathway for H2O2 utilization. Hydrogen peroxide metabolism in soybean embryonic axes during early inhibition appears to have the following main features: (a) mitochondrial membranes are the most important source of cytosolic O2- and H2O2; (b) H2O2 is regulated at a steady-state concentration of 0.3-0.9 microM; (c) catalase is the main enzyme in terms of H2O2 utilization; (d) H2O2 exo-diffusion is quantitatively important destiny of intracellular H2O2; and (e) extracellular peroxidase located at the cell wall affords an enzymatic system able to use diffused H2O2.

Catalase↗

Inhibition of the oxidation of hydroxyl radical scavenging agents after alkaline phosphatase treatment of rat liver microsomes.

Treatment of rat liver microsomes with alkaline phosphatase results in a loss in the FMN but not the FAD flavin prosthetic group of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase (Taniguchi, H. and Pyerin, W. (1987) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 912, 295-307). Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of preventing electron transfer from the FADH2 to FMN component of the reductase, and subsequent mixed function oxidase activity, on reduction of ferric chelates, production of H2O2, and the generation of .OH-like species by microsomes. Treatment with alkaline phosphatase was confirmed to decrease NADPH-cytochrome c, but not NADPH-ferricyanide, reductase activity by microsomes and by purified NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase. The oxidation of hydroxyl radical scavenging agents by microsomes and reductase was decreased by the alkaline phosphatase treatment in accordance with the decline in cytochrome c reductase activity. This decrease in hydroxyl radical production occurred in the presence of various ferric chelate catalysts. Rates of microsomal reduction of the ferric chelates were also inhibited after alkaline phosphatase treatment. Production of H2O2 was decreased in accordance to the fall in cytochrome c reductase activity and .OH production. Rates of H2O2 production appeared to be rate-limiting for the overall generation of .OH as the addition of an external H2O2-generating system stimulated .OH production as well as prevented the decline in .OH production caused by the alkaline phosphatase treatment. These results suggest that both the FAD and FMN flavin prosthetic groups of the reductase contribute towards the reduction of various ferric chelates. However, loss of the FMN component and activities dependent on electron transfer from this prosthetic group result in a decrease in H2O2 production, which appears to be responsible for the decline in the generation of .OH-like species by microsomes after treatment with alkaline phosphatase.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Interactions between paraquat and ferric complexes in the microsomal generation of oxygen radicals.

Transition metals may play a central role in the toxicity associated with paraquat. Studies were carried out to evaluate the interaction of paraquat with several ferric complexes in the promotion of oxygen radical generation by rat liver microsomes. In the absence of added iron, paraquat produced some increase in low level chemiluminescence by microsomes; there was a synergistic increase in light emission in the presence of paraquat plus ferric-ATP or ferric-citrate, but not paraquat plus either ferric-EDTA or ferric-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (ferric-DETAPAC). Synergistic interactions could be observed at a paraquat concentration of 100 microM and a ferric-ATP concentration of 3 microM. In the absence or presence of paraquat, microsomal light emission was not affected by catalase or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), indicating no significant role for hydroxyl radicals. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) did not affect chemiluminescence in the absence of paraquat but produced some inhibition in the presence of paraquat; this inhibition by SOD was most prominent in the absence of added iron and less pronounced in the presence of ferric-ATP or ferric-citrate. Although microsomal chemiluminescence is closely associated with lipid peroxidation, paraquat did not increase malondialdehyde production as reflected by production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive components. However, lipid peroxidation was sensitive to inhibition by SOD in the presence, but not in the absence, of paraquat, analogous to results with chemiluminescence. Paraquat synergistically increased microsomal hydroxyl radical production as measured by the production of ethylene from 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyrate in the presence of ferric-EDTA or ferric-citrate. The interaction of paraquat with microsomes and ferric complexes resulted in an increase in oxygen radical generation. Various ferric complexes can increase the catalytic effectiveness of paraquat in promoting microsomal generation of oxygen radicals, although, depending on the reaction being investigated, the nature of the ferric complex is important.

Animals↗

Temperature dependence of the microsomal oxidation of ethanol by cytochrome P450 and hydroxyl radical-dependent reactions.

The temperature dependence and activation energies for the oxidation of ethanol by microsomes from controls and from rats treated with pyrazole was evaluated to determine whether the overall mechanism for ethanol oxidation by microsomes was altered by the pyrazole treatment. Arrhenius plots of the temperature dependence of ethanol oxidation by pyrazole microsomes were linear and exhibited no transition breaks, whereas a slight break was observed at about 20 +/- 2.5 degrees C with control microsomes. Energies of activation (about 15-17 kcal/mol) were identical for the two microsomal preparations. Although transition breaks were noted for the oxidation of substrates such as dimethylnitrosamine and benzphetamine, activation energies for these two substrates were similar for control microsomes and microsomes from the pyrazole-treated rats. The addition of ferric-EDTA to the microsomes increased the rate of ethanol oxidation by a hydroxyl radical (.OH)-dependent pathway. Arrhenius plots of the .OH-dependent oxidation of ethanol by both microsomal preparations were linear with energies of activation (about 7 kcal/mol) that were considerably lower than values found for the P450-dependent pathway. These results suggest that, at least in terms of activation energy, the increase in microsomal ethanol oxidation by pyrazole treatment is not associated with any apparent change in the overall mechanism or rate-limiting step for ethanol oxidation but likely reflects induction of a P450 isozyme with increased activity toward ethanol. The lower activation energy for the .OH-dependent oxidation of ethanol suggests that different steps are rate limiting for oxidation of ethanol by .OH and by P450, which may reflect the different enzyme components of the microsomal electron transfer system involved in these reactions.

Animals↗

Interaction of ferric complexes with rat liver nuclei to catalyze NADH-and NADPH-Dependent production of oxygen radicals.

The production of potent oxygen radicals by microsomal reaction systems has been well characterized. Relatively little attention has been paid to generation of oxygen radicals by liver nuclei, or to the interaction of nuclei with different ferric complexes to catalyze NADH- or NADPH-dependent production of reactive oxygen intermediates. Intact rat liver nuclei were capable of catalyzing an iron-dependent production of .OH as reflected by the oxidation of .OH scavenging agents such as 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyrate, dimethyl sulfoxide, and t-butyl alcohol. Inhibition of .OH production by catalase implicates H2O2 as the precursor of .OH generated by the nuclei, whereas superoxide dismutase had only a partially inhibitory effect. The production of .OH with either cofactor was striking increased by addition of ferric-EDTA or ferric-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) whereas ferric-ATP and ferric-citrate were not effective catalysts. All these ferric complexes were reduced by the nuclei in the presence of either NADPH or NADH. The pattern of iron chelate effectiveness in catalyzing lipid peroxidation by nuclei was opposite to that of .OH production; with either NADH or NADPH, nuclear lipid peroxidation was increased by the addition of ferric ammonium sulfate, ferric-ATP, or ferric-citrate, but not by ferric-EDTA or ferric-DTPA. NADPH-dependent nuclear lipid peroxidation was insensitive to catalase, superoxide dismutase, or .OH scavengers; the NADH-dependent reaction showed a partial sensitivity (30 to 40%) to these additions. The overall patterns of .OH production and lipid peroxidation by the nuclei are similar to those shown by microsomes, e.g., effect of ferric complexes, sensitivity to antioxidants; however, rates with the nuclei are less than 20% those of microsomes, which reflect the lower activities of NADPH- and NADH-cytochrome c reductase in the nuclei. The potential for nuclei to reduce ferric complexes and catalyze production of .OH-like species may play a role in the susceptibility of the genetic material to oxidative damage under certain conditions since such radicals would be produced site-directed and not exposed to cellular antioxidants.

Animals↗

Oxygen-concentration dependence of microsomal chemiluminescence.

The effect of varying concentrations of oxygen on NADPH-dependent microsomal chemiluminescence was determined. Light emission increased as the concentration of oxygen was elevated from 0 to 10 to 20%, and then began to decrease upon further increases in oxygen concentration to 50 and 100%. This biphasic response of chemiluminescence is similar to that previously observed for microsomal generation of hydroxyl radical, however, the light emission was not sensitive to superoxide dismutase, catalase or benzoate confirming the lack of a role for .OH in the light emission. The biphasic nature of the response of chemiluminescence is similar to that reported for exhalation of ethane and pentane but not that of malondialdehyde as a measure of lipid peroxidation, although the concentrations of O2 to reach the maximum effect differ. Activity of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase was decreased at the elevated concentrations of O2. The biphasic response of chemiluminescence to O2 appears to reflect the need for a critical amount of O2 to generate the initiating oxidizing species, and the effect of O2 on the appropriate redox state of the iron catalyst.

Animals↗

Chemiluminescence from acetaldehyde oxidation by xanthine oxidase involves generation of and interactions with hydroxyl radicals.

The ability of acetaldehyde to generate free radicals is often ascribed to its oxidation by xanthine oxidase, with the subsequent production of reactive oxygen intermediates. Chemiluminescence associated with the oxidation of acetaldehyde by xanthine oxidase was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, or several hydroxyl radical scavenging agents, and was stimulated by the addition of EDTA or ferric-EDTA. This suggests that the light emission is primarily due to the production of hydroxyl radicals via an iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss type of reaction. Chemiluminescence with hypoxanthine as substrate for xanthine oxidase was much lower than that found with acetaldehyde, yet rates of hydroxyl radical production were greater with hypoxanthine. Acetaldehyde increased light emission in the presence of hypoxanthine by a greater than additive effect. These results suggest a complex role for acetaldehyde in catalyzing xanthine oxidase-dependent chemiluminescence. It appears that besides being a substrate for xanthine oxidase, acetaldehyde also reacts with the generated hydroxyl radical to produce acetaldehyde radicals, which yield chemiluminescence upon their decay. Further studies will be required to evaluate whether the production of such species contributes to or plays a role in the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates and toxicity associated with acetaldehyde metabolism.

Acetaldehyde↗

Increased NADPH-dependent chemiluminescence by microsomes after chronic ethanol consumption.

The generation of reactive oxygen intermediates by microsomes from ethanol-fed rats and pair-fed controls was determined by assaying for NADPH-dependent chemiluminescence. In the absence or presence of added ferric complexes, microsomal light emission was elevated several-fold after chronic ethanol consumption. Iron complexes such as ferric-citrate or ferric-ATP stimulated, while ferric-EDTA, inhibited microsomal chemiluminescence. Freeze-thawing the microsomes to elevate their content of lipid hydroperoxides resulted in large increases in chemiluminescence; under all conditions, the light emission remained several-fold higher with microsomes from the ethanol-fed rats. Chemiluminescence was not sensitive to superoxide dismutase, catalase, or the hydroxyl radical scavenging agent, dimethyl sulfoxide, but was inhibited by antioxidants and by glutathione. Replacing air with a mixture of 50% nitrogen-50% air or 50% carbon monoxide-50% air had no effect on chemiluminescence by microsomes from the pair-fed controls. However, the chemiluminescent response by microsomes from the ethanol-fed rats was inhibited about 50% by the nitrogen mixture, and was further inhibited (about 75% of values found with 100% air, and 50% of values found with 50% nitrogen-50% air) with the carbon monoxide mixture. The sensitivity to carbon monoxide suggests the possibility that the alcohol-inducible cytochrome P-450 isozyme may contribute, in part, to the elevated light emission produced by microsomes from the ethanol-fed rats. The increase in chemiluminescence by microsomes after chronic ethanol consumption appears to reflect an elevated level of lipid hydroperoxides as well as an increased rate of generation of reactive oxygen species.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Comparison of the ability of ferric complexes to catalyze microsomal chemiluminescence, lipid peroxidation, and hydroxyl radical generation.

The interaction of microsomes with iron and NADPH to generate active oxygen radicals was determined by assaying for low level chemiluminescence. The ability of several ferric complexes to catalyze light emission was compared to their effect on microsomal lipid peroxidation or hydroxyl radical generation. In the absence of added iron, microsomal light emission was very low; chemiluminescence could be enhanced by several cycles of freeze-thawing of the microsomes. The addition of ferric ammonium sulfate, ferric-citrate, or ferric-ADP produced an increase in chemiluminescence, whereas ferric-EDTA or -diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (detapac) were inhibitory. The same response to these ferric complexes was found when assaying for malondialdehyde as an index of microsomal lipid peroxidation. In contrast, hydroxyl radical generation, assessed as oxidation of chemical scavengers, was significantly enhanced in the presence of ferric-EDTA and -detapac and only weakly elevated by the other ferric complexes. Ferric-desferrioxamine was essentially inert in catalyzing any of these reactions. Chemiluminescence and lipid peroxidation were not affected by superoxide dismutase, catalase, or competitive hydroxyl radical scavengers whereas hydroxyl radical production was decreased by the latter two but not by superoxide dismutase. Chemiluminescence was decreased by the antioxidants propylgallate or glutathione and by inhibiting NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase with copper, but was not inhibited by metyrapone or carbon monoxide. The similar pattern exhibited by ferric complexes on microsomal light emission and lipid peroxidation, and the same response of both processes to radical scavenging agents, suggests a close association between chemiluminescence and lipid peroxidation, whereas both processes can be readily dissociated from free hydroxyl radical generation by microsomes.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Effect of oxygen concentration on microsomal oxidation of ethanol and generation of oxygen radicals.

The iron-catalysed production of hydroxyl radicals, by rat liver microsomes (microsomal fractions), assessed by the oxidation of substrate scavengers and ethanol, displayed a biphasic response to the concentration of O2 (varied from 3 to 70%), reaching a maximal value with 20% O2. The decreased rates of hydroxyl-radical generation at lower O2 concentrations correlates with lower rates of production of H2O2, the precursor of hydroxyl radical, whereas the decreased rates at elevated O2 concentrations correlate with lower rates (relative to 20% O2) of activity of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, which reduces iron and is responsible for redox cycling of iron by the microsomes. The oxidation of aniline or aminopyrine and the cytochrome P-450/oxygen-radical-independent oxidation of ethanol also displayed a biphasic response to the concentration of O2, reaching a maximum at 20% O2, which correlates with the dithionite-reducible CO-binding spectra of cytochrome P-450. Microsomal lipid peroxidation increased as the concentration of O2 was raised from 3 to 7 to 20% O2, and then began to level off. This different pattern of malondialdehyde generation compared with hydroxyl-radical production probably reflects the lack of a role for hydroxyl radical in microsomal lipid peroxidation. These results point to the complex role for O2 in microsomal generation of oxygen radicals, which is due in part to the critical necessity for maintaining the redox state of autoxidizable components of the reaction system.

1-Butanol↗