Biomedical subjects

V Vallyathan

Publications and source records attributed to V Vallyathan.

113 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Reduction of chromium(VI) and its relationship to carcinogenesis.

Although Cr(VI)-containing compounds are well-documented carcinogens, their mechanism of action is still not well understood. Recent studies have suggested that reduction of Cr(VI) to its lower oxidation states and related free-radical reactions play an important role in carcinogenesis. This article summarizes recent studies on (1) the reduction of Cr(VI) by ascorbate, diol- and thiol-containing molecules, certain flavoenzymes, cell organelles, intact cells, and whole animals; (2) free-radical production with emphasis on hydroxy radical generation via Fenton or Haber-Weiss type reactions; and (3) free-radical-induced cellular damage, such as DNA strand breaks, hydroxylation of 2'-deoxyguanosine, and activation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mechanistically identified suitable biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility for silicosis and coal-worker's pneumoconiosis: a comprehensive review.

Clinical detection of silicosis is currently dependent on radiological and lung function abnormalities, both late manifestations of disease. Markers of prediction and early detection of pneumoconiosis are imperative for the implementation of timely intervention strategies. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the etiology of coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis was essential in proposing numerous biomarkers that have been evaluated to assess effects following exposure to crystalline silica and/or coal mine dust. Human validation studies have substantiated some of these proposed biomarkers and argued in favor of their use as biomarkers for crystalline silica- and CWP-induced pneumoconiosis. A number of "ideal" biological markers of effect were identified, namely, Clara cell protein-16 (CC16) (serum), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (monocyte release), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (monocyte release), reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement by chemiluminescence (neutrophil release), 8-isoprostanes (serum), total antioxidant levels measured by total equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), glutathione, glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione S-transferase activity, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) (serum). TNF-alpha polymorphism (blood cellular DNA) was identified as a biomarker of susceptibility. Further studies are planned to test the validity and feasibility of these biomarkers to detect either high exposure to crystalline silica and early silicosis or susceptibility to silicosis in gold miners in South Africa.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of superoxide radical in TNF-alpha induced NF-kappaB activation.

Electron spin resonable (ESR) spin trapping with 5-(diethioxyphosphoyl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DEPMPO) was utilized to investigate the generation of oxygen free radicals from macrophages stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha stimulated macrophages generated hydroxyl (*OH) and superoxide anion (O2*-) radicals. Incubation of TNF-alpha with macrophages resulted in an activation of DNA binding activity of the nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), but not catalase or sodium formate, inhibited this NF-kappaB activation, suggesting that O2*- rather than H2O2 or *OH, radicals play the most critical role in this induction. beta-Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) did not affect the NF-kappaB activation, while allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, repressed it, suggesting that xanthine/xanthine oxidase, and not NADPH dependent oxidase, may be a source of O2*- radicals which induce NF-kappaB activation. 02*- is generated via reduction of molecular oxygen by xanthine and xanthine oxidase, as demonstrated by the oxygen consumption assay. The results indicate that TNF-alpha induces oxygen radical generation from macrophages. 02*- seems to play a key role in TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation in macrophages. Xanthine and xanthine oxidase appears to be a source of O2*- radicals responsible for TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of taurine based compounds as hydroxyl radical scavengers in silica induced peroxidation.

While it is widely believed that taurine may play an important role in protecting cells against toxic injury by functioning as an antioxidant, there is a lack of evidence to support this hypothesis. In this study, electron spin resonance (ESR) was used to investigate the reaction of taurine and hypotaurine with hydroxyl radicals (.OH). The Fenton reaction (Fe(II) + H2O2-->Fe(III) + .OH + OH-) and the Cr(V)-mediated Fenton-like reaction (Cr(V) + H2O2-->Cr(VI) + .OH + OH-) were used as sources of .OH radicals. The results show that hypotaurine but not taurine effectively scavenges .OH radicals with a reaction rate constant of k = 1.6 x 10(10) M-1s-1. That is comparable with other efficient .OH radical scavengers. The effect of taurine and hypotaurine on silica-induced lipid peroxidation was evaluated using linoleic acid as a model lipid. Hypotaurine, but not taurine, caused a significant inhibition of silica-induced lipid peroxidation. The results show that hypotaurine is an excellent antioxidant and appears to have the potential for being a therapeutic agent against silica-induced lung injury.

Antioxidants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of hydroxyl radical in silica-induced NF-kappa B activation in macrophages.

Nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a multiprotein complex that regulates a variety of genes important for immunity and inflammation. The present study investigates the silica-induced activation of this transcription factor in mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 cells, the role of free radical reactions in the mechanism of the activation, and its possible inhibition. Tetrandrine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, which has been used as an antifibrotic drug to treat the lesions of silicosis and has been characterized as a hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenger, inhibited the NF-kappa B activation induced by silica, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Catalase, metal chelator, deferoxamine, and the silanol group (SiOH) blocker, poly(2-vinylpyridine-N-oxide) (PVPNO), also inhibited silica-induced NF-kappa B activation. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping measurements show that both deferoxamine and PVPNO decreased silica-mediated .OH radical generation from H2O2. It is shown that Fe(II) and not Fe(III) is able to cause NF-kappa B activation. The antioxidant, ascorbate, attenuated the NF-kappa B activation induced by silica but not by LPS. The .OH radical scavenger, sodium formate, inhibited NF-kappa B activation induced by silica but had only a minor effect on NF-kappa B activation induced by LPS. The results indicate that silica-mediated free radical generation via the Fenton or Fenton-like reaction (M(n)+ + H2O2-->M(n + 1)+ + OH- + .OH) and silanol groups on the silica surface play an important role in silica-induced NF-kappa B activation.

Alkaloids↗