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GSH Depletion (gsh + depletion)
Kinds of GSH Depletion Selected AbstractsDiabetic embryopathy: Studies using a rat embryo culture system and an animal modelCONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 3 2005Shoichi Akazawa ABSTRACT The mechanism of diabetic embryopathy was investigated using in vitro experiments in a rat embryo culture system and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic pregnant rats. The energy metabolism in embryos during early organogenesis was characterized by a high rate of glucose utilization and lactic acid production (anaerobic glycolysis). Embryos uninterruptedly underwent glycolysis. When embryos were cultured with hypoglycemic serum, such embryos showed malformations in association with a significant reduction in glycolysis. In a diabetic environment, hyperglycemia caused an increased glucose flux into embryonic cells without a down-regulation of GLUT1 and an increased metabolic overload on mitochondria, leading to an increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Activation of the hexamine pathway, subsequently occurring with increased protein carbonylation and increased lipid peroxidation, also contributed to the increased generation of ROS. Hyperglycemia also caused a myo-inositol deficiency with a competitive inhibition of ambient glucose, which might have been associated with a diminished phosphoinositide signal transduction. In the presence of low activity of the mitochondrial oxidative glucose metabolism, the ROS scavenging system in the embryo was not sufficiently developed. Diabetes further weakened the antioxidant system, especially, the enzyme for GSH synthesis, ,-GCS, thereby reducing the GSH concentration. GSH depletion also disturbed prostaglandin biosynthesis. An increased formation of ROS in a diminished GSH-dependent antioxidant system may, therefore, play an important role in the development of embryonic malformations in diabetes. [source] Glutathione deficiency intensifies ischaemia-reperfusion induced cardiac dysfunction and oxidative stressACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2001S. Leichtweis The efficacy of glutathione (GSH) in protecting ischaemia-reperfusion (I-R) induced cardiac dysfunction and myocardial oxidative stress was studied in open-chest, stunned rat heart model. Female Sprague,Dawley rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: (1) GSH-depletion, by injection of buthionine sulphoxamine (BSO, 4 mmol kg,1, i.p.) 24 h prior to I-R, (2) BSO injection (4 mmol kg,1, i.p.) in conjunction with acivicin (AT125, 0.05 mmol kg,1, i.v.) infusion 1 h prior to I-R, and (3) control (C), receiving saline treatment. Each group was further divided into I-R, with surgical occlusion of the main left coronary artery (LCA) for 30 min followed by 20 min reperfusion, and sham. Myocardial GSH content and GSH : glutathione disulphide (GSSG) ratio were decreased by ,50% (P < 0.01) in both BSO and BSO + AT125 vs. C. Ischaemia-reperfusion suppressed GSH in both left and right ventricles of C (P < 0.01) and left ventricles of BSO and BSO + AT125 (P < 0.05). Contractility (+dP/dt and ,dP/dt) in C heart decreased 55% (P < 0.01) after I and recovered 90% after I-R, whereas ±dP/dt in BSO decreased 57% (P < 0.01) with ischaemia and recovered 76 and 84% (P < 0.05), respectively, after I-R. For BSO + AT125, ±dP/dt were 64 and 76% (P < 0.01) lower after ischaemia, and recovered only 67 and 61% (P < 0.01) after I-R. Left ventricular systolic pressure in C, BSO and BSO + AT125 reached 95 (P > 0.05) 87 and 82% (P < 0.05) of their respective sham values after I-R. Rate-pressure double product was 11% (P > 0.05) and 25% (P < 0.05) lower in BSO and BSO + AT125, compared with Saline, respectively. BSO and BSO + AT125 rats demonstrated significantly lower liver GSH and heart Mn superoxide dismutase activity than C rats after I-R. These data indicate that GSH depletion by inhibition of its synthesis and transport can exacerbate cardiac dysfunction inflicted by in vivo I-R. Part of the aetiology may involve impaired myocardial antioxidant defenses and whole-body GSH homeostasis. [source] Misregulation of gene expression in the redox-sensitive NF-,b-dependent limb outgrowth pathway by thalidomideDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2002Jason M. Hansen Abstract Thalidomide is known to induce oxidative stress, but mechanisms have not been described through which oxidative stress could contribute to thalidomide-induced terata. Oxidative stress modulates intracellular glutathione (GSH) and redox status and can perturb redox-sensitive processes, such as transcription factor activation and/or binding. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-,B), a redox-sensitive transcription factor involved in limb outgrowth, may be modulated by thalidomide-induced redox shifts. Thalidomide-resistant Sprague-Dawley rat embryos (gestation day [GD] 13) treated with thalidomide in utero showed no changes in GSH distribution in the limb but thalidomide-sensitive New Zealand White rabbit embryos (GD 12) showed selective GSH depletion in the limb bud progress zone (PZ). NF-,B and regulatory genes that initiate and maintain limb outgrowth and development, such as Twist and Fgf-10, are selectively expressed in the PZ. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter vectors containing NF-,B binding promoter sites were transfected into both rat and rabbit limb bud cells (LBCs). Treatment with thalidomide caused a preferential decrease in GFP expression in rabbit LBCs but not in rat LBCs. N-acetylcysteine and ,-N-t-phenylbutyl nitrone (PBN), a free radical trapping agent, rescued GFP expression in thalidomide-treated cultures compared with cultures that received thalidomide only. In situ hybridization showed a preferential decrease in Twist, Fgf-8, and Fgf-10 expression after thalidomide treatment (400 mg/kg per day) in rabbit embryos. Expression in rat embryos was not affected. Intravenous cotreatment with PBN and thalidomide (gavage) in rabbits restored normal patterns and localization of Twist, Fgf-8, and Fgf-10 expression. These findings show that NF-,B binding is diminished due to selective thalidomide-induced redox changes in the rabbit, resulting in the significant attenuation of expression of genes necessary for limb outgrowth. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Oxidative stress on EAAC1 is involved in MPTP-induced glutathione depletion and motor dysfunctionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2008Koji Aoyama Abstract Excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) is a glutamate transporter expressed on mature neurons in the CNS, and is the primary route for uptake of the neuronal cysteine needed to produce glutathione (GSH). Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder pathogenically related to oxidative stress and shows GSH depletion in the substantia nigra (SN). Herein, we report that 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice, an experimental model of PD, showed reduced motor activity, reduced GSH contents, EAAC1 translocation to the membrane and increased levels of nitrated EAAC1. These changes were reversed by pre-administration of n-acetylcysteine (NAC), a membrane-permeable cysteine precursor. Pretreatment with 7-nitroindazole, a specific neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, also prevented both GSH depletion and nitrotyrosine formation induced by MPTP. Pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide, l -aspartic acid ,-hydroxamate or 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium reduced the subsequent cysteine increase in midbrain slice cultures. Studies with chloromethylfluorescein diacetate, a GSH marker, demonstrated dopaminergic neurons in the SN to have increased GSH levels after NAC treatment. These findings suggest that oxidative stress induced by MPTP may reduce neuronal cysteine uptake, via EAAC1 dysfunction, leading to impaired GSH synthesis, and that NAC would exert a protective effect against MPTP neurotoxicity by maintaining GSH levels in dopaminergic neurons. [source] Azidothymidine causes functional and structural destruction of mitochondria, glutathione deficiency and HIV-1 promoter sensitizationFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 11 2002Tokio Yamaguchi Mitochondrial functional and structural impairment and generation of oxidative stress have been implicated in aging, various diseases and chemotherapies. This study analyzed azidothymidine (AZT)-caused failures in mitochondrial functions, in redox regulation and activation of the HIV-1 gene expression. We monitored intracellular concentrations of ATP and glutathione (GSH) as the indicators of energy production and redox conditions, respectively, during the time-course experiments with U937 and MOLT4 human lymphoid cells in the presence of AZT (0.05 mg·mL,1) or H2O2 (0.01 mm) for 15,25 days. Mitochondrial DNA integrity and NF-,B-driven HIV-1 promoter activity were also assessed. ATP concentration began to decrease within several days after exposure to AZT or H2O2, and the decrease continued to reach 30,40% of the normal level. However, decline of GSH was detectable after a retention period for at least 5,6 days, and progressed likewise. PCR analyses found that mitochondrial DNA destruction occurred when the ATP and GSH depletion had progressed, detecting a difference in the deletion pattern between AZT and H2O2 -treated cells. The GSH decrease coincided with HIV-1 promoter sensitization detected by enhanced DNA binding ability of NF-,B and induction of the gene expression upon H2O2 -rechallenge. Our results suggest that, in the process of AIDS myopathy development, AZT or oxidative agents directly impair the energy-producing system of mitochondria, causing dysfunction of cellular redox control, which eventually leads to loss of the mitochondrial DNA integrity. The mechanism of cellular redox condition-mediated NF-,B activation is discussed. [source] Neutrophil depletion protects against murine acetaminophen hepatotoxicity,,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2006Zhang-Xu Liu We previously reported that liver natural killer (NK) and NKT cells play a critical role in mouse model of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury by producing interferon gamma (IFN-,) and modulating chemokine production and subsequent recruitment of neutrophils into the liver. In this report, we examined the role of neutrophils in the progression of APAP hepatotoxicity. C57BL/6 mice were given an intraperitoneal toxic dose of APAP (500 mg/kg), which caused severe acute liver injury characterized by significant elevation of serum ALT, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, and increased hepatic inflammatory cell accumulation. Flow cytometric analysis of isolated hepatic leukocytes demonstrated that the major fraction of increased hepatic leukocytes at 6 and 24 hours after APAP was neutrophils (Mac-1+Gr-1+). Depletion of neutrophils by in vivo treatment with anti-Gr-1 antibody (RB6-8C5) significantly protected mice against APAP-induced liver injury, as evidenced by markedly reduced serum ALT levels, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, and improved mouse survival. The protection was associated with decreased FasL-expressing cells, cytotoxicity against hepatocytes, and respiratory burst in hepatic leukocytes. In intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1,deficient mice, APAP caused markedly reduced liver injury when compared with wild-type mice. The marked protection in ICAM-1,deficient mice was associated with decreased accumulation of neutrophils in the liver. Hepatic GSH depletion and APAP-adducts showed no differences among the antibody-treated, ICAM-1,deficient, and normal mice. In conclusion, accumulated neutrophils in the liver contribute to the progression and severity of APAP-induced liver injury. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;43:1220,1230.) [source] Influence of subacute treatment of some plant growth regulators on serum marker enzymes and erythrocyte and tissue antioxidant defense and lipid peroxidation in ratsJOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Ismail Celik Abstract This study aims to investigate the effects of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-dichlorofenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)) on serum marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)), antioxidant defense systems (reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT)), and lipid peroxidation content (malondialdehyde = MDA) in various tissues of rats. 50 and 100 ppm of PGRs as drinking water were administered orally to rats (Sprague,Dawley albino) ad libitum for 25 days continuously. The PGRs treatment caused different effects on the serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems, and the MDA content in experimented rats compared to controls. Results showed that TIBA caused a significant decrease in serum AST activity with both the dosage whereas serum CPK was significantly increased with 100 ppm dosage of TIBA. Meanwhile, serum AST, CPK, and LDH activities were significantly increased with both dosage of NAA and 2,4-D. The lipid peroxidation end-product MDA significantly increased in the all tissues treated with both dosages of PGRs without any change in the brain and erythrocyte of rats treated with both the dosages of 2,4-D. The GSH depletion in the kidney and brain tissues of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs was found to be significant. Furthermore, the GSH depletion in the erythrocyte of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs except 50 ppm dosage of 2,4-D was significant too. Also, the GSH level in the liver was significantly depleted with 50 ppm of 2,4-D and NAA, whereas the GSH depletion in the same tissue did not significantly change with the treatment. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was also seriously affected by PGRs; SOD significantly decreased in the liver, heart, kidney, and brain of rats treated with both dosages of NAA, whereas the SOD activity in the erythrocytes, liver, and heart was either significantly decreased or not changed with two doses of 2,4-D and TIBA. Although the CAT activity significantly increased in the erythrocyte and brain of rats treated with both doses of PGRs, it was not changed in the liver, heart, and kidney. Meanwhile, the ancillary enzyme GR activity significantly increased in the brain, heart, and liver but decreased in the erythrocyte and kidney of rats treated with both doses of PGRs. The drug-metabolizing enzyme GST activity significantly increased in the heart and kidney but decreased in the brain and erythrocytes of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs. As a conclusion, the results indicate that PGRs might affect antioxidant potential enzymes, the activity of hepatic damage enzymes, and lipid peroxidation dose independently. Also, the rats resisted to oxidative stress via antioxidant mechanism but the antioxidant mechanism could not prevent the increases in lipid peroxidation in rat's tissues. These data, along with the determined changes, suggest that PGRs produced substantial systemic organ toxicity in the erythrocyte, liver, brain, heart, and kidney during the period of a 25-day subacute exposure. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 20:174,182, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20134 [source] Butterfat fatty acids differentially regulate growth and differentiation in Jurkat T-cellsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2005Paolo Bergamo Abstract Synthetic Conjugated Linoleic Acid mixture (CLA; c9,t11; t10,c12-18:2) has been previously shown to inhibit growth, and enhance apoptosis and IL-2 mRNA synthesis in human lymphoblastic Jurkat T-cells. In this study, two different butterfat types were evaluated and compared for their effects on Jurkat cell viability, oxidative stress, pro-apoptotic activity, and cytokine synthesis: the conventionally produced butterfat (CBF), and organic butterfat (OBF) containing significantly higher amounts of c9,t11 (Rumenic Acid, RA), trans-vaccenic acid (VA; t11-18:1), ,-linolenic acid (ALA), and lower levels of linoleic acid (LA). Results from cell treatment with both butterfat mixtures showed comparable oxidative stress (superoxide production, intracellular GSH depletion,and lipid peroxides yield), NADPH oxidase activation, cytotoxicity (LDH release), and IL-2 transcript level, whereas the effects of enhanced growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic activities were associated with OBF treatment. To then investigate each butterfat-induced effect caused by RA, VA, LA, and ALA, cells were exposed to synthetic FA concentrations similar to those from the different butterfats. Higher oxidative stress (superoxide production, intracellular GSH depletion) was induced by ,-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic (LA) incubation (P,<,0.01) and superoxide production was suppressed by specific PKC, inhibitor (Gö 6976) and linked to increased toxicity and IL-2 synthesis inhibition. By contrast, cell treatment with RA increased apoptosis and IL-2 synthesis. These results suggest that a supply of ALA and LA is responsible for BF-induced oxidative stress via PKC,-NADPH oxidase pathway, and that enhanced antiproliferative effects in OBF treated cells is essentially determined by RA-induced pro-apoptotic activity. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A novel approach to enhancing cellular glutathione levelsJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2008Pamela Maher Abstract GSH and GSH-associated metabolism provide the major line of defense for the protection of cells from oxidative and other forms of toxic stress. Of the three amino acids that comprise GSH, cysteine is limiting for GSH synthesis. As extracellularly cysteine is readily oxidized to form cystine, cystine transport mechanisms are essential to provide cells with cysteine. Cystine uptake is mediated by system xc,, a Na+ -independent cystine/glutamate antiporter. Inhibition of system xc, by millimolar concentrations of glutamate, a pathway termed oxidative glutamate toxicity, results in GSH depletion and nerve cell death. Recently, we described a series of compounds derived from the conjugation of epicatechin (EC) with cysteine and cysteine derivatives that protected nerve cells in culture from oxidative glutamate toxicity by maintaining GSH levels. In this study, we characterize an additional EC conjugate, cysteamine-EC, that is 5- to 10-fold more potent than the earlier conjugates. In addition, we show that these EC conjugates maintain GSH levels by enhancing the uptake of cystine into cells through induction of a disulfide exchange reaction, thereby uncoupling the uptake from system xc,. Thus, these novel EC conjugates have the potential to enhance GSH synthesis under a wide variety of forms of toxic stress. [source] A role for glutamate in growth and invasion of primary brain tumorsJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2008Harald Sontheimer Abstract The vast majority of primary brain tumors derive from glial cells and are collectively called gliomas. While, they share some genetic mutations with other cancers, they do present with a unique biology and have developed adaptations to meet specific biological needs. Notably, glioma growth is physically restricted by the skull, and, unless normal brain cells are destroyed, tumors cannot expand. To overcome this challenge, glioma cells release glutamate which causes excitotoxic death to surrounding neurons, thereby vacating room for tumor expansion. The released glutamate also explains peritumoral seizures which are a common symptom early in the disease. Glutamate release occurs via system Xc, a cystine,glutamate exchanger that releases glutamate in exchange for cystine being imported for the synthesis of the cellular antioxidant GSH. It protects tumor cells from endogenously produced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species but also endows tumors with an enhanced resistance to radiation- and chemotherapy. Pre-clinical data demonstrates that pharmacological inhibition of system Xc causes GSH depletion which slows tumor growth and curtails tumor invasion in vivo. An Food and Drug Administration approved drug candidate is currently being introduced into clinical trials for the treatment of malignant glioma. [source] Nordihydroguaiaretic acid induces astroglial death via glutathione depletionJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 14 2007Joo-Young Im Abstract Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is known to cause cell death in certain cell types that is independent of its activity as a lipoxygenase inhibitor; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the cellular responses of cultured primary astroglia to NDGA treatment. Continuous treatment of primary astroglia with 30 ,M NDGA caused >85% cell death within 24 hr. Cotreatment with the lipoxygenase products 5-HETE, 12-HETE, and 15-HETE did not override the cytotoxic effects of NDGA. In assays employing the mitochondrial membrane potential-sensitive dye JC-1, NDGA was found to induce a rapid and almost complete loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. However, the mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitors cyclosporin A and bongkrekic acid did not block NDGA-induced astroglial death. We found that treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), glutathione (GSH), and GSH ethyl ester (GSH-EE) did inhibit NDGA-induced astroglial death. Consistently, NDGA-induced astroglial death proceeded in parallel with intracellular GSH depletion. Pretreatment with GSH-EE and NAC did not block NDGA-induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and there was no evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was involved in NDGA-induced astroglial death. Together, these results suggest that NDGA-induced astroglial death occurs via a mechanism that involves GSH depletion independent of lipoxygenase activity inhibition and ROS stress. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cadmium-induced astroglial death proceeds via glutathione depletionJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2006Joo-Young Im Abstract Cadmium is a heavy metal that accumulates in the body, and its accumulation in the brain damages both neurons and glial cells. In the current study, we explored the mechanism underlying cadmium toxicity in primary cortical astroglia cultures. Chronic treatment with 10 ,M cadmium was sufficient to cause 90% cell death in 18 hr. However, unlike that observed in neurons, cadmium-induced astroglial toxicity was not attenuated by the antioxidants trolox (100 ,M), caffeic acid (1 mM), and vitamin C (1 mM). In contrast, extracellular 100 ,M glutathione (GSH; ,-Glu-Cys-Gly) or 100 ,M cysteine almost completely blocked cadmium-induced astroglial death, whereas 300 ,M oxidized GSH (GSSG) or 300 ,M cystine, which do not have the free thiol group, were ineffective. In addition, cadmium toxicity was noticeably inhibited or enhanced when intracellular GSH was, respectively, increased by using the cell-permeable glutathione ethyl ester (GSH-EE) or depleted by using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of ,-glutamylcysteine synthetase. In agreement with these data, intracellular GSH levels were found to be depressed in cadmium-treated astrocytes. These results suggest that the toxic effect of cadmium on primary astroglial cells involves GSH depletion and, furthermore, that GSH administration can potentially be used to counteract cadmium-induced astroglial cell death therapeutically. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Melatonin attenuates ifosfamide-induced Fanconi syndrome in ratsJOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004Goksel Sener Abstract:, Regarding the mechanisms of ifosfamide (IFO)-induced nephrotoxicity and hemorrhagic cystitis, several hypotheses have been put forward, among which oxidative stress and depletion of glutathione (GSH) are suggested. This investigation elucidates the role of free radicals in IFO-induced toxicity and the protection by melatonin. Wistar albino rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline (0.9% NaCl; control-C group), melatonin (Mel group; 10 mg/kg daily for 5 days) or ifosfamide (50 mg/kg daily for 5 days; IFO group) or IFO + Mel. On the 5th day (120 hr) after the first IFO dose, animals were killed by decapitation and trunk blood was collected. Kidney and bladder tissues were obtained for biochemical and histological analysis. Urine was collected 24 hr before the rats were killed. The results demonstrated that IFO induced a Fanconi syndrome (FS) characterized by wasting of sodium, phosphate, and glucose, along with increased serum creatinine and urea. Melatonin markedly ameliorated the severity of renal dysfunction induced by IFO with a significant decrease in urinary sodium, phosphate, and glucose and increased creatinine excretion. Moreover, melatonin significantly improved the IFO-induced GSH depletion, malondialdehayde accumulation and neutrophil infiltration in both renal and bladder tissues. In the kidney, Na+,K+ -ATPase activity which was significantly reduced by IFO, was increased with melatonin treatment. Increased collagen contents of the kidney and bladder tissues by IFO treatment were reversed back to the control levels with melatonin. Our results suggest that IFO causes oxidative damage in renal and bladder tissues and melatonin, via its antioxidant effects, protects these tissues. These data suggest that melatonin may be of therapeutic use in preventing acquired FS due to IFO toxicity. [source] Effect of Chronic Ethanol Ingestion on Alveolar Type II Cell: Glutathione and Inflammatory Mediator-Induced ApoptosisALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2001Lou Ann S. Brown Background : In septic patients, chronic alcohol abuse increases the incidence of the acute respiratory distress syndrome, a syndrome that requires alveolar type II cell proliferation and differentiation for repair of the damaged alveolar epithelium. We previously showed in a rat model that chronic ethanol ingestion decreased the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in type II cells and exacerbated endotoxin-mediated acute lung injury. We hypothesized that this GSH depletion by ethanol, particularly mitochondrial GSH, predisposed type II cells to inflammatory mediator-induced apoptosis. Methods: Adult male rats were fed the Lieber-DeCarli diet for 2, 6, or 16 weeks. Alveolar type II cells were then isolated and treated with hydrogen peroxide or TNF-,. The effect on glutathione (cytosolic and mitochondrial), apoptotic events, and necrosis were determined. In other studies, rats were fed ethanol for 6 weeks and were treated with endotoxin and apoptosis of type II cells determined by the TUNEL method. Results: Chronic ethanol ingestion alone resulted in a progressive decrease in mitochondrial GSH and a progressive increase in the basal apoptosis and necrosis rate (p, 0.05). Furthermore, there was a progressive increase in the sensitivity of the cells to H2O2 or TNF-, induced cytochrome c release, caspase 3 activation, apoptosis, and necrosis (p, 0.05). Finally, there was a 2-fold increase in apoptotic type II cells in vivo when chronic ethanol ingestion was superimposed on endotoxemia. Conclusions: These results suggested that chronic ethanol ingestion resulted in a progressive depletion of mitochondrial GSH and sensitization of type II cells to inflammatory mediator-induced apoptosis and necrosis. These effects may be particularly relevant during acute stress when proliferation and differentiation of these cells are critical to repair of the damaged alveolar epithelium and may have important ramifications for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with a history of alcohol abuse. [source] S -Allyl cysteine, S -ethyl cysteine and S -propyl cysteine alleviate oxidative stress-induced damage within PC12 cellsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 14 2008Chiu-mei Chen Abstract BACKGROUND: The PC12 cell line is a suitable model for the investigation of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, PC12 cells were used to examine in vitro antioxidative and antiapoptotic protection by S -allyl cysteine (SAC), S -ethyl cysteine (SEC) and S -propyl cysteine (SPC). PC12 cells were treated with these agents at 5 and 10 µmol L,1 before exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). RESULTS: H2O2 treatment significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell viability and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and DNA fragmentation (P < 0.05). The pre-treatments with SAC, SEC and SPC significantly and concentration-dependently elevated cell viability and MMP and lowered LDH release and DNA fragmentation (P < 0.05). H2O2 treatment also significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) and decreased glutathione (GSH) content (P < 0.05). The pre-treatments with SAC, SEC and SPC significantly decreased subsequent H2O2 -induced formation of MDA, ROS and GSSG (P < 0.05) and also alleviated H2O2 -induced GSH depletion (P < 0.05). Finally, H2O2 treatment significantly decreased Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity and elevated caspase-3 activity (P < 0.05). The pre-treatments with SAC, SEC and SPC significantly attenuated H2O2 -induced Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity reduction and caspase-3 activity elevation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results obtained support that the three cysteine-containing compounds studied are potent neuroprotective agents. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Azathioprine hepatotoxicity and the protective effect of liquorice and glycyrrhizic acidPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2006Yue-Ting Wu Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the responses of human hepatocytes to azathioprine hepatotoxicity in comparison with the well-studied azathioprine hepatotoxicity in rat hepatocytes and the effects of protective agents to suppress azathioprine hepatotoxicity. Azathioprine presented its hepatotoxicity at clinically relevant concentrations (lower than 10 µm) in primary rat hepatocytes after 48 h of treatment as shown by a severe decrease in cell viability as well as intracellular GSH depletion. However, primary human hepatocytes exhibited only significant intracellular GSH depletion after treatment with azathioprine at these clinically relevant concentrations, while a reduction in cell viability by 29% was only evidenced after 48 h of treatment with azathioprine at the high concentration of 50 µm. In addition, a monolayer culture of primary rat hepatocytes was used as an in vitro model to examine the protective effects of antihepatotoxic drugs including glutathione (GSH), N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a GSH precursor), liquorice and glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a major bioactive component of liquorice, against hepatotoxicity of 1 µm azathioprine. It was found that both liquorice and GA showed substantial protection according to assays of cell viability and intracellular GSH, while neither GSH nor NAC had such a protective function. Similarly, GA protected human hepatocytes from intracellular GSH depletion on exposure to 1 µm azathioprine. These results implied that GA or liquorice could be considered as potent protection agents against azathioprine hepatotoxicity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Determination of cellular redox status by stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of glutathione and glutathione disulfideRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 4 2008Peijuan Zhu Oxidation of glutathione (GSH) to glutathione disulfide (GSSG) occurs during cellular oxidative stress. The redox potential of the 2GSH/GSSG couple, which is determined by the Nernst equation, provides a means to assess cellular redox status. It is difficult to accurately quantify GSH and GSSG due to the ease with which GSH is oxidized to GSSG during sample preparation. To overcome this problem, a stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC/MRM-MS) method has been developed using 4-fluoro-7-sulfamoylbenzofurazan (ABD-F) derivatization. ABD-F derivatization of the GSH thiol group was rapid, quantitative, and occurred at room temperature. The LC/MRM-MS method, which requires no sample clean-up, was validated within the calibration ranges of 5 to 400,nmol/mL in cell lysates for GSH and 0.5 to 40,nmol/mL in cell lysates for GSSG. Calibration curves prepared by adding known concentrations of GSH and GSSG to cell lysates were parallel to the standard curve prepared in buffers. GSH and GSSG concentrations were determined in two monocyte/macrophage RAW 267.4 cell lines with or without 15-LOX-1 expression (R15LO and RMock cells, respectively) after treatment with the bifunctional electrophile 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal (ONE). R15LO cells synthesized much higher concentrations of the lipid hydroperoxide, 15(S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE), which undergoes homolytic decomposition to ONE. GSH was depleted by ONE treatment in both RMock and R15LO cells, leading to significant increases in their redox potentials. However, R15LO cells had higher GSH concentrations (most likely through increased GSH biosynthesis) and had increased resistance to ONE-mediated GSH depletion than RMock cells. Consequently, R15LO cells had lower reduction potentials at all concentrations of ONE. GSSG concentrations were higher in R15LO cells after ONE treatment when compared with the ONE-treated RMock cells. This suggests that increased expression of 15(S)-HPETE modulates the activity of cellular GSH reductases or the transporters involved in removal of GSSG. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Enhancing Intrinsic Cochlear Stress Defenses to Reduce Noise-Induced Hearing Loss,,§THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2002Richard D. Kopke COL MC USA Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis Oxidative stress plays a substantial role in the genesis of noise-induced cochlear injury that causes permanent hearing loss. We present the results of three different approaches to enhance intrinsic cochlear defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. This article explores, through the following set of hypotheses, some of the postulated causes of noise-induced cochlear oxidative stress (NICOS) and how noise-induced cochlear damage may be reduced pharmacologically. 1) NICOS is in part related to defects in mitochondrial bioenergetics and biogenesis. Therefore, NICOS can be reduced by acetyl-L carnitine (ALCAR), an endogenous mitochondrial membrane compound that helps maintain mitochondrial bioenergetics and biogenesis in the face of oxidative stress. 2) A contributing factor in NICOS injury is glutamate excitotoxicity, which can be reduced by antagonizing the action of cochlear N -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors using carbamathione, which acts as a glutamate antagonist. 3) Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) may be characterized as a cochlear-reduced glutathione (GSH) deficiency state; therefore, strategies to enhance cochlear GSH levels may reduce noise-induced cochlear injury. The objective of this study was to document the reduction in noise-induced hearing and hair cell loss, following application of ALCAR, carbamathione, and a GSH repletion drug D-methionine (MET), to a model of noise-induced hearing loss. Study Design This was a prospective, blinded observer study using the above-listed agents as modulators of the noise-induced cochlear injury response in the species chinchilla laniger. Methods Adult chinchilla laniger had baseline-hearing thresholds determined by auditory brainstem response (ABR) recording. The animals then received injections of saline or saline plus active experimental compound starting before and continuing after a 6-hour 105 dB SPL continuous 4-kHz octave band noise exposure. ABRs were obtained immediately after noise exposure and weekly for 3 weeks. After euthanization, cochlear hair cell counts were obtained and analyzed. Results ALCAR administration reduced noise-induced threshold shifts. Three weeks after noise exposure, no threshold shift at 2 to 4 kHz and <10 dB threshold shifts were seen at 6 to 8 kHz in ALCAR-treated animals compared with 30 to 35 dB in control animals. ALCAR treatment reduced both inner and outer hair cell loss. OHC loss averaged <10% for the 4- to 10-kHz region in ALCAR-treated animals and 60% in saline-injected-noise-exposed control animals. Noise-induced threshold shifts were also reduced in carbamathione-treated animals. At 3 weeks, threshold shifts averaged 15 dB or less at all frequencies in treated animals and 30 to 35 dB in control animals. Averaged OHC losses were 30% to 40% in carbamathione-treated animals and 60% in control animals. IHC losses were 5% in the 4- to 10-kHz region in treated animals and 10% to 20% in control animals. MET administration reduced noise-induced threshold shifts. ANOVA revealed a significant difference (P <.001). Mean OHC and IHC losses were also significantly reduced (P <.001). Conclusions These data lend further support to the growing body of evidence that oxidative stress, generated in part by glutamate excitotoxicity, impaired mitochondrial function and GSH depletion causes cochlear injury induced by noise. Enhancing the cellular oxidative stress defense pathways in the cochlea eliminates noise-induced cochlear injury. The data also suggest strategies for therapeutic intervention to reduce NIHL clinically. [source] Neuroprotective effects of zonisamide target astrocyteANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2010Masato Asanuma MD Objective Recent double-blind, controlled trials in Japan showed that the antiepileptic agent zonisamide (ZNS) improves the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Glutathione (GSH) exerts antioxidative activity through quenching reactive oxygen species and dopamine quinone. GSH depletion within dopaminergic neurons impairs mitochondrial complex I activity, followed by age-dependent nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. This study examined changes in GSH and GSH synthesis-related molecules, and the neuroprotective effects of ZNS on dopaminergic neurodegeneration using 6-hydroxydopamine,injected hemiparkinsonian mice brain and cultured neurons or astrocytes. Methods and Results ZNS increased both the cell number and GSH levels in astroglial C6 cells, but not in dopaminergic neuronal CATH.a cells. Repeated injections of ZNS (30mg/kg intraperitoneally) for 14 days also significantly increased GSH levels and S100,-positive astrocytes in mouse basal ganglia. Repeated ZNS injections (30mg/kg) for 7 days in the hemiparkinsonian mice increased the expression of cystine/glutamate exchange transporter xCT in activated astrocytes, which supply cysteine to neurons for GSH synthesis. Treatment of these mice with ZNS also increased GSH levels and completely suppressed striatal levodopa,induced quinone formation. Reduction of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in the lesioned side of hemiparkinsonian mice was significantly abrogated by repeated injections of ZNS with or without adjunctive levodopa starting 3 weeks after 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning. Interpretation These results provide new pharmacological evidence for the effects of ZNS. ZNS markedly increased GSH levels by enhancing the astroglial cystine transport system and/or astroglial proliferation via S100, production or secretion. ZNS acts as a neuroprotectant against oxidative stress and progressive dopaminergic neurodegeneration. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:239,249 [source] Redox regulation of ascorbic acid transport: Role of transporter and intracellular sulfhydrylsBIOFACTORS, Issue 4 2004James M. May Abstract Ascorbic acid is one of the most sensitive cellular defenses against oxidant damage. However, it requires a sodium- and energy-dependent transporter to enter cells against a concentration gradient. To test the hypothesis that ascorbate transport is sensitive to redox stress, we studied changes in transport of the vitamin in response to sulfhydryl modification of the protein and to GSH depletion in cultured endothelial cells. Transport of ascorbic acid, measured as the uptake of radiolabeled ascorbate, was inhibited by the membrane-impermeant sulfhydryl reagents thorin, p -chloromercuribenzene sulfonic acid, and 5,5,-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) in a dose-dependent manner without significant depletion of intracellular GSH. Sulfhydryl reagents capable of penetrating the plasma membrane, including phenylarsine oxide, p -chloromercuribenzoic acid, and N-ethylmaleimide, inhibited transport and lowered cellular GSH. Diamide, which induces disulfide formation, increased ascorbate transport over a narrow concentration range under conditions in which GSH was not depleted. On the other hand, specific depletion of intracellular GSH by several different mechanisms did inhibit transport. Together, these results suggest that the ascorbate transporter is sensitive to redox modulation. This relates in part to sulfhydryl groups exposed on the exofacial ascorbate transporter, and to sulfhydryl groups that are sensitive to changes in the redox state of intracellular GSH. [source] |