Species Generation (species + generation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Species Generation

  • oxygen species generation
  • reactive oxygen species generation


  • Selected Abstracts


    Development of a new hybrid technique for rapid speciation analysis by directly interfacing a microfluidic chip-based capillary electrophoresis system to atomic fluorescence spectrometry

    ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 11 2005
    Feng Li
    Abstract This paper represents the first study on direct interfacing of microfluidic chip-based capillary electrophoresis (chip-CE) to a sensitive and selective detector, atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) for rapid speciation analysis. A volatile species generation technique was employed to convert the analytes from the chip-CE effluent into their respective volatile species. To facilitate the chip-CE effluent delivery and to provide the necessary medium for subsequent volatile species generation, diluted HCl solution was introduced on the chip as the makeup solution. The chip-CE-AFS interface was constructed on the basis of a concentric "tube-in-tube" design for introducing a KBH4 solution around the chip effluent as sheath flow and reductant for volatile species generation as well. The generated volatile species resulting from the reaction of the chip-CE effluent and the sheath flow were separated from the reaction mixture in a gas-liquid separator and swept into the AFS atomizer by an argon flow for AFS determination. Inorganic mercury (Hg(II)) and methylmercury (MeHg(I)) were chosen as the targets to demonstrate the performance of the present technique. Both mercury species were separated as their cysteine complexes within 64 s. The precision (relative standard deviation, RSD, n = 5) of migration time, peak area, and peak height for 2 mg·L,1 Hg(II) and 4 mg·L,1 MeHg(I) (as Hg) ranged from 0.7 to 0.9%, 2.1 to 2.9%, and 1.5 to 1.8%, respectively. The detection limit was 53 and 161 µg·L,1 (as Hg) for Hg(II) and MeHg(I), respectively. The recoveries of the spikes of mercury species in four locally collected water samples ranged from 92 to 108%. [source]


    Glycogen synthase kinase 3, and ,-catenin pathway is involved in toll-like receptor 4-mediated NADPH oxidase 1 expression in macrophages

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 13 2010
    Jin-Sik Kim
    Macrophage activation contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In the vascular system, the major source of reactive oxygen species is the NADPH oxidase (Nox) family. Nox1 is induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in macrophages, but the expression mechanism is not fully understood. We found that LPS causes ,-catenin accumulation by glycogen synthase kinase 3, (GSK3,) inactivation, and that ,-catenin accumulation increases Nox1 expression. LPS induced Nox1 mRNA expression and reactive oxygen species generation in Raw264.7 cells. Using bone marrow-derived macrophages from toll-like receptor 4 mutant mice, we also tested whether LPS-induced Nox1 expression is toll-like receptor 4 dependent. LPS caused GSK3, phosphorylation, induced ,-catenin accumulation and increased nuclear translocation. The GSK3, inhibitor LiCl potentiated LPS-induced Nox1 expression in accordance with ,-catenin accumulation and nuclear translocation. Conversely, ectopic expression of a constitutively active GSK3, mutant severely attenuated Nox1 expression. These findings identify a novel regulatory pathway controlling Nox1 expression by LPS-stimulated macrophages. [source]


    Betulinic acid-mediated inhibitory effect on hepatitis B virus by suppression of manganese superoxide dismutase expression

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 9 2009
    Dachun Yao
    The betulinic acid (BetA) purified from Pulsatilla chinensis (PC) has been found to have selective inhibitory effects on hepatitis B virus (HBV). In hepatocytes from HBV-transgenic mice, we showed that BetA substantially inhibited HBV replication by downregulation of manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) expression, with subsequent reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Also, the HBV X protein (HBx) is suppressed and translocated into the mitochondria followed by cytochrome c release. Further investigation revealed that SOD2 expression was suppressed by BetA-induced cAMP-response element-binding protein dephosphorylation at Ser133, which subsequently prevented SOD2 transcription through the cAMP-response element-binding protein-binding motif on the SOD2 promoter. SOD2 overexpression abolished the inhibitory effect of BetA on HBV replication, whereas SOD2 knockdown mimicked this effect, indicating that BetA-mediated HBV clearance was due to modulation of the mitochondrial redox balance. This observation was further confirmed in HBV-transgenic mice, where both BetA and PC crude extracts suppressed SOD2 expression, with enhanced reactive oxygen species generation in liver tissues followed by substantial HBV clearance. We conclude that BetA from PC could be a good candidate for anti-HBV drug development. [source]


    Reactive oxygen species generation by human spermatozoa: a continuing enigma

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 4 2002
    R. John Aitken
    First page of article [source]


    Genistein selectively potentiates arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis in human leukemia cells via reactive oxygen species generation and activation of reactive oxygen species-inducible protein kinases (p38-MAPK, AMPK)

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 5 2008
    Yolanda Sánchez
    Abstract The observation that genistein may behave as a pro-oxidant agent lead us to examine the capacity of this isoflavone to modulate the toxicity of the oxidation-sensitive anti-leukemic agent arsenic trioxide (ATO), and for comparison other anti-tumor drugs. Co-treatment with genistein increased ATO-provoked apoptosis and activated apoptosis regulatory events (Bcl-XL down-regulation, cytochrome c and Omi/HtrA2 release from mitochondria, XIAP decrease and caspase-8/Bid and caspase-3 activation) in U937 promonocytes and other human leukemia cell lines (HL60, THP-1, Jurkat, RPMI-8866), but not in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated non-tumor peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Genistein, alone and with ATO, stimulated reactive oxygen species generation, and apoptosis was attenuated by N -acetyl- L -cysteine and butylated hydroxyanisole. Addition of low H2O2 concentrations mimicked the capacity of genistein to increase ATO-provoked apoptosis in leukemia cells, but not in PBLs. By contrast, co-treatment with genistein or H2O2 failed to potentiate the toxicity of DNA-targeting agent cisplatin, the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor MS-275. Within the here used time-period (14 hr) genistein, alone or with ATO, did not significantly affect Akt phosphorylation and NF-,B binding activity, nor decreased intracellular GSH content. However, it elicited N -acetyl- L -cysteine-inhibitable phosphorylation of p38-MAPK and AMPK, and apoptosis was attenuated by pharmacologic inhibitors against these kinases. The pro-oxidant capacity of genistein might be exploited to improve the efficacy of ATO as anti-leukemic agent, and perhaps the efficacy of other oxidation-based therapeutic approaches. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Role of astrocytes in trimethyltin neurotoxicity

    JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2001
    Palur G. Gunasekar
    Abstract Although the neurotoxicity of trimethyltin (TMT) is well known, mechanisms are still not clear. Glia have been proposed to mediate the toxic action of TMT on nerve cells. Accordingly, the effects of TMT were tested in primary neuronal cultures from rat cerebellum and compared to effects in astrocytes and mixed cultures. Neuronal damage observed following TMT exposure was less in the presence of astrocytes and astrocytes alone were resistant to TMT. Thus, astrocytes have a protective effect against TMT-induced neurotoxicity. TMT caused an oxidative stress in granule cell cultures involving a variety of oxidative species ((O2),,, H2O2, NO), but astrocytes were less sensitive to TMT-induced oxidative species generation. Antioxidants, glutathione and 7-nitroindazole attenuated neuronal cell death induced by TMT. It appears that oxidative stress mediates a large part of the destructive action of TMT in neuronal cultures. The presence of astrocytes appears to modulate TMT-induced oxidative stress so that TMT causes only a small increase in lipid peroxidation in mouse brain after systemic administration. Thus, TMT induces a pronounced oxidative stress in cultured neurons, but when astrocytes are present, oxidative species play a lesser role in the neurotoxic action of TMT. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 15:256,262, 2001 [source]


    Identifying the Relative Contributions of Rac1 and Rac2 to Osteoclastogenesis,,

    JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008
    Yongqiang Wang
    Abstract Rac small GTPases may play an important regulatory role in osteoclastogenesis. Our in vitro and in vivo results show that both Rac1 and Rac2 are required for optimal osteoclast differentiation, but Rac1 is more critical. Rac1 is the key Rac isoform responsible for regulating ROS generation and the actin cytoskeleton during the multiple stages of osteoclast differentiation. Introduction: Recent evidence suggests that the Rac small GTPases may play an important regulatory role in osteoclastogenesis. This finding is important because bisphosphonates may regulate their antiresorptive/antiosteoclast effects through the modification of Rho family of small GTPases. Materials and Methods: To elucidate the specific roles of the Rac1 and Rac2 isoforms during osteoclastogenesis, we used mice deficient in Rac1, Rac2, or both Rac1 and Rac2 in monocyte/osteoclast precursors. Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), and RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in vitro was studied by using bone marrow-derived mononucleated preosteoclast precursors (MOPs). The expression of osteoclast-specific markers was examined using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Free actin barbed ends in bone marrow MOPs after M-CSF stimulation was determined. The ability of MOPs to migrate toward M-CSF was assayed using Boyden chambers. Margin spreading on heparin sulfate-coated glass and RANKL-induced reactive oxygen species generation were also performed. Functional assays of in vitro-generated osteoclasts were ascertained using dentine sections from narwal tusks. Osteoclast levels in vivo were counted in TRACP and immunohistochemically stained distal tibial sections. In vivo microarchitexture of lumbar vertebrate was examined using ,CT 3D imaging and analysis. Results: We show here that, although both Rac isoforms are required for normal osteoclast differentiation, Rac1 deletion results in a more profound reduction in osteoclast formation in vitro because of its regulatory role in pre-osteoclast M-CSF-mediated chemotaxis and actin assembly and RANKL-mediated reactive oxygen species generation. This Rac1 cellular defect also manifests at the tissue level with increased trabecular bone volume and trabeculae number compared with wildtype and Rac2-null mice. This unique mouse model has shown for the first time that Rac1 and Rac2 play different and nonoverlapping roles during osteoclastogenesis and will be useful for identifying the key roles played by these two proteins during the multiple stages of osteoclast differentiation. Conclusions: Rac1 and Rac2 play different and nonoverlapping roles during osteoclastogenesis. This model showed that Rac1 is the key Rac isoform responsible for regulating ROS generation and the actin cytoskeleton during the multiple stages of osteoclast differentiation. [source]


    Pregnenolone Sulfate, a Naturally Occurring Excitotoxin Involved in Delayed Retinal Cell Death

    JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2000
    C. Cascio
    Abstract: The present study was designed to investigate the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate (PS), known for its ability to modulate NMDA receptors and interfere with acute excitotoxicity, in delayed retinal cell death. Three hours after exposure of the isolated and intact retina to a 30-min PS pulse, DNA fragmentation as assessed by genomic DNA gel electrophoresis and a modified in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method appeared concurrently with an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels. At 7 h, the increased amount of DNA laddering was accompanied by a higher number of TUNEL-positive cells in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. Necrotic signs were characterized by DNA smear migration, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and damage mainly in the inner nuclear layer. PS-induced delayed cell death was markedly reduced by the NMDA receptor antagonists 4-(3-phosphonopropyl)-2-piperazinecarboxylic acid and 3,-hydroxy-5,-pregnan-20-one sulfate but completely blocked after concomitant addition of the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. Steroids with antioxidant properties (progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate ester, and 17,-estradiol) differently prevented PS-induced delayed cell death. Cycloheximide treatment protected against DNA fragmentation and LDH release but failed to prevent the rise in SOD activity and TBARS level. We conclude that a brief PS pulse causes delayed cell death in a slowly evolving apoptotic fashion characterized by a cycloheximide-sensitive death program downstream of reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation, turning into secondary necrosis in a retinal cell subset. [source]


    Glutamate-mediated influx of extracellular Ca2+ is coupled with reactive oxygen species generation in cultured hippocampal neurons but not in astrocytes

    JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 1-2 2005
    Stefan Kahlert
    Abstract Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in brain tissue leads to neurodegeneration. The major source of ROS is the mitochondrial respiratory chain. We studied regulation of Ca2+ level, mitochondrial potential, and ROS generation in defined mixed hippocampal cell cultures exposed to glutamate (100 ,M). Recordings were made from individually identified astrocytes and neurons to compare the physiologic responses in both cell types. Neurons identified by synaptotagmin immunoreactivity were characterized functionally by the fast Ca2+ increase with K+ (50 mM) stimulation, and the astrocytes identified by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining had the functional characteristic of a transient Ca2+ peak in response to ATP (10 ,M) stimulation. We found that the glutamate-mediated Ca2+ response in neurons is due largely to influx of extracellular Ca2+. This is consistent with our finding that in cultured hippocampal neurons, stores depending on the activity of the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump had a low Ca2+ content, regardless of whether the neurons were challenged or not with K+ before applying the SERCA inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Astrocytes displayed a large CPA-mediated Ca2+ response, indicating a high level of Ca2+ load in the stores in astrocytes. Importantly, the rise in ROS generation due to glutamate application was cell-type specific. In neurons, glutamate induced a marked rise in generation of ROS, but not in astrocytes. In both astrocytes and neurons, the mitochondrial potential was increased in response to glutamate challenge. We conclude that in neurons, Ca2+ influx accounts for the increased ROS generation in response to glutamate. This might explain the high vulnerability of neurons to glutamate challenge compared to the vulnerability of astrocytes. The high resistance of astrocytes is accompanied by an efficient downregulation of cytosolic Ca2+, which is not found in neurons. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Opuntia humifusa Raf.

    JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2006
    J. Y. Cho
    Opuntia humifusa Raf. (O. humifusa Raf.) is a member of the Cactaceae family. To determine the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of this herb, various solvent fractions (methanol, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water) prepared from the leaves of cacti were tested using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl radical) and xanthine oxidase assays, and nitric oxide (NO)-producing macrophage cells. We found that O. humifusa Raf. displayed potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, all solvent fractions, except for the water layer, showed potent scavenging effects. The scavenging effect of the ethyl acetate fraction was higher than that of the other fractions, with IC50 values of 3.6 and 48.2 ,g mL,1. According to activity-guided fractionation, one of the active radical scavenging principles in the ethyl acetate fraction was found to be quercetin. In contrast, only two fractions (chloroform and ethyl acetate) significantly suppressed nitric oxide production from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions significantly blocked the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from the RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Moreover, ethyl acetate fractions significantly blocked the expression of IL-1, from the RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Therefore, the results suggested that O. humifusa Raf. may modulate radical-induced toxicity via both direct scavenging activity and the inhibition of reactive species generation, and the modulation of the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Finally, O. humifusa Raf. may be useful as a functional food or drug against reactive species-mediated disease. [source]


    The mechanisms underlying the anti-aging activity of the Chinese prescription Kangen-karyu in hydrogen peroxide-induced human fibroblasts

    JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 10 2005
    Akiko Satoh
    Our previous study showed that Kangen-karyu extract protected against cellular senescence by reducing oxidative damage through the inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation and regulation of the antioxidative status. Although these findings suggest that Kangen-karyu could delay the aging process, the mechanisms responsible for protection against aging have rarely been elucidated. Therefore, this study was focussed on the mechanisms responsible for the anti-aging activity of Kangen-karyu extract using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced human diploid fibroblasts, a well-established experimental model of cellular aging. Kangen-karyu extract exerted a protective effect against the morphological changes induced by H2O2 treatment and inhibited senescence-associated ,-galactosidase activity. In addition, the beneficial effects of Kangen-karyu extract on cell viability and lifespan indicated that Kangen-karyu extract could delay the cellular aging process. The observation that Kangen-karyu extract prevented nuclear factor kappa B (NF-,B) translocation in response to oxidative stress suggested that Kangen-karyu exerted its anti-aging effect through NF-,B modulation and prevention of H2O2 -induced overexpression of haem oxygenase-1 protein. Moreover, pretreatment with Kangen-karyu extract reduced overexpression of bax protein and prevented the mitochondrial membrane potential decline, suggesting that Kangen-karyu extract may protect mitochondria from mitochondrial oxidative stress and dysfunction. These findings indicate that Kangen-karyu is a promising potential anti-aging agent that may delay, or normalize, the aging process by virtue of its protective activity against oxidative stress-related conditions. [source]


    Chemotherapeutic agents doxorubicin and epirubicin induce a procoagulant phenotype on endothelial cells and blood monocytes

    JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 4 2009
    L. L. SWYSTUN
    Summary.,Background: Although chemotherapy is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, the pathogenic mechanisms by which chemotherapeutic agents exert prothrombotic effects are unclear. Objectives: In this study we explored the possibility that chemotherapeutic agents doxorubicin, epirubicin, 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate induce a procoagulant phenotype on vascular endothelial cells and/or on blood monocytes. Methods: Thrombin generation was measured in defibrinated plasma exposed to chemotherapy-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Tissue factor activity assays were performed on chemotherapy-treated HUVECs and blood monocytes. The effects of chemotherapy drugs on phosphatidylserine exposure and the protein C pathway were also measured. Results: Exposure of defibrinated plasma to either doxorubicin- or epirubicin-treated HUVECs resulted in an increase in plasma thrombin generation. The procoagulant activity of doxorubicin- and epirubicin-treated HUVECs reflects an increase in tissue factor activity and phosphatidylserine exposure. Doxorubicin-mediated increase in tissue factor activity is related to increased levels of phosphatidylserine rather than to protein disulfide isomerase activity, and is likely to involve reactive oxygen species generation. Unlike doxorubicin, epirubicin does not have an impact on the protein C anticoagulant pathway. Interestingly, neither methotrextate nor 5-fluorouracil altered endothelial or monocyte hemostatic properties. Conclusions: These studies suggest that doxorubicin and epirubicin have the greatest ,prothrombotic potential' by virtue of their ability to alter endothelial and monocyte hemostatic properties. [source]


    Thimerosal induces apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in human leukemia cells,

    MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 9 2006
    Kyung Jin Woo
    Abstract Thimerosal is an organomercury compound with sulfhydryl-reactive properties. The ability of thimerosal to act as a sulfhydryl group is related to the presence of mercury. Due to its antibacterial effect, thimerosal is widely used as preservatives and has been reported to cause chemically mediated side effects. In the present study, we showed that the molecular mechanism of thimerosal induced apoptosis in U937 cells. Thimerosal was shown to be responsible for the inhibition of U937 cells growth by inducing apoptosis. Treatment with 2.5,5 µM thimerosal but not thiosalicylic acid (structural analog of thimerosal devoid of mercury) for 12 h produced apoptosis, G2/M phase arrest, and DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with caspase inhibitor significantly reduced thimerosal-induced caspase 3 activation. In addition, thimerosal-induced apoptosis was attenuated by antioxidant Mn (III) meso-tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (Mn-TBAP). These data indicate that the cytotoxic effect of thimerosal on U937 cells is attributable to the induced apoptosis and that thimerosal-induced apoptosis is mediated by reactive oxygen species generation and caspase-3 activation. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    The novel ruthenium,, -linolenic complex [Ru2(aGLA)4Cl] inhibits C6 rat glioma cell proliferation and induces changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis in vitro

    CELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 1 2010
    Geise Ribeiro
    Abstract The present study reports the synthesis of a novel compound with the formula [Ru2(aGLA)4Cl] according to elemental analyses data, referred to as Ru2GLA. The electronic spectra of Ru2GLA is typical of a mixed valent diruthenium(II,III) carboxylate. Ru2GLA was synthesized with the aim of combining and possibly improving the anti-tumour properties of the two active components ruthenium and , -linolenic acid (GLA). The properties of Ru2GLA were tested in C6 rat glioma cells by analysing cell number, viability, lipid droplet formation, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species. Ru2GLA inhibited cell proliferation in a time and concentration dependent manner. Nile Red staining suggested that Ru2GLA enters the cells and ICP-AES elemental analysis found an increase in ruthenium from <0.02 to 425,mg/Kg in treated cells. The sub-G1 apoptotic cell population was increased by Ru2GLA (22,±,5.2%) when analysed by FACS and this was confirmed by Hoechst staining of nuclei. Mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased in the presence of Ru2GLA (44,±,2.3%). In contrast, the cells which maintained a high mitochondrial membrane potential had an increase (18,±,1.5%) in reactive oxygen species generation. Both decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased reactive oxygen species generation may be involved in triggering apoptosis in Ru2GLA exposed cells. The EC50 for Ru2GLA decreased with increasing time of exposure from 285,µM at 24,h, 211,µM at 48,h to 81,µM at 72,h. In conclusion, Ru2GLA is a novel drug with antiproliferative properties in C6 glioma cells and is a potential candidate for novel therapies in gliomas. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Neuroprotective effect of asymmetric dimethylarginine against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-induced damage in PC12 cells

    CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5-6 2010
    Xiao-Qing Tang
    Summary 1. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a well-known endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. Although it has been shown to be a novel risk marker in cardiovascular medicine and chronic kidney disease, we speculated that in some states associated with excess of nitric oxide (NO), such as 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)-induced neuronal injury, ADMA might be protective by limiting the toxic effect of high concentrations of NO. 2. The aim of the present study is to explore the protection of ADMA against MPP+ -induced apoptosis and the molecular mechanisms underlying in PC12 cells. 3. We found that exogenous application of ADMA obviously protected PC12 cells against MPP+ -induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis not only by reducing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, but also by attenuating an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species. Moreover, ADMA attenuated MPP+ -induced excessive activation of nitric oxide synthase and overproduction of NO. 4. The results of the present study suggest that the protection caused by ADMA is related to preserving mitochondrial membrane potential and attenuating the MPP+ -induced intracellular reactive oxygen species generation through inhibiting nitric oxide synthase activity and limiting NO generation. [source]