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Biomedical subjects

R Docampo

Publications and source records attributed to R Docampo.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

On the mechanism of killing of Trypanosoma cruzi by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The temperature-dependence of some processes involved in the killing of sensitized T. cruzi epimastigotes by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was determined. The rate of the reactions was related to the temperature of incubation according to the Arrhenius equation and the apparent energies of activation (Ea) were calculated. The Ea values separated these complex reactions into two groups: one with Ea of about 10 kcal/mol for the phagocytosis of the parasites and the release of lysosomal enzymes by PMN, and the other with Ea of about 22 kcal/mol for the cytotoxicity against sensitized T. cruzi, the rate of oxygen consumption by PMN, and the lysis of the parasites with added hydrogen peroxide.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Mechanism of toxicity of nitro compounds used in the chemotherapy of trichomoniasis.

The mechanism of the trichomonicidal activity of metronidazole and other 5-nitroimidazoles appears to depend on the ferredoxin-mediated reduction of their nitro group, with generation of a reactive metabolite or metabolites which interact with DNA leading to a subsequent inhibition of nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Redox cycling of these compounds under aerobic conditions appears to be a detoxification reaction by inhibiting net reduction of the drugs, thereby inhibiting their uptake. On the other hand, redox cycling of nitrofurans or other compounds with more positive reduction potential results in formation of high steady-state concentrations of oxygen-derived metabolites that might be of toxicological significance. It seems likely that reduced metabolites of nitroimidazoles (perhaps through covalent binding to tissue macromolecules and/or thiols depletion) are also involved in the nitroimidazoles' toxic effects to animal tissues and in their mutagenic and carcinogenic action.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Ca2+ and Mg2+-enhanced reduction of arsenazo III to its anion free radical metabolite and generation of superoxide anion by an outer mitochondrial membrane azoreductase.

At the concentrations usually employed as a Ca2+ indicator, arsenazo III underwent a one-electron reduction by rat liver mitochondria to produce an azo anion radical as demonstrated by electron-spin resonance spectroscopy. Either NADH or NADPH could serve as a source of reducing equivalents for the production of this free radical by intact rat liver mitochondria. Under aerobic conditions, addition of arsenazo III to rat liver mitochondria produced an increase in electron flow from NAD(P)H to molecular oxygen, generating superoxide anion. NAD(P)H generated from endogenous mitochondrial NAD(P)+ by intramitochondrial reactions could not be used for the NAD(P)H azoreductase reaction unless the mitochondria were solubilized by detergent or anaerobiosis. In addition, NAD(P)H azoreductase activity was higher in the crude outer mitochondrial membrane fraction than in mitoplasts and intact mitochondria. The steady-state concentration of the azo anion radical and the arsenazo III-stimulated cyanide-insensitive oxygen consumption were enhanced by calcium and magnesium, suggesting that, in addition to an enhanced azo anion radical-stabilization by complexation with the metal ions, enhanced reduction of arsenazo III also occurred. Accordingly, addition of cations to crude outer mitochondrial membrane preparations increased arsenazo III-stimulated cyanide-insensitive O2 consumption, H2O2 formation, and NAD(P)H oxidation. Antipyrylazo III was much less effective than arsenazo III in increasing superoxide anion formation by rat liver mitochondria and gave a much weaker electron spin resonance spectrum of an azo anion radical. These results provide direct evidence of an azoreductase activity associated with the outer mitochondrial membrane and of a stimulation of arsenazo III reduction by cations.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Distinct reduction of nitrofurans and metronidazole to free radical metabolites by Tritrichomonas foetus hydrogenosomal and cytosolic enzymes.

Anaerobic Tritrichomonas foetus hydrogenosomes supplemented with pyruvate and CoA effectively reduce nitrofurans and metronidazole to their respective anion free radicals. Addition of purified ferredoxins from Clostridium pasteurianum or Spinacia oleracea to these preparations causes a great stimulation of metronidazole reduction, but does not affect nitrofuran reduction. A similar stimulatory effect of ferredoxin on metronidazole reduction, but not on nitrofuran reduction, is observed in incubations containing purified NADPH:ferredoxin oxidoreductase from S. oleracea. NADH is less effective than pyruvate as a reducing cofactor for metronidazole and nitrofuran reduction by the hydrogenosomes, and these activities are not modified by the addition of ferredoxins. In contrast to the results observed with hydrogenosomes, the T. foetus soluble fraction supplemented with NADH or NADPH is able to reduce nitrofurans, but not metronidazole. Under aerobic conditions, the anion free radical metabolites generated from metronidazole and nitrofurans are oxidized, resulting in catalytic superoxide anion formation as detected by spin-trapping experiments. Oxygen consumption and H2O2 formation by T. foetus hydrogenosomes and NADPH:ferredoxin oxidoreductase are also stimulated by nitrofurans and high concentrations of metronidazole. Addition of ferredoxin enhances metronidazole-stimulated, but not nitrofuran-stimulated, oxygen consumption and H2O2 formation in both systems. These results support the role of air oxidation as a detoxification reaction of the metronidazole anion radical and the involvement of ferredoxin in its formation. On the other hand, redox cycling of nitrofurans with formation of high steady state concentrations of oxygen-derived radicals might be of toxicological significance.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1984

Reduction of nifurtimox and nitrofurantoin to free radical metabolites by rat liver mitochondria. Evidence of an outer membrane-located nitroreductase.

Nifurtimox and nitrofurantoin are reduced by intact rat liver mitochondria to nitro anion radicals whose autoxidation generates superoxide anion as detected by direct electron spin resonance spectroscopy and by spin-trapping experiments, respectively. Although nitroreduction occurred in the presence of respiratory substrates such as beta-hydroxybutyrate, malate-glutamate, succinate, or endogenous substrates, nitro anion radical formation activity was much greater on addition of exogenous reduced pyridine nucleotides. NAD(P)H generated from endogenous mitochondrial NAD(P)+ by intramitochondrial reactions could not be used for the NAD(P)H nitroreductase reactions unless the mitochondria were solubilized by detergent. In addition, NAD(P)H nitroreductase activity was detected in the crude mitochondrial outer membrane fraction, with a higher activity than in mitoplasts and intact mitochondria. These results provide direct evidence of a nitrofuran reductase activity associated with the mitochondrial outer membrane that is far more important than that of respiratory chain enzymes.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The photodynamic action of rose bengal on Trypanosoma cruzi.

In the presence of light and oxygen, rose bengal causes oxidative damage to Trypanosoma cruzi. The production of lipid hydroperoxides was demonstrated by thin-layer chromatography, and severe ultrastructural alterations compatible with an increased permeability of the cells, which led to gradual osmotic swelling and ultimately to lysis, were observed by electron microscopy. As a result of this treatment, the infectivity of T. cruzi trypomastigotes in mice was abolished. In addition, under anaerobic conditions, rose bengal was found to undergo a one-electron reduction in intact T. cruzi epimastigotes to produce a carbon-centered free radical as demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The formation of this radical was also enhanced by light.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Generation of free radical metabolites and superoxide anion by the calcium indicators arsenazo III, antipyrylazo III, and murexide in rat liver microsomes.

At the concentrations usually employed as a Ca2+ indicator, arsenazo III undergoes a one-electron reduction by rat liver microsomes to produce an azo anion radical as demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Either NADH or NADPH can serve as a source of reducing equivalents for the production of this free radical by rat liver microsomes. The steady state concentration of the azo anion radical is proportional to the square root of the protein concentration, suggesting that the radical decays through a nonenzymatic second order process. The steady state concentration of the azo anion radical is not altered in the presence of metyrapone or CO, and is decreased in the presence of NADP+ or p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. These observations suggest that the formation of arsenazo III anion radical is mediated through NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and not by cytochrome P-450. Under aerobic conditions, addition of arsenazo III to rat liver microsomes produces an increase in electron flow from NAD(P)H to molecular oxygen, generating both superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. The steady state concentration of the azo anion radical, but neither oxygen consumption nor superoxide anion formation, is enhanced by calcium and magnesium, suggesting an enhanced azo anion radical-stabilization by complexation with the metal ions. Accordingly, the arsenazo III anion radical signal is abolished in the presence of paramagnetic metal ions (Fe3+, Gd3+, and Ni2+) and enhanced in the presence of other diamagnetic metal ions (La3+). Antipyrylazo III is less effective than arsenazo III in increasing superoxide anion formation by rat liver microsomes, and gives a much weaker ESR spectrum of an azo anion radical. Murexide is reduced to the monodehydro-5,5'-iminobarbituric acid radical by rat liver microsomes, and its efficiency as a superoxide anion generator is intermediate between arsenazo III and antipyrylazo III.

Arsenazo III↗
PubMed1983

Light-enhanced free radical formation and trypanocidal action of gentian violet (crystal violet).

Transmission of Chagas' disease by transfusion of blood containing Trypanosoma cruzi has often been reported, and gentian violet, a triarylmethane dye, is widely used by blood banks in attempts to eliminate such transmission. In a study of intact trypanosomes, gentian violet was found to undergo a one-electron reduction to produce a carbon-centered free radical as demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Either reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or the reduced dinucleotide phosphate could serve as a source of reducing equivalents for the production of this free radical by homogenates of Trypanosoma cruzi. The formation of this free radical, and the trypanocidal action of gentian violet, were enhanced by light. The enhanced free radical formation may be the basic cause of the selective toxicity of gentian violet to Trypanosoma cruzi.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMed1983

Oxygen-derived radicals from Trypanosoma cruzi-stimulated human neutrophils.

This study provides biochemical and electron spin resonance spectroscopic evidence that contract of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with antibody-coated Trypanosoma cruzi triggers the respiratory burst. Oxygen consumption, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide release were stimulated under conditions of polymorphonuclear leukocyte-mediated killing. This stimulation did not occur under non-killing conditions when antibody was omitted. A common mechanism of cytotoxicity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes against different T. cruzi forms is suggested by the triggering of the respiratory burst by antibody-coated epimastigotes and trypomastigotes.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic↗
PubMed1983

Generation of free radicals from metronidazole and other nitroimidazoles by Tritrichomonas foetus.

Metronidazole, ronidazole, secnidazole, benznidazole, and misonidazole are reduced by intact Tritrichomonas foetus cells to nitro anion radicals that can be detected by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. This activity appears to be related to the cellular content of reducing substrates, since nitro anion radical formation is stimulated in the presence of glucose and pyruvate. The nitro anion radicals could not be detected under aerobic conditions. Anaerobic homogenates of T. foetus also reduce metronidazole to the nitro anion radical when pyruvate, NADH, or NADPH is added as the ultimate source of reducing equivalents. Free radical formation may be the basic cause of nitroimidazole toxicity in trichomonads.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Increased biliary secretion and loss of hepatic glutathione in rat liver after nifurtimox treatment.

Treatment of rats with nifurtimox, a nitrofuran derivative widely used for the treatment of Chagas' disease, induced a time- and dose-dependent depletion of liver glutathione, maximal effects being obtained with 200 mg nifurtimox/kg body weight. Extra release of both oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) glutathione into bile contributed to this depletion. Glutathione excretion into bile accounted for only part of liver glutathione loss, thus indicating that, in addition to the GSH-peroxidase reaction (resulting in GSSG generation), other glutathione-related processes were involved in nifurtimox detoxification. Bile flow, bile salt excretion, liver lipid conjugated diene content, liver glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) activity were not affected by the nifurtimox treatment, thus ruling out widespread damage of the liver cell by nifurtimox. Nevertheless, the extra GSH release in the nifurtimox-treated rats may indicate an alteration of the hepatocyte membrane.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1982

Subcellular localization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in the trypanosomatids Trypanosoma cruzi and Crithidia fasciculata.

Particulate fractions obtained from Trypanosoma cruzi and Crithidia fasciculata by different procedures were subjected to isopycnic centrifugation in sucrose gradients, in order to determine the subcellular localization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in both organisms, and of malic enzyme (ME) I in T. cruzi. The more clear-cut results were obtained with T. cruzi by breaking the cells by grinding in a mortar with silicon carbide and using a gradient from 0.4 to 2.0 M sucrose, whereas with C. fasciculata, the best procedure was disruption of the cells by digitonin treatment and potter homogenization and use of a gradient from 1.1 to 2.0 M sucrose. PEPCK banded together with the glycosomal marker hexokinase in both organisms; there was a clear separation from the mitochondrial markers, oligomycin-sensitive Mg2+-APTase and citrate synthase. PEPCK showed a latency of 24% in the enriched 'glycosoma' fraction of T. cruzi. ME I from T. cruzi, on the other hand, banded together with the mitochondrial markers. These results indicate that PEPCK and ME are present in different subcellular compartments, a fact significant for the prevention of a futile cycle between C4-dicarboxylic acids and C3-monocarboxylic acids, which might take place if both enzymes functioned in the same compartment.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Porphyrin biosynthesis in parasitic hemoflagellates: functional and defective enzymes in Trypanosoma cruzi.

1. Heme compounds are necessary as a growth factor for Trypanosoma cruzi in culture, this porphyrin requirement being due to the inability of the parasite to synthesize heme. To obtain supporting evidence for this hypothesis, an extensive study of porphyrin biosynthesis in the epimastogote form of T. cruzi (Tulahuén strain) was carried out. 2. Low levels of endogenous delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) were found in extracts of T. cruzi. Free porphyrins and heme contents were practically nil. 3. The activity of succinyl CoA synthetase (Suc. CoA-S) was rather high and therefore non-limiting. 4. Both delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALA-S) and 4.5, dioxovaleric transaminase (DOVA-T), the two enzymes forming ALA, were readily detected and their activities, although low, were of the same order. 5. delta-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity was almost negligible and both porphobilinogenase (PBGase) and deaminase were absent or inactive. 6. Heme-Synthetase (Heme-S) was totally functional. 7. It is concluded that T. cruzi has lost part of its heme biosynthetic pathway, possibly due to mutations of several genes involved in the synthesis of the soluble enzymes ALA-D, PBGase, deaminase and probably others preceding Heme-S; while the particulate enzymes Suc CoA-S, ALA-S, DOVA-T and Heme-S are functional. As a consequence, the host should supply the parasite with the porphyrin substrate to form its essential heme compounds.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗
PubMed1982

Metabolic requirements for the damage of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Normal human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are cytotoxic to T. cruzi epimastigotes sensitized with specific antiserum (T. cruzi + Ab). The damage follows an early phagocytic event, suggesting the intracellular destruction of the parasites. We have studied the characteristics of the killing using metabolic inhibitors of the effector cells. Oxygen consumption by PMN with unsensitized parasites was similar to the uptake by resting cells, but increased two- to fourfold when T. cruzi + Ab was used. This increase in O2 consumption, associated with phagocytosis of T. cruzi + Ab was not sensitive to 2 mM cyanide nor 100 microM azide. Addition of T. cruzi + Ab to human PMN also stimulated H2O2 production. When PMN were incubated with phenylbutazone, cyanide or azide, an inhibition of cytotoxicity against sensitized T. cruzi was observed. Under the same experimental conditions phagocytosis was unaffected. These results indicate that active oxygen reduction products and myeloperoxidase are involved in the destruction of sensitized, T. cruzi epimastigotes by normal PMN.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Generation of free radicals induced by nifurtimox in mammalian tissues.

Nifurtimox is reduced by rat liver microsomes to a nitro anion-free radical as indicated by ESR spectroscopy. This subcellular fraction gives a steady state radical concentration which is proportional to the square root of the protein concentration, suggesting that the nifurtimox anion radical is a necessary intermediate in the reduction and that the radical decays through a nonenzymatic second order process. The steady state concentration of the anion radical in the microsomal system is not decreased by superoxide dismutase or catalase, thus indicating that neither the superoxide anion nor hydrogen peroxide is an intermediary in the generation of the anion radical. The steady state concentration of the anion radical in the microsomal system is also not altered in the presence of metyrapone or CO and is decreased in the presence of NADP+ and p-chloromercuribenzoate. This observation suggests that the formation of nifurtimox anion radical is mediated through NADPH-cytochrome P-450 (c) reductase and not by the cytochrome P-450 system. In accordance with this interpretation, a model system consisting of NADPH and FMN-reduced nifurtimox to the nitro anion-free radical. Nifurtimox anion radical generation is significantly stimulated by rat brain and testes homogenates. The enhanced free radical formation may be the basic cause of nifurtimox toxicity in mammals.

Animals↗