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Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) prevents inflammatory stress in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an antioxidant component of propolis, a natural product secreted by honeybee. Recent literature shows that CAPE inhibits nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) activation in cell lines. Since NFkappaB was shown to be a crucial factor in neuroinflammation and to be associated with some neuropathologies, CAPE might reduce these disorders in brain too and have therapeutic applications. To test this hypothesis we used a model of endotoxic insult (interferon-gamma, followed by lipopolysaccharide) on rat organotypic hippocampal cultures. Cerebral inflammatory responses were strongly inhibited by CAPE (100 microM): reductions of NFkappaB nuclear activity, tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide productions were observed. At the dose of maximal effects (100 microM), an increase of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) activity, which anti-inflammatory role is well known, was seen. We compared CAPE effects with those of other drugs: anti-inflammatory as acetyl-salicylate and dexamethasone (glucocorticoid), antioxidant as pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, or selective permeant inhibitor of NFkappaB as SN 50 peptide. These studies lead us to conclude that CAPE presents an interesting and original neuropharmacological profile compared to these drugs and might be helpful in the prevention of neurotoxic events due to excessive inflammatory reaction in brain. CAPE interferes with several effectors of neuroinflammation that might have complementary and synergic effects and allows a rather durable control since an acute treatment at the time of endotoxin exposure allows to control inflammatory factors for over 48 h.

Animals↗

Thermodynamics of interaction of caffeic acid and quinic acid with multisubunit proteins.

Helianthinin is a multisubunit protein from Sunflower seeds. Caffeic acid (CA) and quinic acid (QA) are intrinsic ligands present in sunflower seeds. The mechanism of interaction of these ligands with multisubunit proteins is limited. The present study enables one to understand the mechanism of the interaction of these ligands with the protein helianthinin. From this study, it is shown that CA has two classes of binding sites on helianthinin. The high-affinity class of sites total six from 60+/-10 for both high-affinity and low-affinity sites. Tryptophan, tyrosine and lysine residues of the protein are mainly involved in the interaction with CA. The temperature dependence of the binding in the range 10-45 degrees C can be clearly described by an enthalpy-entropy compensation effect at the low-affinity class of sites, while it is described by positive DeltaC(p)(o) at the high-affinity class of sites. This positive DeltaC(p)(o) has a contribution to the protein stability. The binding strength of CA also has a positive cooperativity at higher protein concentration. QA has two classes of binding sites on the protein based on the strength of the interaction. The interaction of QA with the protein is predominantly described by positive DeltaC(p)(o) for both classes of affinity. This suggests predominance of ionic/hydrogen bonding in the interaction process. Differential scanning calorimetric measurements reveal that the binding of both CA and QA induces destabilisation of the subunit-subunit interaction. Human methaemoglobin (mHb) has two binding sites on the molecule for CA. Both CA and QA decrease the stability of mHb, as indicated by decreased T(m). This destabilisation is also accompanied by dissociation to the monomers with concomitant conformational changes.

2S Albumins, Plant↗

Effect of added caffeic acid and tyrosol on the fatty acid and volatile profiles of camellia oil following heating.

Camellia oil is widely used in some parts of the world partly because of its high oxidative stability. The effect of heating a refined camellia oil for 1 h at 120 degrees C or 2 h at 170 degrees C with exogenous antioxidant, namely, caffeic acid and tyrosol, was studied. Parameters used to assess the effect of heating were peroxide and K values, volatile formation, and fatty acid profile. Of these, volatile formation was the most sensitive index of change as seen in the number of volatiles and the total area count of volatiles in gas chromatograms. Hexanal was generally the dominant volatile in treated and untreated samples with a concentration of 2.13 and 5.34 mg kg(-1) in untreated oils heated at 120 and 170 degrees C, respectively. The hexanal content was significantly reduced in heated oils to which tyrosol and/or caffeic acid had been added. Using volatile formation as an index of oxidation, tyrosol was the more effective antioxidant of these compounds. This is contradictory to generally accepted antioxidant structure-activity relationships. Changes in fatty acid profiles after heating for up to 24 h at 180 degrees C were not significant.

Aldehydes↗

Effects of melatonin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester on testicular injury induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

Experimental studies indicate that ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) causes remote organ injury although the molecular mechanism has not been clearly defined. In this report, the role of oxidative injury on testicular damage following myocardial I/R injury and the effects of antioxidant agents, melatonin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), on testicular injury were investigated. As far as we know, this is the first report demonstrating that myocardial I/R induces damage to the testes. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation (SO), I/R + vehicle, I/R + melatonin, and I/R + caffeic acid phenethyl ester. To produce cardiac damage, the left main coronary artery was occluded for 30 min, followed by 120 min reperfusion, in anesthetized rats. Serum nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and morphological changes were examined. I/R was accompanied by a significant increase in serum MDA and NO levels, whereas, melatonin and CAPE administration significantly reduced these values. Melatonin was more efficient in reducing MDA levels than CAPE (P < 0.05). I/R induced myocardial damage, manifested as the histopathological evidence of intracellular vacuolization, interstitial edema, neutrophil infiltration and coagulative necrosis. I/R + vehicle group showed many histological alterations such as focal tubular atrophy, and degeneration and disorganization of the seminiferous epithelium in testes. The number of atrophic tubules and degenerating cells was significantly higher in I/R + vehicle group than that of SO group. Melatonin and CAPE significantly reduced the number of degenerating cells; additionally, melatonin reduced the number of atrophic tubules (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that myocardial I/R induces severe testicular damage and antioxidant agents, especially melatonin, have protective effects on testicular injury after myocardial I/R. Our data emphasize that oxygen-based reactants may play a central role in remote organ injury.

Animals↗

Caffeic acid derivatives in artichoke extract are metabolised to phenolic acids in vivo.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the absorption and metabolism of hydroxycinnamates from artichoke extract by determining the urinary excretion of the conjugates. Ten healthy, non smoking volunteers (5 female, 5 male) were given three capsules containing artichoke extract every 4 h (0, 4, 8 h) following two days of a low-polyphenol diet. One capsule contained 320 mg of artichoke extract equivalent to 34.3 +/- 0.6 mg/g hydroxycinnamates (caffeic acid derivatives) and 5.6 +/- 0.1 mg/g flavonoids. Polyphenols and phenolic acids present in the artichoke extract were not detected in the urine either as conjugates or aglycones. However, ferulic, isoferulic, dihydroferulic and vanillic acid were identified as major metabolites after beta-glucuronidase treatment of urine. The amount excreted as well as the ratio to that of creatinine, a biomarker for the general excretion rate, increased significantly on the study day compared to the pre-supplementation day. Thus, the caffeic acid esters found in the artichoke extract capsule are absorbed, metabolised and excreted as methylated phenolic acids such as ferulic, isoferulic, dihydroferulic and vanillic acid.

Adult↗

Anti-HIV activities of natural antioxidant caffeic acid derivatives: toward an antiviral supplementation diet.

Since 1996, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was designed to rapidly control HIV replication. It has had a significant impact on patient health and progression of AIDS in developed countries, but its success has not been complete. HAART strategy still suffers from issues of patient compliance, cost, deleterious side effects and emerging drug resistance. Therefore, expansion of novel anti-HIV drugs and targets will be critical in the coming years. In this context, discovering anti-HIV agents from natural sources and particularly from plants, may highlight the principle of a nutritional antioxidant antiretroviral diet. In this paper, we review the putative anti-HIV activity of simple caffeic acid derivatives, together with their antioxidant properties. Toxicity, metabolism and bioavailability, when known, will also be detailed. Well-known caffeic acid derivatives, such as chicoric, rosmarinic and lithospermic acids, may be designed as future leads multi-target anti-HIV compounds and the plants and vegetables containing them as potent nutritional therapeutic supplementation source. They are not expected to replace the actual antiretroviral therapy, but more likely, to complete and perhaps lighten it by adapted diet.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Prooxidant DNA breakage induced by caffeic acid in human peripheral lymphocytes: involvement of endogenous copper and a putative mechanism for anticancer properties.

Plant-derived dietary material contains several classes of polyphenols such as flavonoids, curcuminoids, stilbenes and hydroxycinnamic acids. They are recognized as naturally occurring antioxidants but also act as prooxidants catalyzing cellular DNA degradation in the presence of transition metal ions such as copper. Earlier we have shown that the stilbene resveratrol is able to mobilize endogenous copper ions leading to oxidative breakage of cellular DNA. In this paper, we show that caffeic acid (a hydroxycinnamic acid), which is a major constituent of coffee, is also capable of DNA breakage in human peripheral lymphocytes. Incubation of lymphocytes with neocuproine inhibited the DNA degradation confirming that Cu(I) is an intermediate in the DNA cleavage reaction. Further, we have also shown that caffeic acid generates oxidative stress in lymphocytes, which is inhibited by scavengers of reactive oxygen species and neocuproine. These results are in further support of our hypothesis that anticancer mechanism of plant polyphenols involves mobilization of endogenous copper, possibly chromatin bound copper, and the consequent prooxidant action.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Anti-apoptotic activity of caffeic acid, ellagic acid and ferulic acid in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a Bcl-2 independent mechanism.

Polyphenols have been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells including leukemia both in vitro and in vivo. However, their action on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during oxidative stress remains to be explored. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-apoptotic and radical scavenging activities of dietary phenolics, namely caffeic acid (CA), ellagic acid (EA) and ferulic acid (FA). H2O2-induced apoptosis in normal human PBMCs was assayed by phosphotidylserine externalization, nucleosomal damage and DNA fragmentation. Incubation of PBMCs with 5 mM H2O2 led to increased Annexin-V binding to externalized phosphatidyl serine (PS), an event of pre-apoptotic stage of the cell. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells pretreated with phenolics could resist H2O2-induced apoptotic damage. Caffeic acid (60 and 120 microM) and EA (100 and 200 microM) caused no change in externalization of PS, whereas FA (100 and 200 microM) increased externalization of PS in PBMCs treated with H2O2. The effects of phenolics were abolished to a large extent by culturing the PBMCs for 24 h after washing the phenolics from the medium. Inhibitory activities of these phenolics on lipid peroxidation were in the order of EA<CA<FA. DPPH-scavenging activities of EA, CA and FA were found to be 31.2+/-1.36, 50+/-1.86 and 73.0+/-1.58 microM respectively. Although, the phenolics significantly inhibited DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, they could not alter the Bcl-2 expression in PBMCs. In conclusion, the anti-apoptotic effect of EA, CA and FA in PBMCs seems to be through the Bcl-2 independent mechanism.

Antioxidants↗

Growth inhibition and modulation of antigenic phenotype in human melanoma and glioblastoma multiforme cells by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)

The active component of the honeybee hive product propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), has been shown to display increased toxicity toward various oncogene-transformed cell lines in comparison with their untransformed counterparts (Su et al., 4: 231-242, 1991). This observation provides support for the concept that it is the transformed phenotype which is specifically sensitive to CAPE. In the present study, we have determined the effect of CAPE on the growth and antigenic phenotype of a human melanoma cell line, HO-1, and a human glioblastoma multiforme cell line, GBM-18. For comparison, we have also tested the effects of mezerein (MEZ), mycophenolic acid (MPA) and retinoic acid (RA), which can differentially modulate growth, differentiation and the antigenic phenotype in these human tumor cell lines. Growth of both cell lines was suppressed by CAPE in a dose-dependent fashion, with HO-1 cells being more sensitive than GBM-18 cells. The antiproliferative effect of CAPE was enhanced in both cell types if CAPE and MEZ were used in combination. Growth suppression was associated with morphological changes in H0-1 cells, suggesting induction of a more differentiated phenotype. CAPE also differentially modulated the expression of several antigens on the surface of the two tumor cell lines. These results suggest a potential role for CAPE as an antitumor agent, an antigenic modulating agent and possibly a differentiation inducing agent.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Chemoprotective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on promotion in a medium-term rat hepatocarcinogenesis assay.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a natural honeybee product exhibits a spectrum of biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumoral actions. CAPE is also chemopreventive against intestinal, colon and skin cancer. Our aim was to extend the study of its chemoprotective features to the promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis. Male Wistar rats were subjected to a protocol under a modified promotion regimen of the resistant hepatocyte model. The altered hepatic foci (AHF) were quantitatively analyzed by histochemistry and image processing. When given during promotion, CAPE (20 mg/kg) decreased the expression of number and area gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) positive AHF by 91% and 97%, respectively. When GGT expression was analyzed by RT-PCR, CAPE drastically decreased and prevented expression of almost all GGT transcripts at this stage of the carcinogenic process. Glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P), another protein marker for preneoplastic lesions was measured by Western blot and a decrease of 82% was observed. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of CAPE on the expression of nuclear factor NF-kappaB and found an 85% decrease in nuclear localization of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB; however, their repressor, IkappaBalpha was not modified. Our results showed that CAPE given during promotion in hepatocarcinogenesis protects against induction of GGT-positive AHF, GST-P protein, GGT mRNA expression and translocation of p65. This phenomenon was independent of IkappaBalpha degradation.

Animals↗

Use of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and cortisone may prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and cortisone prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: Twenty pigmented rabbits were used in this study. All rabbits except controls received an intravitreal injection of 0.15 ml (75,000 U) of platelet-rich plasma into their left eye. The animals were divided into four groups: group I was treated with intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 ml (15 micromol/kg) of CAPE for 3 days, group II received 0.15 ml (4 mg/kg) of intravitreal cortisone, group III received nothing (blank group), and group IV (control group) received only 1 ml of 1% ethanol intraperitoneally daily for 3 days. Proliferative changes were graded in a masked fashion by indirect ophthalmoscopy for a 15-day follow-up period. The malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total nitrite (NO) levels were measured in the vitreous humor. RESULTS: The grades of PVR were B-C in group I, and C-D in group II. The PVR grade in the control group was C-D. The mean MDA level in group I (4.0+/-0.8 micromol/l) was significantly lower than in the blank group (6.0 micromol/l) (p < 0.05). The mean GSH level in group I (71.0+/-11.2 micromol/l) was significantly different than in the blank group (p < 0.05). The MDA and GSH levels in group II were 4.7+/-0.6 micromol/l and 53.8+/-7.8 micromol/l, respectively. Both these levels were not significantly different from the blank group (p > 0.05). The NO levels in both treatment groups were significantly lower than in the blank group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an inhibitory effect of CAPE on PVR. The inhibitory effect was supported by lower MDA and NO with higher GSH levels in treatment groups than in the blank group. There was no detected significant effect of cortisone for preventing PVR experimentally.

Animals↗

Absorption spectra of caffeic acid, caffeate and their 1:1 complex with Al(III): density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory investigations.

The UV-visible absorption spectra of caffeic acid, caffeate and of the predominant complex obtained in the presence of aluminum ion (1:1 stoichiometry) have been simulated by using the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) technique, taking into account solvent effects. Whereas the use of the B3LYP hybrid XC functional with the 6-31+G(d,p) basis set allows us to reproduce fairly well the essential features of the experimental spectra of caffeic acid and caffeate, it is necessary to introduce an effective core potential to properly describe the aluminum ion and its environment and to obtain a good agreement between theoretical and experimental spectra of the 1:1 complex. The ligand presents two potential complexing sites in competition. The results of our calculations show that the aluminum ion coordinates preferentially at the level of the catecholate group, and the [Al(H(2)O)(4)(CA)], [Al(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(CA)](-) and [Al(H(2)O)(4)(HCA)](+) complexed forms could coexist in aqueous solution at pH = 5.

Journal Article↗

Phenolic antioxidants trolox and caffeic acid modulate the oxidized LDL-induced EGF-receptor activation.

Oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDL) are thought to play a major role in atherosclerosis. OxLDL act in part through alteration of intracellular signalling pathways in cells of the vascular wall. We recently reported that the EGF receptor (EGFR) signalling pathway is activated by lipid peroxidation products (among them 4-hydroxynonenal, 4-HNE) contained in oxLDL. The use of phenolic antioxidants, such as trolox, alpha-tocopherol, caffeic acid and tyrphostins A-25, A-46 or A-1478, showed that the oxLDL-induced EGFR activation is constituted by two separate components, the first (early) one being antioxidant-insensitive, the second (late) being antioxidant-sensitive. 4-HNE derivatization of EGFR and EGFR activation induced by exogenous 4-HNE, suggest that the early (0.5 - 3 h) component of oxLDL-induced EGFR activation is mediated (at least in part) by 4-HNE (and possibly by other oxidized lipids). This early component is antioxidant-insensitive. The second component (4 - 5 h) of the oxLDL-induced EGFR activation is antioxidant-sensitive, since it is blocked by antioxidants such as trolox, caffeic acid or PDTC, which act by blocking the cellular oxidative stress (H(2)O(2) generation) evoked by oxLDL. Conversely, exogenous H(2)O(2) induced EGFR autophosphorylation (thus mimicking the second component) and was also inhibited by antioxidants. This effect is mediated in part through inhibition by oxidative stress of protein tyrosine phosphatases involved in EGFR dephosphorylation.

Aldehydes↗

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) analogues: potent nitric oxide inhibitors from the Netherlands propolis.

The MeOH and water extracts of the Netherlands propolis were tested for their inhibitory activity toward nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophage-like J774.1 cells. Both of the extract possessed significant NO inhibitory activity with IC(50) values of 23.8 and 51.5 microg/ml, respectively. Then 13 phenolic compounds obtained from the MeOH extract showing stronger NO inhibition were examined on their NO inhibitory activities. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) analogues, i.e., benzyl caffeate, CAPE and cinnamyl caffeate, possessed most potent NO inhibitory activities with IC(50) values of 13.8, 7.64 and 9.53 microM, respectively, which were two- to four-fold stronger than the positive control N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; IC(50), 32.9 microM). Further study on the synthetic analogues of CAPE revealed that both of 3-phenylpropyl caffeate (18; IC(50), 7.34 microM) and 4-phenylbutyl caffeate (19; IC(50), 6.77 microM) possessed stronger NO inhibitory activity than CAPE (10) and that elongation of alkyl side chain of alcoholic parts of caffeic acid esters enhance the NO inhibitory activity. In addition, it was found that CAPE analogues having longer carbon chain (>C(5)) in alcoholic part showed toxic effects toward J774.1 cells. This NO inhibitory effect may directly correlate with antiinflammatory properties of the Netherlands propolis.

Animals↗

Photoactivation of phthalocyanine-loaded low density lipoproteins induces a local oxidative stress that propagates to human erythrocytes: protection by caffeic acid.

Toxic effects imposed to human erythrocytes by low density lipoproteins carrying phthalocyanines used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors are described. This study was aimed at evaluating cytotoxic effects induced by reactive species produced locally in photosensitizer-loaded lipoproteins and further transferred to the cells. The experimental set up designed to examine these interactions starts with the loading of human plasma with the photosensitizer, the subsequent rapid purification and dialysis of the LDL fraction and incubation with human erythrocytes. This experimental model was assessed by following leakage of endogenous K+ from cells, electrochemical detection of oxygen, spectroscopic determination of conjugated dienes, phthalocyanine, SH groups and hemoglobin, analysis of fatty acids by gas chromatography and identification of a-tocopherol by HPLC. Photosensitizer-loaded lipoproteins become more susceptible to oxidation, exhibiting shorter lag phases of lipid oxidation, higher rates of oxidation and increased loss of endogenous alpha-tocopherol when challenged with peroxyl radicals and copper, as compared with native lipoproteins from the same plasma sample. Incubation of photosensitized lipoproteins with erythrocytes under light (>560 nm) results in a sigmoidal efflux of K+ followed by hemolysis. The phenolic antioxidant caffeic acid inhibits lipoprotein oxidation induced by peroxyl radicals, either in native or photosensitizer-loaded fractions, delays hemolysis of erythrocytes and partially prevents membrane loss of SH groups in ghosts, but not the efflux of K+. Mechanistically, a chain lipid peroxidation reaction does not participate in the toxic effects to cells but a specific pool of membrane SH groups sensitive to caffeic acid is likely to be involved. This study suggests that an oxidative stress occurring locally in phthalocyanine-loaded low density lipoproteins may further induce cytotoxic effects by targeting specific SH groups at the cell membrane level. The physiological relevance of these findings and the beneficial use of antioxidants are discussed in the context of PDT.

Antioxidants↗

Restoration of gap junctional intercellular communication by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in a ras-transformed rat liver epithelial cell line.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active ingredient of honeybee propolis, has been identified as having anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. Since the deficiency of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) has been shown to be a characteristic of most cancer cells, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that the anti-carcinogenic activity of CAPE might be related to its ability to restore GJIC in tumorigenic GJIC-deficient cells (WB-ras2 cells). The results showed that CAPE restored GJIC, phosphorylation of connexin 43 (Cx43) and its normal localization on the plasma membrane in WB-ras2 cells after 3 days at 5 microg/ml concentration. Additionally, CAPE inhibited growth in soft agar and decreased the protein level of p21(ras). The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the anti-cancer mechanism of CAPE may be mediated by its ability to restore GJIC.

Animals↗

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester to inhibit posterior capsule opacification in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To assess whether caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) prevents posterior capsule opacification (PCO) by suppressing the transformation of the lens epithelial cells. SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology, Chemistry, and Pathology, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, University of Inonu, Malatya, Turkey. METHODS: Twenty pigmented island rabbits having phacoemulsification in their right eyes were randomized into two groups. In group 1, 10 micrograms/ml of CAPE was added to the anterior chamber irrigating solution and a 1% solution of CAPE was injected subconjunctivally for 3 weeks postoperatively. The irrigating solution in Group 2 (control) did not include CAPE. The development of PCO was assessed weekly and its density was graded by slitlamp biomicroscopy. Histologic analysis was performed 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Group 1 had clear capsules or minor PCO. Group 2 developed more severe PCO or complete opacification. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = .04). CONCLUSION: These preliminary results indicate that CAPE is effective in suppressing PCO in pigmented rabbits and may be beneficial in clinical use in humans because it has no documented harmful effects on normal cells.

Animals↗

Dietary phenolic antioxidants, caffeic acid and Trolox, protect rainbow trout gill cells from nitric oxide-induced apoptosis.

Caffeic acid (CA) and Trolox are phenolic acids that have beneficial antioxidant effect, but the underlying mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The extent to which CA and Trolox protect against sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced oxidative cell injury was investigated in cultured rainbow trout gill cells. The cells exposed to SNP for 24 h displayed a dose-dependent leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and decreased cell viability as indicated by the MTT assay (mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity). Both effects were prevented by treatment with 50 microM CA or Trolox. CA or Trolox, protected against SNP-induced caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation, indicating a reduction of apoptosis. Thus, the results indicate that SNP induced cell death is caspase-3 related apoptosis and the treatment with CA inhibited the apoptotic pathway. In addition, we studied the effect of CA and Trolox on expression of zinc-responsive antioxidant genes such as metallothioneins (MT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST Class pi) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in cultured gill cells. CA, 100 microM, increased accumulation of mRNA for MTA, MTB, GST and G6PD in cells. Thus, in addition to its ability to sequester free radicals, CA may protect against oxidative stress through expression of zinc-induced antioxidant proteins. Because of these properties we suggest that CA could be a beneficial additive to fish feeds in aquaculture.

Animals↗