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Effects of nitric oxide on the redox status of liver microsomes-electron spin resonance monitoring using nitroxide probes.

Nitroxide radicals (nitroxides) are reduced to the corresponding hydroxylamines and lose their electron spin resonance (ESR) signals, but these hydroxylamines are easily reoxidized to nitroxides and regain the ESR signals. In the present study the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the reduction/oxidation (redox) status of hepatic microsomes were investigated by ESR spectroscopy using nitroxide probes. Rat hepatic microsomes were treated with an NO donor, NOR3 or NOC7, and then labeled with a water-soluble nitroxide, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyloxy (Tempol), or a lipid-soluble nitroxide, 5-doxyl stearic acid (5-DSA). The reduction of Tempol was facilitated under hypoxic conditions in control microsomes. In NOR3 or NOC7-treated microsomes, the reduction of Tempol and the reoxidation of the corresponding hydroxylamine hardly occurred under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The ESR signals of 5-DSA changed just as those of Tempol did in control and NO-treated microsomes. The concentrations of total thiol and cytochrome P-450, and the activity of mixed function amine oxidase were reduced in NOR3 or NOC7-treated microsomes. In conclusion, NO affects not only the reduction of nitroxides but also the oxidation of hydroxylamines in hepatic microsomes, suggesting that the microsomal capability of redox regulation was lost by NO.

Journal Article↗

Properties of the System for the Mixed Function Oxidation of Kaurene and Kaurene Derivatives in Microsomes of the Immature Seed of Marah macrocarpus: Electron Transfer Components.

Cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b(5) at levels of approximately 0.10 and 0.60 nanomole per milligram of microsomal protein were detected by spectral measurements in microsomes prepared from endosperm tissue of immature Marah macrocarpus seeds. TPNH-cytochrome c reductase, DPNH-cytochrome c reductase, andDPNH-cytochrome b(5) reductase activities were also present in these microsomes at levels of approximately 0.060, 0.22, and 0.52 unit per milligram of microsomal protein, respectively. (One unit of reductase is the amount of enzyme catalyzing the reduction of 1 micromole of electron acceptor per minute.) Treatments of microsomes with steapsin or trypsin were not effective in solubilizing any of these electron transport components in detectable form. However, treatment of a microsomal suspension in 25% glycerol with 1% sodium deoxycholate led to the release of about 60% of the protein and each of the above hemoproteins and electron transfer activities to the fraction which was not pelleted after centrifugation for 2 hours at 105,000g. Some ent-kaur-16-ene oxidase activity could be detected in the solubilized fraction after removal of the detergent. Cytochrome b(5) and DPNH-cytochrome b(5) reductase activity were largely separated from one another and from an overlapping mixture of TPNH-cytochrome c reductase and DPNH-cytochrome c reductase when the sodium deoxycholate-solubilized fraction was chromatographed on a DEAE-cellulose column. No cytochrome P-450 or cytochrome P-420 was detected in the column fractions and no ent-kaur-16-ene oxidase activity was detected when the column fractions were tested singly or in combination.The possible participation of these components in the mixed function oxidation of ent-kaur-16-ene and a number of its oxidized derivatives catalyzed by these microsomes is discussed in relation to the model which has been developed to explain the function of analogous components in mixed function oxidase reactions in mammalian liver microsomes.

Journal Article↗

The stereoselective metabolism of halofantrine to desbutylhalofantrine in the rat: evidence of tissue-specific enantioselectivity in microsomal metabolism.

The pharmacokinetics of the antimalarial drug (+/-)-halofantrine are stereoselective in humans and rats. To better understand the stereoselective metabolism of the drug to its primary metabolite, desbutylhalofantrine (DHF), a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were undertaken in the rat. Formation of (-)-DHF exceeded that of (+)-DHF in liver microsomes [(-):(+) ratio of intrinsic formation clearances = 1.4]. In contrast, in intestinal microsomes no significant stereoselectivity was noted in the formation of the DHF enantiomers. Intestinal microsomes were also less efficient at producing the DHF enantiomers than were liver microsomes. Based on kinetic analysis of the DHF formation, there appeared to be more than one enzyme involved in the biotransformation. (+/-)-Ketoconazole (KTZ) effectively inhibited the formation of both DHF enantiomers by both liver and intestinal microsomes, although the reduction was more marked in liver microsomes. Through a combination of the use of CYP antibodies and recombinant CYP isoenzymes, the involvement of CYP 2B1/2, 3A1, 3A2, 1A1, 2C11, 2C6, 2D1, and 2D2 were implicated in the metabolism of halofantrine to DHF. Of these, CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C11 appeared to be the primary isoenzymes involved, although CYP2C11 showed greater (+)-DHF than (-)-DHF formation, whereas for CYP3A1 it was similar to the isolated rat liver microsomes. In vivo, oral (+/-)-KTZ caused significant increases in plasma halofantrine and decreases in DHF enantiomer plasma concentrations.

Animals↗

Characterization of the methionine S-oxidase activity of rat liver and kidney microsomes: immunochemical and kinetic evidence for FMO3 being the major catalyst.

Methionine is oxidized to methionine sulfoxide by rat liver and kidney microsomes in an O2- and NADPH-dependent manner. In all microsomal assays, no methionine sulfone was detected. Use of a monoclonal antibody to rat liver cytochrome P-450 reductase, various cytochrome P-450 and peroxidase inhibitors, antioxidants, and competitive flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) substrates suggested that methionine sulfoxidation was exclusively mediated by FMOs. At 5 mM methionine, the d-isomer of methionine sulfoxide was preferentially detected over the l-isomer in both liver (ratio, 5:1) and kidney microsomes (ratio, 12:1); however, at 30 to 40 mM methionine concentrations, the diastereomeric ratio was reduced to approximately 3:1 in both tissues. The Vmax/K(m) ratios determined for the liver and kidney microsomes were similar. Because cDNA-expressed rabbit FMO3 and FMO1 were previously shown to preferentially catalyze methionine and S-benzyl-L-cysteine (SBC) sulfoxidations, respectively, these substrates were used to isolate two distinct S-oxidase activities from the same rat liver microsomal preparation. The purified activities have apparent molecular weights of approximately 55 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The findings that the methionine S-oxidase reacted intensely with antibodies raised against rabbit FMO3 and the SBC S-oxidase reacted intensely with antibodies raised against rabbit FMO1 provide evidence for these activities being associated with FMO3 and FMO1, respectively. The apparent methionine K(m) determined with the purified methionine S-oxidase was 3.4 mM, whereas the apparent methionine K(m) determined with the purified SBC S-oxidase was 48 mM. The methionine sulfoxide d:l diastereomeric ratio obtained with methionine S-oxidase was 15:1, whereas the diastereomeric ratio obtained with SBC S-oxidase was only 2:1. These results provide strong evidence for the expression of both FMO1 and FMO3 in rat liver microsomes and suggest that FMO3 is the major catalyst of methionine sulfoxidation in rat liver and kidney microsomes.

Animals↗

Role of hydroxyl radicals in microsomal oxidation of alcohols.

A series of hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenging agents competitively inhibited microsomal oxidation of ethanol and 1-butanol. The inhibition by the scavengers was specific since these agents had no effect on catalase-dependent oxidation of ethanol, microsomal drug metabolism or microsomal electron transfer. Chemical evidence for production of .OH during microsomal electron transfer was provided by the generation of appropriate products from .OH scavenging agents. H2O2 was shown to play a role as a precursor of .OH. Fe-EDTA increased microsomal oxidation of ethanol without affecting drug metabolism. A role for cytochrome P-450 in catalyzing . OH generation remains to be evaluated. These results suggest that the molecular mechanism underlying the oxidation of ethanol by liver microsomes reflects the ability of ethanol to interact with .OH generated from microsomal electron transfer.

Alcohols↗

Regiospecific hydroxylation of lauric acid at the (omega-1) position by hepatic and kidney microsomal cytochromes P-450 from rainbow trout.

Microsomes from liver or kidney of untreated rainbow trout hydroxylated lauric acid specifically at the (omega-1) position. Turnover numbers for liver (2.72 min-1) and kidney (14.1 min-1) were decreased seven- and twofold, respectively, following treatment with beta-naphthoflavone. Laurate hydroxylation activity from untreated trout hepatic microsomes was sensitive to inhibition by SKF-525A, but was not sensitive to metyrapone and only partially inhibited by alpha-naphthoflavone. The temperature optimum of laurate (omega-1) hydroxylation in trout liver microsomes was 25-30 degrees C. The Km and Vmax for (omega-1)- hydroxylaurate formation was 50 microM and 1.63 nmol min-1 mg-1, respectively, in liver and 20 microM and 3.95 nmol min-1 mg-1, respectively, in kidney from untreated trout microsomes. (omega-1) Hydroxylation of laurate, in both liver and kidney microsomes, was sensitive to an antibody raised against a previously purified cytochrome P-450 isozyme (LM2) of trout liver microsomes, which has been shown to be active towards aflatoxin B1. Antibody to the major isozyme of cytochrome P-450 ( LM4b , active towards benzo(a)pyrene) induced by beta-naphthoflavone did not inhibit (omega-1) hydroxylation of laurate in microsomes from untreated or beta-naphthoflavone-treated trout.

Animals↗

Isolation of cytochrome P450 from hepatopancreas microsomes of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, and determination of catalytic activity with NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase from vertebrate liver.

One major form of cytochrome P450 has been isolated from the hepatopancreas of untreated spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus. This form, termed here D1, was purified to a specific content of 12.1 +/- 1.8 nmol/mg protein. Two minor forms, termed D2 and D3 were partially purified to 4.6 +/- 1.6 and 2.3 +/- 0.2 nmol P450/mg protein, respectively. No NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase activity was detected in spiny lobster hepatopancreas microsomes and no purification of spiny lobster reductase was achieved in this study. Very low NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity was found in hepatopancreas microsomes and also in cytosol. Indirect evidence suggested that proteolysis of spiny lobster P450 reductase during the preparation of hepatopancreas microsomes may in part account for the lack of detectable monooxygenase activity in hepatopancreas microsomes. The catalytic activities of the D1 or D2 forms of spiny lobster P450 were measured by mixing D1 or D2 with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase isolated from pig or rat liver microsomes. D2 was very efficient in demethylating benzphetamine, with a turnover number of 122 per minute, and D1 was an efficient catalyst of progesterone 16 alpha-hydroxylation, with a turnover number of 43 per minute. Other good substrates for D1 and D2 forms were aminopyrine, testosterone, benzo(a)pyrene, and 7-ethoxycoumarin. Little activity was found with methyl-, ethyl-, pentyl-, or benzyl-phenoxazone ethers as substrates. The profile of metabolites formed by D1 or D2 with benzo(a)pyrene as substrate were more similar to those formed with uninduced rat liver microsomes than to those formed by liver microsomes from uninduced flatfish species.

Amino Acids↗

Induction of microsomal 1-acylglycerophosphocholine acyltransferase by peroxisome proliferators in rat kidney; co-induction with peroxisomal beta-oxidation.

Induction of microsomal 1-acyl-glycerophosphocholine (GPC) acyltransferase in rat tissues by four peroxisome proliferators, clofibric acid, tiadenol, DEHP and PFOA, was examined. Among the nine tissues examined, kidney, liver and intestinal mucosa responded to the challenges by the peroxisome proliferators to induce the enzyme. The treatment of rats with various dose of clofibric acid, tiadenol, DEHP or PFOA resulted in an induction of kidney microsomal 1-acyl-GPC acyltransferase in a dose-dependent manner. Despite the structural dissimilarity of peroxisome proliferators, the induction of microsomal 1-acyl-GPC acyltransferase was highly correlated with the induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation. The activity of microsomal 1-acyl-GPC acyltransferase was not affected by changes in hormonal (adrenalectomy, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism) and nutritional (starvation, starvation-refeeding, fat-free-diet feeding and high-fat-diet feeding) states. The induction of renal microsomal 1-acyl-GPC acyltransferase was seen in mice subsequent to the administration of clofibric acid and tiadenol and in guinea pigs subsequent to the administration of tiadenol. These results may indicate that kidney microsomal 1-acyl-GPC acyltransferase is a highly specific parameter responsive to the challenges by peroxisome proliferators and may suggest that the possibility that the inductions by peroxisome proliferators of microsomal 1-acyl-GPC acyltransferase and peroxisomal beta-oxidation in kidney are co-regulated.

1-Acylglycerophosphocholine O-Acyltransferase↗

Metabolic activation of the serotonergic neurotoxin para-chloroamphetamine to chemically reactive intermediates by hepatic and brain microsomal preparations.

Para-chloroamphetamine (PCA) is selectively toxic to serotonergic neurons in laboratory animals. Acute, reversible neurotoxicity is followed by long-term effects which include inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase and destruction of neurons. We have studied the metabolic formation of reactive intermediates that might be involved in long-term PCA neurotoxicity. Incubation of [3H]PCA with rat hepatic microsomes resulted in NADPH-dependent and oxygen-dependent covalent binding of radioactivity to microsomal protein. Addition of SKF-525A and glutathione to incubation mixtures inhibited [3H]PCA covalent binding 30% and 92% respectively. No inhibition of radiolabeled covalent binding was observed in an atmosphere of carbon monoxide/oxygen (80/20). 7,8-Benzoflavone was more effective than metyrapone in inhibiting [3H]PCA covalent binding. The extent of [3H]PCA covalent binding to microsomal protein was unchanged after phenobarbital pretreatment of rats, whereas 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment increased [3H]PCA covalent binding (175%). NADPH-dependent and oxygen-dependent covalent binding of radioactivity was also observed when [3H]PCA was incubated with rat brain microsomal preparations. Addition of SKF-525A and glutathione to incubation mixtures inhibited covalent binding 10 and 40% respectively. There were no significant differences in total, NADPH-independent or NADPH-dependent covalent binding of radiolabeled R,S(+/-)-, R(-)-, or S(+)-PCA to rat hepatic microsomal protein. Less covalent binding was observed when [3H]amphetamine was incubated with rat liver microsomal preparations as compared to results with [3H]PCA. Minimal covalent binding was observed when [3H]PCA was incubated with liver microsomal preparations from rabbits, a species resistant to PCA neurotoxicity. Results of these metabolism studies are consistent with the hypothesis that oxidative metabolic activation of PCA to reactive and toxic metabolites is related to the long-term neurotoxicity of this agent.

Amphetamine↗

Debenzoylating and deacetylating activities of rat liver and mammary gland microsomes. Effect of ovariectomy.

This study compared the rates of N-deacylations of N-hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylbenzamide (N-OH-2-FBA) with those of its analogue, N-hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide (N-OH-2-FAA), by the mammary gland (tumor target for both compounds) and the liver of female Sprague-Dawley rats and examined the effect of ovariectomy on these activities. N-Debenzoylation of N-OH-2-FBA was catalyzed by the mammary and liver microsomes of 50-day-old female rats at similar rates (approximately 24 nmol/min/mg). The activity of both tissues increased (up to 1.8 times) after ovariectomy at 42, 32 and, especially, 22 days of age. The rapid hydrolysis appeared to be unique for the benzoyl group since N-OH-2-FAA was deacylated only approximately 0.05 and 0.004 times as fast by the liver and mammary microsomes, respectively, and these low rates were unaffected by ovariectomy. Since such substrate specificity would be of significance in the metabolism of xenobiotics and drug design, esterase activity and its sensitivity to ovariectomy at 22 days of age were examined with several acetylated and benzoylated substrates in the liver and mammary microsomes and compared with those of male liver. Tissues of rats of both sexes had a greater capacity to hydrolyze carboxyl esters than amides. Expect for N-2-fluorenylacetamide (2-FAA) and o-nitrophenylacetate (o-NPA), all substrates were hydrolyzed by liver microsomes of the male up to 3.9 times faster than by those of the female. Microsomes of female liver hydrolyzed acetylated substrates 1.2 to 25 times faster than benzoylated analogues except for N-OH-2-FBA and benzamide. By contrast, mammary gland microsomes hydrolyzed benzoylated compounds 1.4 to 333 times faster except for 2-naphthyl benzoate. Respective rates of hydrolysis of o-NPA by microsomes of liver and mammary gland were 1.7 and 0.6 times those of p-NPA. After ovariectomy, deacylating activities increased (up to 1.6 times) except for those of 2-FAA and acetanilide. All deacylations were > 98% inhibited by 0.1 mM paraoxon, indicating catalysis by serine hydrolases. The results suggest involvement of multiple carboxylesterases and indicate that certain benzoylated xenobiotics may have a greater effect on the mammary gland than acetylated xenobiotics because of their greater vulnerability to hydrolysis by esterases of mammary gland.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Restoration of hydroperoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation by 3-methylcholanthrene induction of cytochrome P-448 in hepatoma microsomes.

Microsomal membranes from the slow-growing Morris hepatoma 9618A catalyze, in the presence of t-butyl hydroperoxide, lower rates of lipid peroxidation than rat liver microsomes. The cytochrome P-450 content of hepatoma microsomes is about 40% that of the liver. SKF 525-A, an inhibitor of mixed-function oxidase, produces in hepatoma microsomes a P-450 type I binding spectrum similar to that of hepatic microsomes. The concentration of the inhibitor required for half-maximal spectral change is about 2 microM in both microsome types. SKF 525-A or ethylmorphine inhibit lipid peroxidation of normal and tumor microsomes to the same extent (about 60%). Treatment of the tumor-bearing rats with 3-methylcholanthrene increases the hepatoma cytochrome P-450 to values comparable to those of control membranes, although the hemoprotein has a peak in the CO-reduced difference absorption spectrum at 448 nm. The cytochrome P-448 induction is accompanied by an almost complete restoration of the hydroperoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗

Rat pulmonary microsomal cytochrome P-450 enzymes involved in the activation of procarcinogens.

Rat lung microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450) enzymes have been characterized with regard to their catalytic specificities towards activation of several procarcinogens to genotoxic metabolites in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002. We first examined the roles of rat liver microsomal P-450 enzymes in the activation of benzo[a]pyrene and its 7,8-diol enantiomers to genotoxic products, and found that P-450 1A1 is a major catalyst for the activation of these potential procarcinogens in rat livers. Using lung microsomes isolated from rats treated with various P-450 inducers we obtained evidence that at least three P-450 enzymes are involved in the activation of several procarcinogens. Immunoinhibition studies support the view that benzo[a]pyrene and its 7,8-diol derivatives, other dihydrodiol derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole are activated to genotoxins mainly by rat P-450 1A1, which is inducible in rat lungs by 5,6-benzoflavone and the polychlorinated biphenyl mixture Aroclor 1254. Activation of 2-amino-3,5-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline may be catalyzed by another P-450 enzyme because the activities were not induced by treatment with 5,6-benzoflavone or Aroclor 1254. The observation that both activities were inhibited by antibodies raised against P-450 1A2 and by 7,8-benzoflavone suggests a role for an enzyme of P-450 1A family, probably P-450 1A2, in rat lung microsomes. The activation of aflatoxin B1 and sterigmatocystin appears to be catalyzed by other P-450 enzyme(s) rather than the P-450 1A family as judged by the different responses of activities to the P-450 inducers and the specific antibodies in rat lung microsomes. Interestingly, lung microsomal activation of several procarcinogens was found to be suppressed in rats treated with isosafrole and pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile. Thus, the results support the roles of different P-450 enzymes in the activation of procarcinogens in rat lung microsomes.

Aflatoxins↗

Microsomes convert retinol and retinal into retinoic acid and interfere in the conversions catalyzed by cytosol.

Rat liver microsomes converted retinol into retinal and retinoic acid. The production of retinal was observed over a range of substrate concentrations (10-100 microM), but retinoic acid was detected only at retinol concentrations of 50 microM or higher. At 50 microM retinol, the rate of microsomal retinal production was 2-fold greater than that of cytosol, but the rate of retinoic acid synthesis was 4-fold less than that of cytosol. Retinal was also converted into retinoic acid by rat liver microsomes, but at a rate 2-5% of that catalyzed by cytosol. Microsomes also interfered with the conversion of retinol and retinal into retinoic acid by rat liver cytosol. A 50% decrease in the cytosolic rates of retinoic acid production from retinol or retinal was caused by microsomal to cytosolic protein ratios of 0.1 and 0.5, respectively. Under the incubation conditions, which included NAD in the medium, addition of microsomes to cytosol did not affect the elimination half-life of retinol or retinoic acid, but did decrease the elimination half-life of retinal by 2-fold. These data show that retinal synthesis from retinol does not necessarily reflect retinoic acid synthesis and suggest that liver microsomes sequester free retinol and convert it into retinal primarily for elimination, rather than to serve as substrate for cytosolic retinoic acid synthesis.

Animals↗

Enhancement of intestinal bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity by modification of microsomal lipid composition.

Microsomal membranes from rat small intestine exhibit a higher cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and a lower phosphatidyl-choline/sphingomyelin ratio than those of the liver, which could negatively influence membrane-bound enzymes like bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. To study the effect of in vitro modifications in the lipid composition of intestinal microsomes on bilirubin glucuronidating activity, two strategies were employed. On one hand, microsomal lipids were modified in order to mimic those of the liver tissue; on the other hand, cholesterol content of microsomal membranes was increased or decreased with respect to the normal value. Lipid changes were carried out by both an enzyme-mediated and a detergent-mediated procedure. Irrespective of the methodology employed, when a depletion in the cholesterol content was produced, enzyme activity increased about 40%, and when lipid composition approached that of the liver tissue, which not only decreased cholesterol but also modified phospholipid classes, enzyme activity increased about 80%. Both lipid modifications produced a 'fluidification' of microsomal membranes measured by fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenylhexatriene, being the effect of the approach to the liver higher than that of the decrease of cholesterol. In turn, the enrichment in cholesterol of microsomal membranes led to a decrease of enzyme activity of about 20% and to a 'rigidization' of the membranes. The present findings suggest that in rat intestine, bilirubin glucuronidation is strongly influenced by microsomal lipids. In particular, there seems to be an inverse association between enzyme activity and the cholesterol content of membrane.

Animals↗

Inhibition of doxorubicin-induced membrane damage by thiol compounds: toxicologic implications of a glutathione-dependent microsomal factor.

The hypothesis was tested that glutathione exerts its protective actions against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress through an enzyme-dependent mechanism. Glutathione at biological concentrations decreased doxorubicin-dependent rat hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation, whereas N-acetylcysteine had no effect. Glutathione was utilized during this inhibition at a rate dependent on the concentration of both doxorubicin and the sulfhydryl. Increasing glutathione concentrations resulted in significant increases in utilization. N-acetylcysteine was also oxidized in the microsomal system; however, the rate of oxidation was not enhanced by doxorubicin. If bovine cardiac microsomes were substituted for the hepatic microsomes, no lipid peroxidation was detected in the presence of doxorubicin, yet significant utilization of glutathione was detected. Microsomes isolated from tocopherol-deficient rats utilized less glutathione in the presence of doxorubicin, and there was no inhibition of doxorubicin-dependent lipid peroxidation. These findings support the conclusion that glutathione inhibits hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation initiated by the redox-cycling of doxorubicin. Inhibition of doxorubicin-dependent lipid peroxidation appears to be enzyme-mediated and to require tocopherol. A similar mechanism for protection against doxorubicin appears to be present in heart microsomal membranes.

Animals↗

Fatty acid profiles and lipid peroxidation of microsomes and mitochondria from liver, heart and brain of Cairina moschata.

Studies were done to analyze the fatty acid composition and sensitivity to lipid peroxidation (LP) of mitochondria and microsomes from duck liver, heart and brain. The fatty acid composition of mitochondria and microsomes was tissue-dependent. In particular, arachidonic acid comprised 17.39+/-2.32, 11.75+/-3.25 and 9.70+/-0.40% of the total fatty acids in heart, liver and brain mitochondria respectively but only 13.39+/-1.31, 8.22+/-2.43 and 6.44+/-0.22% of the total fatty acids in heart, liver and brain microsomes, respectively. Docosahexahenoic acid comprised 17.02+/-0.78, 4.47+/-1.02 and 0.89+/-0.07% of the total fatty acids in brain, liver and heart mitochondria respectively but only 7.76+/-0.53, 3.27+/-0.73 and 1.97+/-0.38% of the total fatty acids in brain, liver and heart microsomes. Incubation of organelles with ascorbate-Fe(2+) at 37 degrees C caused a stimulation of LP as indicated by the increase in light emission: chemiluminescence (CL) and the decrease of arachidonic acid to: 5.17+/-1.34, 8.86+/-0.71 and 5.86+/-0.68% of the total fatty acids in heart, liver and brain mitochondria, respectively, and to 4.10+/-0.61 in liver microsomes. After LP docosahexahenoic acid decrease to 7.29+/-1.47, 1.36+/-0.18 and 0.30+/-0.11% of the total fatty acids in brain, liver and heart mitochondria. Statistically significant differences in the percent of both peroxidable fatty acids (arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid) were not observed in heart and brain microsomes and this was coincident with absence of stimulation of LP. The results indicate a close relationship between tissue sensitivity to LP in vitro and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration. Nevertheless, any oxidative stress in vitro caused by ascorbate-Fe(2+) at 37 degrees C seems to avoid degradation of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in duck liver and brain microsomes. It is possible that because of the important physiological functions of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in these tissues, they are protected to maintain membrane content during oxidative stress.

Animals↗

The effect of alpha-tocopherol on the lipid peroxidation of mitochondria and microsomes obtained from rat liver and testis.

The effect of intraperitoneal administration of alpha-tocopherol (100 mg/kg wt/24 h) on ascorbate (0.4 mM) induced lipid peroxidation of mitochondria and microsomes isolated from rat liver and testis was studied. Special attention was paid to the changes produced on the highly polyunsaturated fatty acids C20:4 n6 and C22:6 n3 in liver and C20:4 n6 and C22:5 n6 in testis. The lipid peroxidation of liver mitochondria or microsomes produced a significant decrease of C20:4 n6 and C22:6 n3 in the control group, whereas changes in the fatty acid composition of the alpha-tocopherol treated group were not observed. The light emission was significantly higher in the control than in the alpha-tocopherol treated group. The lipid peroxidation of testis microsomes isolated from the alpha-tocopherol group produced a significant decrease of C20:4 n6 , C22:5 n6 and C22:6 n3, these changes were not observed in testis mitochondria. The light emission of both groups was similar. The treatment with alpha-tocopherol at the dose and times indicated showed a protector effect on the polyunsaturated fatty acids of liver mitochondria, microsomes and testis mitochondria, whereas those fatty acids situated in testis microsomes were not protected during non enzymatic ascorbate-Fe2+ lipid peroxidation. The protector effect observed by alpha-tocopherol treatment in the fatty acid composition of rat testis mitochondria but not in microsomes could be explained if we consider that the sum of C20:4 n6 + C22:5 n6 in testis microsomes is 2-fold than that present in mitochondria.

Animals↗

Preparation and characterization of dog pancreas microsomal membranes specifically depleted of protein disulphide-isomerase.

1. The selective release of protein disulphide-isomerase from dog pancreas and rat liver microsomal membranes was studied to throw light on the mechanisms of retention of this enzyme within the endoplasmic reticulum, and in order to prepare microsomal membranes specifically depleted of the enzyme. 2. Protein disulphide-isomerase was quantitatively released from dog pancreas microsomal membranes by washing at pH 9 and above, as demonstrated both by enzyme assay and by immunoblotting analysis. 3. Integral membrane proteins implicated in the process of translocation and segregation of secretory proteins were retained in pH 9-washed dog pancreas microsomal membranes. 4. After pH 9 washing, dog pancreas microsomal membranes were fully active in the translocation, segregation and processing of nascent secretory proteins; these membranes therefore provide a useful experimental system for testing the action of protein disulphide-isomerase on nascent secretory proteins. 5. Protein disulphide-isomerase was not released from rat liver microsomal membranes by pH 9 washing, and was much less readily released from these membranes by sonication, washing etc. than from dog pancreas microsomal membranes. 6. The mechanism of retention of protein disulphide-isomerase, and of other resident proteins of the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, is discussed in the light of these findings.

Animals↗