Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Oxidants”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nitric oxide donors (nitrates), L-arginine, or nitric oxide synthase inhibitors for acute ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide has several effects that may be beneficial in ischaemic stroke and useful in the management of hypertension in acute stroke. Some forms of nitric oxide synthase inhibition may also be beneficial. However, high concentrations of nitric oxide are likely to be toxic to brain tissue. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of nitric oxide donors, L-arginine, or nitric oxide synthase-inhibitors in people with acute ischaemic stroke. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register (July 1997), Medline (for trials from 1965), Embase (from 1980) and ISI (from 1981). We contacted drug companies and researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing nitric oxide donors, L-arginine, or nitric oxide synthase-inhibitors in patients within one week of onset of confirmed ischaemic stroke. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria. MAIN RESULTS: No completed trials were found. One small placebo-controlled trial of glyceryl trinitrate patches is underway. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no evidence from randomised trials on the effects of nitric oxide donors, L-arginine, or nitric oxide synthase-inhibitors in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

Arginine↗

Reproductive-toxicologic assessment of the epoxides ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and styrene oxide.

Ethylene oxide (CAS no 75-21-8), propylene oxide (CAS no 75-56-9), butylene oxide (CAS no 106-88-7), and styrene oxide (CAS no 96-09-3) were tested for teratogenic activity by inhalation exposure of rats and rabbits. Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide were tested at only one concentration in both species (150 ppm for ethylene oxide and 500 ppm for propylene oxide). Butylene oxide was tested at 250 and 1,000 ppm in both species, while styrene oxide was tested at 100 ppm in rats and 15 and 50 ppm in rabbits. For each of these four epoxides, the acute toxicity was similar for pregnant and nonpregnant rats. Styrene oxide was the most toxic in both species, and rabbits were more sensitive than rats. Rats exposed to propylene oxide for 7 h/d, 5 d/week for three weeks before breeding had a significant reduction in the number of corpora lutea. Fetal mortality was not increased, but significantly fewer mated rats were found pregnant following gestational exposure to styrene oxide, a finding suggesting preimplantation loss. In rabbits exposed to styrene oxide, the number of resorptions per litter was increased in concentration related manner, but differences were not statistically significant. Fetal examination revealed evidence of fetotoxicity with all four epoxides. There was no overt teratogenic activity, but a number of minor morphologic aberrations were detected.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Oxidative alterations in the experimental glycation model of diabetes mellitus are due to protein-glucose adduct oxidation. Some fundamental differences in proposed mechanisms of glucose oxidation and oxidant production.

Modification of human serum albumin (HSA) with formaldehyde resulted in a loss of 75% of available lysine residues, but there was no change in histidine content or susceptibility to free-radical-mediated fragmentation. The modified HSA appeared resistant to glycation and glucose-mediated fragmentation. Native HSA inhibited oxidant production by free glucose, as assessed by the hydroxylation of benzoic acid, but modified HSA had little effect. Thus the oxidation of free glucose appeared to be inhibited by glycatable protein, but not by unglycatable protein. Also, a close proximity of glucose to protein (decreased in the case of modified HSA) would seem to be a prerequisite for glucose-mediated protein fragmentation. This latter observation, in particular, led us to examine the role of oxidation of glucose attached to HSA in the production of reactive oxidants and subsequent molecular damage. Glycated HSA, washed free of unbound glucose, became fragmented and generated oxidants capable of hydroxylating benzoic acid and oxidizing cholesteryl linoleate-HSA complexes. Significant levels of benzoate hydroxylation and HSA fragmentation occurred with HSA (10 mg/ml) containing 3.3 mol of glucose bound/mol of HSA. This is equivalent to incubation of 10 mg/ml native HSA with 0.66 mM glucose, conditions which lead to little fragmentation or oxidant formation. The oxidative activity of glycated HSA was dependent on transition-metal concentration. The level of protein-bound glucose appeared to decrease during the oxidant production and protein fragmentation. Thus glucose can oxidize and generate reactive oxidants, whether in solution or attached to protein. We discuss which is the more likely mechanism of glucose oxidation under the near-physiological conditions used to study the effects of protein exposure to glucose in vitro.

Benzoates↗

Spontaneous hydrolysis reactions of cis- and trans-beta-methyl-4-methoxystyrene oxides (Anethole oxides): buildup of trans-anethole oxide as an intermediate in the spontaneous reaction of cis-anethole oxide.

Rates and products of the reactions of trans- and cis-beta-methyl-4-methoxystyrene oxides (1 and 2) (anethole oxides) and beta,beta-dimethyl-4-methoxystyrene oxide (3) in water solutions in the pH range 4-12 have been determined. In the pH range ca. 8-12, each of these epoxides reacts by a spontaneous reaction. The spontaneous reaction of trans-anethole oxide (1) yields ca. 40% of (4-methoxyphenyl)acetone and 60% of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1, 2-propanediols (erythro:threo ratio ca. 3:1). The spontaneous reaction of cis-anethole oxide is more complicated. The yields of diol and ketone products vary with pH in the pH range 8-11, even though there is not a corresponding change in rate. These results are interpreted by a mechanism in which 2 undergoes isomerization in part to the more reactive trans-anethole oxide (1), which subsequently reacts by acid-catalyzed and/or spontaneous reactions, depending on the pH, to yield diol and ketone products. The buildup of the intermediate trans-anethole oxide in the spontaneous reaction of cis-anethole oxide was detected by (1)H NMR analysis of the reaction mixture. Other primary products of the spontaneous reaction of 2 are (4-methoxyphenyl)acetone (73%) and threo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-propanediol (ca. 3%). The rates and products of the spontaneous reaction of 2 and its beta-deuterium-labeled derivative were determined, and the lack of significant kinetic and partitioning deuterium isotope effects indicates that the isomerization of 2 to ketone and to trans-anethole oxide must occur primarily by nonintersecting reaction pathways.

Anisoles↗

Nitrogen oxides and hydroxyguanidines: formation of donors of nitric and nitrous oxides and possible relevance to nitrous oxide formation by nitric oxide synthase.

The involvement of nitric oxide in numerous biological functions has led to the intense study of nitric oxide (NO) generation by the nitric oxide synthases (NOS) responsible. In addition to NO, nitric oxide synthases produce N(G)-hydroxy-L-arginine, superoxide anion and, indirectly, NOx species such as peroxynitrite and, possibly, nitrous oxide (N2O). Consequently, the interactions of N(G)-hydroxy-L-arginine with NO and other oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are of considerable interest. N(G)-Hydroxy-L-arginine and other monosubstituted hydroxyguanidines react with aqueous aerobic NO, peroxynitrite, and various NOx and nitrosating agents to form compounds that subsequently release NO and N2O. Spectrometric data indicate that the nitrosation product of N(G)-hydroxy-L-arginine is of the same N-nitroso-N-hydroxy/diazeniumdiolate (formerly "NONOate") structure as previously found for the nitrosation products of other model hydroxyguanidines. These decompose in aqueous solution in a pH-dependent manner to yield mainly NO and ureas at low pH, N2O and cyanamides at basic pH, and what appear to be primary nitrosamines/ nitrosoimines. Studies on purified iNOS using a mass spectrometer with a gas-permeable membrane inlet identified both NO and N2O (or 15NO and 15N15NO with 15N-labeled L-arginine as substrate) as products of NOS activity. These experiments suggest that much more NO than N2O is produced under the conditions studied and that N2O formation can be rationalized via the reaction of NOx species with N(G)-hydroxy-L-arginine.

Arginine↗

Chronic treatment with nitric oxide-releasing aspirin reduces plasma low-density lipoprotein oxidation and oxidative stress, arterial oxidation-specific epitopes, and atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic mice.

The effects of chronic treatment with nitric oxide-containing aspirin (NO-aspirin, NCX-4016) in comparison with regular aspirin or placebo on the development of a chronic disease such as atherosclerosis were investigated in hypercholesterolemic low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor-deficient mice. Male mice were assigned randomly to receive in a volume of 10 ml/kg either placebo (n = 10), 30 mg/kg/day NO-aspirin (n = 10), or 18 mg/kg/day of regular aspirin (n = 10). After 12 weeks of treatment, the computer-assisted imaging analysis revealed that NO-aspirin reduced the aortic cumulative lesion area by 39.8 +/- 12.3% compared with that of the placebo (P < 0.001). Regular aspirin did not reduce significantly aortic lesions (-5.1 +/- 2.3%) compared with the placebo [P = 0.867, not significant (NS)]. Furthermore, NO-aspirin reduced significantly plasma LDL oxidation compared with aspirin and placebo, as shown by the significant reduction of malondialdehyde content (P < 0.001) as well as by the prolongation of lag-time (P < 0.01). Similarly, systemic oxidative stress, measured by plasma isoprostanes, was significantly reduced by treatment with NCX-4016 (P < 0.05). More importantly, mice treated with NO-aspirin revealed by immunohistochemical analysis of aortic serial sections a significant decrease in the intimal presence of oxidation-specific epitopes of oxLDL (E06 monoclonal antibody, P < 0.01), and macrophages-derived foam cells (F4/80 monoclonal antibody, P < 0.05), compared with placebo or aspirin. These data indicate that enhanced NO release by chronic treatment with the NO-containing aspirin has antiatherosclerotic and antioxidant effects in the arterial wall of hypercholesterolemic mice.

Animals↗

Effect of Solvent Quality on Reverse Micelle Formation and Water Solubilization by Poly(ethylene oxide)/Poly(propylene oxide) and Poly(ethylene oxide)/Poly(butylene oxide) Block Copolymers in Xylene

In addition to associating into ("normal") micelles in aqueous solutions, amphiphilic polyoxyalkylene block copolymers can form "reverse" micelles in organic solvents at sufficiently high copolymer concentrations (above the critical micellization concentration (CMC)) and in the presence of some water. The effects of solvent quality on the copolymer micellization in an organic solvent and on the solubilization of water in such systems are examined here for representative poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) and poly(butylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PBO-PEO) copolymers. The solvent quality is modulated by the addition of cosolutes and by a change in the temperature. A number of notable observations are reported: Worsening the aqueous solvent conditions by the addition of NaCl (10 wt% with respect to water) almost doubles the CMC and the water solubilization capacity (WS) of a PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer in p-xylene. An increase in temperature makes water a worse and xylene a better solvent for the copolymer. The combined result of heating is an increase of the CMC for all three copolymers studied. This indicates that the formation of reverse micelles is exothermic, which is opposite to what has been observed for normal micelles. The effects of temperature on the water uptake are nonmonotonic: WS increased with temperature for a PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer with 40% PEO but decreased for a copolymer with 20% PEO. An increase in WS with temperature, followed by a decrease, with the maximum WS efficiency occurring at the "effective" cloud point of the copolymer is proposed in order to explain this observation. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Journal Article↗

Nitric oxide-mediated mechanism of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression during hypoxia in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets.

Previously, we have shown that hypoxia results in increased generation of nitric oxide free radicals in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets that may be due to up-regulation of nitric oxide synthases, neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The present study tests the hypothesis that hypoxia results in increased expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets and that the increased expression is nitric oxide-mediated. Newborn piglets, 2-4 days old, were divided to normoxic (n=4), hypoxic (n=4) and hypoxic-treated with 7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt, a selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (hypoxic-7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt, n=6, 1 mg/kg, 60 min prior to hypoxia). Piglets were anesthetized, ventilated and exposed to an FiO2 of 0.21 or 0.07 for 60 min. Cerebral tissue hypoxia was documented biochemically by determining ATP and phosphocreatine. The expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase was determined by Western blot using specific antibodies for neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Protein bands were detected by enhanced chemiluminescence, analyzed by imaging densitometry and the protein band density expressed as absorbance (OD x mm(2)). The density of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the normoxic, hypoxic and hypoxic-7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt groups was: 41.56+/-4.27 in normoxic, 61.82+/-3.57 in hypoxic (P<0.05) and 47.80+/-1.56 in hypoxic-7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt groups (P=NS vs normoxic), respectively. Similarly, the density of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the normoxic, hypoxic and hypoxic-7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt groups was: 105.21+/-9.09, 157.71+/-13.33 (P<0.05 vx normoxic), 117.84+/-10.32 (p=NS vx normoxic), respectively. The data show that hypoxia results in increased expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase proteins in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets and that the hypoxia-induced increased expression is prevented by the administration of 7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt. Furthermore, the neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibition prevented the inducible nitric oxide synthase expression for a period of 7 days after hypoxia. Since administration of 7-nitro-indazole-sodium salt prevents nitric oxide generation by inhibiting neuronal nitric oxide synthase, we conclude that the hypoxia-induced increased expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase is mediated by neuronal nitric oxide synthase derived nitric oxide. We speculate that during hypoxia nitric oxide-mediated up-regulation of nitric oxide synthases will continue the perpetual cycle of nitric oxide generation-->NOS up-regulation-->nitric oxide generation resulting in hypoxic neuronal death.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Inhaled nitric oxide for respiratory failure in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether, in preterm newborn infants who have hypoxic respiratory failure, treatment with inhaled nitric oxide improves oxygenation and reduces the rates of death, or adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic and hand searching of pediatric/neonatal literature and personal data files. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized and quasi randomized studies in preterm infants with hypoxic respiratory failure. Administration of inhaled nitric oxide. Clinically relevant outcomes, including death, oxygenation, intraventricular haemorrhage. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One randomized controlled trial of nitric oxide therapy was found in preterm infants with a high risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (Subhedar 1997). MAIN RESULTS: No significant effect of inhaled nitric oxide on any outcome variable was found. In particular there was no effect on the primary outcome variable of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no published information to support the use of inhaled nitric oxide in preterm infants. Preterm infants should not be treated with inhaled nitric oxide except in the context of prospective, randomized controlled trials.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Nitric oxide for respiratory failure in infants born at or near term.

BACKGROUND: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether treatment of hypoxemic newborn infants with inhaled nitric oxide (INO) improves oxygenation and reduces the rates of death, or the requirement for ECMO. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic and hand searching of pediatric/neonatal literature and personal data files. In addition we contacted the principal investigators of articles which have been published as abstracts to ascertain the necessary information. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized and quasi randomized studies in term and near term infants. Administration of inhaled nitric oxide. Clinically relevant outcomes, including death, requirement for ECMO, and oxygenation. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Eight randomized controlled studies were found in term and near term infants with hypoxia. Entry criteria were reasonably consistent except for the one trial that studied only infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (Ninos 1997). MAIN RESULTS: Inhaled nitric oxide appears to improve outcome in hypoxemic term and near term infants by reducing the incidence of the combined endpoint of death or need for ECMO. The reduction seems to be entirely a reduction in need for ECMO; mortality is not reduced. Oxygenation improves in approximately 50% of infants receiving nitric oxide. The Oxygenation Index decreases by a (weighted) mean of 15.1 within 30 to 60 minutes after commencing therapy and PaO2 increases by a mean of 53 mmHg. It does not appear to affect outcome whether infants have clear echocardiographic evidence of PPHN or not. The outcome of infants with diaphragmatic hernia was not improved; indeed there is a suggestion that outcome was slightly worsened. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: On the evidence presently available, it appears reasonable to use inhaled nitric oxide in a concentration of 20 ppm for term and near term infants with hypoxic respiratory failure who do not have a diaphragmatic hernia. Longterm neurodevelopmental and pulmonary followup of surviving infants enrolled in randomized trials of INO are required to establish more firmly the role of INO in the treatment of neonatal respiratory failure.

Fetal Hypoxia↗

The delta-isoform of protein kinase C causes inducible nitric-oxide synthase and nitric oxide up-regulation: key mechanism for oxidant-induced carbonylation, nitration, and disassembly of the microtubule cytoskeleton and hyperpermeability of barrier of intestinal epithelia.

Using intestinal (Caco-2) cells, we found that oxidant-induced disruption of barrier integrity requires microtubule disassembly. Protein kinase C (PKC)-delta isoform seems to be essential for disruption, but the mechanism is unknown. Because inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) is key to oxidant stress, we hypothesized that PKC-delta activation is essential in oxidant-induced iNOS up-regulation and the consequent cytoskeletal oxidation and disarray and monolayer barrier dysfunction. Cells were transfected with an inducible plasmid to overexpress native PKC-delta or with a dominant-negative to inhibit the activity of native PKC-delta. Clones were then incubated with oxidant (H(2)O(2)) +/- modulators. Parental cells were treated similarly. Exposure to oxidant-disrupted monolayers by increasing native PKC-delta activity, increasing six iNOS-related variables (iNOS activity and protein, nitric oxide, oxidative stress, tubulin oxidation and nitration), decreasing polymerized tubulin, disrupting the cytoarchitecture of microtubules, and causing monolayer dysfunction. Induction of PKC-delta overexpression by itself (3.5-fold) led to oxidant-like disruptive effects, including activation of the iNOS-driven pathway. Overexpression-induced up-regulation of iNOS was potentiated by oxidants. iNOS inhibitors or oxidant scavengers were protective. Dominant inhibition of native PKC-delta activity (99.5%) prevented all measures of oxidant-induced iNOS up-regulation and protected the monolayer barrier. The conclusions are as follows. 1) Oxidants induce loss of epithelial barrier integrity by oxidizing and disassembling the cytoskeleton, in part, through the activation of PKC-delta and up-regulation of iNOS. 2) Overexpression and activation of PKC-delta are by themselves key for cellular injury by oxidative stress of iNOS. 3) We thus report a pathophysiological mechanism, activation of iNOS pathway and its injurious consequences to the cytoskeleton, including oxidation and nitration, among the "novel" subfamily of PKC isoforms.

Blotting, Western↗

Effect of oxide formation mechanisms on lead adsorption by biogenic manganese (hydr)oxides, iron (hydr)oxides, and their mixtures.

The effects of iron and manganese (hydr)oxide formation processes on the trace metal adsorption properties of these metal (hydr)oxides and their mixtures was investigated by measuring lead adsorption by iron and manganese (hydr)oxides prepared by a variety of methods. Amorphous iron (hydr)oxide formed by fast precipitation at pH 7.5 exhibited greater Pb adsorption (gamma(max) = 50 mmol of Pb/mol of Fe at pH 6.0) than iron (hydr)oxide formed by slow, diffusion-controlled oxidation of Fe(II) at pH 4.5-7.0 or goethite. Biogenic manganese(III/IV) (hydr)oxide prepared by enzymatic oxidation of Mn(II) by the bacterium Leptothrix discophora SS-1 adsorbed five times more Pb (per mole of Mn) than an abiotic manganese (hydr)oxide prepared by oxidation of Mn(II) with permanganate, and 500-5000 times more Pb than pyrolusite oxides (betaMnO2). X-ray crystallography indicated that biogenic manganese (hydr)oxide and iron (hydr)oxide were predominantly amorphous or poorly crystalline and their X-ray diffraction patterns were not significantly affected by the presence of the other (hydr)oxide during formation. When iron and manganese (hydr)oxides were mixed after formation, or for Mn biologically oxidized with iron(III) (hydr)oxide present, observed Pb adsorption was similar to that expected for the mixture based on Langmuir parameters for the individual (hydr)oxides. These results indicate that interactions in iron/manganese (hydr)oxide mixtures related to the formation process and sequence of formation such as site masking, alterations in specific surface area, or changes in crystalline structure either did not occur or had a negligible effect on Pb adsorption by the mixtures.

Adsorption↗

Complexities in ETS-domain transcription factor function and regulation: lessons from the TCF (ternary complex factor) subfamily. The Colworth Medal Lecture.

The ETS-domain transcription factor family can be divided into a series of subfamilies. Elk-1 represents the founding member of the ternary complex factor (TCF) subfamily. By focusing on the TCF subfamily, we can demonstrate the complexities that exist in the function and regulation of ETS-domain transcription factors. This article focuses on Elk-1 in detail and summarizes the functions of other TCFs. The key themes covered include the domain structure of the TCFs, the mechanisms of complex formation with serum response factor, regulation of TCFs by mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades, and transcriptional regulatory properties of the TCFs. Finally, the emerging role of the TCFs in vivo is discussed. A picture is developing indicating that, while these proteins exhibit significant sequence and functional conservation, key differences in their structure and regulation are being identified which may relate to unique functions of these proteins in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The energy-conserving nitric-oxide-reductase system in Paracoccus denitrificans. Distinction from the nitrite reductase that catalyses synthesis of nitric oxide and evidence from trapping experiments for nitric oxide as a free intermediate during denitrification.

1. A Clark-type electrode that responds to nitric oxide has been used to show that cytoplasmic membrane vesicles of Paracoccus denitrificans have a nitric-oxide reductase activity. Nitrous oxide is the reaction product. NADH, succinate or isoascorbate plus 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylene diamine can act as reductants. The NADH-dependent activity is resistant to freezing of the vesicles and thus the NADH:nitric-oxide oxidoreductase activity of stored frozen vesicles provides a method for calibrating the electrode by titration of dissolved nitric oxide with NADH. The periplasmic nitrite reductase and nitrous-oxide reductase enzymes are absent from the vesicles which indicates that nitric-oxide reductase is a discrete enzyme associated with the denitrification process. This conclusion was supported by the finding that nitric-oxide reductase activity was absent from both membranes prepared from aerobically grown P. denitrificans and bovine heart submitochondrial particles. 2. The NADH: nitric-oxide oxidoreductase activity was inhibited by concentrations of antimycin or myxothiazol that were just sufficient to inhibit the cytochrome bc1 complex of the ubiquinol--cytochrome-c oxidoreductase. The activity was deduced to be proton translocating by the observations of: (a) up to 3.5-fold stimulation upon addition of an uncoupler; and (b) ATP synthesis with a P:2e ratio of 0.75. 3. Nitrite reductase of cytochrome cd1 type was highly purified from P. denitrificans in a new, high-yield, rapid two- or three-step procedure. This enzyme catalysed stoichiometric synthesis of nitric oxide. This observation, taken together with the finding that the maximum rate of NADH:nitric-oxide oxidoreductase activity catalysed by the vesicles was comparable with that of NADH:nitrate-oxidoreductase, is consistent with a role for nitric-oxide reductase in the physiological conversion of nitrate or nitrite to dinitrogen gas. 4. Intact cells of P. denitrificans also reduced nitric oxide in an antimycin- or myxothiazol-sensitive manner. However, nitric oxide was not detected by the electrode during the reduction of nitrate. Nitric-oxide synthesis from nitrate could be detected with cells in the presence of very low concentrations of Triton X-100 which selectively inhibits nitric-oxide reductase activity. 5. Nitric oxide was detected as an intermediate in denitrification by including haemoglobin with an anaerobic suspension of cells that was reducing nitrate. The characteristic spectrum of the nitric oxide derivative of haemoglobin was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cytoplasm↗

Thermogelling poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) disulfide multiblock copolymer as a thiol-sensitive degradable polymer.

We report a reverse thermogelling poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) disulfide multiblock copolymer as a thiol-sensitive biodegradable polymer. The poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) aqueous solutions studied in this research underwent sol-gel-sol or sol-gel-sol-gel transition depending on the molecular weight and concentration of the polymer, whereas the corresponding disulfide multiblock copolymer aqueous solutions underwent sol-gel transition as the temperature increased in a range of 0-60 degrees C. The hydrophobic dye solubilization and dynamic light scattering of the polymer aqueous solution suggest that the poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide)s undergo unimer (3 nm) to micelle (12 nm) transition, whereas the disulfide multiblock copolymers undergo unimer (6 nm) to aggregated polymer (600 nm) transition as the temperature increases. The gel duration increased from 6 h (poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide)) to more than 12 days (the corresponding disulfide multiblock copolymer) in phosphate buffer saline, and the gel duration of the latter depended on the glutathione concentration of the medium. The model drug, paclitaxel, was released from the in-situ-formed poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) disulfide multiblock copolymer gel in a glutathione concentration-sensitive manner.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Nitric oxide inhibition of lipoxygenase-dependent liposome and low-density lipoprotein oxidation: termination of radical chain propagation reactions and formation of nitrogen-containing oxidized lipid derivatives.

Lipoxygenase-induced lipid oxidation contributes to plasma lipoprotein oxidation and may be an underlying pathogenic mechanism of atherogenesis. Since inactivation of the vasorelaxant actions of nitric oxide (.NO) plays a critical role in the impaired function of atherosclerotic vessels and because .NO reacts rapidly with other radical species, we assessed the influence of .NO on lipoxygenase-catalyzed oxidation of linoleic and linolenic acid, 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PC) liposomes, hypercholesterolemic rabbit beta-very-low-density lipoprotein, and human low-density lipoprotein. Soybean lipoxygenase (SLO)-induced lipid oxidation was assessed by accumulation of conjugated dienes, formation of lipid hydroperoxides, oxygen consumption, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Different rates of delivery of .NO to lipid oxidation systems were accomplished either by infusion of .NO gas equilibrated with anaerobic buffer or via .NO released from S-nitrosoglutathione. Nitric oxide alone did not induce lipid peroxidation, while exposure to SLO yielded significant oxidation of fatty acids, PC liposomes, or lipoproteins in a metal ion-independent mechanism. Low concentrations of .NO, which did not significantly inhibit the activity of the iron-containing lipoxygenase, induced potent inhibition of lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. Mass spectral analysis of oxidation products showed formation of nitrito-, nitro-, nitrosoperoxo-, and/or nitrated lipid oxidation adducts, demonstrating that .NO serves as a potent terminator of radical chain propagation reactions. The formation of Schiff's base fluorescent conjugates between SLO-oxidized linoleic or linolenic acid and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was also inhibited by .NO via reaction with lipid hydroperoxyl radicals (LOO.), thus preventing the reaction of LOO. with polypeptide amino groups. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that both lipid peroxidation products and nitrogen-containing oxidized lipid species decreased in the presence of BSA. We conclude that .NO can play a potent oxidant-protective role in the vessel wall by inhibiting lipoxygenase-dependent lipid and lipoprotein oxidation. This occurs via termination of lipid radical chain propagation reactions catalyzed by alkoxyl (LO.) and LOO. intermediates of lipid peroxidation rather than by inhibition of lipoxygenase-catalyzed initiation reactions.

Animals↗

Microsomal cytochrome P450 dependent oxidation of N-hydroxyguanidines, amidoximes, and ketoximes: mechanism of the oxidative cleavage of their C=N(OH) bond with formation of nitrogen oxides.

Oxidation by rat liver microsomes of 13 compounds involving a C=N(OH) function (including N-hydroxyguanidines, amidoximes, ketoximes, and aldoximes) was found to occur with the release of nitrogen oxides such as NO, NO2-, and NO3-. The greatest activities were observed with liver microsomes from dexamethasone-treated rats (up to 8 nmol of NO2- nmol of P450(-)1 min-1). A detailed study of the microsomal oxidation of some of these compounds was performed. Oxidation of N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N'-hydroxy-guanidine led to the formation of the corresponding urea and cyanamide in addition to NO, NO2-, and NO3-. Formation of all these products was dependent on NADPH, O2, and cytochromes P450. Oxidation of two arylamidoximes was found to occur with formation of the corresponding amides and nitriles in addition to nitrogen oxides. Oxidation of 4-(chlorophenyl)methyl ketone oxime gave the corresponding ketone and nitroalkane as well as NO, NO2-, and NO3-. These reactions were also dependent on cytochromes P450 and required NADPH and O2. Mechanistic experiments showed that microsomal oxidations of amidoximes to the corresponding nitriles and of ketoximes to the corresponding nitroalkanes are not inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and are performed by a cytochrome P450 active species, presumably the high-valent P450-iron-oxo complex. On the contrary, microsomal oxidation of N-hydroxyguanidines to the corresponding cyanamides was greatly inhibited by SOD and appeared to be mainly due to O2*- derived from the oxidase function of cytochromes P450. Similarly, microsomal oxidations of N-hydroxyguanidines and amidoximes to the corresponding ureas and amides were also found to be mainly performed by O2*-, as shown by the great inhibitory effect of SOD (70-100%) and the ability of the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system to give similar oxidation products. However, it is noteworthy that other species, such as the P450 Fe(II)-O2 complex, are also involved, to a minor extent, in the SOD-insensitive microsomal oxidative cleavages of compounds containing a C=N(OH) bond. Our results suggest a general mechanism for such oxidative cleavages of C=N(OH) bonds with formation of nitrogen oxides by cytochromes P450 and NO-synthases, with the involvement of O2*- and its Fe(III) complex [(FeIII-O2-) or (FeII-O2)] as main active species.

Amides↗

Oxidation of guaiacol by myeloperoxidase: a two-electron-oxidized guaiacol transient species as a mediator of NADPH oxidation.

The present study was first aimed at a complete steady-state kinetic analysis of the reaction between guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) and the myeloperoxidase (MPO)/H2O2 system, including a description of the isolation and purification of MPO from human polymorphonuclear neutrophil cells. Secondly, the overall reaction of the oxidation of NADPH, mediated by the reactive intermediates formed from the oxidation of guaiacol in the MPO/H2O2 system, was analysed kinetically. The presence of guaiacol stimulates the oxidation of NADPH by the MPO/H2O2 system in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitantly, the accumulation of biphenoquinone (BQ), the final steady-state product of guaiacol oxidation, is lowered, and even inhibited completely, at high concentrations of NADPH. Under these conditions, the stoichiometry of NADPH:H2O2 is 1, and the oxidation rate of NADPH approximates to that of the rate of guaiacol oxidation by MPO. The effects of the presence of superoxide dismutase, catalase and of anaerobic conditions on the overall oxidation of NADPH have also been examined, and the data indicated that superoxide formation did not occur. The final product of NADPH oxidation was shown to be enzymically active NADP+, while guaiacol was generated continuously from the reaction between NADPH and oxidized guaiacol product. In contrast, similar experiments performed on the indirect, tyrosine-mediated oxidation of NADPH by MPO showed that a propagation of the free radical chain was occurring, with generation of both O2(-.) and H2O2. BQ, in itself, was able to spontaneously oxidize NADPH, but neither the rate nor the stoichiometry of the reaction could account for the NADPH-oxidation process involved in the steady-state peroxidation cycle. These results provide evidence that the oxidation of NADPH does not involve a free nucleotide radical intermediate, but that this is probably due to a direct electron-transfer reaction between NADPH and a two-electron-oxidized guaiacol intermediate.

Biphenyl Compounds↗