Dichlorofluorescein Oxidation Research Articles

P 027 - Naringin supplementation during pregnancy reduces mitochondrial function and modifies redox network system in offspring's cerebellum and striatum

Consumption of polyphenol-rich diets is known to improve brain's redox homeostasis parameters and cognitive function, however, little is known about the effects of polyphenols consumption during pregnancy in offspring's brain. Moreover, we sought to evaluate the effects of maternal supplementation with naringin during pregnancy in offspring's cerebellum and striatum. Naringin was supplemented by oral gavage (100 mg/kg) from the first to the last day of pregnancy. On postnatal day one, offspring's brain was collected and evaluated. The protocol was approved by an ethical commission under the n° 31397. Maternal naringin supplementation decreased offspring's mitochondrial electron transport system (METS) activity in cerebellum, along with increased levels of reduced glutathione. Moreover, the METS activity was also reduced in offspring's striatum, accompanying a tendency of increased levels of nitric oxide and dichlorofluorescein oxidation. Concerning other redox network components, we also observed increased catalase activity and a tendency of increased glutathione peroxidase activity in striatum. Maternal naringin supplementation disrupted offspring's cerebellum and striatum redox network, which might have been triggered by a specific negative adaptive response of each brain region evaluated in this work.

P 031 - Antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy enhances mitochondrial function and alters redox status on offspring's cerebellum

Introduction Pregnancy is an important period for the fetus metabolic programming that can be modulated by several factors, such as the maternal diet. Polyphenol rich-diets are related to better brain and cognitive function, through the reduction of oxidative processes in the brain. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of maternal naringenin supplementation during pregnancy on offspring's’ cerebellum redox homeostasis. Material and Methods Naringenin was orally administered to female Wistar rats, 5 days a week, during pregnancy. The offspring was evaluated at 7 days of life. Results and Discussion Maternal naringenin supplementation increased the mitochondrial electron transport chain activity, and agreeing with this finding, there was also increased mitochondrial superoxide content, dichlorofluorescein oxidation, and malondialdehyde levels. Although there was no effect on the antioxidant enzymes activities, maternal naringenin consumption caused an increase in the reduced glutathione content. Conclusion Maternal naringenin ingestion caused important alterations in the offspring's cerebellum, suggesting a pro-oxidant effect.

P 026 - Moderate maternal caloric restriction affects mitochondrial biogenesis and redox homeostasis in the pups’ hypothalamus

Caloric restriction (CR) is known as the best strategy to promote health and life span in various animal models. However, its effects during pregnancy remain to be elucidated. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of maternal CR on pups’ hypothalamus mitochondrial and redox status. Adult female Wistar rats underwent 20% CR during pregnancy, supplemented with a micronutrient mix. Pups were euthanized in postnatal day (PND) 0 and 7, and hypothalamus was dissected. The protocol was approved by an ethical commission under the n° 30044. Our results showed mitochondrial biogenesis was reduced in PND0 and PND7. In PND0, mitochondrial superoxide levels were decreased while dichlorofluorescein oxidation increased. In PND7, alterations in reactive oxygen species concentrations were abolished. Superoxide dismutase activity and reduced glutathione content were diminished in PND0, while catalase activity was enhanced. In PND7, the antioxidant system was shifted. Catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutaredoxin activities, as well as reduced glutathione content increased. Apparently, pups born to restricted dams present unbalanced antioxidant system and diminished mitochondrial function. The former was restored to normal function in PND7, the latter was only partially restored. Our data suggest a huge impact on pups’ hypothalamus elicited by maternal CR.

Effects of crude hydroalcoholic extract of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels leaves and continuous aerobic training in rats with diabetes induced by a high-fat diet and low doses of streptozotocin

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe leaves of Syzygium cumini (L.) or Skeels (Myrtaceae) are widely used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat diabetes. Aim of the studyThe present study evaluated the functional capacity, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress and DNA damage from eight weeks of intervention with a crude hydroalcoholic extract of S. cumini leaves (EBH) and continuous aerobic training (TAC) in diabetic (D) rats. Materials and methodsA hydroalcoholic (50%) extract was prepared by ultrasound and phytochemical parameters (total phenols, total tannins and myricetin content) were analyzed. Thirty-seven male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normoglycemic controls (CONT), diabetic controls (D-CONT), diabetics treated with extract (D+EBH), trained diabetic (D+TAC) and diabetics treated with extract and trained (D+EBH+TAC). Functional capacity was assessed with a maximum exercise capacity test; biochemical parameters with enzymatic kits; oxidative stress by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and oxidized dichlorofluorescein (DCF), and the DNA damage by the comet assay. ResultsThe D+TAC and D+EBH+TAC groups showed better functional capacity at the end of interventions. The D+EBH group showed glucose and triglyceride reduction, lowest DNA damage index in the blood, liver, kidney, heart, lung and gastrocnemius muscle, improved SOD levels in the liver, kidney and lung, improved CAT levels in the kidney and lower lipid peroxidation in all tissues studied, compared to the D-CONT group. The exercise (D+TAC) was effective in reducing triglycerides, improving SOD levels in the lung, reducing lipid peroxidation in all tissues studied and reducing the DCF oxidation in the kidney, in addition to protecting against DNA damage in the blood and heart. However, the additive effect of the intervention protocols when combined (EBH+TAC) was observed only in improving the gastrocnemius SOD levels. The phytochemical analyses showed a high content of phenols and the presence of myricetin glycosides. ConclusionThe findings in this study suggest a crude hydroalcoholic extract of S. cumini leaves has potential hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and protective properties acting against oxidative stress and against DNA damage, probably due to its phenols and myricetin glycoside content and the antioxidant properties of these constituents. Moreover, exercise was suggested to have beneficial effects on diabetes, improving functional capacity, ameliorating blood triglyceride control and decreasing lipid peroxidation, but with no effects on ameliorating blood glucose levels. The association of intervention protocols presented an additive effect on the antioxidant SOD activity in the muscle cells of diabetic rats.

Food restriction during pregnancy alters brain’s antioxidant network in dams and their offspring

Dietary restriction increases life span and protects distinct organisms against a series of diseases, among which, those related to oxidative stress, like neurodegenerative diseases. Interferences in the maternal environment are known to reprogram the offspring metabolism response, impacting in the risk of chronic diseases development in adulthood. We aimed to assess the effects of 40% food restriction on reactive species levels, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses, and oxidative damage parameters in the cerebellum and total cerebral cortex of pregnant rats and their offspring. Dams and pups showed oxidative modulation caused by food restriction in both structures. Dichlorofluorescein oxidation, reflecting reactive species levels, was reduced in the cerebellum of dams and offspring, while the cerebral cortex was not affected. Decreased mitochondrial superoxide levels were found in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of pups, while nitric oxide was increased in the cortex. We also measured the activities of important antioxidant enzymes responsible by reactive oxygen species elimination. Superoxide dismutase activity was increased in the cerebellum of dams and in both structures of pups, while it was decreased in dams’ cerebral cortex. Both brain structures were affected concerning to catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutaredoxin activities, which were reduced in pups and dams. Non-enzymatic defenses were decreased in pups, while dams showed an adaptive pattern in the cerebellum and no alteration in the cerebral cortex. Even though the results suggest increased oxidative status, lipids and proteins were not oxidatively affected. Our data suggest that intrauterine food restriction may disrupt oxidative status, impairing the antioxidant network.

Neuroprotection of luteolin against methylmercury-induced toxicity in lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea.

Luteolin (3', 4', 5, 7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a polyphenolic compound found in foods of plant origin and has been reported to possess antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. However, there is dearth of information on the beneficial effects of luteolin on methylmercury (MeHg), a long-established neurotoxic compound in animals and humans. This study evaluated the effect of luteolin on MeHg-induced behavioral and biochemical deficits, using lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea as an alternative and complementary animal model. The insects were exposed for 35 consecutive days to either MeHg alone (0.05 mg/g feed) or in combination with luteolin at 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/g feed. Locomotor behavior was assessed using video-tracking software during a 10-min trial in a novel arena and subsequently, biochemical analyses were carried out using the cockroaches' heads. Luteolin supplementation dose-dependently reversed the MeHg-induced locomotor deficits and enhanced the exploratory profiles of MeHg-exposed cockroaches as confirmed by track and occupancy plot analyses. Luteolin reversed the MeHg-induced acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition, decreased dichlorofluorescein oxidation and lipid peroxidation levels, but increased total thiol level and catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities in the treated cockroaches. In conclusion, luteolin prevented oxidative stress indices and neurobehavioral deficits in a Nauphoeta cinerea model of MeHg toxicity.

Neurobehavioral and biochemical changes in Nauphoeta cinerea following dietary exposure to chlorpyrifos

The present study aimed to increase our understanding about the mode of toxic action of organophosphate pesticides in insects by evaluating the biochemical and neurobehavioral characteristics in Nauphoeta cinerea exposed to chlorpyrifos (CPF)-contaminated diet. The insects were exposed for 35 consecutive days to CPF at 0.078, 0.15625, 0.3125 and 0.625μg/g feed. Locomotor behavior was assessed for a 10-min trial in a novel arena and subsequently, biochemical analyses were carried out using the cockroaches’ heads. In comparison to control, CPF-exposed cockroaches showed significant decreases in the total distance traveled, body rotation, turn angle and meandering, along with significant increase in the number of falls, time and episodes of immobility. The marked decrease in the exploratory profiles of CPF-exposed cockroaches was confirmed by track plots, whereas occupancy plot analyses showed a progressive dispersion at 0.15625μg/g feed group. Moreover, the heads of CPF-exposed cockroaches showed marked decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity and antioxidant status with concomitant significant elevation in dichlorofluorescein oxidation and lipid peroxidation levels in CPF-treated cockroaches. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry analyses revealed bioaccumulation of CPF in cockroaches exposed to concentrations above 0.078μg/g feed. The findings from this investigation showed N. cinerea as a value model organism for the risk assessment of environmental organophosphate contamination in insects.

Reactive nitrogen species mediate oxidative stress and astrogliosis provoked by in vivo administration of phytanic acid in cerebellum of adolescent rats: A potential contributing pathomechanism of cerebellar injury in peroxisomal disorders.

Phytanic acid (Phyt) accumulates in various peroxisomal diseases including Refsum disease (RD) and Zellweger syndrome (ZS). Since the pathogenesis of the neurological symptoms and especially the cerebellar abnormalities in these disorders are poorly known, we investigated the effects of in vivo intracerebral administration of Phyt on a large spectrum of redox homeostasis parameters in the cerebellum of young rats. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, sulfhydryl oxidation, carbonyl content, nitrite and nitrate concentrations, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation, total (tGS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and the activities of important antioxidant enzymes were determined at different periods after Phyt administration. Immunohistochemical analysis was also carried out in the cerebellum. Phyt significantly increased MDA and nitric oxide (NO) production and decreased GSH levels, without altering tGS, DCFH oxidation, sulfhydryl oxidation, carbonyl content and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Phyt caused astrogliosis and protein nitrosative damage in the cerebellum. It was also observed that the NO synthase inhibitor Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) prevented the increase of MDA and NO production as well as the decrease of GSH and the immunohistochemical alterations caused by Phyt, strongly suggesting that reactive nitrogen species (RNS) were involved in these effects. The present data provide in vivo solid evidence that Phyt disrupts redox homeostasis and causes astrogliosis in rat cerebellum probably mediated by RNS production. It is therefore presumed that disequilibrium of redox status may contribute at least in part to the cerebellum alterations characteristic of patients affected by RD and other disorders with Phyt accumulation.

In vivo intracerebral administration of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid provokes oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in striatum and cerebellum of adolescent rats

Patients affected by L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA) are biochemically characterized by elevated L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid (L-2-HG) concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, and urine due to a blockage in the conversion of L-2-HG to α-ketoglutaric acid. Neurological symptoms associated with basal ganglia and cerebelar abnormalities whose pathophysiology is still unknown are typical of this neurometabolic disorder. In the present study we evaluated the early effects (30min after injection) of an acute in vivo intrastriatal and intracerebellar L-2-HG administration on redox homeostasis in rat striatum and cerebellum, respectively. Histological analyses of these brain structures were also carried out 7 days after L-2-HG treatment (long-term effects). L-2-HG significantly decreased the concentrations of reduced (GSH) and total glutathione (tGS), as well as of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reductase (GR) activities, but did not change the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in striatum. Furthermore, the concentrations of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, were increased, whereas carbonyl formation and nitrate plus nitrite concentrations were not altered by L-2-HG injection. It was also found that the melatonin, ascorbic acid plus α-tocopherol, and creatine totally prevented most of these effects, whereas N-acetylcysteine, the noncompetitive glutamate NMDA antagonist MK-801, and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME were not able to normalize the redox alterations elicited by L-2-HG in striatum. L-2-HG intracerebellar injection similarly provoked a decrease of antioxidant defenses (GSH, tGS, GPx, and GR) and an increase of the concentrations of GSSG, MDA, and H2O2 in cerebellum. These results strongly indicate that the major accumulating metabolite in L-2-HGA induce oxidative stress by decreasing the antioxidant defenses and enhancing reactive oxygen species in striatum and cerebellum of adolescent rats. Regarding the histopathological findings, L-2-HG caused intense vacuolation, lymphocyte and macrophage infiltrates, eosinophilic granular bodies, and necrosis in striatum. Immunohistochemistry revealed that L-2-HG treatment provoked an increase of GFAP and a decrease of NeuN immunostaining, indicating reactive astroglyosis and reduction of neuronal population, respectively, in striatum. Similar macrophage infiltrates, associated with less intense vacuolation and lymphocytic infiltration, were observed in cerebellum. However, we did not observe necrosis, eosinophilic granular bodies, and alteration of GFAP and NeuN content in L-2-HG-teated cerebellum. From the biochemical and histological findings, it is presumed that L-2-HG provokes striatal and cerebellar damage in vivo possibly through oxidative stress induction. Therefore, we postulate that antioxidants may serve as adjuvant therapy allied to the current treatment based on a protein-restricted diet and riboflavin and L-carnitine supplementation in patients affected by L-2-HGA.

Dietary supplementation of ginger and turmeric improves reproductive function in hypertensive male rats.

Ginger [Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)] and turmeric [Curcuma longa Linn (Zingiberaceae)] rhizomes have been reportedly used in folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension. However, the prevention of its complication such as male infertility remains unexplored. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the preventive effects of ginger and turmeric rhizomes on some biomarkers of male reproductive function in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10): normotensive control rats; induced (L-NAME hypertensive) rats; hypertensive rats treated with atenolol (10 mg/kg/day); normotensive and hypertensive rats treated with 4% supplementation of turmeric or ginger, respectively. After 14 days of pre-treatment, the animals were induced with hypertension by oral administration of L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day). The results revealed significant decrease in serum total testosterone and epididymal sperm progressive motility without affecting sperm viability in hypertensive rats. Moreover, increased oxidative stress in the testes and epididymides of hypertensive rats was evidenced by significant decrease in total and non-protein thiol levels, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity with concomitant increase in 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DFCH) oxidation and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production. Similarly, decreased testicular and epididymal NO level with concomitant elevation in arginase activity was observed in hypertensive rats. However, dietary supplementation with turmeric or ginger efficiently prevented these alterations in biomarkers of reproductive function in hypertensive rats. The inhibition of arginase activity and increase in NO and testosterone levels by both rhizomes could suggest possible mechanism of action for the prevention of male infertility in hypertension. Therefore, both rhizomes could be harnessed as functional foods to prevent hypertension-mediated male reproductive dysfunction.

Diabetic encephalopathy-related depression: experimental evidence that insulin and clonazepam restore antioxidant status in rat brain.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of many chronic and degenerative conditions such as diabetic encephalopathy and depression. Considering that diabetic rats and mice present higher depressive-like behaviour when submitted to the forced swimming test and that treatment with insulin and/or clonazepam is able to reverse the behavioural changes of the diabetic rats, the present work investigated the antioxidant status, specifically total antioxidant reactivity and antioxidant potential of insulin and clonazepam, as well as the effect of this drugs upon protein oxidative damage and reactive species formation in cortex, hippocampus and striatum from diabetic rats submitted to forced swimming test. It was verified that longer immobility time in diabetic rats and insulin plus clonazepam treatment reversed this depressive-like behaviour. Moreover, data obtained in this study allowed to demonstrate through different parameters such as protein carbonyl content, 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein oxidation, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase assay, total radical-trapping antioxidant potential and total antioxidant reactivity that there is oxidative stress in cortex, hippocampus and striatum from diabetic rats under depressive-like behaviour and highlight the insulin and/or clonazepam effect in these different brain areas, restoring antioxidant status and protein damage.

P86 - Cu(II)-disulfide complexes with superoxide dismutase- and catalase-like activities protect mitochondria and whole cells against oxidative stress

Mitochondria are a major subcellular site of superoxide (O2-) formation. Conditions leading to an uncontrolled production, accumulation and/or conversion of O2- into hydrogen peroxide result in an increment in the intramitochondrial oxidative tone which, ultimately leads to the loss of cell viability. Recently, we reported on the ability of a series of Cu(II)-disulfide complexes to act simultaneously as SOD- and catalase-like molecules. In the present study, we addressed the potential of such compounds to protect mitochondria and cells against the oxidative stress and the cytolytic damage induced by diclofenac. Exposure of Caco-2 cells to diclofenac (250µM, 20min) led to a near 80% inhibition of mitochondrial complex I activity and almost doubled the rate of mitochondrial O2- production (assessed by Mitosox). A comparable increment was seen in whole cells when the oxidative tone was assessed through the largely hydrogen peroxide-dependent dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation. The increment in mitochondrial O2- production was totally and concentration-dependently prevented by the addition of the complexes formed between Cu(II) and the disulfides of glutathione, homocysteine, or a-dehydro-lipoic acid (20µM each); comparatively, the Cu(II)-cystine complex exerted a weaker protection. A comparable protection pattern was seen at the whole cell level, as these complexes were also effective in preventing the increment in DCFH oxidation. The mitochondrial and whole cell antioxidant protection also translated into a full protection against the cytolytic effects of diclofenac (45min). Results from the present study indicate that the here-tested Cu(II)-disulfides complexes are able to effectively protect cells against the oxidative and the lytic effects of O2--overproducing mitochondria, suggesting a potential for these type of compounds to act as SOD- and catalase-like molecules under oxidative-stress conditions.Supported by FONDECYT #1110018

Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species During the Cell Cycle Under Normal Culture Conditions Using a Modified Fixed-Sample Staining Method

We developed an alternative method of simultaneously monitoring the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular oxidative responses using the oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe dichlorofluorescein (DCF) in fixed samples. In this study, we evaluated the ability of this method to detect ROS generation during the cell cycle under normal culture conditions using flow cytometric analyses. Among the fixatives tested, only acetone and paraformaldehyde did not alter the endogenous oxidation of the responsive dye 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (CM-H2DCFDA), which is a chloromethyl derivative of H2DCFDA. Only acetone fixation followed by staining with propidium iodide was able to detect ROS generation during the cell cycle without altering DCF oxidation. Further thymidine treatment led to cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase followed by the downregulation of total intracellular ROS. Paraformaldehyde-based fixation enabled the evaluation of ROS generation by immunostaining at a different phase of the cell cycle, whereas MPM2 co-staining enabled identification of the specific mitotic phase. This study demonstrates a modified fixed-sample method that can be used to measure intracellular ROS production during the cell cycle using standard immunostaining techniques.

Pristanic acid provokes lipid, protein, and DNA oxidative damage and reduces the antioxidant defenses in cerebellum of young rats.

Zellweger syndrome (ZS) and some peroxisomal diseases are severe inherited disorders mainly characterized by neurological symptoms and cerebellum abnormalities, whose pathogenesis is poorly understood. Biochemically, these diseases are mainly characterized by accumulation of pristanic acid (Prist) and other fatty acids in the brain and other tissues. In this work, we evaluated the in vitro influence of Prist on redox homeostasis by measuring lipid, protein, and DNA damage, as well as the antioxidant defenses and the activities of aconitase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase in cerebellum of 30-day-old rats. The effect of Prist on DNA damage was also evaluated in blood of these animals. Some parameters were also evaluated in cerebellum from neonatal rats and in cerebellum neuronal cultures. Prist significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and carbonyl formation and reduced sulfhydryl content and glutathione (GSH) concentrations in cerebellum of young rats. It also caused DNA strand damage in cerebellum and induced a high micronuclei frequency in blood. On the other hand, this fatty acid significantly reduced α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and aconitase activities in rat cerebellum. We also verified that Prist-induced increase of MDA levels was totally prevented by melatonin and attenuated by α-tocopherol but not by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, indicating the involvement of reactive oxygen species in this effect. Cerebellum from neonate rats also showed marked alterations of redox homeostasis, including an increase of MDA levels and a decrease of sulfhydryl content and GSH concentrations elicited by Prist. Finally, Prist provoked an increase of dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation in cerebellum-cultivated neurons. Our present data indicate that Prist compromises redox homeostasis in rat cerebellum and blood and inhibits critical enzymes of the citric acid cycle that are susceptible to free radical attack. The present findings may contribute to clarify the pathogenesis of the cerebellar alterations observed in patients affected by ZS and some peroxisomal disorders in which Prist is accumulated.

The effects of strength, aerobic, and concurrent exercise on skeletal muscle damage in rats

In this study we examined oxidative stress and skeletal muscle damage resulting from acute strength, aerobic, or concurrent exercise in rats. The animals were divided into control (C), strength (SE), aerobic (AE), and combined (CE) exercise groups. They were euthanized at 3 different time-points (6, 24, and 48 h) after acute exercise. SE exercise rats had increased dichlorofluorescein oxidation at 6 h post-exercise and decreased superoxide dismutase activity at all time-points. Glutathione peroxidase activity and sulfhydryl levels were increased in the AE group at 48 h post-exercise. Serum lactate dehydrogenase activity was increased in the SE and CE groups at 24 h and in the AE group at 48 h. Echo intensity was elevated at 24 h for all groups. Forty-eight hours was sufficient for complete recovery from oxidative stress and muscle damage in the SE and CE groups, but not in the AE group.

Creatine prevents the imbalance of redox homeostasis caused by homocysteine in skeletal muscle of rats

Homocystinuria is a neurometabolic disease caused by severe deficiency of cystathionine beta-synthase activity, resulting in severe hyperhomocysteinemia. Affected patients present several symptoms including a variable degree of motor dysfunction, being that the pathomechanism is not fully understood. In the present study we investigated the effect of chronic hyperhomocysteinemia on some parameters of oxidative stress, namely 2'7'dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation, levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT and GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), total sulfhydryl and carbonyl content, as well as nitrite levels in soleus skeletal muscle of young rats subjected to model of severe hyperhomocysteinemia. We also evaluated the effect of creatine on biochemical alterations elicited by hyperhomocysteinemia. Wistar rats received daily subcutaneous injection of homocysteine (0.3-0.6 μmol/g body weight), and/or creatine (50mg/kg body weight) from their 6th to the 28th days age. Controls and treated rats were decapitated at 12h after the last injection. Chronic homocysteine administration increased 2'7'dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation, an index of production of reactive species and TBARS levels, an index of lipoperoxidation. Antioxidant enzyme activities, such as SOD and CAT were also increased, but GPx activity was not altered. The content of GSH, sulfhydril and carbonyl were decreased, as well as levels of nitrite. Creatine concurrent administration prevented some homocysteine effects probably by its antioxidant properties. Our data suggest that the oxidative insult elicited by chronic hyperhomocystenemia may provide insights into the mechanisms by which homocysteine exerts its effects on skeletal muscle function. Creatine prevents some alterations caused by homocysteine.

Grape pomace bioactivity from Brazilian wine industry: toxicity and antioxidant properties in human hepatocarcinoma cells (830.31)

Wine industry produces large quantities of by‐products rich in bioactive compounds from grapes, which could be utilized for nutraceutical purposes. We aim to evaluate antioxidant activity (AC) and bioactivity of grape pomace extract from Brazilian wine industry in human hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2). The content of bioactive compounds and AC of extracts were determined by ORAC, TEAC (ABTS•‐) and TRAP assays. Bioactivity was assessed on HepG2 and on normal human fibroblasts (BEAS). Cellular viability was accessed by MTT reduction and cellular antioxidant capacity (CAC) by dichlorofluorescein oxidation, under short‐, medium‐, and long‐term incubation periods. Total phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins of extracts where, respectively, (mean±SD) 473.8±52.4 mg GAE/100g, 147.5±2.77 mg CE/100g and 105.5±7.27 mg cyanidin3‐glycoside/100g. Extract AC was (mean±SD; µmol TE/g) 27.1±0.33, 9.33±6.74, 122.2±2.40. HepG2 viability reduced in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Short‐term incubation had no effect whereas medium‐ and long‐term incubation induced, respectively, a 37% and a 75% reduction in viability. BEAS viability was not affected by the extract, regardless of time and concentration used. Interestingly, short‐term incubation promoted a dose‐response increase in HepG2 CAC, suggesting that decreased oxidative stress signals to decrease HepG2 proliferation. Taken together, wine industry by‐products present important antioxidant activity and potential selective anticancer and antiproliferative effects on HepG2 cells.Grant Funding Source: Supported by FAPERJ, CNPq, CAPES, EMBRAPA (Brazil)

Monitoring Cr Intermediates and Reactive Oxygen Species with Fluorescent Probes during Chromate Reduction

Cr(VI) genotoxicity is caused by products of its reductive metabolism inside the cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Cr(V,IV) intermediates are potential sources of oxidative damage by Cr(VI). Here, we investigated seven fluorescent probes for the detection of ROS and non-ROS oxidants in Cr(VI) reactions with its main reducers. We found that Cr(V)-skipping metabolism of Cr(VI) by ascorbate in vitro gave no responses with all tested dyes, indicating nonreactivity of Cr(IV) and absence of ROS. Cr(VI) reduction with glutathione (GSH) or Cys strongly enhanced the fluorescence of dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR123) but produced minimal fluorescence with dihydroethidium and no increases with aminophenylfluorescein and CellRox Green, Orange, and Red. Several tests showed that Cr(VI)-thiol reactions lacked ROS and that Cr(V) caused oxidation of DCF and DHR123. DCF reacted only with free Cr(V), whereas DHR123 detected both the free Cr(V) and Cr(V)-GSH complex. We estimated that Cr(VI)-GSH reactions generated approximately 75% Cr(V)-GSH and 25% free Cr(V), whereas Cys reactions appeared to produce only free Cr(V). DHR123 measurements in H460 cells showed that reduction of Cr(VI) was complete within 20 min postexposure, but it lasted at least 1 h without GSH. Cells with restored ascorbate levels exhibited no DCF or DHR123 oxidation by Cr(VI). Overall, our results demonstrated that Cr(VI) metabolism with its biological reducers lacked ROS and that DHR123 and DCF responses were indicators of total and free Cr(V), respectively. CellRox dyes, dihydroethidium and aminophenylfluorescein, are insensitive to Cr(V,IV) and can be used for monitoring ROS during coexposure to Cr(VI) and oxidants.

Disruption of redox homeostasis and brain damage caused in vivo by methylmalonic acid and ammonia in cerebral cortex and striatum of developing rats

Hyperammonemia is a common finding in children with methylmalonic acidemia and propionic acidemia, but its contribution to the development of the neurological symptoms in the affected patients is poorly known. Considering that methylmalonic acid (MMA) and propionic acid (PA) predominantly accumulate in these disorders, we investigated the effects of hyperammonemia induced by urease treatment in 30-day-old rats receiving an intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of MMA or PA on important parameters of redox homeostasis in cerebral cortex and striatum. We evaluated glutathione (GSH) concentrations, sulfhydryl content, nitrate and nitrite concentrations, 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. MMA decreased GSH concentrations and sulfhydryl content and increased nitrate and nitrite concentrations in cerebral cortex and striatum from hyperammonemic rats, whereas MMA or ammonia per se did not alter these parameters. MMA plus hyperammonemia also decreased glutathione reductase activity in rat cerebral cortex, but did not affect catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, neither DCFH oxidation. Furthermore, ICV PA administration alone or combined with hyperammonemia did not alter any of the evaluated parameters. We also found that pre-treatment with antioxidants prevented GSH reduction and sulfhydryl oxidation, whereas Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) prevented the increased nitrate and nitrite concentrations provoked by MMA plus ammonia treatments. Histological alterations, including vacuolization, ischemic neurons, and pericellular edema, were observed in brain of hyperammonemic rats injected with MMA. The data indicate a synergistic effect of MMA and ammonia disturbing redox homeostasis and causing morphological brain abnormalities in rat brain.

Methionine and methionine sulfoxide alter parameters of oxidative stress in the liver of young rats: in vitro and in vivo studies

It has been shown that elevation of plasma methionine (Met) and its metabolites may occur in several genetic abnormalities. In this study we investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Met and methionine sulfoxide (MetO) on oxidative stress parameters in the liver of rats. For in vitro studies, liver homogenates were incubated with Met, MetO, and Mix (Met+MetO). For in vivo studies, the animals were divided into groups: saline, Met 0.4g/kg, MetO 0.1g/kg, and Met 0.4g/kg+MetO 0.1g/kg. The animals were euthanized 1 and 3h after injection. In vitro results showed that Met 1 and 2mM and Mix increased catalase (CAT) activity. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was enhanced by Met 1 and 2mM, MetO 0.5mM, and Mix. Dichlorofluorescein oxidation was increased by Met 1mM and Mix. In vivo results showed that Met, MetO, and Mix decreased TBARS levels at 1h. Total thiol content decreased 1h after and increased 3h after MetO and Met plus MetO administrations. Carbonyl content was enhanced by Met and was reduced by MetO 1h after administration. Met, MetO and Met plus MetO decreased CAT activity 1 and 3h after administration. Furthermore, only MetO increased SOD activity. In addition, Met, MetO, and Mix decreased dichlorofluorescein oxidation at 1 and 3h. Our data indicate that Met/MetO in vivo and in vitro modify liver homeostasis by altering the redox cellular state. However, the hepatic changes caused by these compounds suggest a short-time adaptation of this tissue.