Protein Oxidative Modification Products Research Articles

Correction of redox metabolism and the relationship of markers of systemic chronic inflammation with a measure of overall survival in cancer patients with multiorgan resections

Background. According to the literature, multiorgan resections are carried out with the most radical removal of healthy tissue. Therefore, there is a need for the most favorable preparation of the patient with perioperative therapy to reduce further complications with obtaining improved clinical and pathological prognostic indicators to increase the overall survival. Purpose: correction of redox metabolism based on the data of the oxidative modification of proteins, degree of their catabolic reaction, and data on the enzymatic state and lipid peroxidation in cancer patients with multiorgan resections on the gastrointestinal tract under conditions of perioperative intensive care. Materials and methods. The study involved 117 cancer patients aged 67.6 ± 3.7 years with locally advanced tumor processes of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have been conducted on the enzymatic state, lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of proteins, both in terms of the degree of fragmentation of their products in spontaneous and iron-induced reactions, and the level of medium-weight protein molecules. Serum levels of circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and -8 were determined. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results. The study of patients has shown an improvement in the indicators of oxidative modification of proteins and lipid peroxidation. Survival in cancer patients with multiorgan resections demonstrated dependence on the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and -8 in the blood serum. Conclusions. Conducting perioperative intensive care makes it possible to reliably restore indicators of the enzymatic state, lipid peroxidation and oxidative protein modification products (on the fourth day and second week, p < 0.05). This gives us grounds for recommending the determination of these parameters in the group of cancer patients and the implementation of metabolic intensive care. In the group of L-ornithine L-aspartate and quercetin combination with povidone, the lowest indicators of systemic chronic inflammation and the best overall survival were found.

Survival of Cryopreserved Stallion Spermatozoa and the Level of Oxidative Modification of Sperm Plasma Proteins

Sperm freezing is one of the ways to preserve the sperm of rare, high-productive, physically strong stallions. Freezing negatively affects the reproductive characteristics of sperm, because of an increase in oxidative stress (OS) in particular. Macromolecules, especially proteins, are damaged in the result of OS. Aldehyde and ketone derivatives are formed, which are stable and available for diagnosis. The aim of the study was to determine the level of spontaneous oxidative protein modification (OPM) of sperm plasma in stallions with high and low sperm survival rates during hypothermic storage of cryopreserved sperm. Two experimental groups were formed: the 1st group consisted of 10 stallions, the survival rate of thawed after freezing spermatozoa of which ranged from 6 to 18h (average 11.0±2.8), the 2nd group included 12 stallions with sperm survival from 72 to 96h (average value - 84.1±2.4). Sperm survival time was defined as the ability of spermatozoa to maintain progressive motility above 5% during hypothermic (+4°C) storage of sperm. To assess the level of OPM in spermoplasma, sperctrophotometric analysis of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones (DNPH) formed during the interaction of carbonyl derivatives of proteins with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (spectrophotometer “SF-2000”, Russia) was used. The R.L. Levine’ technique was modified by E.E. Dubinina. Measurements of DNPH derivatives were carried out at 14 wavelengths to record neutral aldehyde dinitrophenylhydrazones (ADNPHn) in the range 260-280nm, the main character (ADNPHb) - 258-264 and 428-520nm, to determine ketone-dinitrophenylhydrazones of a neutral nature (CDNPHn) 363-370nm, basic character (CDNPHb) - 430-434 and 524-535nm. The area under the absorption spectrum of DNPH derivatives of carbonyl derivatives of proteins (S) was analyzed. The total level of OPM in sperm plasma in group 1 stallions was statistically significantly higher than in group 2 stallions (677.7 Eod/g protein and 476.2 Eod/g protein, respectively, p<0.05). The result indicates a higher severity of OS in the sperm plasma of stallions with a low sperm survival rate, more significant damage to amino acid residues of proteins. OPM of sperm plasma leads to changes in their secondary, tertiary structure that negatively affects the functional state of proteins, the morphological and reproductive characteristics of sperm deteriorate. Damaged proteins can undergo aggregation and fragmentation processes. The accumulation of OPM products, protein aggregates resistant to proteolysis, disrupts cell metabolism, leading to apoptosis. The total level of OPM of sperm plasma in stallions with low survival rates of thawed after freezing spermatozoa is higher than in animals with high survival rates.

Локальный антиоксидантный эффект оригинальной дермальной пленки c мелатонином при термической травме

Oxidative stress (OS) escalation associated with thermal trauma (TT) and pleiotropic effects of melatonin (MT) suggest a study of protective properties of the latter when applied as part of a novel dermal film (DF) to skin burns. This work aimed to assess the content of OS markers in the skin subjected to experimental TT and treated with DF with MT. Third A degree TT (area of 3.5%) were modeled by immersing a patch of skin in boiling water. Twelve cm2 of DF with 5 mg/g of MT were applied daily for 5 days. The parameters calculated were wound's area and epithelializatiohon rate. The products monitored in the burn wound were lipid peroxidation (LPO) products in heptane and isopropanol phases of the lipid extract and protein oxidative modification (POM) products, the modification being spontaneous and metal-dependent. With TT in the wound, the content of secondary and end LPO products in heptane and isopropanol phases increased on the 5th and 10th days; the total content of POM products grew on the 5th day (primary products, neutral) and on the 10th day (primary and secondary products, neutral). Application of DF to a TT wound reduced the burn area, increased the epithelialization rate (by the 10th day, the median went from 1.90% to 6.57%; p &lt; 0.05), reduced the content of secondary and end LPO products in isopropanol phase (by the 10th day, the median went from 0.007 to 0.004 u.o.i; p &lt; 0.05), reduced the total content of OMP products, namely that of primary neutral products — on the 5th day, of primary and secondary neutral products — on the 10th day. With TT present in the context of MT application, the burn area showed presence of secondary LPO products in heptane and isopropanol phases, LPO end products in isopropanol phase, POM products in the wound (basic and neutral primary/secondary POM products).

Aspects of free radical oxidation in the large bowel in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

Research into the accumulation patterns of protein oxidative modification (POM) products and lipids in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) could have important implications for understanding the pathogenesis and improving the diagnosis and therapy for these diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the aspects of free radical oxidation (FRO) in the large bowel and their possible correlations with clinical symptoms of UC and CD. In the Wistar rat model used in the experiment, CD was induced with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid, and UC was induced with oxazolone. Clinical status was assessed using the Disease activity index (DAI). Lipid peroxidation (LPO) products were measured in the heptane and isopropanol phases of the intestinal mucosa extract. POM products were measured following spontaneous and stimulated oxidation. The DAI ( Me (Q25–Q75)) was increased in both CD and UC on days 3 and 7 of the experiment: for CD, it was equally increased on days 3 and 7 (7 (3-7)) and was 11 (11–11) and 11 (9–11) for UC on days 3 and 7, respectively. The amount of primary, secondary and end LPO products in the heptane and isopropanol phases, as well as the total amount of POM products, was increased in the homogenized mucosa of the large bowel. In the CD group, the relative content of secondary basic POM products was increased on day 7 of the experiment. The following patterns of FRO were revealed: accumulation of LPO products in the UC group and accumulation of POM products in the CD group; UC is characterized by the accumulation of mostly LPO products in the heptane phase and secondary LPO products in the isopropanol phase; CD is characterized by the accumulation of secondary basic POM products. DAI scores were correlated with the amount of LPO products in the isopropanol phase and the amount of POM products in the spontaneous oxidation mode. The highest number of strong correlations was observed in the UC group. Our findings suggest a very serious contribution of FRO changes to the pathogenesis of UC and CD, meaning that LPO and POM products could be regarded as diagnostic markers and indicators of treatment efficacy.

ОКИСНА МОДИФІКАЦІЯ БІЛКІВ У СИРОВАТЦІ КРОВІ ЩУРІВ ЗА УМОВ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОГО ОСТЕОАРТРИТУ ТА СУМІСНОГО ВВЕДЕННЯ ХОНДРОПРОТЕКТОРА ТА МУЛЬТИПРОБІОТИКА

One of the actual problems of modern medicine is joint disease. Among them, osteoarthritis occupies an important place. The formation of osteoarthritis is accompanied by the development of inflammation, which leads to damage to all structures of the joint. An important role in inflammatory processes is played by the intensification of free radical processes. As the disease develops, the joints lose their mobility, which leads to a decrease in the quality of life of patients and the development of disability. In this regard, it is important to search for drugs that have regenerative, anti-inflammatory and antiradical properties. The aim of our study was to investigate the combined effect of chondroitin sulfate and multiprobiotic on the content of oxidative protein modification products and the level of sulfhydryl groups in rat blood serum under conditions of monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis. The study included participation of white male non-linear rats (weighing 180–240 g) adherence to the general ethical principles of animal experiments. An experimental osteoarthritis model was created by introducing 1 mg of sodium monoiodoacetate into the knee ligament. Chondroitin sulfate and multiprobiotic were used as therapeutic agents. The content of products of oxidative modification of proteins was determined by the level of carbonyl derivatives, which are manifested in the reaction with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. The level of total, protein-bound and non-protein sulfhydryl groups was measured by the Elman method. It was found that under conditions of monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in the blood serum of rats, the content of products of oxidative modification of proteins increases. The level of neutral aldehyde products (E max = 356 nm) is increased by 2.5 times and neutral ketone products (E max = 370 nm), respectively, by 2,1 times compared to the control. Under the same experimental conditions in the blood serum, the amount of basic aldehyde products (E max = 430 nm) increases by 1.9 times, while the content of the main ketone products (E max = 530 nm) increases by 1,7 times compared to the control groups. In experimental osteoarthritis in the blood serum, the content of sulfhydryl groups decreases: non-protein SH-groups – 1,5 times, protein and general SH-groups – 1,7 times relative to the control. This indicates disturbance of the oxidative-antioxidant balance and the development of oxidative stress in the organism during experimental osteoarthritis. It was shown that the combined administration of chondroitin sulfate and multiprobiotics in animals with experimental osteoarthritis partially restored the above parameters.

ASSESSMENT OF THE NEURONAL DAMAGE AND OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS LEVEL IN POST STROKE PATIENTS

Relevance. 100-110 000 acute disorders of cerebral circulation are registered in Ukraine annually, about 57% of which are ischemic stroke (IS). Study of dynamics of the neuronal damage markers level and their correlation with oxidative stress indicators may be informative for estimating the prognosis of the IS recovery period.&#x0D; Objective: to study the features of of neuronal damage markers level, the pro- and antioxidant systems status and their effect on the of neurological deficiency manifestations and the functional status of post stroke patients.&#x0D; Materials and methods. 120 patients in the early recovery period of first-ever hemispheric atherothrombotic IS were examined. The control group (CG) included 20 healthy individuals, representative by age and gender. Assessment of neurological deficiency and functional status of patients was performed with the help of the NIHSS scale, the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the Bartel Index (BI). The level of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The determination of the level of oxidative protein modification (OPM) products in serum, glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GP) activity was performed spectrophotometrically. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using Statistica 6.0 statistical analysis package (StatSoft, Inc.) with the help of nonparametric results estimation methods.&#x0D; Results. In patients after 1 month after IS an increase of AFGn (356 nm) content by 33.9% (p&lt;0.05) compared to CG was observed. KFGn (370 nm) level was increased by 26.0% (p&lt;0.05), AFGo (430 nm) - by 76.2% (p&lt;0.01), CFG (530 nm) - 125.0% (p&lt;0.01). The general OPM products was 37.0% higher than in CG (p&lt;0.05), while the activity of GP and GR decreased by 31.6% and 28.6%, respectively (p&lt;0, 05), and the NSE level was increased by 150.6% (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; The NIHSS score correlated with the level of AFGn (356 nm) (r=0.24; p=0.032), KFGo (530 nm) (r=0.41; p=0.047) and the general OPM products level (r=0.25 ; p=0.039), whereas the GR activity significantly influenced the NIHSS score (r=-0.27; p=0.048), SSS score (r=0.23; p=0.034) and BI (r=0.31; p=0.038). Also significant correlations were found between the NSE level and the concentration of all OPM products, GP ans GR activity.&#x0D; Conclusions. The NSE level increase is characteristic for the post stroke patients, which correlates with the degree of neurological deficiency manifestations and the patients’ functional status. The NSE level increases due to the increase of OPM products concentration and the decrease of GP and GR activity, which may indicate a worsening of the neuronal damage degree, linked to the pro- and antioxidant systems imbalance. These processes adversely affect the functional status of patients, with the greatest influence of the KFGo (530 nm) concentration, the general OPM products level and the GR activity.

The effect of arginine on the activity and compartmentalization of lysosomal cysteine proteinases of parenchymatous organs in oxidative stress on the background of experimental hyperhomocysteinemia

Aim. Evaluation of the effect of arginine on the activity and intracellular distribution of cathepsins B, L, H in liver, kidney and lung tissue in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia and developing on its background oxidative damage of proteins.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. Hyperhomocysteinemia in male rats of the Wistar line was formed by daily oral administration of a suspension of methionine at a dose of 1.5 g/kg 2 times a day for 21 days, to study the action of arginine the substance was used orally from 12 to 21 days of methionine administration at a dose of 500 mg/kg. In tissue homogenates measurements were carried out in cytoplasmic and lysosomal fractions. The state of oxidative modification of proteins was evaluated by analysis of the absorption spectrum of carbonyl derivatives, the activity of cathepsins B, L, H was determined by spectrofluorometric method, the activity of acid phosphatase – by the unified method «at the end point».&#x0D; Results. In the cytoplasmic (nonsedimentary) fraction of the liver and kidney reduced activity of cathepsin L (in both tissues), cathepsin B (in the kidney), cathepsin H (in the liver) was found on the background of the increase in the products of proteins oxidative modification in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia. The introduction of arginine in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia completely eliminated the manifestations of oxidative damage of proteins, partially correcting the activity of enzymes: there was an increase in the activity in non sedimentary (cytoplasmic) fraction due to intracellular redistribution of enzymes. There is found inverse correlation between the content of oxidative carbonylation products of proteins and the activity of cathepsins in the non sedimentary fraction, as well as the proportion of their non sedimentary activity.&#x0D; Conclusions. 1. Arginine at a dose of 500 mg/kg at a 10day administration completely corrects the increase in the products of oxidative protein carbonylation that develops in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia. 2. Under the influence of arginine there is an increase in the reduced due to isolated hyperhomocysteinemia activity of cathepsins B, L, H in the cytoplasmic fraction of the liver and kidney due to intracellular redistribution of enzymes. 3. Arginine administration causes nonselective increase of the lysosomal membrane permeability, and as a result, changes in the compartmentalization of lysosomal cysteine proteases. 4. The inverse correlation of the level of protein oxidative modification products with the activity of cathepsins in cytoplasmic (nonsedimentary) fractions, and the proportions of their nonsedimentary activity, suggesting the presence of contribution of changes in the compartmentalization of lysosomal cysteine proteinases in developing under the action of arginine compensation of oxidative stress in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia.

The effect of arginine on the activity and compartmentalization of lysosomal cysteine proteinases of parenchymatous organs in oxidative stress on the background of experimental hyperhomocysteinemia

Aim. Evaluation of the effect of arginine on the activity and intracellular distribution of cathepsins B, L, H in liver, kidney and lung tissue in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia and developing on its background oxidative damage of proteins.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. Hyperhomocysteinemia in male rats of the Wistar line was formed by daily oral administration of a suspension of methionine at a dose of 1.5 g/kg 2 times a day for 21 days, to study the action of arginine the substance was used orally from 12 to 21 days of methionine administration at a dose of 500 mg/kg. In tissue homogenates measurements were carried out in cytoplasmic and lysosomal fractions. The state of oxidative modification of proteins was evaluated by analysis of the absorption spectrum of carbonyl derivatives, the activity of cathepsins B, L, H was determined by spectrofluorometric method, the activity of acid phosphatase – by the unified method «at the end point».&#x0D; Results. In the cytoplasmic (nonsedimentary) fraction of the liver and kidney reduced activity of cathepsin L (in both tissues), cathepsin B (in the kidney), cathepsin H (in the liver) was found on the background of the increase in the products of proteins oxidative modification in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia. The introduction of arginine in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia completely eliminated the manifestations of oxidative damage of proteins, partially correcting the activity of enzymes: there was an increase in the activity in non sedimentary (cytoplasmic) fraction due to intracellular redistribution of enzymes. There is found inverse correlation between the content of oxidative carbonylation products of proteins and the activity of cathepsins in the non sedimentary fraction, as well as the proportion of their non sedimentary activity.&#x0D; Conclusions. 1. Arginine at a dose of 500 mg/kg at a 10day administration completely corrects the increase in the products of oxidative protein carbonylation that develops in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia. 2. Under the influence of arginine there is an increase in the reduced due to isolated hyperhomocysteinemia activity of cathepsins B, L, H in the cytoplasmic fraction of the liver and kidney due to intracellular redistribution of enzymes. 3. Arginine administration causes nonselective increase of the lysosomal membrane permeability, and as a result, changes in the compartmentalization of lysosomal cysteine proteases. 4. The inverse correlation of the level of protein oxidative modification products with the activity of cathepsins in cytoplasmic (nonsedimentary) fractions, and the proportions of their nonsedimentary activity, suggesting the presence of contribution of changes in the compartmentalization of lysosomal cysteine proteinases in developing under the action of arginine compensation of oxidative stress in experimental hyperhomocysteinemia.

ВЛИЯНИЕ НИЗКОИНТЕНСИВНОГО КРАСНОГО СВЕТА НА ОКИСЛИТЕЛЬНУЮ МОДИФИКАЦИЮ БЕЛКОВ ПРИ РАЗВИТИИ РАДИАЦИОННО-ИНДУЦИРОВАННОЙ БОЛЕЗНИ ЛЕГКИХ В ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТЕ

The aim of the study was to investigate the content of spontaneous protein oxidative modification (POM) in the blood serum and pulmonary tissue of rats after local gamma irradiation of the projection area of the heart and lungs. The content of products of spontaneous POM (aliphatic neutral and basic aldehyde- and ketone-dinitrophenylhydrazones) in the blood serum and pulmonary tissue of 57 rats was studied. The animals were divided into 5 groups: “control group”, where there was gamma irradiation of the heart and lungs area, the collection of samples was done at the next day; “treatment group”, where a single session of low-intensity broadband red light was performed after local exposure to gamma radiation (the collection of samples was done at the next day); “chronic control group”, where there was an exposure to local gamma irradiation of the heart and lungs area, the collection of samples was done at the fourth day; “chronic treatment group” was daily exposed to low-intensity red light for 4 days after local exposure to gamma radiation, the collection of samples was done at the fourth day; “normal level group” was not exposed to either gamma radiation or broadband red light. In the pulmonary tissue and blood serum of control animals, a gradual increase in the content of spontaneous POM products was observed. The most significant difference from the normal level the “chronic control group” had. At the same time, the normalization of the content of POM products under the influence of low-intensity broadband red light in the tissues of the experimental groups was revealed. In the course of the experimental study, the normalization of processes of free radical oxidation of proteins in the lung tissue and in the serum of rats after gamma irradiation and the exposure of the projection region of the heart and lungs to low-intensity broadband red light was shown. Thus, low-intensity red light can be considered as a possible radioprotector.

Modification in oxidative processes in muscle tissues exposed to laser- and light-emitting diode radiation.

Exposure of living tissues to high-intensity red or near-infrared light can produce the oxidative stress effects both in the target zone and adjacent ones. The protein oxidative modification (POM) products can be used as reliable and early markers of oxidative stress. The contents of modified proteins in the investigated specimens can be evaluated by the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine assay (the DNPH assay). Low-intensity red light is able to decrease the activity of oxidative processes and the DNPH assay data about the POM products in the biological tissues could show both an oxidative stress level and an efficiency of physical agent protection against the oxidative processes. Two control groups of white rats were irradiated by laser light, the first control group by red light and the second one by near-infrared radiation (NIR).Two experimental groups were consequently treated with laser and red low-level light-emitting diode radiation (LED). One of them was exposed to red laser light + LED and the other to NIR + LED. The fifth group was intact. Each group included ten animals. The effect of laser light was studied by methods of protein oxidative modifications. We measured levels of both induced and spontaneous POM products by the DNPH assay. The dramatic increase in levels of POM products in the control group samples when compared with the intact group data as well as the sharp decrease in the POM products in the experimental groups treated with LED low-level light were statistically significant (p≤0.05). Exposure of skeletal muscles to high-intensity red and near-infrared laser light causes oxidative stress that continues not less than 3days. The method of measurement of POM product contents by the DNPH assay is a reliable test of an oxidative process rate. Red low-intensity LED radiation can provide rehabilitation of skeletal muscle tissues treated with high-intensity laser light.

Age-related changes in the number of microglial cells, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative protein-modification products in the human cerebrum at early stages of ontogenesis

The age-related dynamics of the number of microglial cells and the concentration of products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidative modification of protein (OMP) in areas 6 and 17 of the cerebral cortex and the head of the caudate nucleus were studied. The results of the study showed a continuous increase in the density of microglia in the human forebrain structures at the stage of postnatal ontogenesis. The agerelated increase in the density of microglial cells in the neocortex was accompanied by a simultaneous decrease in the concentrations of lipid peroxidation products and an increase in the level of OMP products. In the caudate nucleus, the age-related increase in the amount of microglia was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of products of lipid peroxidation and OMP.

The impact of oxidative stress on Par2, Ptgs2 genes expression in rat duodenal epithelial cells under conditions of prolonged gastric hypochlorhydria and with administration of multiprobiotic

Development of dysbiosis is a key consequence of long hypoacidity, in which there is colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by pathogenic microflora that forms source of sustainable endogenous infection and leads to inflammation. The prevalence of free-radical processes of antioxidant defense system is an important pathogenetic link in the origin and development of various disorders. Because reactive oxygen species are important for transcription of Ptgs2 gene, the relationship between oxidative stress, antioxidant element and PAR2-mediated signaling pathways may take place under conditions of dysbiotic changes due to hypochlorhydria. To evaluate the intensity of free radical processes and their impact on Par2, Ptgs2 genes expression in rat duodenal epithelial cells under conditions of prolonged gastric hypochlorhydria and with administration of multiprobiotic. Four experimental groups were created with 8 rats in each. One group was a control, while others were injected with acid suppressant omeprazole or multi-strain probiotic preparation or with both compounds simultaneously for 28 days. Protein oxidative modification products, free SH-groups, metallothioneins content were measured in villus and crypt epithelial cells with standard biochemical assays. Level of Par2, Ptgs2 genes mRNA was determined with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Prolonged inhibition of acid secretion in stomach was accompanied by significant elevation of free radical processes (intensification of protein oxidative modification, free SH-groups pool reduction, changes of metallothioneins concentration) and elevation of Par2 and Ptgs2 genes expression levels in rat duodenal epithelial cells. Reduction of free radical processes intensity; restoration of redox balance and the normalization of Par2, Ptgs2 gene expression pattern in the duodenum upon the simultaneous administration of the multiprobiotic Symbiter were observed. Par2 overexpression leads to activation Ptgs2 on the background of free radical processes over the antioxidant defense system in the development of inflammation in the duodenum through dysbiotic changes in the conditions of prolonged hypochlorhydria.

Dynamics of Oxidative Modification of Proteins and Specific Structural Features of Blood Plasma from Animals with Pliss Lymphosarcoma

The growth of Pliss lymphosarcoma in experimental animals was followed by accumulation oxidative protein modification products and structural simplification of blood plasma facies pattern in the central and peripheral zones. A correlation was found between the tumor volume, blood content of aldehyde and ketone dinitrophenylhydrazones, and structural characteristics of the peripheral and central facies zone.

The effect of prenatal stress on oxidative protein modification in the rat brain in ontogeny

Oxidative protein modification (OPM) was studied in the striatum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of rats of various ages that were subjected to prenatal stress. The basal level of spontaneous OPM products and the level of OPM products after induction by Fenton’s reagent were measured. The OPM processes in the structures we studied had similar features. Under normal conditions, a gradual increase in the content of OPM products was observed at days 10–30 of postnatal ontogeny and a decrease in this index was observed in adult animals. Additionally, some differences in the contents of OPM products were revealed in specific brain regions. In the animals that were subjected to prenatal stress, we found substantial differences in the time course of OPM in all brain regions studied. Thus, the level of OPM products in 10-day-old rats that were subjected to prenatal stress was substantially higher compared to that in the control rats. However, the indices of both spontaneous and induced OPM later decreased. Thus, impairments of OPM processes in the striatum, hypothalamus, and hippocampus may be a cause of changes in adaptive behavior, which were observed in adult rats that were subjected to prenatal stress.

Age-related changes in cadmium content and oxidative modification of proteins in different regions of human spinal cord.

A direct correlation was found between the content of oxidative protein modification products in the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord and age in humans. We revealed a considerable increase in Cd(2+) concentrations in elderly and old people and an increase in Fe(2+) concentration in old people. In the lumbosacral enlargement Cd(2+) concentration was maximum and did not vary with age. The content of oxidative protein modification products significantly increased in the lumbosacral enlargement in older adults and old people. Moreover, old people had high content of Cu(2+) in the lumbosacral enlargement. Our findings suggest that accumulation of Cd(2+) play a role in the metabolism of Cu(2+) and Fe(2+), which contributes to age-related intensification of oxidative protein modification in the spinal cord.