Superoxide Release Research Articles

Melatonin Hormone Acts on Cells of Maternal Blood and Placenta From Diabetic Mothers.

Changes in glucose metabolism of diabetic mothers affect immunological components, proinflammatory factors, and placental hypervascularization that can induce cell death. The hormone melatonin has been identified as a potential modulating agent. The aim of this study was to analyze the oxidative process and the apoptosis in maternal blood and placental cells modulated by melatonin from diabetic mothers. The groups were 40 pregnant women divided into non-diabetic (ND) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) groups. Blood and placental cells were obtained by density gradient and maintained in culture treated or not with melatonin (100 ng/mL) for 24 h (37°C, 5% CO2). Oxidative stress was evaluated by superoxide release and CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD). Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Maternal hyperglycemia increased superoxide release and apoptosis in MN cells from maternal blood and reduced SOD level and SOD/O2- ratio. Melatonin reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis rates in MN cells in the blood of diabetic mothers. There was a reduction in SOD and SOD/O2- ratio in the placental extravillous layer, and melatonin restored the concentrations of this enzyme. There was greater superoxide release, reduced SOD/O2- ratio, and apoptosis in MN cells placental villous layer. Melatonin increased apoptosis rates in the placental villous layer from hyperglycemic mothers. These data suggest that hyperglycemia altered the processes oxidative in blood and placenta from hyperglycemic mothers. These changes reflected in the mechanisms of induction of apoptosis, especially in the vascularized layers of the placenta, and were modulated by melatonin.

Antioxidant Role and Cardiolipin Remodeling by Redox-Activated Mitochondrial Ca2+-Independent Phospholipase A2γ in the Brain.

Mitochondrial Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2γ (iPLA2γ/PNPLA8) was previously shown to be directly activated by H2O2 and release free fatty acids (FAs) for FA-dependent H+ transport mediated by the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) or uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). The resulting mild mitochondrial uncoupling and consequent partial attenuation of mitochondrial superoxide production lead to an antioxidant effect. However, the antioxidant role of iPLA2γ in the brain is not completely understood. Here, using wild-type and iPLA2γ-KO mice, we demonstrate the ability of tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) to activate iPLA2γ in isolated brain mitochondria, with consequent liberation of FAs and lysophospholipids. The liberated FA caused an increase in respiratory rate, which was fully inhibited by carboxyatractyloside (CATR), a specific inhibitor of ANT. Employing detailed lipidomic analysis, we also demonstrate a typical cleavage pattern for TBHP-activated iPLA2γ, reflecting cleavage of glycerophospholipids from both sn-1 and sn-2 positions releasing saturated FAs, monoenoic FAs, and predominant polyunsaturated FAs. The acute antioxidant role of iPLA2γ-released FAs is supported by monitoring both intramitochondrial superoxide and extramitochondrial H2O2 release. We also show that iPLA2γ-KO mice were more sensitive to stimulation by pro-inflammatory lipopolysaccharide, as reflected by the concomitant increase in protein carbonyls in the brain and pro-inflammatory IL-6 release in the serum. These data support the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role of iPLA2γ in vivo. Our data also reveal a substantial decrease of several high molecular weight cardiolipin (CL) species and accumulation of low molecular weight CL species in brain mitochondria of iPLA2γ-KO mice. Collectively, our results support a key role of iPLA2γ in the remodeling of lower molecular weight immature cardiolipins with predominantly saturated acyl chains to high molecular weight mature cardiolipins with highly unsaturated PUFA acyl chains, typical for the brain.

Superoxide Anion Release by Human Blood Phagocytes Can Increase the Microbicidal Activity Induced by a New Microemulsioned System Containing Cotton Oil

The study aimed to develop and characterize a microemulsified system based on cotton oil and verify its effect on superoxide release anion and microbicidal activity by human peripheral blood cells. Microemulsions were formulated using distilled water, degummed cotton oil, Span 80 (SP), Tween 80 (TW), and 1-butanol (BT). The pseudo-ternary diagram delimited ME regions, and the points were pre-selected. The physical-chemical and rheological characterization of the microemulsions was carried out. The ME activity on the interactions between leukocytes and bacteria was analyzed by superoxide release, phagocytosis, and microbicidal activity. The developed formulation was classified as Oil/Water, with an average pH of 5.76, and the viscosity showed resistance to temperature changes. The rheological model of the Power Law classified the microemulsion as a non-Newtonian fluid with pseudoplastic characteristics. The cell viability of cotton oil microemulsion was greater than 90%. There was an increase in the superoxide release by MN phagocytes when treated with cotton oil microemulsion. The cotton oil microemulsion increased phagocytosis and microbicidal activity. The present study suggests that cotton oil is an alternative biomaterial for therapeutic applications, especially in treating infections.

Au nanoflower film-based stretchable biosensors for in situ monitoring of superoxide anion release in cell mechanotransduction.

Cell mechanotransduction plays an important role in vascular regulation and disease development. Excessive accumulation of ROS, especially superoxide anion radicals (O2˙-), is closely related to cardiovascular diseases. Lately, NADPH oxidases, which are the major source of O2˙- production in vascular tissues, have been demonstrated to be involved in cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, in situ and real-time monitoring of superoxide anions (O2˙-) is essential for exploring the mechanisms of mechanotransduction associated with NADPH oxidase function in living cells. Here we report a rationally designed ultrasonication-assisted approach for growing Au nanoflower films on a flexible surface, which serves as the desired interface for cysteine and superoxide dismutase (SOD) anchoring to form a flexible and stretchable electrode (SOD/Cys/Au SE). The SOD/Cys/Au SE shows good stretchability, fast electron-transfer rates, and high selectivity to measure O2˙- released from cells during the stretching states. Our strategy provides a basis for developing more sophisticated stretchable biosensing tools to induce and monitor transient biochemical signals during cell mechanotransduction.

Abstract 9359: Intrarenal Release of Superoxide Act Synergistically With Interstitial Angiotensin II to Promote Hypertension During Chronic Acidotic Conditions

The capacity of chronic metabolic acidosis (CMA) to evoke hypertension has been previously evaluated. The superoxide mediated oxidative stress and the activation of intrarenal angiotensin II (Ang II), demonstrated a potential role in the pathogenesis of hypertension during CMA involving renal tubular sodium retention leading to volume expansion and strain to blood vessels. The primary focus of the present study was to determine whether the superoxide and the renal angiotensin II acts either synergistically or independently of each other to promote hypertension and the underlying mechanism of superoxide generation. Male Sprague Dawley Rats (100-150gms) were divided into four groups. Chronic acidosis was induced in all 4 groups by providing free access to ammonium chloride solution (0.28M) for 8 weeks in the drinking water. The second, third, and fourth groups were injected daily with captopril (12 mg/kg/day), tempol (100μmol/kg/day) and captopril+tempol respectively. After 8 weeks, blood and urine samples were collected for pH measurements and analyzed for sodium and potassium levels. Rats were anesthetized and in-line mean arterial pressure were determined. The renal cortical tissue homogenates from all four groups were analyzed for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and NADPH oxidase (NOX2) expression. Mean arterial pressure is significantly decreased in fourth group compared to the second and third groups. The serum sodium levels in fourth group were significantly reduced compared to the separately treated second and third groups, which suggested the declined reabsorption of sodium as the cause of decreased blood pressure in the fourth group. On the other hand, there was an increased SOD activity in the fourth group compared to the second and third groups, which implied intrarenal Ang II reduces the release of superoxide by increasing its dismutation. Moreover, our results demonstrated that there were no significant alterations in phagocytic NOX2 protein levels in all four treatment groups, which indicated that the superoxide release could be due to mitochondrial oxidative stress. Overall, blocking the release of intrarenal Ang II along with promoting the superoxide dismutation, showed a potential combined effect to control the observed hypertension.

Decoding Multiple Biofunctions of Maca on Its Anti-allergic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-thrombotic, and Pro-angiogenic Activities.

Four active partition layers and ten isolates, including (5R)- and (5S)-macapyrrolidone A (1a, 1b), and four new alkaloids, (5R)- and (5S)-macapyrrolidone B (2a, 2b) and macapyrrolins D, E (3, 4), were isolated from maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.), an indigenous food plant from Peru. Derived from the n-hexane layer, the macamide-rich fraction exhibited pro-angiogenic activity on EPC and HUVEC cells. Anti-thrombotic activity was displayed by the polar part of maca extracts (n-butanol and water layers). Both 75% methanol aq. (midlower polar part) and n-hexane (low polar part) layers, which showed signs of fatty acid content, markedly inhibited superoxide and elastase release in an anti-inflammatory assay. The 75% methanol aq. layer showed strong anti-allergic activity, and macapyrrolin A (5) was found active based on β-hexosaminidase release inhibition assays and a ChemGPS-NP experiment. These valuable bioactivity results suggest that maca is a food plant with good benefits for human health.

Evaluation of Viscosity and Oxidative Stress Induction in Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 Cells Treated with Melatonin Associated with Microemulsion and Polyethylene Glycol 400

Breast cancer has a high incidence and causes death worldwide, especially in women. Melatonin is a hormone that affects the prevention and treatment of tumors, and its effects have improved when associated with a modified release system. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a microemulsined system containing melatonin and PEG 400 on cellular oxidative stress and viscosity in the co-culture of blood mononuclear cells (MN) and MCF-7 cells. The microemulsion system containing melatonin and PEG 400 was developed from a mixture of the oil and aqueous phases and stabilized with surfactants. Blood mononuclear cells (MN) obtained from voluntary donors and MCF-7 cells (ATCC) were maintained in culture in CO2 for 24 hours treated with melatonin or with the microemulsion system containing melatonin and PEG 400. The flow and viscosity curves were evaluated using a rheometer, and the oxidative stress was evaluated by superoxide release and superox-ide dismutase (SOD) determination by colorimetric methods. The microemulsion system containing melatonin and PEG 400 showed a stable, translucent, and homogeneous property. The viscosity was higher in MCF-7 cells and MN cells when in the presence of a microemulsion system containing melatonin and PEG 400. The rheological behavior of MN and MCF-7 cells did not change in the presence of melatonin. The microemulsion system with melatonin and PEG 400 increased SOD levels in cultures of MN cells co-cultured with MCF-7 cells. These results suggest that the microemulsified system interferes with the oxidative metabolism of MN cells in co-culture with MCF-7 cells, with a reduction in SOD enzyme levels without changing superoxide levels, which could probably be favorable to the antitumor action of blood MN cells.

Sirtuin Control of Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Chagas Disease Models.

Trypanosoma cruzi is a digenetic parasite that requires triatomines and mammalian host to complete its life cycle. T. cruzi replication in mammalian host induces immune-mediated cytotoxic proinflammatory reactions and cellular injuries, which are the common source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during the acute parasitemic phase. Mitochondrial dysfunction of electron transport chain has been proposed as a major source of superoxide release in the chronic phase of infection, which renders myocardium exposed to sustained oxidative stress and contributes to Chagas disease pathology. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a class III histone deacetylase that acts as a sensor of redox changes and shapes the mitochondrial metabolism and inflammatory response in the host. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which SIRT1 can potentially improve mitochondrial function and control oxidative and inflammatory stress in Chagas disease.

Cherbonolides M and N from a Formosan Soft Coral Sarcophytoncherbonnieri.

Two new isosarcophine derivatives, cherbonolides M (1) and N (2), were further isolated from a Formosan soft coral Sarcophyton cherbonnieri. The planar structure and relative configuration of both compounds were established by the detailed analysis of the IR, MS, and 1D and 2D NMR data. Further, the absolute configuration of both compounds was determined by the comparison of CD spectra with that of isosarcophine (3). Notably, cherbonolide N (2) possesses the unique cembranoidal scaffold of tetrahydrooxepane with the 12,17-ether linkage fusing with a γ-lactone. In addition, the assay for cytotoxicity of both new compounds revealed that they showed to be noncytotoxic toward the proliferation of A549, DLD-1, and HuCCT-1 cell lines. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activities of both metabolites were carried out by measuring the N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLF/CB)-induced generation of superoxide anion and elastase release in the primary human neutrophils. Cherbonolide N (2) was found to reduce the generation of superoxide anion (20.6 ± 6.8%) and the elastase release (30.1 ± 3.3%) in the fMLF/CB-induced human neutrophils at a concentration of 30 μM.

Chemically-Boosted Corneal Cross-Linking for the Treatment of Keratoconus through a Riboflavin 0.25% Optimized Solution with High Superoxide Anion Release.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a novel buffered riboflavin solution approved for corneal cross-linking (CXL) in progressive keratoconus and secondary corneal ectasia. Following the in vivo preclinical study performed on New Zealand rabbits comparing the novel 0.25% riboflavin solution (Safecross®) containing 1% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) with a 0.1% riboflavin solution containing 0.10% EDTA, accelerated epithelium-off CXL was performed on 10 patients (10 eyes treated, with the contralateral eye used as control) through UV-A at a power setting of 9 mW/cm2 with a total dose of 5.4 J/cm2. Re-epithelialization was evaluated in the postoperative 7 days by fluorescein dye test at biomicroscopy; endothelial cell count and morphology (ECD) were analyzed by specular microscopy at the 1st and 6th month of follow-up and demarcation line depth (DLD) measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) one month after the treatment. We observed complete re-epithelization in all eyes between 72 and 96 h after surgery (88 h on average). ECD and morphology remained unchanged in all eyes. DLD was detected at a mean depth of 362 ± 50 µm, 20% over solutions with equivalent dosage. SafeCross® riboflavin solution chemically-boosted corneal cross-linking seems to optimize CXL oxidative reaction by higher superoxide anion release, improving DLD by a factor of 20%, without adverse events for corneal endothelium.

The study on structure-activity relationship between chromone derivatives and inhibition of superoxide anion generating from human neutrophils

Over activation of neutrophils has been linked to many inflammatory diseases; one of critical pathologic mechanisms is that generation and exocellular release of superoxide anion from neutrophils results in peripheral tissues damage. Besides, in this study, 2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenoxy)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one (4), a 2-phexnoychromone from our compound bank, was demonstrated to have the moderate inhibitory effect on superoxide anion generating. Therefore, serial chromones substituted with phenols or 3-flourothiophenol were designed, synthesized, and examined for suppression of superoxide anion generation. In accordance with the results, the methoxy group at 7 position (R3) of the chromone, as well as a hydrogen bond donor at a meta site of the phenyl ring greatly impacted on the activity. 2-(3-fluorophenyl)sulfanyl-7-methoxy-chromen-4-one (16), a successful example of bioisosteres from a phenol to a thiophenol, exhibited prominent anti-inflammatory effects with the IC50 value against superoxide anion generation of 5.0 ± 1.4 μM.

Effects of Cytokines IFN-γ and TGF-β on the Functional Activity of Blood Mononuclear Cells against Giardia lamblia.

Background:This study aimed to analyze cultures of mononuclear (MN) cells with Giardia lamblia to determine the levels of the cytokines IFN-γ and TGF-β and the functional activity of MN cells after incubation with cytokines.Methods:This study was conducted in 2018 in Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 60 healthy volunteer donors to obtain leukocytes. The levels of IFN-γ and TGF-β were quantified in trophozoite cell culture supernatants. Superoxide release, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, apoptosis and intracellular calcium release were analyzed.Results:The cytokines evaluated were detected in the culture supernatant of MN cells and G. lamblia. Regardless of the type of cytokine, MN cells increased superoxide release in the presence of G. lamblia. Phagocytosis, microbicidal activity and apoptosis were higher when MN phagocytes were treated with cytokines. The highest microbicidal activity and apoptosis rates were observed in MN cells cultured with TGF-β. IFN-γ increased the release of intracellular calcium by MN phagocytes.Conclusion:Cytokines play a beneficial role in the host by activating MN cells against G. lamblia. In addition, phagocytosis causes G. lamblia death and that the modulation of the functional activity of blood MN phagocytes by cytokines is an alternative mechanism for eliminating G. lamblia.

Development of a caffeic acid-phthalimide hybrid compound for NADPH oxidase inhibition.

NADPH oxidases are pharmacological targets for the treatment of inflammation-based diseases. This work presents the synthesis and study of a caffeic acid/phthalimide hybrid compound (C2) as a potential inhibitor of NADPH oxidases. Throughout the study, we have compared compound C2 with its precursor caffeic acid (C1). The redox properties were compared using three different antioxidant methodologies and showed that C2 was slightly less effective than C1, a well-established and robust antioxidant. However, C2 was three-fold more effective than albumin (used as a model protein). This chemical feature was decisive for the higher efficiency of C2 as an inhibitor of the release of superoxide anions by stimulated neutrophils and enzymatic activity of cell-free NADPH oxidase. Docking simulation studies were performed using the crystal structure of the recombinant dehydrogenase domain of the isoform NOX5 of C. stagnale, which retains the FAD cofactor (PDB: 5O0X). Considering that C2 could bind at the FAD redox site of NOX5, studies were conducted by comparing the interactions and binding energies of C1 and C2. The binding energies were −50.30 (C1) and −74.88 (C2) (kJ mol−1), which is in agreement with the higher efficacy of the latter as an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. In conclusion, incorporating the phthalimide moiety into caffeic acid was decisive for its effectiveness as an NADPH oxidase inhibitor.

Effects of PGC1α on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury and the underlying mechanisms.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC1α) controls mitochondrial biogenesis, but its role in cardiovascular diseases is unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of PGC1α on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and the underlying mechanisms. The transverse coronary artery of SD rat was ligated for 30 minutes followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed to measure the area of myocardial infarction. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the PGC1α expression in myocardium. The rat cardiomyocyte H9C2 was subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) with the knockdown of PGC1α or hypoxia- inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), or with treatment of metformin. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PGC1α, HIF-1α, p21, BAX, and caspase-3. CCK-8 was performed to detect cell viability, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and mitochondrial superoxide (mitoSOX) release. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of PGC1α and HIF-1α. Besides, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR and luciferase reporter gene assay were applied to detect the transcriptional regulation effect of HIF-1α on PGC1α. After I/R, the PGC1α expression was increased in infarcted myocardium. H/R induced H9C2 cell apoptosis (P<0.001). The release of mitoSOX (P<0.001) and protein expression of PGC1α, and apoptosis-related p21, BAX, and caspase-3 were increased. However, knockdown of PGC1α reduced apoptosis (P<0.01) and mitoSOX release (P<0.001), and decreased protein expression of apoptosis-related gene. HIF-1α is bound to the promoter region of PGC1α. Knockdown of HIF-1α inhibited the transcription and protein expression of PGC1α and further to reduce the apoptosis (all P<0.001) and mitoSOX release (P<0.01). While overexpression of PGC1α reversed the effects caused by HIF-1α knockdown (all P<0.001). Metformin effectively reduced H/R-induced apoptosis (P=0.013), mitoSOX release (P<0.001), HIF-1α, PGC1α and apoptosis-related protein expression, recovered the cell viability (P<0.001), and reduced myocardial infarction (P=0.003). After I/R, HIF-1α up-regulates the expression of PGC1α, leading to an increase in ROS production and aggravation of injury. Metformin can inhibit the accumulation of HIF-1α during hypoxia and effectively protect myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Onion bulb extract can both reverse and prevent colitis in mice via inhibition of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules and neutrophil activity.

Onion is one of the most commonly used plants in the traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. We recently demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of onion bulb extract (OBE) in reducing colitis severity in mice when administered at the same time of colitis induction. However, whether onion can reverse established colitis or even prevent its development has not been investigated. To test 1. whether OBE can reduce colitis severity when given either before (preventative approach) or after (treatment approach) colitis induction and if so, 2. what are the mechanisms by which onion can achieve these effects. Colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration using treatment and preventative approaches. The severity of the inflammation was determined by the gross and histological assessments. The colonic level/activity of pro-inflammatory molecules and immune cell markers was assessed by immunofluorescence and western blotting analysis. In vitro neutrophil superoxide release and survival was assessed by chemilumenecense and Annexin-V/7AAD assays respectively. OBE treatment significantly reduced colitis severity in both approaches, the colonic expression/activity profile of pro-inflammatory molecules, inhibited WKYMVm-induced superoxide release, and increased spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils in vitro. OBE can be used as an effective option in the prevention and/or the treatment of established colitis.

Superoxide and Non-ionotropic Signaling in Neuronal Excitotoxicity.

Excitotoxicity is classically attributed to Ca2+ influx through NMDA receptors (NMDAr), leading to production of nitric oxide by neuronal nitric oxide synthase and superoxide by mitochondria, which react to form highly cytotoxic peroxynitrite. More recent observations warrant revision of the classic view and help to explain some otherwise puzzling aspects of excitotoxic cell injury. Studies using pharmacological and genetic approaches show that superoxide produced by NMDAr activation originates primarily from NADPH oxidase rather than from mitochondria. As NADPH oxidase is localized to the plasma membrane, this also provides an explanation for the extracellular release of superoxide and cell-to-cell “spread” of excitotoxic injury observed in vitro and in vivo. The signaling pathway linking NMDAr to NADPH oxidase involves Ca2+ influx, phosphoinositol-3-kinase, and protein kinase Cζ, and interventions at any of these steps can prevent superoxide production and excitotoxic injury. Ca2+ influx specifically through NMDAr is normally required to induce excitotoxicity, through a mechanism presumed to involve privileged Ca2+ access to local signaling domains. However, experiments using selective blockade of the NMDAr ion channel and artificial reconstitution of Ca2+ by other routes indicate that the special effects of NMDAr activation are attributable instead to concurrent non-ionotropic NMDAr signaling by agonist binding to NMDAr. The non-ionotropic signaling driving NADPH oxidase activation is mediated in part by phosphoinositol-3-kinase binding to the C-terminal domain of GluN2B receptor subunits. These more recently identified aspects of excitotoxicity expand our appreciation of the complexity of excitotoxic processes and suggest novel approaches for limiting neuronal injury.

Abstract 447: Myristoylation of Protein Kinase C Beta II Peptide Inhibitor Facilitates Rapid Attenuation of Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in Activated Superoxide Release in Isolated Rat Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Protein kinase C beta II (PKCβII) activates polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) superoxide (SO) production via NADPH oxidase (NOX-2) phosphorylation to exacerbate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In prior studies, myristoylation (myr) of PKCβII peptide inhibitor (N-myr-SLNPEWNET; myr-PKCβII-), which disrupts PKCβII translocation/phosphorylation of NOX-2, was shown to dose-dependently attenuate PMN SO release induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a broad-spectrum PKC agonist. However, the role of myr on the inhibitory effects of myr-PKCβII- has yet to be elucidated. We hypothesized that myr-PKCβII peptide activator (N-myr-SVEIWD; myr-PKCβII+) would augment, myr-PKCβII- would attenuate, and scrambled myr-PKCβII- (N-myr-WNPESLNTE; myr-PKCβII-scram), a control for myr, would not affect PMA-induced PMN SO release compared to unconjugated peptides and nontreated controls. Rat PMNs (5х10 6 ) were incubated for 15 min at 37 o C in the presence/absence of SO dismutase (SOD; 10 μg/mL), unconjugated PKCβII+/-, myr-PKCβII+/-, or myr-PKCβII-scram (all 20 μM). SO release was measured by the change in absorbance at 550 nm via ferricytochrome c reduction after PMA (100 nM) stimulation for 390 sec. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc analysis. Myr-PKCβII- significantly attenuated SO release (0.30±0.02; n=27; p&lt;0.05) compared to nontreated controls (0.46±0.01; n=73), myr-PKCβII+ (0.46±0.03; n=25), unconjugated PKCβII+ (0.43±0.04; n=15), PKCβII- (0.43±0.02; n=22) and myr-PKCβII-scram (0.65±0.04; n=22). SOD (n=8), which rapidly converts SO to H 2 O 2 , significantly reduced absorbance by 94±7%, indicating that absorbance increased mainly due to PMA stimulation. Cell viability (trypan blue exclusion) was similar in all groups (94±2%). Unexpectedly, myr-PKCβII-scram significantly stimulated the highest increase in absorbance compared to all groups (p&lt;0.01). Future studies will determine whether myr-PKCβII-scram augments absorbance by a different mechanism. Results suggest that myr improves myr-PKCβII- delivery compared to unconjugated PKCβII- but does not affect inhibition of PMA-induced PMN SO release. Myr-PKCβII- may thus effectively limit inflammation-induced I/R injury.

The diabetic microenvironment causes mitochondrial oxidative stress in glomerular endothelial cells and pathological crosstalk with podocytes

BackgroundIn the setting of diabetes mellitus, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are important pathogenic mechanisms causing end organ damage, including diabetic kidney disease (DKD), but mechanistic understanding at a cellular level remains obscure. In mouse models of DKD, glomerular endothelial cell (GEC) dysfunction precedes albuminuria and contributes to neighboring podocyte dysfunction, implicating GECs in breakdown of the glomerular filtration barrier. In the following studies we wished to explore the cellular mechanisms by which GECs become dysfunctional in the diabetic milieu, and the impact to neighboring podocytes.MethodsMouse GECs were exposed to high glucose media (HG) or 2.5% v/v serum from diabetic mice or serum from non-diabetic controls, and evaluated for mitochondrial function (oxygen consumption), structure (electron microscopy), morphology (mitotracker), mitochondrial superoxide (mitoSOX), as well as accumulation of oxidized products (DNA lesion frequency (8-oxoG, endo-G), double strand breaks (γ-H2AX), endothelial function (NOS activity), autophagy (LC3) and apoptotic cell death (Annexin/PI; caspase 3). Supernatant transfer experiments from GECs to podocytes were performed to establish the effects on podocyte survival and transwell experiments were performed to determine the effects in co-culture.ResultsDiabetic serum specifically causes mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial superoxide release in GECs. There is a rapid oxidation of mitochondrial DNA and loss of mitochondrial biogenesis without cell death. Many of these effects are blocked by mitoTEMPO a selective mitochondrial anti-oxidant. Secreted factors from dysfunctional GECs were sufficient to cause podocyte apoptosis in supernatant transfer experiments, or in co-culture but this did not occur when GECs had been previously treated with mitoTEMPO.ConclusionDissecting the impact of the diabetic environment on individual cell-types from the kidney glomerulus indicates that GECs become dysfunctional and pathological to neighboring podocytes by increased levels of mitochondrial superoxide in GEC. These studies indicate that GEC-signaling to podocytes contributes to the loss of the glomerular filtration barrier in DKD.CcDz7iHMjDYmrcJBznsPoeVideo abstractGraphical abstract

Octreotide Reduces Pancreatic Islet Apoptosis and Improves Islet Transplantation Efficiency In Vitro and In Vivo.

The drug octreotide, a somatostatin analog, stimulates the cellular free radical scavenging system and inhibits the release of superoxide anions from monocytes. We hypothesized that octreotide also protects islet β cell function and improves the survival of transplanted islets by ameliorating the adverse effects of hypoxia and reoxygenation on these cells, thus inhibiting apoptosis. To test this hypothesis, we experimentally induced hypoxia in islet cells in mouse insulinoma Min6 cells. Octreotide treatment mildly but significantly improved cell viability under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Secreted vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from the Min6 cells was downregulated after octreotide treatment during hypoxia. By contrast, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α was upregulated after octreotide treatment under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Octreotide treatment also lowered the apoptotic rate of Min6 cells under hypoxic conditions in vitro. In a mouse transplant model, octreotide improved the post-transplantation efficacy and function of islet grafts. Expression of p53 and Bax in islet grafts was upregulated in the recipients treated with octreotide one day after islet transplantation, and the octreotide-treated group produced significantly less Bax than the control group on days 3 and 7 following transplantation. TUNEL assay further demonstrated a decrease in islet cell apoptosis in the octreotide group on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after transplantation compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). No islet cell proliferation was found in the octreotide and control groups on days 1, 3, and 7 following transplantation. However, by day 14, the group treated with octreotide demonstrated significantly higher average cell proliferation rates than the controls did (P < 0.05). Thus, octreotide decreased the apoptosis of islets under hypoxic conditions in vitro and enhanced the efficacy of islet transplantation in vivo. Octreotide has excellent potential for therapeutic applications in islet transplantation and merits further study.

Prolonged suppression of the anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory effects of BNP post-Takotsubo syndrome.

AimsTakotsubo syndrome (TTS) episodes are primarily initiated by ‘pulse’ release of catecholamines inducing neutrophil infiltration and myocardial inflammation in susceptible individuals (largely ageing women). Evidence of myocardial inflammation and associated energetic impairment persists for ≥ 3 months post‐acute TTS episodes, suggesting the existence of additional ‘perpetuating’ mechanisms. The effects of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in suppressing superoxide (O2 −) release from neutrophils are transiently impaired in acute heart failure. We also evaluated the extent and duration of BNP‐induced suppression of O2 − release post‐TTS.Methods and resultsTTS patients were studied acutely (n = 34) and 3 months thereafter (n = 13) and compared with control subjects (n = 25). O2 − generation from neutrophils, triggered by N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine and phorbol myristate acetate, and its suppression by BNP, were measured in vitro. Determinants of variability in BNP effect were sought via univariate and multivariate analyses.Relative to control subjects, in TTS patients, BNP suppression of both phorbol myristate acetate and N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine‐induced O2 − release was impaired acutely (P < 0.05 for both); this did not improve over the 3‐month recovery period, despite treatment with conventional anti‐failure medication in 85% of patients. No significant correlates of BNP effect (other than TTS) were identified.Conclusions(1) While TTS is associated with marked and prolonged release of BNP, there is virtually total loss of the ability of BNP to suppress neutrophil O2 − release and its impact on tissue inflammation. (2) BNP responses do not recover for at least 3 months post‐attacks, suggesting that this might contribute to perpetuation of myocardial inflammation in TTS patients.