Nitric oxide potentiates hydrogen peroxide-induced killing of Escherichia coli.

Previously, we reported that nitric oxide (NO) provides significant protection to mammalian cells from the cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Murine neutrophils and activated macrophages, however, produce NO, H2O2, and other reactive oxygen species to kill microorganisms, which suggests a paradox. In this study, we treated bacteria (Escherichia coli) with NO and H2O2 for 30 min and found that exposure to NO resulted in minimal toxicity, but greatly potentiated (up to 1,000-fold) H2O2-mediated killing, as evaluated by a clonogenic assay. The combination of NO/H2O2 induced DNA double strand breaks in the bacterial genome, as shown by field-inverted gel electrophoresis, and this increased DNA damage may correlate with cell killing. NO was also shown to alter cellular respiration and decrease the concentration of the antioxidant glutathione to a residual level of 15-20% in bacterial cells. The iron chelator desferrioxamine did not stop the action of NO on respiration and glutathione decrease, yet it prevented the NO/H2O2 synergistic cytotoxicity, implicating metal ions as critical participants in the NO/H2O2 cytocidal mechanism. Our results suggest a possible mechanism of modulation of H2O2-mediated toxicity, and we propose a new key role in the antimicrobial macrophagic response for NO.

Nitroxide stable radicals protect beating cardiomyocytes against oxidative damage.

The protective effect of stable nitroxide radicals against oxidative damage was studied using cardiomyocyte cultures obtained from newborn rats. Monolayered cardiomyocytes were exposed to H2O2 and the effect on spontaneous beating and leakage of LDH was determined. Hydrogen peroxide irreversibly blocked rhythmic beating and resulted in a significant membrane injury as shown by release of LDH. The injury was prevented by catalase which removes H2O2 and by cell-permeable, metal-chelating agents such as desferrioxamine or bipyridine. In contrast, reagents which are excluded from the cell such as superoxide dismutase or DTPA did not protect the cells against H2O2. Five- and six-membered ring, stable nitroxide radicals which have previously been shown to chemically act as low-molecular weight, membrane-permeable, SOD-mimetic compounds provided full protection. The nitroxides prevented leakage of LDH and preserved normal cardiomyocyte contractility, presumably by intercepting intracellular O2-radicals. Alternatively, protection may result through nitroxides reacting with reduced transition metal ions or by detoxifying secondary organic radicals.

Reappraisal of the association between adriamycin and iron.

The nature of the association between Adriamycin (ADR) and iron was reinvestigated spectroscopically. It is shown that ADR and Fe3+ do not necessarily form a colloidal aggregate, but rather form a true chelate, Fe3+ ADR3, having a 602-nm molar extinction coefficient of 16.4 mM-1.cm-1. In contrast to the high nominal binding constant for ferric-ADR, beta = 10(33.4), it is shown that under actual conditions of metal hydrolysis and ADR protonation, the effective binding constant, Keff, is strongly pH dependent and is only 10(16.2) M-3 at pH 7.4. These properties are reflected in a progressive dissociation of Fe3+ ADR3 upon dilution and at decreasing pH. Maximal iron chelation by ADR is not achieved at [ADR]:[iron] ratios lower than 10:1, and at [ADR] below the 0.1 mM range. These observations necessitate a reevaluation of previous conclusions regarding the involvement of iron in ADR activity. The clinical implications are important, because at ADR concentrations obtained in vivo, and contrary to common assumptions, ADR will not bind adventitious iron to form a binary chelate. Furthermore, a preformed Fe3+ ADR3 chelate will dissociate when injected. This precludes the involvement of a binary ferric-ADR chelate in the mechanism of action of ADR in vivo.

Physical and chemical modifications of adriamycin:iron complex by phospholipid bilayers.

Adriamycin (ADM) and the ADM:Fe(III) complex both interact with phosphatidylcholine bilayers in aqueous vesicle dispersions. The immediate interaction of either ADM or ADM:Fe(III) with phospholipid causes little change in their absorption or emission spectra, but considerably increases the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of both species. This is followed by a conversion of the ADM:Fe(III) complex (but not of metal-free ADM) into a new compound in periods ranging from minutes to hours depending upon the Fe(III) concentration. This reaction does not require the presence of unsaturated acyl chains, net negatively charged phospholipid head groups, or the participation of molecular oxygen. This new compound has a characteristic absorption and fluorescence emission spectra which differ from those of the ADM:Fe(III) or of metal-free ADM. It can be isolated from the aqueous lipid dispersion by Folch extraction under acidic conditions. It is very lipophilic in comparison to ADM or the ADM:Fe(III) complex. It may be similar to the compound reported to form between cardiolipin and Adriamycin. Preliminary results indicate that it also forms spontaneously in intact biological membranes. Its highly lipophilic character may confine it to bilayers and membranes.

Mechanisms of hypoxic and aerobic cytotoxicity of mitomycin C in Chinese hamster V79 cells.

Mitomycin C (MMC) induced aerobic and hypoxic cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster V79 cells was studied to evaluate the role of the 1-electron versus 2-electron reductive bioactivation. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and desferal had no protective effects on the aerobic or hypoxic cytotoxicity of MMC, whereas Tempol and Tempol-H, which are known to interrupt and terminate radical reactions, provided partial protection under aerobic conditions. However, under hypoxic conditions, Tempol provided complete protection whereas Tempol-H was ineffective. Electron paramagnetic resonance and spin-trapping investigations, designed to study the mechanisms of such protective effects, confirmed that MMC is activated by the human NADPH:cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase to its semiquinone radical and that, under aerobic conditions, the semiquinone radical reduces molecular oxygen. Under hypoxic conditions, the semiquinone of MMC reduces H2O2 to produce OH radicals as detected by electron paramagnetic resonance-spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide. The 1-electron reduced product of MMC was also found to reduce Tempol to the hydroxylamine, Tempol-H, whereas oxidation of Tempol-H by MMC-. was negligible. Cell survival studies and electron paramagnetic resonance observations indicate that the hypoxic cytotoxicity of MMC is mediated by 1-electron activation to its semiquinone intermediate. Under aerobic conditions, the steady state concentration of this intermediate is low due to the facile autooxidation of the semiquinone producing O2-. and H2O2 which are capable of causing oxidative cytotoxicity. Tempol, which can accept an electron from reducing radical species, completely inhibited the hypoxic cytotoxicity of MMC indicating MMC-., the semiquinone of MMC as the species responsible for DNA alkylation and selective hypoxic cytotoxicity of MMC. Our results also indicate that the aerobic cytotoxicity is mediated by other processes in addition to the 1-electron mediated activation.

Potential use of nitroxides in radiation oncology.

The identification of radioprotectors is an important goal for those involved in radiation oncology and for those interested in the investigation of the mechanisms of radiation cytotoxicity. Recently, a new class of in vitro and in vivo radioprotectors, the nitroxides, has been discovered. The nitroxides are low-molecular-weight stable free radicals which are freely membrane permeable and which have been shown to act as superoxide dismutase mimics. Further investigation of these compounds has shown that a water-soluble nitroxide, Tempol, protects cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells from the cytotoxicity caused by superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Tempol and five other water-soluble nitroxides have also been shown to protect V79 cells against radiation-induced cytotoxicity. Potential mechanisms of protection by the nitroxides include oxidation of reduced transition metals, superoxide dismutase-like activity, and scavenging of oxy- and carbon-based free radicals. In vivo studies reveal that Tempol protects C3H mice from the lethal effects of radiation with a dose causing 50% lethality within 30 days of 9.97 Gy and 7.84 Gy in Tempol-treated and saline-treated mice, respectively, and a dose modification factor of 1.3. The nitroxides represent a new class of non-thiol radioprotectors which may also have application as general antioxidants. Additional work is necessary to screen other nitroxides for in vivo radioprotection and toxicity as well as to fully evaluate the extent to which these compounds protect tumors.

Tempol, a stable free radical, is a novel murine radiation protector.

Nitroxide compounds are stable free radicals which were previously investigated as hypoxic cell radiosensitizers. The stable nitroxide 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (Tempol) has recently been shown to protect aerated cells in culture against superoxide generated from hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase, hydrogen peroxide, and radiation-induced cytotoxicity and to modestly sensitive hypoxic cultured cells. To extend these observations from the cellular level to the whole animal, the toxicity, pharmacology, and in vivo radioprotective effects of Tempol were studied in C3H mice. The maximum tolerated dose of Tempol administered i.p. was found to be 275 mg/kg, which resulted in maximal Tempol levels in whole blood 5-10 min after injection. Mice were exposed to whole-body radiation in the absence or presence of injected Tempol (275 mg/kg) 5-10 min after administration. Tempol treatment provided significant radioprotection (P less than 0.0001); the dose of radiation at which 50% of Tempol-treated mice die at 30 days was 9.97 Gy, versus 7.84 Gy for control mice. Tempol represents a new class of in vivo, non-sulfur-containing radiation protectors. Given the potential for hypoxic radiosensitization and aerobic cell radioprotection, Temporal or other analogues may have potential therapeutic application.

Nitroxide stable radical prevents primaquine-induced lysis of red blood cell.

Primaquine (PQ), an antimalarial drug, is known to produce multiple oxidative effects in red blood cells (RBC). Because H2O2, OH and intracellular superoxide are implicated in this oxidation, the effect of cell-permeable nitroxide 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) capable of scavenging O2.- has been studied. PQ caused RBC lysis and facilitated the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) to methemoglobin (MetHb). The lysis was partially inhibited by catalase and by the metal chelating agent 2,2-dipyridyl. TEMPO blocked PQ-induced RBC lysis in dose-dependent manner (2 mM IC50) but enhanced the oxidation of oxyHb to MetHb. PQ facilitated the lysis also in the presence of CO but without effecting Hb oxidation. This hemolysis, however, was inhibited by TEMPO. The results indicated that: (a) no causative relationship exists between PQ-induced Hb oxidation and RBC lysis; (b) TEMPO can directly oxidize heme-iron without causing membrane injury; (c) the aerobic toxicity of PQ in this system is mediated by O2.- and H2O2 and possibly by redox-active labile metals (d) TEMPO can protect by detoxifying O2.- and oxidizing reduced labile metal ions and thus blocking their participation in Fenton reaction.

Opposing effects of nitroxide free radicals in Escherichia coli mutants deficient in DNA repair.

Nitroxide free radicals have been previously shown to function as superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics and to protect bacterial and mammalian cells against oxidative damage, particularly from superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Although nitroxides are generally considered to be non-toxic nor mutagenic, there is no agreement regarding their potential adverse effect. Some toxic effects were observed upon using high concentration of six-membered ring derivatives. Conflicting evidence has also been reported regarding the mutagenic activity of nitroxides toward Salmonella typhimurium. It was also demonstrated that nitroxides exert two opposing effects on exonuclease III deficient cells of Escherichia coli upon exposure to naphthoquinones. The attempts to use nitroxides as contrast agents in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and as a new class of anti-oxidants underscore the need to examine their potential adverse effects. Since nitroxides protected xthA cells from DNA scission caused by H2O2, it was anticipated that they would provide even greater protection for recA DNA repair-deficient cells of E. coli, which are more sensitive to H2O2-induced oxidative stress. The results of the present study showed that: (a) nitroxides exert bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects on recA but not on xthA or wild-type E. coli K12 cells; (b) nitroxides and H2O2 act synergistically on recA cells, both under aerobic and hypoxic conditions; (c) the nitroxide-induced toxicity in recA cells and the synergistic effect with H2O2 were not accompanied by a decrease in the cellular level of reduced glutathione; (d) TEMPAMINE protected against DNA scission induced by H2O2 and 1,10-ortho-phenanthroline chelate of Cu(II) in xthA cells, but potentiated DNA double-strand breakage in recA cells.

Cellular sites of H2O2-induced damage and their protection by nitroxides.

While the exact mechanism of H2O2-induced cytotoxicity is unknown, there is considerable evidence implicating DNA as a primary target. A recent study showed that a cell-impermeable nitroxide protected mammalian cells from H2O2-induced cell killing and suggested that the protection was mediated through cell membrane-bound or extracellular factors. To further define the protective properties of nitroxides, Chinese hamster V79 cells were exposed to H2O2 with or without cell-permeable and impermeable nitroxides and selected metal chelators. EPR spectroscopy and paramagnetic line broadening agents were used to distinguish between intra- and extracellular nitroxide distribution. To study the effectiveness of nitroxide protection, in the absence of a cell membrane, H2O2-mediated damage to supercoiled plasmid DNA was evaluated. Both deferrioxamine and Tempol cross the cell membrane, and inhibited H2O2-mediated cell killing, whereas the cell-impermeable DTPA and nitroxide, CAT-1, failed to protect. Similar protective effects of the chelators and nitroxides were observed when L-histidine, which enhances intracellular injury, was added to H2O2. In contrast, when damage to plasmid DNA was induced (in the absence of a cell membrane), both nitroxides were protective. Collectively, these results do not support a role for membrane-bound or extracellular factors in mediating H2O2 cytotoxicity in mammalian cells.

Comparative studies of the aromatization of testosterone and epitestosterone by human placental aromatase.

The aromatization of epitestosterone (17 alpha-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one) and testosterone by lyophilized human placental microsomes was studied. Upon incubation of epitestosterone, 12% was converted to 17 alpha-estradiol, 15% to 19-keto-epitestosterone (17 alpha-hydroxy-4-oxo-4-androsten-19-al), 10% to 19-hydroxyepitestosterone (17 alpha, 19-dihydroxy-4-androsten-3-one), and about 10% to several unidentified products. A similar incubation with testosterone resulted in 60% conversion to 17 beta-estradiol; 30% was unchanged. At increasing substrate concentrations (0.1-50 microM), the aromatization rate of epitestosterone increased gradually and did not reach a plateau, whereas aromatization rate of testosterone plateaued at about 3 microM. The presence of either testosterone or 17 beta-estradiol in concentrations 0.1-10 times the concentration of epitestosterone inhibited the aromatization of epitestosterone by about 70%, while the aromatization of testosterone was not inhibited by either epitestosterone or 17 alpha-estradiol. Lyophilization of fresh microsomes or storage of the lyophilized microsomes at -20 C greatly reduced the aromatizing activity upon epitestosterone but not upon testosterone. These results suggest that the aromatizing system for epitestosterone is different from that for testosterone.

The cellular-induced decay of DMPO spin adducts of .OH and .O2.

In a recent report, it was concluded that DMPO, often considered the spin trap of choice for detection of superoxide and hydroxyl radical adducts in biological systems, may be unsuitable for many biological uses because of its instability in cellular systems. It was demonstrated in red blood cells and in hamster V79 cells that the DMPO spin adducts of .O2- and .OH are metabolized very rapidly so that even if formed, they may not be detected in many experiments with cells. Because of the potential importance of these findings to experiments already reported on the occurrence of oxygen radicals in cellular systems, and the implications of these findings for future experiments, we have extended the studies on DMPO to other cellular, systems. We have also investigated the role of oxygen in this system because it has been shown recently that very hypoxic cells reduce some nitroxides much more rapidly than oxic cells and therefore it seemed possible that the rapid loss of radical adducts of DMPO was due to the hypoxic conditions under which the previous experiments were carried out. The results of the present experiments indicate that the loss of the DMPO spin adducts occurs in other cell systems as well, that the decomposition rate is independent of the concentration of oxygen, and that the final products of cellular metabolism of DMPO adducts are different from those of most nitroxides. There is no evidence that intracellular DMPO-spin adducts of oxygen radicals can be observed under conditions similar to those used in this study. We conclude that DMPO is not likely to be a suitable agent for studying intracellular oxygen radicals.

Evaluation of dibromonitrosobenzene sulfonate as a spin trap in biological systems.

In the present study dibromonitrosobenzene sulfonate (DBNBS) was examined for its suitability for spin trapping for ESR detection of superoxide radicals in biological systems. This nitroso spin trap recently has been reported to yield very persistent spin adducts with O2. as well as with various carbon-centered radicals. In the present work the possible toxicity of DBNBS, the partitioning of its spin adducts into cells, and the stability of the adducts and the parent compound inside cells were studied. No significant toxicity was found. In cellular systems, however, DBNBS did not produce detectable adducts with O2.; it also did not detectably trap superoxide generated in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. Both DBNBS and a DBNBS adduct performed extracellularly and then added to cell suspensions were rapidly metabolized by cells. Intracellular spin adducts were not detected under any condition. Evidently, in spite of its promising features, DBNBS will not be useful for spin trapping radicals in cellular systems or for detecting superoxide radicals in any biological system.

An SOD-mimicry mechanism underlies the role of nitroxides in protecting papain from oxidative inactivation.

Nitroxide stable free radicals have previously been found to afford protection in various biological systems against diverse types of oxidative stress, including, ischemia/reperfusion, hyperoxia, mechanical trauma, toxic xenobiotics, ionizing radiation, gastric and colonic irritants or strong oxidants. Dismutation of superoxide has originally been suggested to be one of the mechanisms that underlie the anti-oxidant effect of nitroxides. However, no direct evidence has been found, so far, to support this assumption. In the present study, superoxide and H2O2, generated enzymatically, were used to directly inactivate papain, a sulfhydryl enzyme, in vitro. The rate of papain inactivation served to assess the damage. The reaction mixtures contained a chelate in order to prevent the effect of adventitious redox-active metal ions, pre-empt the Fenton reaction and avoid hydroxyl-induced damage. Catalase or SOD alone partially protected the papain from inactivation. The protective effect of nitroxides resembled that of SOD in several aspects: a) nitroxides provided partial protection; b) the protective effect of nitroxides did not increase with the elevation of their concentration (above 0.5 mM); c) the combined addition of SOD and the nitroxide did not provide greater protection than that demonstrated by nitroxides or SOD separately; d) the effects of catalase with the nitroxide were additive; e) the nitroxide, like SOD itself, did not protect papain from H2O2-induced inactivation; f) the nitroxide was found not to be consumed in the course of the reaction but rather to be recycled. The results indicate that: (a) the main species responsible for the papain inactivation in a system in which the effect of transition metals is pre-empted, are O2-. and H2O2; (b) nitroxides inhibit the oxidative damage by removing superoxide not stoichiometrically, but rather catalytically as SOD-mimics; (c) nitroxides do not afford protection when the oxidative damage is induced directly by H2O2 (and not mediated by redox-active metals).

Both hydroxylamine and nitroxide protect cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress.

The unique anti-oxidative activity of nitroxide radicals protecting against reactive oxygen-derived species (ROS) has been recently demonstrated in several model systems. The present study focuses on the activity of nitroxide and of its reduced form in cultured rat ventricular cardiomyocytes exposed to O2.- and H2O2 generated by hypoxanthine (HX) and xanthine oxidase (XO). To evaluate cell injury, spontaneous beating, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and depletion of cellular ATP were determined. The protective effect of 4-OH-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-N-oxyl (TPL) was compared with that of 4-OH-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-hydroxypiperidine (TPL-H) and of several common anti-oxidants. A rapid exchange between TPL and TPL-H, is mediated by cellular metabolism and through reactions with ROS. In particular, TPL under O2.- flux is oxidized to oxo-ammonium cation (TPL+) which comproportionates with TPL-H yielding two nitroxide radicals. Because this exchange limits the distinction between the biological activities of TPL and TPL-H, NADH which can reduce TPL+ was included in order to maintain the nitroxide in its reduced form. The results demonstrate that both TPL and TPL-H protect cardiomyocytes against beating loss and LDH leakage. Conversely, cellular ATP depletion induced by HX/XO is inhibited by TPL-H, though not by TPL, suggesting that different mechanisms underlie their protective activities. Through a flip-flop between the two forms, which coexist in the system, the levels of TPL-H and TPL are continuously replenished. The conversion, upon reaction, of each antioxidant into the other one enables them, contrary to common antioxidants which operate in a stoichiometric mode, to act catalytically.

Stable nitroxide radicals protect lipid acyl chains from radiation damage.

The present study focused on protective activity of two six-membered-ring nitroxide radicals, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Tempo) and 4-hydroxy-Tempo (Tempol), against radiation damage to acyl chain residues of egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) of small unilamellar vesicles (SUV). SUV were gamma-irradiated (10-12 kGy) under air at ambient temperature in the absence and presence of nitroxides. Acyl chain composition of the phospholipids before and after irradiation was determined by gas chromatography. Both Tempo and Tempol effectively and similarly protected the acyl chains of EPC SUV, including the highly sensitive polyunsaturated acyl chains, C20:4, C22:5, and C22:6. The conclusions of the study are: (a) The higher the degree of unsaturation in the acyl chain, the greater is the degradation caused by irradiation. (b) The fully saturated fatty acids palmitic acid (C16) and stearic acid (C18) showed no significant change in their levels. (c) Both Tempo and Tempol provided similar protection to acyl chain residues. (d) Nitroxides' lipid-bilayer/aqueous distribution is not validly represented by their n-octanol/saline partition coefficient. (e) The lipid-bilayer/aqueous partition coefficient of Tempo and Tempol cannot be correlated with their protective effect. (f) The nitroxides appear to protect via a catalytic mode. Unlike common antioxidants, such as alpha-tocopherol, which are consumed under irradiation and are, therefore, less effective against high radiation dose, nitroxide radicals are restored and terminate radical chain reactions in a catalytic manner. Furthermore, nitroxides neither yield secondary radicals upon their reaction with radicals nor act as prooxidants. Not only are nitroxides self-replenished, but also their reduction products are effective antioxidants. Therefore, the use of nitroxides offers a powerful strategy to protect liposomes, membranes, and other lipid-based assemblies from radiation damage.

Kinetics of superoxide-induced exchange among nitroxide antioxidants and their oxidized and reduced forms.

Nitroxide stable radicals generally serve for probing molecular motion in membranes and whole cells, transmembrane potential, intracellular oxygen and pH, and are tested as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Recently nitroxides were found to protect against oxidative stress. Unlike most low molecular weight antioxidants (LMWA) which are depleted while attenuating oxidative damage, nitroxides can be recycled. In many cases the antioxidative activity of nitroxides is associated with switching between their oxidized and reduced forms. In the present work, superoxide radicals were generated either radiolytically or enzymatically using hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry was used to follow the exchange between the nitroxide radical and its reduced form; whereas, pulse radiolysis was employed to study the kinetics of hydroxylamine oxidation. The results indicate that: a) The rate constant of superoxide reaction with cyclic hydroxylamines is pH-independent and is lower by several orders of magnitude than the rate constant of superoxide reaction with nitroxides; b) The oxidation of hydroxylamine by superoxide is primarily responsible for the non-enzymatic recycling of nitroxides; c) The rate of nitroxides restoration decreases as the pH decreases because nitroxides remove superoxide more efficiently than is hydroxylamine oxidation; d) The hydroxylamine reaction with oxidized nitroxide (comproportionation) might participate in the exchange among the three oxidation states of nitroxide. However, simulation of the time-dependence and pH-dependence of the exchange suggests that such a comproportionation is too slow to affect the rate of non-enzymatic nitroxide restoration. We conclude that the protective activity of nitroxides in vitro can be distinguished from that of common LMWA due to hydroxylamine oxidation by superoxide, which allows nitroxide recycling and enables its catalytic activity.

Nitroxide stable radical suppresses autoimmune uveitis in rats.

Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Nitroxides are stable radicals with a superoxide-dismutase-mimicking activity, which exert an anti-inflammatory effect in various animal models of oxidative damage and inflammation, such as experimental colitis and head trauma. We examined the use of the SOD mimic nitroxide 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6,-tetramethylpiperidine-1-N-oxyl (TPL) to suppress EAU. Adult male Lewis rats were immunized with 125 microg/rat synthetic human retinal S-Ag, emulsified with Freund's adjuvant. Intravenous pertussis toxin was simultaneously injected. Beginning on Day 6, rats were injected with a daily intraperitoneal dose of 35, 175 or 350 micromol/rat of the nitroxide TPL. Control rats received intraperitoneal normal saline. The animals were examined daily, and on the 19th day the eyes were enucleated. Aqueous protein concentrations and retinal lipid peroxidation product levels (ketodienes and conjugated dienes) were determined. Histological sections were stained and examined microscopically. TPL was found to penetrate the aqueous humor readily. Beginning on day 12, rats developed a severe pan-uveitis. Rats in the treatment group had a lower mean clinical and histological score than that of controls. Levels of aqueous humor protein, retinal conjugated diens and ketodiens were all significantly lower in the treatment group. This effect was more pronounced with the lower TPL concentration. We conclude that TPL reduces clinical, biochemical and histopathological severity of S-Ag induced EAU in Lewis rats. This effect is probably mediated by removal of superoxide radicals, but other mechanisms may also be involved.

Superoxide reaction with nitroxide spin-adducts.

The reactions of superoxide radical with persistent nitroxide spin-adducts or with stable spin-labels were studied using ESR spectrometry. Superoxide radicals were produced enzymatically using xanthine - xanthine oxidase or chemically by dissolving potassium superoxide in DMSO. Hydroxyl and methyl spin-adducts of the spin-trap DMPO were performed by sonolysis and subsequently reacted with superoxide radical. Superoxide-induced depletion of DMPO--OH obeyed second order kinetics. Contrary to previously published mechanisms, the reaction requires neither transition metal ions nor thiols. The depleted spin-adducts could not be restored by reoxidation with ferricyanide or copper +H2O2; thus, the superoxide-mediated destruction does not result in a mere one-electron reduction product. Superoxide also depletes other DMPO spin-adducts including DMPO--CH3 and DMPO--H, but not PBN--CH3. In addition, some 5-membered ring stable nitroxides are depleted by superoxide in a pseudo-zero order reaction. In studying systems which generate O2- and OH, the superoxide-induced destruction of DMPO--OH may well lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the primary radicals produced. In particular this reaction might be operative under circumstances where elevated rates of superoxide production take place, such as during oxygen consumption "burst" in phagocytosis, degranulation, or paraquat intoxication.

Gamma-irradiation damage to liposomes differing in composition and their protection by nitroxides.

The present study aims to determine the effect of bilayer composition on oxidative damage and the protection against it in lipid multicomponent membranes. Irradiation damage in 200-nm liposomes and the protection provided by the nitroxide radicals, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Tempo) and 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine--1-oxyl (Tempol) were assessed by monitoring several chemical and physical parameters. Liposomes were prepared in four different lipid compositions (mole ratios), DPPC:DPPG 10:1; DPPC:DPPG:cholesterol 10:1:4; EPC:EPG 10:1; and EPC:EPG:cholesterol 10:1:4, and gamma-irradiated with a dose of 32 kGy. Lipid degradation was determined by HPLC and GC analyses, whereas size and differential scanning calorimetry measurements were used to monitor physical changes in the liposomal dispersions. The results indicate that: (1) addition of 5 mM Tempo or Tempol, or freezing of the sample inhibited radiation-induced lipid degradation; (2) Tempo and Tempol caused neither physical nor chemical changes in the liposomal dispersions; and (3) both nitroxides prevented or reduced some of the radiation-induced changes in thermotropic characteristics of the liposomes, preventing a shift in the temperature of the maximum of the main phase transition.