CSF Markers of Oxidative Stress Are Associated with Brain Atrophy and Iron Accumulation in a 2-Year Longitudinal Cohort of Early MS.

In this prospective longitudinal study, we quantified regional brain volume and susceptibility changes during the first two years after the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and identified their association with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers at baseline. Seventy patients underwent MRI (T1 and susceptibility weighted images processed to quantitative susceptibility maps, QSM) with neurological examination at the diagnosis and after two years. In CSF obtained at baseline, the levels of oxidative stress, products of lipid peroxidation, and neurofilaments light chain (NfL) were determined. Brain volumetry and QSM were compared with a group of 58 healthy controls. In MS patients, regional atrophy was identified in the striatum, thalamus, and substantia nigra. Magnetic susceptibility increased in the striatum, globus pallidus, and dentate and decreased in the thalamus. Compared to controls, MS patients developed greater atrophy of the thalamus, and a greater increase in susceptibility in the caudate, putamen, globus pallidus and a decrease in the thalamus. Of the multiple calculated correlations, only the decrease in brain parenchymal fraction, total white matter, and thalamic volume in MS patients negatively correlated with increased NfL in CSF. Additionally, negative correlation was found between QSM value in the substantia nigra and peroxiredoxin-2, and QSM value in the dentate and lipid peroxidation levels.

Prediction of compartment syndrome based on analysis of biochemical parameters.

BACKGROUND: The possibility of predicting severe compartment syndrome using simple biochemical parameters was evaluated in a single-center study of 55 patients who presented with acute femoral embolism and who were treated with open surgical embolectomy. METHODS: Parameters related to tissue damage and oxidative metabolism (i.e., lactate, bilirubin, myoglobin, uric acid, glucose, and fibrinogen) were monitored in ipsilateral femoral vein blood. RESULTS: Several statistically significant predictors of relevant compartment syndrome after surgical reperfusion were found, including lactate, uric acid, transcutaneous oxygen pressure, bilirubin, intrafascial pressure, and serum myoglobin. Glycemia and serum albumin did not significantly change over time. CONCLUSIONS: The lactate concentration in femoral vein blood sampled during surgical embolectomy can be used for the stratification of additional postoperative risk of clinically significant compartment syndrome complicating reperfusion after acute embolism of the femoral artery.

Oxidative Stress Markers in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Their Link to Iron Deposition and Atrophy.

Oxidative stress has been implied in cellular injury even in the early phases of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we quantified levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in newly diagnosed MS patients and their associations with brain atrophy and iron deposits in the brain tissue. Consecutive treatment-naive adult MS patients (n = 103) underwent brain MRI and CSF sampling. Healthy controls (HC, n = 99) had brain MRI. CSF controls (n = 45) consisted of patients with non-neuroinflammatory conditions. 3T MR included isotropic T1 weighted (MPRAGE) and gradient echo (GRE) images that were processed to quantitative susceptibility maps. The volume and magnetic susceptibility of deep gray matter (DGM) structures were calculated. The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-iso prostaglandin F2α (8-isoPG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2), and malondialdehyde and hydroxyalkenals (MDA + HAE) were measured in CSF. Compared to controls, MS patients had lower volumes of thalamus, pulvinar, and putamen, higher susceptibility in caudate nucleus and globus pallidus, and higher levels of 8-OHdG, PRDX2, and MDA + HAE. In MS patients, the level of NGAL correlated negatively with volume and susceptibility in the dentate nucleus. The level of 8-OHdG correlated negatively with susceptibility in the caudate, putamen, and the red nucleus. The level of PRDX2 correlated negatively with the volume of the thalamus and both with volume and susceptibility of the dentate nucleus. From MRI parameters with significant differences between MS and HC groups, only caudate susceptibility and thalamic volume were significantly associated with CSF parameters. Our study shows that increased oxidative stress in CSF detected in newly diagnosed MS patients suggests its role in the pathogenesis of MS.

Bile acids decrease intracellular bilirubin levels in the cholestatic liver: implications for bile acid-mediated oxidative stress.

High plasma concentrations of bile acids (BA) and bilirubin are hallmarks of cholestasis. BA are implicated in the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver damage through mechanisms involving oxidative stress, whereas bilirubin is a strong antioxidant. We evaluated the roles of bilirubin and BA on mediating oxidative stress in rats following bile duct ligation (BDL). Adult female Wistar and Gunn rats intraperitoneally anaesthetized with ketamine and xylazine underwent BDL or sham operation. Cholestatic markers, antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and heme oxygenase (HO) activity were determined in plasma and/or liver tissue 5 days after surgery. HepG2-rNtcp cells were used for in vitro experiments. Plasma bilirubin levels in control and BDL animals positively correlated with plasma antioxidant capacity. Peroxyl radical scavenging capacity was significantly higher in the plasma of BDL Wistar rats (210 ± 12%, P < 0.0001) compared to controls, but not in the liver tissues. Furthermore after BDL, lipid peroxidation in the livers increased (179 ± 37%, P < 0.01), whereas liver HO activity significantly decreased to 61% of control levels (P < 0.001). Addition of taurocholic acid (TCA, ≥ 50 µmol/l) to liver homogenates increased lipid peroxidation (P < 0.01) in Wistar, but not in Gunn rats or after the addition of bilirubin. In HepG2-rNtcp cells, TCA decreased both HO activity and intracellular bilirubin levels. We conclude that even though plasma bilirubin is a marker of cholestasis and hepatocyte dysfunction, it is also an endogenous antioxidant, which may counteract the pro-oxidative effects of BA in circulation. However, in an animal model of obstructive cholestasis, we found that BA compromise intracellular bilirubin levels making hepatocytes more susceptible to oxidative damage.

Iron stores are associated with asymptomatic atherosclerosis in healthy men of primary prevention.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess the impact of increased iron stores on the presence of asymptomatic atherosclerosis in a cohort of healthy men. We anticipated that higher iron stores would be associated with higher soluble cluster of differentiation 163 (sCD163) concentrations, elevated markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and higher common carotid intima-media thickness, independently of traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study that included 72 healthy men, we measured the ultrasonography of common carotid intima-media thickness (IACC), the ratio of plasma-circulating transferrin receptors concentration to plasma ferritin concentration, certain inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, insulin sensitivity, plasma lipids and markers of endothelial dysfunction. RESULTS: The plasma-circulating transferrin receptor concentration to plasma ferritin concentration ratio (TfR/F) showed significant association with IACC (r=-0·310, P=0·008 vs. r=0·295, P=0·012). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the correlation of TfR/F with IACC is independent of traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis. The TfR/F ratio correlated with other indicators of atherosclerotic process fibrinogen (r=-0·292, P=0·013), von Willebrand factor (vWf; r=0·284, P=0·017), sCD163 (r=0·239, P=0·043) and IL-8 (r=0·233, P=0·049). In multivariate analysis, TfR/F independently correlated with haemoglobin (ß=-0·220, P=0·047), fibrinogen (ß=-0·290, P=0·009), IL-8 (ß=0·227, P=0·039) and sCD163 (ß=0·244, P=0·025); however, when vWf was added, significant independent correlation was seen only with fibrinogen (ß=-0·301, P=0·007) and IL-8 (ß=0·219, P=0·047). In addition, we demonstrated the independent correlation of sCD163 with vWf (ß=0·240, P=0·040). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a clear association of body iron stores expressed by the TfR/F ratio with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. TfR/F further exhibited an independent positive correlation with fibrinogen and a negative correlation with sCD163 and IL-8.

Effect of two different UVA doses on the rabbit cornea and lens.

The aim of the present paper was to examine the irradiation effect of two doses of UVA rays (365 nm) on the rabbit cornea and lens. Corneas of anesthetized adult albino rabbits were irradiated with UVA rays for 5 days (daily dose 1.01 J cm(-2) in one group of rabbits and daily dose 2.02 J cm(-2) in the second group of animals). The third day after the last irradiation, the rabbits were killed, and their eyes were employed for spectrophotometrical, biochemical and immunohistochemical investigations. Normal eyes served as controls. Absorption spectra of the whole corneal centers were recorded over the UV-VIS (visible) spectral range. Levels of antioxidant and prooxidant enzymes, nitric oxide synthases and nitric oxide (indirectly measured as nitrate concentration) were investigated in the cornea. Malondialdehyde, a byproduct of lipid peroxidation, was examined in the cornea and lens. The results show that the staining for endothelial nitric oxide synthase was more pronounced in corneas irradiated with the higher UVA dose. Otherwise, UVA rays at either dose did not significantly change corneal light absorption properties and did not cause statistically significant metabolic changes in the cornea or lens. In conclusion, UVA rays at the employed doses did not evoke harmful effects in the cornea or lens.

Relationship between increased body iron stores, oxidative stress and insulin resistance in healthy men.

AIM: The aim of our cross-sectional study was to assess the relationships between body iron stores, oxidative stress, impaired insulin sensitivity and carotid atherosclerosis in a cohort of healthy men in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: We examined 151 volunteers, aged 35- 60 years. Anthropometric parameters, markers of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, parameters of oxidative stress and intima-media thickness of common carotid artery were measured. RESULTS: Ferritin correlated positively with waist circumference, body mass index, impaired insulin sensitivity, plasma triglycerides and inversely with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We observed positive correlations between ferritin, oxidized lowdensity lipoprotein and advanced oxidation protein products after adjustment for age, waist circumference, body mass index and measured inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). There were no significant associations between ferritin and intima-media thickness or markers of endothelial dysfunction. In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, triglycerides, waist circumference and elevated transaminases were independent determinants of the serum ferritin level. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence for a relationship between plasma ferritin and oxidative modification of lipids as well as proteins in vivo. Higher body iron stores may contribute to impaired insulin sensitivity through increased oxidative stress in a cohort of healthy men.

Apocynin inhibits NADPH oxidase in phagocytes but stimulates ROS production in non-phagocytic cells.

Apocynin is a naturally occurring methoxy-substituted catechol, experimentally used as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Since it acts as a potent inhibitor in studies with neutrophils and macrophages, no inhibitory effect can often be found in non-phagocyte cells. In our experiments, apocynin even stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by vascular fibroblasts. Even when added to macrophages, apocynin initially caused an increase in ROS production. The inhibition of ROS formation followed, suggesting that in the presence of leukocyte myeloperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide, apocynin is converted to another compound. Apocynin pre-activated with H2O2 and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) inhibited ROS production immediately. In non-phagocytes, apocynin stimulated ROS production and no inhibition was observed even after 60 min. Apocynin treated with H2O2 and HRP, however, decreased ROS production in the same manner as in macrophages. The stimulatory effect on ROS production can be abolished by tiron and superoxide dismutase (SOD), suggesting that superoxide was the produced species. The effect of apocynin was inhibited by diphenylene iodinium (DPI), a non-scavenging NADPH oxidase inhibitor. It can be summarized that apocynin stimulates cell superoxide production. In the presence of peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide, however, it is converted into another compound that acts as an inhibitor of superoxide production. It strongly suggests that under conditions in vivo, apocynin can have opposite effects on phagocytes and non-phagocyte cells. It acts as an inhibitor of phagocyte NADPH oxidase but also as a ROS production stimulator in non-phagocyte cells.

Age-related changes in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and xanthine oxidoreductase/xanthine oxidase activities in the rabbit cornea.

The activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase--the enzymatic scavengers of reactive oxygen species and the activities of xanthine oxidoreductase and xanthine oxidase, an enzyme known to generate reactive oxygen species, were studied in the corneas of normal rabbit eyes of various ages (1 month--young eyes; 4-9.5 months--young adult eyes; 2.0-2.75 years--middle aged eyes; 3.0-5.0 years--aged eyes). The activities of GPX, superoxide dismutase, xanthine oxidoreductase and xanthine oxidase were investigated biochemically in the scraped corneal epithelium. Catalase activity was detected histochemically in the corneal epithelium and endothelium. The results show that young corneas revealed lower activities of all the antioxidant enzymes investigated than did young adult corneas, in which enzymatic activities reached their maximum. In middle-aged corneas, GPX and catalase activities remained approximately at the same levels as seen in young adult corneas, whereas superoxide dismutase activity was decreased. In aged corneas, the activities of all antioxidant enzymes were dramatically decreased or even lost (catalase activity in the corneal endothelium). In contrast, xanthine oxidoreductase activity only slightly decreased with age and the xanthine oxidase proportion of total xanthine oxidoreductase remained unchanged. GPX, superoxide dismutase and catalase are important antioxidant enzymes protecting the cornea against the oxidative damage. Because the activities of these enzymes are lower in young animals and greatly reduced in aged animals, it is suggested that young and particularly aged corneas might be more susceptible to oxidative stress than are young adult corneas. This presumption is supported by the fact that the activities of prooxidant enzymes (xanthine oxidoreductase/xanthine oxidase) are only slightly decreased in aged corneas as compared to young adult corneas so that some imbalance between antioxidant and prooxidant enzymes exists already in the normal aged corneas.

Role of oxidative stress in animal model of visceral pain.

Reactive oxygen species play an important role both in physiological and pathophysiological reactions. The aim of this study was to determine the role of free radicals and antioxidants in the development of visceral pain. Visceral pain was produced by colorectal distension (CRD) in adult rats. CRD was caused by insertion of a lubricated latex balloon into the descending colon and rectum followed by inflation to 80mm Hg for 10min. During CRD, visceral pain was rated on 0-3.5 point scale. Oxidative stress was determined indirectly by measurement of free radical scavenging enzymes (glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in the blood, liver and brain. Following CRD we observed (1) all rats expressed signs of visceral pain (overall rating was 1.83), (2) SOD and GPx levels were increased in the liver and blood, and decreased in the brain samples and (3) administration of the antioxidant Trolox, a water-soluble derivate of vitamin E, prior to CRD, prevented SOD and GPx changes in the liver, blood and brain, but did not affect pain scores. It was concluded, that CRD as a model of visceral pain, increases oxidative stress in animals, which could be prevented by prior administration of antioxidants; however, antioxidants did not attenuate signs of visceral pain caused by CRD.

The influence of pre-emptive analgesia on postoperative analgesia and its objective evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of pain intensity is still a subject of research. Mostly psychological evaluations are used. We started to conduct biochemical evaluation in animal experiments. Now we present biochemical evaluation in postoperative pain in man. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 67 patients herniotomy was done. For pre-emptive analgesia morphine and pethidine were used and the following indicators were measured: visual analogue scale (VAS), measurement of lipid spectra, saccharides and proteins, thioredoxin, super-oxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and NAD(P)H-oxidase (NOX), and free radicals using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Blood samples were taken and tested: before pre-medication and intervention, 4 h after and 24 h after intervention. RESULTS: Free radicals (FR) increased in individual samples during the postoperative course in pethidine and without pre-medication. After application of morphine the FR were insignificantly reduced. Statistically significant differences were found in albumin, prealbumin, apolipoprotein A, total cholesterol, atherosclerotic index, CRP, glucose, and thioredoxin (p ≤ 0.001). A greater difference was seen in VAS values between morphine and pethidine premedications (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was proved that the biochemical markers of lipid, protein and saccharide metabolisms and free radicals as well as singlet oxygen can serve as very good indicators of the intensity of pain and nociception. In patients it was proved that pre-emptive analgesia plays an important role in reducing the intensity of postoperative pain. From the three modalities of pre-emptive analgesia morphine represents the best solution.