A New Concept in Antidiabetic Therapeutics: A Concerted Removal of Labile Iron and Intracellular Deposition of Zinc.

BACKGRUOUND: The inflammatory process is known to be an integral part of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The "labile," redox-active iron, serving as a catalyst in Fenton reaction, producing the deleterious reactive oxygen species, triggering and maintaining inflammation, is hypothesized to play a causative role in this process. Concenter Biopharma continued the development of a new platform of iron chelators (Zygosids), first initiated at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel (HUJI), acting via the novel mechanism, based on a sequestration of the labile redox-active iron and its substitution by zinc or gallium. The mode of action of Zygosids is based on the higher affinity of the metal-binding moiety of the complex to Fe3+ in comparison to already bound ion, leading to rapid release of the ion of another metal and chelation of Fe3+. Concomitantly, zinc ion, released by the complex, is known for its antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory role. METHODS: The therapeutic effect of zinc-desferrioxamine (Zygosid-50) and gallium-desferrioxamine, was tested on fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus) model of diet-induced T2DM and on Leprdb transgenic diabetic mice. RESULTS: Zygosids demonstrated an ability to noticeably reduce blood glucose and insulin levels and improve the lipid profile. Moreover, an ability to mitigate insulin resistance by >90% was shown on the sand rat model. In addition, a potent anti-inflammatory effect, expressed as a diminishment of the proinflammatory cytokines in tissue levels, was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Zygosids demonstrated robust therapeutic efficacy in treatment of T2DM. Importantly, no adverse effects were detected, in all the experiments, indicating high safety profile.

Discovery of an unrecognized nidovirus associated with granulomatous hepatitis in rainbow trout.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is the principal species of inland-farmed fish in the Western hemisphere. Recently, we diagnosed in farmed rainbow trout a disease in which the hallmark is granulomatous-like hepatitis. No biotic agents could be isolated from lesions. Still, unbiased high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analyses revealed the presence of a novel piscine nidovirus that we named "Trout Granulomatous Virus" (TGV). TGV genome (28,767 nucleotides long) is predicted to encode non-structural (1a and 1 ab) and structural (S, M, and N) proteins that resemble proteins of other known piscine nidoviruses. High loads of TGV transcripts were detected by quantitative RT-PCR in diseased fish and visualized in hepatic granulomatous sites by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed coronavirus-like particles in these lesions. Together, these analyses corroborated the association of TGV with the lesions. The identification and detection of TGV provide means to control TGV spread in trout populations.

Rat cardiac mitochondrial sub-populations show distinct features of oxidative phosphorylation during ischemia, reperfusion and ischemic preconditioning.

BACKGROUND: Inter-fibrillar (IFM) and sub-sarcolemmal (SSM) mitochondria are two distinct mitochondrial sub-populations and are expected to behave differently during pathological conditions. This study was undertaken to compare functional oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in IFM and SSM during ischemia, reperfusion and ischemic preconditioning. METHODS: Langendorff perfused Wistar rat hearts were subjected to 35minutes ischemia, 60minutes reperfusion and ischemic preconditioning (IPC) procedure (3cycles of 2-minutes ischemia followed by 3-minutes reperfusion).Subsequently IFM and SSM were isolated, and mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) enzyme activities and respiration were measured immediately. RESULTS: Functional enzyme activities of ETC in IFM and SSM showed prominent differences especially in the proximal part of ETC enzymes during ischemia and reperfusion. SSM favor FADH(2 )while IFM prefer NADH as the main reducing equivalent for electron transport during ischemia and reperfusion. IPC preserved ETC enzyme activities in both IFM and SSM rendering cardio protection. Similarly IPC preserve ADP stimulated respiration with glutamate and malate as substrate in both sub populations, but not in IFM, with succinate as substrate. Apparently, the preconditioning imparts enhanced protection more to SSM than IFM during ischemia and reperfusion and especially to the proximal part of the ETC. CONCLUSION: We propose that mitochondrial dysfunction, one of the major targets of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury needs to be evaluated by the synergic effect of both IFM and SSM.

Energy status determines the distinct biochemical and physiological behavior of interfibrillar and sub-sarcolemmal mitochondria.

Reports about the effect of ischemia and reperfusion on specific activities of the respiratory chain are often discrepant. One of the factors that govern this discrepancy is that typical mechanical procedures for mitochondrial isolation yield largely sub-sarcolemmal mitochondria (SSM), while the interfibrillar mitochondria (IFM), which provide most of the energy for the contractile apparatus, are under-represented. Here we investigated the impact of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion on SSM and IFM separately. Thirty-two Wister rats were randomly divided into four groups: control groups, ischemia groups, reperfusion groups and precondition groups. SSM and IFM were isolated from the rats' hearts from all the groups. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) and swelling were assessed at energized (using either 5mM succinate or 5mM glutamate and 5mM malate (GM) as a substrate) and non-energized conditions, where IFM showed better resistance to change in both conditions. Results showed that IFM have a higher coupling efficiency than SSM when energized by GM, but lower than SSM when energized with succinate. Preconditioning the rats' hearts prior to ischemia or reperfusion preserved the physiological and biochemical functions of both IFM and SSM and are energy dependent. The distinct physiological-biochemical functions of the mitochondrial sub-populations during ischemia and reperfusion depend on the overall energy status of the mitochondrial sub-population.

The potential of desferrioxamine-gallium as an anti-Pseudomonas therapeutic agent.

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infections that are difficult to treat by antibiotic therapy. This bacterium can cause biofilm infections where it shows tolerance to antibiotics. Here we report the novel use of a metallo-complex, desferrioxamine-gallium (DFO-Ga) that targets P. aeruginosa iron metabolism. This complex kills free-living bacteria and blocks biofilm formation. A combination of DFO-Ga and the anti-Pseudomonas antibiotic gentamicin caused massive killing of P. aeruginosa cells in mature biofilms. In a P. aeruginosa rabbit corneal infection, topical administration of DFO-Ga together with gentamicin decreased both infiltrate and final scar size by about 50% compared to topical application of gentamicin alone. The use of DFO-Ga as a Trojan horse delivery system that interferes with iron metabolism shows promise as a treatment for P. aeruginosa infections.

Methionine-centered redox cycle in organs of the aero-digestive tract of young and old rats.

It is commonly accepted that aging is associated with a decline in the antioxidant defense of the cell; accordingly, certain redox enzymes are used as markers of biological senescence. To further test and specify this general concept, we studied age-related changes in the enzymes of the methionine-centered redox cycle (MCRC) in four aero-digestive organs of rats. The levels of cytosolic thioredoxin (Trx), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr), all tended to decline with age. The enzymatic activities of MsrA and MsrB were significantly lower in the organs of aged animals. In general, the magnitude of this decline increased in the order: tongue < sternohyoid muscle < larynx < esophagus. The relative stability of MCRC in the old tongues might be part of the well-preserved oxidative metabolism as confirmed by the age-related increase in mitochondrial marker and muscle tissue in these tongues. In total, the results suggest that age-associated oxidative damage is organ-specific and could reflect differences in morphological composition of these tissues, and among them, relative content of striated muscles.

Heart protection by ischemic preconditioning: a novel pathway initiated by iron and mediated by ferritin.

Ischemic preconditioning is a well-known procedure transiently protecting the heart against injury associated with prolonged ischemia, through mechanism/s only partly understood. The aim of this study was to test whether preconditioning-induced protection of the heart involves an iron-based mechanism, including the generation of an iron signal followed by accumulation of ferritin. In isolated rat hearts perfused in the Langendorff configuration, we measured heart contractility, ferritin levels, ferritin-iron content, and mRNA levels of ferritin subunits. Ischemic preconditioning caused rapid accumulation of ferritin, reaching 359% of the baseline value (set at 100%). This was accompanied by a parallel decline in ferritin-bound iron: from 2191+/-548 down to 760+/-34 Fe atoms/ferritin molecule, p<0.05. Ferritin levels remained high during the subsequent period of prolonged ischemia, and returned to nearly the baseline value during the reperfusion phase. Selective iron chelators (acetyl hydroxamate or Zn-desferrioxamine) abrogated the functional protection and suppressed ferritin accumulation, thus demonstrating the essentiality of an iron signal in the preconditioning-induced protective mechanism. Moreover, introduction of an iron-containing ternary complex, known to import iron into cells, caused a three-fold accumulation of ferritin and simulated the preconditioning-induced functional protection against prolonged myocardial ischemia. The ischemic preconditioning-and-ischemia-induced increase in ferritin levels correlated well with the accumulation of ferritin L-subunit mRNA: 5.44+/-0.47 vs 1.23+/-0.15 (units) in the baseline, p<0.05, suggesting that transcriptional control of ferritin L-subunit synthesis had been activated. Ischemic preconditioning initiates de novo synthesis of ferritin in the heart; the extra ferritin is proposed to serve a 'sink' for redox-active iron, thus protecting the heart from iron-mediated oxidative damage associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present results substantiate a novel iron-based mechanism of ischemic preconditioning and could pave the way for the development of new modalities of heart protection.

Ischemic preconditioning of the rat retina: protective role of ferritin.

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) of the retina, accomplished by ischemia of short duration, is highly effective in preventing subsequent severe injury caused by iron-dependent free radical burst after prolonged ischemia. To investigate the mechanistic basis for IPC rescue, we examined changes in the levels of the retinal redox-active and labile iron pool, ferritin, and ferritin-bound iron. Prolonged ischemia severely impaired retinal function, with total loss of the full-field electroretinographic response. IPC provided marked protection against such injury. Histological examination revealed that ischemia-associated structural damage and loss of cells in the outer and inner nuclear layers were largely prevented by IPC. Ferritin levels decreased after prolonged ischemia but remained close to normal when the ischemic episode was preceded by IPC. The protective effect of IPC on retinal function and ferritin was blocked by a zinc-desferrioxamine complex known to interfere with iron signaling. The results suggest a mechanism whereby IPC activates an iron signaling pathway leading to a marked increase in ferritin levels, which mediates resistance to prolonged ischemia.

HU-331, a novel cannabinoid-based anticancer topoisomerase II inhibitor.

Anthracyclines, a large group of quinonoid compounds, are used to treat some forms of cancer. Although highly effective in cancer therapy, the mechanism of action of these compounds is not specific; they act on cancer and other cells by numerous mechanisms. A new anticancer quinone (HU-331) was synthesized from cannabidiol. It shows significant high efficacy against human cancer cell lines in vitro and against in vivo tumor grafts in nude mice. In this study, we investigated its mode of action and present evidence on its unique mechanism. HU-331 does not cause cancer cell cycle arrest, cell apoptosis, or caspase activation. HU-331-caused cell death of human cancer cell lines is not mediated by reactive oxygen intermediates/species, as exposure to HU-331 failed to elicit the generation of reactive oxygen species. HU-331 inhibits DNA topoisomerase II even at nanomolar concentrations but has only a slight nonsignificant effect on DNA topoisomerase I action. The cannabinoid quinone HU-331 is a highly specific inhibitor of topoisomerase II, compared with most known anticancer quinones. It might represent a new potent anticancer drug.

Protection by Nitric Oxide Donors of Isolated Rat Hearts Is Associated with Activation of Redox Metabolism and Ferritin Accumulation.

Preconditioning (PC) procedures (ischemic or pharmacological) are powerful procedures used for attaining protection against prolonged ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury, in a variety of organs, including the heart. The detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the protection by PC are however, complex and only partially understood. Recently, an 'iron-based mechanism' (IBM), that includes de novo ferritin synthesis and accumulation, was proposed to explain the specific steps in cardioprotection generated by IPC. The current study investigated whether nitric oxide (NO), generated by exogenous NO-donors, could play a role in the observed IBM of cardioprotection by IPC. Therefore, three distinct NO-donors were investigated at different concentrations (1-10 µM): sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). Isolated rat hearts were retrogradely perfused using the Langendorff configuration and subjected to prolonged ischemia and reperfusion with or without pretreatment by NO-donors. Hemodynamic parameters, infarct sizes and proteins of the methionine-centered redox cycle (MCRC) were analyzed, as well as cytosolic aconitase (CA) activity and ferritin protein levels. All NO-donors had significant effects on proteins involved in the MCRC system. Nonetheless, pretreatment with 10 µM SNAP was found to evoke the strongest effects on Msr activity, thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase protein levels. These effects were accompanied with a significant reduction in infarct size, increased CA activity, and ferritin accumulation. Conversely, pretreatment with 2 µM SIN-1 increased infarct size and was associated with slightly lower ferritin protein levels. In conclusion, the abovementioned findings indicate that NO, depending on its bio-active redox form, can regulate iron metabolism and plays a role in the IBM of cardioprotection against reperfusion injury.

The Loss of Myocardial Benefit following Ischemic Preconditioning Is Associated with Dysregulation of Iron Homeostasis in Diet-Induced Diabetes.

Whether the diabetic heart benefits from ischemic preconditioning (IPC), similar to the non-diabetic heart, is a subject of controversy. We recently proposed new roles for iron and ferritin in IPC-protection in Type 1-like streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat heart. Here, we investigated iron homeostasis in Cohen diabetic sensitive rat (CDs) that develop hyperglycemia when fed on a high-sucrose/low-copper diet (HSD), but maintain normoglycemia on regular-diet (RD). Control Cohen-resistant rats (CDr) maintain normoglycemia on either diet. The IPC procedure improved the post-ischemic recovery of normoglycemic hearts (CDr-RD, CDr-HSD and CDs-RD). CDs-HSD hearts failed to show IPC-associated protection. The recovery of these CDs-HSD hearts following I/R (without prior IPC) was better than their RD controls. During IPC ferritin levels increased in normoglycemic hearts, and its level was maintained nearly constant during the subsequent prolonged ischemia, but decayed to its baseline level during the reperfusion phase. In CDs-HSD hearts the baseline levels of ferritin and ferritin-saturation with iron were notably higher than in the controls, and remained unchanged during the entire experiment. This unique and abnormal pattern of post-ischemic recovery of CDs-HSD hearts is associated with marked changes in myocardial iron homeostasis, and suggests that iron and iron-proteins play a causative role/s in the etiology of diabetes-associated cardiovascular disorders.

Treatment of ocular tissues exposed to nitrogen mustard: beneficial effect of zinc desferrioxamine combined with steroids.

PURPOSE: Exposure of the ocular surface to mustard gas chemical warfare leads to a destructive inflammatory reaction. Both steroids and a novel metalocomplex free radical scavenger, zinc desferrioxamine (Zn/DFO), have been shown to be effective separately in reducing ocular damage. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the effectiveness of both medications applied simultaneously is superior to the effectiveness of either one applied alone. METHODS: One eye in each of 52 rabbits was exposed to 2% nitrogen mustard (NM). Topical treatment with eye drops of a metal complex-zinc desferrioxamine (Zn/DFO)-combined with dexamethasone phosphate (0.1%), was compared with the administration of saline or treatment with Zn/DFO or dexamethasone alone. Eight eyes (four animals) that were not exposed to NM served as the control. Examiners masked to the treatment groups assessed the extent of ocular injury and the response to treatment using clinical, histologic, and biochemical criteria. RESULTS: Treatment with the combination of Zn/DFO and dexamethasone was significantly more effective than was dexamethasone or Zn/DFO alone in reducing NM injury to ocular anterior segment structures. In combination-treated eyes, corneal re-epithelization was faster, corneal neovascularization was less severe, and intraocular pressure was not as severely elevated as in the saline or the Zn/DFO- or dexamethasone-alone groups. In addition, systemic antioxidant status was better conserved in the combination-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the combination of topically applied Zn/DFO and dexamethasone, by virtue of their additive inhibitory effects on free radical formation and inflammation, should be considered as a basis for the treatment of ocular mustard gas injuries.

Time window of nitroxide effect on myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury potentiated by iron.

Transition metals such as iron and copper potentiate the postischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury induced by oxygen-derived radical and nonradical toxic species (ROS). Various natural and synthetic antioxidants have been previously tested to ameliorate such injury, yet the limitations of the common antioxidants are well known. An alternative strategy for combating oxidative damage is presented wherein cell-permeable, nitroxide stable radicals, which act as SOD-mimics and oxidize reduced metals thus prompting the Fenton-like chemistry, are investigated for utility in ameliorating I/R injury. Our study concentrates on the early effect of nitroxide on the myocardial I/R injury. Isolated rat hearts in the Langendorff configuration were equilibrated with Krebs-Henseleit buffer and then subjected to 18 min of normothermic global ischemia followed by 20 min reperfusion. Iron administered as Fe(III)-citrate (10 microM) did not affect the cardiac function under normoxia but did potentiate I/R injury and decreased the recovery during reperfusion. The iron-induced damage was manifested by further deterioration of the cardiac hemodynamic function and the energy status as reflected by decreased tissue level of phosphorylated nucleotides. Nitroxide at 200 microM protected against the iron-potentiated I/R injury by improving the recovery of the hemodynamic function and the cardiac energy status. Exogenously added iron requires bioreduction to form deleterious Fe(II) bound to critical cellular sites. The nitroxide, which enters the cell and oxidizes the reduced metal instantaneously, provided protection even when administered 2 or 3.5, but not 5 min, after the onset of reperfusion. Thus, its narrow therapeutic time window provides insight into the schedule of the I/R injurious process.

Lamina cribrosa thickness and spatial relationships between intraocular space and cerebrospinal fluid space in highly myopic eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the spatial relationships of the intraocular space, the cerebrospinal fluid space, and the lamina cribrosa in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: The study included 36 human globes with an axial length of more than 26.5 mm that showed marked glaucomatous optic nerve damage (n = 29; highly myopic glaucomatous group) or in which the optic nerve was affected by neither glaucoma nor any other disease (n = 7; highly myopic normal group). Two non-highly myopic control groups included 53 globes enucleated because of malignant choroidal melanoma (n = 42; non-highly myopic normal group) or because of painful absolute secondary angle-closure glaucoma (n = 11; non-highly myopic glaucomatous group). Anterior-posterior histologic sections through the pupil and the optic disc were morphometrically evaluated. RESULTS: In both highly myopic groups compared with both non-highly myopic groups and in the highly myopic glaucomatous group compared with the highly myopic normal group, the lamina cribrosa was significantly (P < 0.001) thinner. Correspondingly, the distance between the intraocular space and the cerebrospinal fluid space was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter in the highly myopic normal group than in the non-highly myopic normal group and in the highly myopic glaucomatous group than in the highly myopic normal group. CONCLUSIONS: In highly myopic eyes, the lamina cribrosa is significantly thinner than in non-highly myopic eyes, which decreases the distance between the intraocular space and the cerebrospinal fluid space and steepens the translaminar pressure gradient at a given intraocular pressure, which may explain the increased susceptibility to glaucoma in highly myopic eyes. As in non-highly myopic eyes, thinning of the lamina cribrosa gets more pronounced in highly myopic eyes if glaucoma is also present.

Anatomic relationship between lamina cribrosa, intraocular space, and cerebrospinal fluid space.

PURPOSE: The lamina cribrosa, as the main structural element of the optic nerve head, forms a pressure barrier between the intraocular space and the retrobulbar space. The function as a pressure barrier may have importance for the pathogenesis of ocular diseases related to intraocular pressure and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, such as the glaucomas. The purpose of the present study was to examine the anatomic relationship between the lamina cribrosa, the intraocular pressure space, and the retrobulbar cerebrospinal pressure space in eyes with glaucoma. METHODS: The study included 53 globes enucleated because of malignant choroidal melanoma (n = 42) without involvement of the optic nerve (control group) or because of painful absolute secondary angle-closure glaucoma (n = 11; glaucoma group). Anterior-posterior histologic sections through the pupil and the optic disc were morphometrically evaluated. RESULTS: In the glaucoma group compared with the control group, the lamina cribrosa was significantly (P < 0.001) thinner, the part of the outer lamina cribrosa surface directly exposed to the pia mater and indirectly exposed to the CSF space was significantly (P = 0.001) wider, and the shortest distance between the intraocular space and the CSF space was significantly (P < 0.001) shorter. The posterior lamina cribrosa surface in direct contact with the pia mater was located close to the optic disc border. CONCLUSIONS: The thickness of the lamina cribrosa and the anatomic relationships between the intraocular space and the CSF space differ significantly between normal and glaucomatous eyes. The findings may be of importance for the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Injury induced by chemical warfare agents: characterization and treatment of ocular tissues exposed to nitrogen mustard.

PURPOSE: Mustard agents are highly toxic and abundant warfare chemicals, primarily affecting ocular tissues, with no specific treatment antidote. The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of novel metallocomplexes, known to inhibit the formation of highly reactive free radicals, to reduce ocular injury induced by nitrogen mustard (NM). METHODS: One eye in each of 72 rabbits was exposed to 1% to 2% NM. Topical treatment with eye drops of a metallocomplex--either zinc- or gallium-desferrioxamine (Zn/DFO and Ga/DFO)--was compared with treatment with saline, zinc (chloride), or DFO alone. Examiners masked to the treatment groups assessed the extent of ocular injury and the response to treatment using clinical, histologic, and biochemical criteria. RESULTS: Exposure to NM followed by administration of carrier alone (saline) caused severe and long-lasting injury to ocular anterior segment structures. Treatment with either Zn/DFO or Ga/DFO yielded marked protection (52%-64%), including faster healing of corneal epithelial erosions, less scarring and neovascularization, decreased inflammation in the anterior chamber, better maintenance of intraocular pressure, and less severe changes in the iris and lens. These were also associated with better preservation of systemic antioxidant status. Zinc or DFO alone afforded lower levels of protection. No toxic effects of these complexes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that Zn/DFO or Ga/DFO, by virtue of their enhanced ability to infiltrate cells and inhibit transition metal-dependent formation of free radicals through the combined push-pull mechanism, be considered as a basis for treatment of mustard injuries.

Degeneration modulates retinal response to transient exogenous oxidative injury.

PURPOSE: Oxidative injury is involved in retinal and macular degeneration. We aim to assess if retinal degeneration associated with genetic defect modulates the retinal threshold for encountering additional oxidative challenges. METHODS: Retinal oxidative injury was induced in degenerating retinas (rd10) and in control mice (WT) by intravitreal injections of paraquat (PQ). Retinal function and structure was evaluated by electroretinogram (ERG) and histology, respectively. Oxidative injury was assessed by immunohistochemistry for 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), and by Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) assays. Anti-oxidant mechanism was assessed by quantitative real time PCR (QPCR) for mRNA of antioxidant genes and genes related to iron metabolism, and by catalase activity assay. RESULTS: Three days following PQ injections (1 µl of 0.25, 0.75, and 2 mM) the average ERG amplitudes decreased more in the WT mice compared with the rd10 mice. For example, following 2 mM PQ injection, ERG amplitudes reduced 1.84-fold more in WT compared with rd10 mice (p = 0.02). Injection of 4 mM PQ resulted in retinal destruction. Altered retina morphology associated with PQ was substantially more severe in WT eyes compared with rd10 eyes. Oxidative injury according to HNE staining and TBARS assay increased 1.3-fold and 2.1-fold more, respectively, in WT compared with rd10 mice. At baseline, prior to PQ injection, mRNA levels of antioxidant genes (Superoxide Dismutase1, Glutathione Peroxidase1, Catalase) and of Transferrin measured by quantitative PCR were 2.1-7.8-fold higher in rd10 compared with WT mice (p<0.01 each), and catalase activity was 1.7-fold higher in rd10 (p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: This data suggests that degenerating rd10 retinas encounter a relatively lower degree of damage in response to oxidative injury compared with normal retinas. Constitutive up-regulation of the oxidative defense mechanism in degenerating retinas may confer such relative protection from oxidative injury.

Zn/Ga-DFO iron-chelating complex attenuates the inflammatory process in a mouse model of asthma.

BACKGROUND: Redox-active iron, a catalyst in the production of hydroxyl radicals via the Fenton reaction, is one of the key participants in ROS-induced tissue injury and general inflammation. According to our recent findings, an excess of tissue iron is involved in several airway-related pathologies such as nasal polyposis and asthma. OBJECTIVE: To examine the anti-inflammatory properties of a newly developed specific iron-chelating complex, Zn/Ga-DFO, in a mouse model of asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Asthma was induced in BALBc mice by ovalbumin, using aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant. Mice were divided into four groups: (i) control, (ii) asthmatic and sham-treated, (iii) asthmatic treated with Zn/Ga-DFO [intra-peritoneally (i/p) and intra-nasally (i/n)], and (iv) asthmatic treated with Zn/Ga-DFO, i/n only. Lung histology and cytology were examined. Biochemical analysis of pulmonary levels of ferritin and iron-saturated ferritin was conducted. RESULTS: The amount of neutrophils and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus secretion, and peri-bronchial edema, showed markedly better values in both asthmatic-treated groups compared to the asthmatic non-treated group. The non-treated asthmatic group showed elevated ferritin levels, while in the two treated groups it returned to baseline levels. Interestingly, i/n-treatment demonstrated a more profound effect alone than in a combination with i/p injections. CONCLUSION: In this mouse model of allergic asthma, Zn/Ga-DFO attenuated allergic airway inflammation. The beneficial effects of treatment were in accord with iron overload abatement in asthmatic lungs by Zn/Ga-DFO. The findings in both cellular and tissue levels supported the existence of a significant anti-inflammatory effect of Zn/Ga-DFO.

Are there metallic traces in black extrinsic dental stain?

OBJECTIVE: The detection of ferric ions in samples of black extrinsic dental stain led to the idea that it is comprised of insoluble ferric compounds. The present study examined the chemical composition of black extrinsic dental stain. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Plaque was collected from 17 children with black extrinsic dental stain (study group A) and from 15 children without black extrinsic stain (control group), using sterile graphite curettes; and from 4 children with black extrinsic stain (study group B), using a standard sterile metal curette. Samples were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and subjected to quantitative chemical analysis (energy dispersive spectrometry). RESULTS: Except for calcium and phosphorus levels, no significant differences were found between the chemical composition of black extrinsic dental stain and dental plaque. Metallic ions were not detected in samples collected with a graphite curette (study group A), but were detected in samples collected with a metal curette (study group B). CONCLUSION: Metallic ions do not seem to be the origin of black extrinsic dental stain. Previous reports of the presence of metallic ions are probably due to contamination of the samples by the collection method.