Thioredoxin-albumin fusion protein prevents copper enhanced zinc-induced neurotoxicity via its antioxidative activity.

Zinc (Zn) is a co-factor for a vast number of enzymes, and functions as a regulator for immune mechanism and protein synthesis. However, excessive Zn release induced in pathological situations such as stroke or transient global ischemia is toxic. Previously, we demonstrated that the interaction of Zn and copper (Cu) is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Furthermore, oxidative stress has been shown to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of various metal ions induced neuronal death. Thioredoxin-Albumin fusion (HSA-Trx) is a derivative of thioredoxin (Trx), an antioxidative protein, with improved plasma retention and stability of Trx. In this study, we examined the effect of HSA-Trx on Cu2+/Zn2+-induced neurotoxicity. Firstly, HSA-Trx was found to clearly suppress Cu2+/Zn2+-induced neuronal cell death in mouse hypothalamic neuronal cells (GT1-7 cells). Moreover, HSA-Trx markedly suppressed Cu2+/Zn2+-induced ROS production and the expression of oxidative stress related genes, such as heme oxygenase-1. In contrast, HSA-Trx did not affect the intracellular levels of both Cu2+ and Zn2+ after Cu2+/Zn2+ treatment. Finally, HSA-Trx was found to significantly suppress endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response induced by Cu2+/Zn2+ treatment in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that HSA-Trx counteracted Cu2+/Zn2+-induced neurotoxicity by suppressing the production of ROS via interfering the related gene expressions, in addition to the highly possible radical scavenging activity of the fusion protein. Based on these findings, HSA-Trx has great potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of refractory neurological diseases.

Apoptosis induction of poly-S-nitrosated human serum albumin in resistant solid tumor under hypoxia can be restored by phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition.

Poly-S-nitrosated human serum albumin (Poly-SNO-HSA) delivered and accumulated nitric oxide (NO) in tumors and induces apoptosis. Tumor hypoxia is strongly associated with malignant progression and tumor resistance to therapy. In this study, we examined the cytotoxic effect of Poly-SNO-HSA under hypoxia on the murine colon 26 adenocarcinoma (C26) cells in vitro and in vivo. Under hypoxia, at about 4 times LD50 dose of Poly-SNO-HSA in vitro, the reactive oxygen species production was hindered but apoptotic cells were induced via cGMP pathway as the effect was suppressed by a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, NS2028. The apoptosis induction effect of low dose Poly-SNO-HSA on C26 cells in vitro under hypoxia can be restored by a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, vardenafil. In C26-bearing mice, Poly-SNO-HSA/vardenafil combination treatment significantly suppressed the tumor volume compared with Poly-SNO-HSA or vardenafil treatment alone. Furthermore, the core tumor tissues showed increased expression of caspase-3 than the non-core tissue. The expression of caspase-3 appeared to overlap with the hypoxic zone of tumor tissues. Similar results were also obtained when the experiments were repeated using Epimedium extract, a natural herbal supplement with PDE5 inhibition activity. In conclusion, Poly-SNO-HSA/PDE5 inhibitors combination therapy is a promising approach for enhancing the anticancer therapeutic effects of Poly-SNO-HSA against not only anti-cancer drug resistance but also hypoxic stress related solid tumor resistance.

Effect of a Ferric Citrate Formulation, a Phosphate Binder, on Oxidative Stress in Chronic Kidney Diseases-Mineral and Bone Disorder Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: A Pilot Study.

A ferric citrate formulation for treating hyperphosphatemia is a new therapeutic that not only suppresses the accumulation of phosphorus in patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorders (CKD-MBD), but also ameliorates anemia caused by iron deficiency. In contrast, it has been demonstrated that intravenous iron injection markedly increases oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate the effect of a ferric citrate formulation on oxidative stress in CKD-MBD patients receiving hemodialysis therapy. Fifteen CKD-MBD patients undergoing dialysis were enrolled in this study. The patients were orally administered a ferric citrate formulation for 6 months. Their plasma phosphorus concentrations remained unchanged with the switch from other phosphorus adsorbents to the ferric citrate formulation. In addition, the ferric citrate formulation generally allowed for dose reduction of an erythropoiesis stimulating agent with an increased hematopoietic effect. The average values of plasma ferritin level increased after the introduction of a ferric citrate formulation, but did not exceed 100 (ng/mL). Interestingly, oxidative stress markers did not increase significantly, and anti-oxidative capacity was not significantly decreased at 6 months after the drug administration. Similarly, no change was observed in any inflammation markers. The ferric citrate formulation induces negligible oxidative stress in CKD-MBD patients receiving dialysis under the present clinical condition.

Pleiotropic Effects of Levofloxacin, Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics, against Influenza Virus-Induced Lung Injury.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) are major pathogenic molecules produced during viral lung infections, including influenza. While fluoroquinolones are widely used as antimicrobial agents for treating a variety of bacterial infections, including secondary infections associated with the influenza virus, it has been reported that they also function as anti-oxidants against ROS and as a NO regulator. Therefore, we hypothesized that levofloxacin (LVFX), one of the most frequently used fluoroquinolone derivatives, may attenuate pulmonary injuries associated with influenza virus infections by inhibiting the production of ROS species such as hydroxyl radicals and neutrophil-derived NO that is produced during an influenza viral infection. The therapeutic impact of LVFX was examined in a PR8 (H1N1) influenza virus-induced lung injury mouse model. ESR spin-trapping experiments indicated that LVFX showed scavenging activity against neutrophil-derived hydroxyl radicals. LVFX markedly improved the survival rate of mice that were infected with the influenza virus in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the LVFX treatment resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (a marker of oxidative stress) and nitrotyrosine (a nitrative marker) in the lungs of virus-infected mice, and the nitrite/nitrate ratio (NO metabolites) and IFN-γ in BALF. These results indicate that LVFX may be of substantial benefit in the treatment of various acute inflammatory disorders such as influenza virus-induced pneumonia, by inhibiting inflammatory cell responses and suppressing the overproduction of NO in the lungs.

Cys34-cysteinylated human serum albumin is a sensitive plasma marker in oxidative stress-related chronic diseases.

The degree of oxidized cysteine (Cys) 34 in human serum albumin (HSA), as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), is correlated with oxidative stress related pathological conditions. In order to further characterize the oxidation of Cys34-HSA at the molecular level and to develop a suitable analytical method for a rapid and sensitive clinical laboratory analysis, the use of electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ESI-TOFMS) was evaluated. A marked increase in the cysteinylation of Cys34 occurs in chronic liver and kidney diseases and diabetes mellitus. A significant positive correlation was observed between the Cys-Cys34-HSA fraction of plasma samples obtained from 229 patients, as determined by ESI-TOFMS, and the degree of oxidized Cys34-HSA determined by HPLC. The Cys-Cys34-HSA fraction was significantly increased with the progression of liver cirrhosis, and was reduced by branched chain amino acids (BCAA) treatment. The changes in the Cys-Cys34-HSA fraction were significantly correlated with the alternations of the plasma levels of advanced oxidized protein products, an oxidative stress marker for proteins. The binding ability of endogenous substances (bilirubin and tryptophan) and drugs (warfarin and diazepam) to HSA purified from chronic liver disease patients were significantly suppressed but significantly improved by BCAA supplementation. Interestingly, the changes in this physiological function of HSA in chronic liver disease were correlated with the Cys-Cys34-HSA fraction. In conclusion, ESI-TOFMS is a suitable high throughput method for the rapid and sensitive quantification of Cys-Cys34-HSA in a large number of samples for evaluating oxidative stress related chronic disease progression or in response to a treatment.