Opposite clozapine and ziprasidone effects on the reactivity of plasma albumin SH-group are the consequence of their different binding properties dependent on protein fatty acids content.

Antipsychotic drugs interfere with the antioxidant defense system provoking complex and often toxicological effects. Here we examined differences in plasma albumin reduced free thiol (SH) group content and its reactivity as a consequence of clozapine (CLZ) and ziprasidone (ZIP) binding. Chronic administration of CLZ reduced, whereas treatment with ZIP increased albumin-SH content in rats. Regardless of the ratio of stearic acid (SA) bound to protein, in vitro binding of ZIP to human serum albumin (HSA) increased both the SH group level and reactivity. In contrast, the effect of CLZ on HSA-SH reactivity was dependent on HSA to SA molar ratio. CLZ binding was accompanied by an increase in HSA-SH reactivity in samples with normal, but a reduction of its reactivity level with higher SA/HSA ratio, compared to drug-free samples. We demonstrate by steady-state fluorescence quenching studies that an increase in SA binding to HSA is associated with a significant reduction of binding constant for both antipsychotics. In addition, this is the first report of quantitative characterization of ZIP binding to HSA. Our findings suggest that albumin-SH content and reactivity is modulated by ZIP towards an increased antioxidant defense capacity in circulation, as opposed to CLZ, which can contribute to the safer, more effective treatment of schizophrenia.

Carvedilol increases copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activity in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Balanced and coordinated antioxidant defence enzyme activities are of utmost importance for correct physiological function and for shielding against unwelcome pathological conditions. We determined the activities of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in erythrocytes isolated from patients receiving different therapy (streptokinase alone or in combination with metoprolol or with carvedilol) for up to 168 hr after starting treatment for acute myocardial infarction. We observed increased CuZnSOD activity in erythrocytes isolated from patients treated with streptokinase-carvedilol (after 6, 24 and 168 hr) and in erythrocytes isolated from patients treated with streptokinase-metoprolol (after 24 hr). In addition, positive correlation between CuZnSOD and catalase activities was found in erythrocytes isolated from patients that received streptokinase-carvedilol after 168 hr. As metoprolol does not react directly with hydrogen peroxide, it would appear that combined streptokinase-metoprolol therapy exerted its effects primarily via by beta-blockade whereas combined streptokinase-carvedilol therapy appeared to function via both beta-blockade and direct antioxidant mechanisms.

Effects of soy phytoestrogens on pituitary-ovarian function in middle-aged female rats.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of genistein (G) and daidzein (D) on the histological, hormonal, and functional parameters of the pituitary-ovarian axis in middle-aged female rats, and to compare these effects with the effects of estradiol (E), commonly used in the prevention and treatment of menopausal symptoms. Middle-aged (12 month old) Wistar female rats subcutaneously received 35 mg/kg of G, or 35 mg/kg of D, or 0.625 mg/kg of E every day for 4 weeks. Each of the treated groups had a corresponding control group. An intact control group was also established. G and D did not change the intracellular protein content within gonadotropic and lactotropic cells, but vacuolization was observed in all the cell types. In contrast, E caused an inhibition of gonadotropic and stimulation of lactotropic cells. Also, ovaries of middle-aged female rats exposed to G or D have more healthy primordial and primary follicles and less atretic follicles. E treatment in the ovaries had a mostly negative effect, which is reflected by the increased number of atretic follicles in all tested classes. G and D provoked decrease in CuZnSOD and CAT activity, while E treatment increased MnSOD and decreased CuZnSOD and GSHPx activity. All the treatments increased serum estradiol and decreased testosterone levels, while D and E increased the serum progesterone level. In conclusion, soy phytoestrogens exhibited beneficial effects on pituitary-ovarian function in middle-aged female rats, as compared to estradiol.