The co-catalytic effect of chlorpromazine on peroxidase-mediated oxidation of melatonin: enhanced production of N-1-acetyl-N (2)-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine

Accumulating evidence points to relationships between increased production of reactive oxygen or decreased antioxidant protection in schizophrenic patients. Chlorpromazine (CPZ), which remains a benchmark treatment for people with schizophrenia, has been described as a pro-oxidant compound. Because the antioxidant compound melatonin exerts protective effects against CPZ-induced liver disease in rats, in this investigation, our main objective was to study the effect of CPZ as a co-catalyst of peroxidase-mediated oxidation of melatonin. We found that melatonin was an excellent reductor agent of preformed CPZ cation radical (CPZ(center dot+)). The addition of CPZ during the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed oxidation of melatonin provoked a significant increase in the rate of oxidation and production of N-1-acetyl-N-2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK). Similar results were obtained using myeloperoxidase. The effect of CPZ on melatonin oxidation was rather higher at alkaline pH. At pH 9.0, the efficiency of oxidation of melatonin was 15 times higher and the production of AFMK was 30 times higher as compared with the assays in the absence of CPZ. We suggest that CPZ is able to exacerbate the rate of oxidation of melatonin by an electron transfer mechanism where CPZ(center dot+), generated during the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation, is able to efficiently oxidize melatonin.

Coenzyme Q(10) and its effects in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

According to clinical and pre-clinical studies, oxidative stress and its consequences may be the cause or, at least, a contributing factor, to a large number of neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases include common and debilitating disorders, characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of neurons in specific regions of the brain. The most common neurodegenerative diseases are Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) has been extensively studied since its discovery in 1957. It is a component of the electron transportation chain and participates in aerobic cellular respiration, generating energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The property of CoQ(10) to act as an antioxidant or a pro-oxidant, suggests that it also plays an important role in the modulation of redox cellular status under physiological and pathological conditions, also performing a role in the ageing process. In several animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, CoQ(10) has shown beneficial effects in reducing disease progression. However, further studies are needed to assess the outcome and effectiveness of CoQ(10) before exposing patients to unnecessary health risks at significant costs.

Structural and electrochemical properties of LiCoO2 prepared by combustion synthesis

LiCoO2 powders were prepared by combustion synthesis, using metallic nitrates as the oxidant and metal sources and urea as fuel. A small amount of the LiCoO2 phase was obtained directly from the combustion reaction, however, a heat treatment was necessary for the phase crystallization. The heat treatment was performed at the temperature range from 400 up to 700 degreesC for 12 h. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and specific surface area values were obtained by BET isotherms. Composite electrodes were prepared using a mixture of LiCoO2, carbon black and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) in the 85:10:5% w/w ratio. The electrochemical behavior of these composites was evaluated in ethylene carbonate/dimethylcarbonate solution, using lithium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte. Cyclic voltammograms showed one reversible redox process at 4.0/3.85 V and one irreversible redox process at 3.3 V for the LiCoO2 obtained after a post-heat treatment at 400 and 500 degreesC.Raman spectroscopy showed the possible presence of LiCoO2 with cubic structure for the material obtained at 400 and 500 degreesC. This result is in agreement with X-ray data with structural refinement for the LiCoO2 powders obtained at different temperatures using the Rietveld method. Data from this method showed the coexistence of cubic LiCoO2 (spinel) and rhombohedral (layered) structures when LiCoO2 was obtained at lower temperatures (400 and 500 degreesC). The single rhombohedral structure for LiCoO2 was obtained after post-heat treatment at 600 degreesC. The maximum energy capacity in the first discharge was 136 mA g(-1) for the composite electrode based on LiCoO2 obtained after heat treatment at 700 degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Inhibitory Effect of Gallic Acid and Its Esters on 2,2 '-Azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH)-Induced Hemolysis and Depletion of Intracellular Glutathione in Erythrocytes

The protective effect of gallic acid and its esters, methyl, propyl, and lauryl gallate, against 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis and depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes was studied. The inhibition of hemolysis was dose-dependent, and the esters were significantly more effective than gallic acid. Gallic acid and its esters were compared with regard to their reactivity to free radicals, using the DPPH and AAPH/pyranine free-cell assays, and no significant difference was obtained. Gallic acid and its esters not only failed to inhibit the depletion of intracellular GSH in erythrocytes induced by AAPH but exacerbated it. Similarly, the oxidation of GSH by AAPH or horseradish peroxidase/H(2)O(2) in cell-free systems was exacerbated by gallic acid or gallates. This property could be involved in the recent findings on proapoptotic and pro-oxidant activities of gallates in tumor cells. We provide evidence that lipophilicity and not only radical scavenger potency is an important factor regarding the efficiency of antihemolytic substances.

Direct observation of oxidative stress on the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with atomic force microscopy

We imaged pores on the surface of the cell wall of three different industrial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using atomic force microscopy. The pores could be enlarged using 10 mM diamide, an SH residue oxidant that attacks surface proteins. We found that two strains showed signs of oxidative damage via changes in density and diameter of the surface pores. We found that the German strain was resistant to diamide induced oxidative damage, even when the concentration of the oxidant was increased to 50 mM. The normal pore size found on the cell walls of American strains had diameters of about 200nm. Under conditions of oxidative stress the diameters changed to 400nm.This method may prove to be a useful rapid screening process (45-60 min) to determine which strains are oxidative resistant, as well as being able to screen for groups of yeast that are sensitive to oxidative stress. This rapid screening tool may have direct applications in molecular biology (transference of the genes to inside of living cells) and biotechnology (biotransformations reactions to produce chiral synthons in organic chemistry.

Atividade da 6-fosfogliconato desidrogenase em deficientes de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase

As enzimas G6PD e 6PGD são responsáveis pela geração do aporte de NADPH, necessário para a detoxificação dos agentes oxidantes produzidos pelo estresse oxidativo metabólico nos eritrócitos. Devido à alta prevalência de deficiência de G6PD na população mundial, principalmente de origem negróide africana, muitos estudos têm sido realizados na tentativa de conhecer melhor a atuação destas enzimas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade enzimática da 6PGD, nos deficientes de G6PD, para verificar a existência de aumento da atividade desta enzima, correlacionando com um possível aumento do número de reticulócitos ou presença de alterações da série vermelha. A pesquisa em 2.657 indivíduos do sexo masculino resultou em 97 deficientes de G6PD, determinando uma prevalência de 3,65% para a região de Bauru (SP), com atividade enzimática média de G6PD de 1,74 UI.g Hb-1. min-1 a 37ºC, 14,4% da atividade da G6PD normal. A atividade enzimática média da 6PGD foi de 9,5 UI.g Hb-1. min-1 a 37ºC, estando aumentada em 47,4% dos deficientes de G6PD. Os resultados não confirmaram que a hipótese do aumento da atividade enzimática da 6PGD, em deficientes de G6PD, seja decorrente da presença de um número aumentado de reticulócitos na corrente circulatória, faixa etária ou alterações eritrocitométricas que denotem anemia. O mais provável é que a hemólise autolimitada, imposta pelos processos oxidativos, preserve os eritrócitos mais jovens, que possuem atividade enzimática mais elevada, uma vez que naturalmente ocorre diminuição da atividade destas enzimas com o envelhecimento celular.

Oxidation of melatonin by taurine chloramine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Interconverting flavanone glucosides and other phenolic compounds in Lippia salviaefolia Cham. ethanol extracts

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Tomate salada: uma alternativa como fonte de antioxidante para uso tópico

Tomato Salad: An Alternative as Antioxidant Source for Topic Use. Tomato is the principal source of lycopene, a carotenoid with high antioxidant activity which can be used topically as a phytocosmetic to combat skin aging. The aim of this study was to get a lycopene-rich extract from salad tomato pulp. The extract was analyzed using UV/vis spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Oxidant activity was analyzed using the free radical DPPH method. The presence of lycopene in the salad tomato was confirmed. It was present in the apolar fraction rich in carotenoids, which was 96.70% lycopene. In the evaluation of the antioxidant activity, using the radical DPPH, the extract showed activity (IC(50) = 0,311 mg/mL). We conclude that the salad tomato can be used as a source of antioxidants for topic use.

Uma experiência didática de corrosão usando colorimetria visual

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A new route to obtain PVDF/PANI conducting blends

Electrically conductive poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) - polyaniline blends of different composition were synthesized by chemical polymerization of aniline in a mixture of PVDF and dimethylformamide (DMF) and studied by electrical conductivity measurement, UV-Vis-NIR and FTIR spectroscopy. The samples were obtained as flexible films by pressing the powder at 180 degrees C for 5 min. The electrical conductivity showed a great dependence on the syntheses parameters. The higher value of the electrical conductivity was obtained for the oxidant/aniline molar ratio equal to 1 and p-toluenesulfonic acid-TSA/aniline ratio between 3 and 6. UV-Vis-NIR and FTIR spectra of the blend are similar to the doped PANI, indicating that the PANI is responsible for the high electrical conductivity of the blend. The electrical conductivity of blend proved to be stable as a function of temperature decreasing about one order at temperature of 100 degrees C. The route used to obtain the polymer blend showed to be a suitable alternative in order to obtain PVDF/PANI-TSA blends with high electrical conductivity. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of Mouse Urinary Bladder Carcinogenesis by A double dagger ai Fruit (Euterpe oleraceae Martius) Intake

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Motility and viability of ram sperm cryopreserved in a Tris-egg yolk extender supplemented with anti-oxidants

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Kidney-Induced Hypertension Depends on Superoxide Signaling in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Interaction of hypercaloric diet and physical exercise on lipid profile, oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses

The present study examined the interaction of hypercaloric diet (HD) and physical exercise on lipid profile and oxidative stress in serum and liver of rats. Male Wistar rats (60-days-old) were fed with a control (C) and hypercaloric diet (H). Each of the two dietary groups (C and H) was divided into three subgroups (n = 8), sedentary (CS and HS), exercised 2 days a week (CE2 and HE2) and exercised 5 days a week (CE5 and HE5). The swimming was selected as a model for exercise performance. After 8-weeks exercised rats showed decreased lactate dehydrogenase serum activities, demonstrating the effectiveness of the swimming as an aerobic-training protocol. Exercise 5-days a week reduced the body weight gain. Triacylglycerol (TG) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) were increased in HD-fed rats. HE5 and CE5 rats had decreased TG, VLDL-C and cholesterol. HE2 rats had enhanced high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in serum. No alterations were observed in lipid hydroperoxide (LH), while total antioxidant substances (TAS) were increased in serum of exercised rats. HD-fed rats had hepatic TG accumulation. Superoxide dismutase activities were increased and catalase was decreased in liver of exercised rats. The interaction of HD and physical exercise reduced TAS and enhanced LH levels in hepatic tissue. In conclusion, this study confirmed the beneficial effect of physical exercise as a dyslipidemic-lowering component. Interaction of HD and physical exercise had discrepant effects on serum and liver oxidative stress. The interaction of HID and physical exercise reduced the oxidative stress in serum. HD and physical exercise interaction had pro-oxidant effect on hepatic tissue, suggesting that more studies should be done before using physical exercise as an adjunct therapy to reduce the adverse effects of HD. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.