Inhibition of Lactoperoxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation by Imidazole-Based Thiones and Selones: A Mechanistic Study

Herein, we describe the synthesis and biomimetic activity of a series of N,N-disubstituted thiones and selones that contain an imidazole pharmacophore. The N,N-disubstituted thiones do not show any inhibitory activity towards LPO-catalyzed oxidation reactions, but their corresponding N,N-disubstituted selones exhibit inhibitory activity towards LPO-catalyzed oxidation reactions. Substituents on the N atom of the imidazole ring appear to have a significant effect on the inhibition of LPO-catalyzed oxidation and iodination reactions. Selones 16, 17, and 19, which contain methyl, ethyl, and benzyl substituents, exhibit similar inhibition activities towards LPO-catalyzed oxidation reactions with IC50 values of 24.4, 22.5, and 22.5M, respectively. However, their activities are almost three-fold lower than that of the commonly used anti-thyroid drug methimazole (MMI). In contrast, selone 21, which contains a NCH2CH2OH substituent, exhibits high inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 7.2M, which is similar to that of MMI. The inhibitory activity of these selones towards LPO-catalyzed oxidation/iodination reactions is due to their ability to decrease the concentrations of the co-substrates (H2O2 and I2), either by catalytically reducing H2O2 (anti-oxidant activity) or by forming stable charge-transfer complexes with oxidized iodide species. The inhibition of LPO-catalyzed oxidation/iodination reactions by N,N-disubstituted selones can be reversed by increasing the concentration of H2O2. Interestingly, all of the N,N-disubstituted selones exhibit high anti-oxidant activities and their glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activity is 4-12-fold higher than that of the well-known GPx-mimic ebselen. These experimental and theoretical studies suggest that the selones exist as zwitterions, in which the imidazole ring contains a positive charge and the selenium atom carries a large negative charge. Therefore, the selenium moieties of these selones possess highly nucleophilic character. The 77SeNMR chemical shifts for the selones show large upfield shift, thus confirming the zwitterionic structure in solution.

Evaluation of bioactive sphingolipids in 4-HPR-resistant leukemia cells

Background -- N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR, fenretinide) is a synthetic retinoid with potent pro-apoptotic activity against several types of cancer, but little is known regarding mechanisms leading to chemoresistance. Ceramide and, more recently, other sphingolipid species (e.g., dihydroceramide and dihydrosphingosine) have been implicated in 4-HPR-mediated tumor cell death. Because sphingolipid metabolism has been reported to be altered in drug-resistant tumor cells, we studied the implication of sphingolipids in acquired resistance to 4-HPR based on an acute lymphoblastic leukemia model. Methods -- CCRF-CEM cell lines resistant to 4-HPR were obtained by gradual selection. Endogenous sphingolipid profiles and in situ enzymatic activities were determined by LC/MS, and resistance to 4-HPR or to alternative treatments was measured using the XTT viability assay and annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide labeling. Results -- No major crossresistance was observed against other antitumoral compounds (i.e. paclitaxel, cisplatin, doxorubicin hydrochloride) or agents (i.e. ultra violet C, hydrogen peroxide) also described as sphingolipid modulators. CCRF-CEM cell lines resistant to 4-HPR exhibited a distinctive endogenous sphingolipid profile that correlated with inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase. Cells maintained acquired resistance to 4-HPR after the removal of 4-HPR though the sphingolipid profile returned to control levels. On the other hand, combined treatment with sphingosine kinase inhibitors (unnatural (dihydro)sphingosines ((dh)Sph)) and glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor (PPMP) in the presence or absence of 4-HPR increased cellular (dh)Sph (but not ceramide) levels and were highly toxic for both parental and resistant cells. Conclusions -- In the leukemia model, acquired resistance to 4-HPR is selective and persists in the absence of sphingolipid profile alteration. Therapeutically, the data demonstrate that alternative sphingolipid-modulating antitumoral strategies are suitable for both 4-HPR-resistant and sensitive leukemia cells. Thus, whereas sphingolipids may not be critical for maintaining resistance to 4-HPR, manipulation of cytotoxic sphingolipids should be considered a viable approach for overcoming resistance.

Molecular biomarkers and toxic consequences of impact by organic pollution in aquatic organisms

Organic contaminants are readily bioaccumulated by aquatic organisms. Exposure to and toxic effects of contaminants can be measured in terms of the biochemical responses of the organisms (i.e. molecular biomarkers). The hepatic biotransformation enzyme cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) in vertebrates is specifically induced by organic contaminants such as aromatic hydrocarbons, PCBs and dioxins, and is involved in chemical carcinogenesis via catalysis of the covalent binding of organic contaminants to DNA (DNA-adducts). Hepatic CYP1A induction has been used extensively and successfully as a biomarker of organic contaminant exposure in fish. Fewer but equally encouraging studies in fish have used hepatic bulky, hydrophobic DNA-adducts as biomarkers of organic contaminant damage. Much less is known of the situation in marine invertebrates, but a CYPlA-like enzyme with limited inducibility and some potential for biomarker application is indicated. Stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is another potential mechanism of organic contaminant-mediated DNA and other damage in aquatic organisms. A combination of antioxidant (enzymes, scavengers) and pro-oxidant (oxidised DNA bases, lipid peroxidation) measurements may have potential as a biomarker of organic contaminant exposure (particularly those chemicals which do not induce CYP1A) and/or oxidative stress, but more studies are required. Both CYP1A- and ROS-mediated toxicity are indicated to result in higher order deleterious effects, including cancer and other aspects of animal fitness.

Efeitos do tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico na via L-arginina-óxido nítrico e no estresse oxidativo em plaquetas

Estudos publicados nas duas últimas décadas sugerem um aumento do risco de doença cardiovascular (DCV) em pacientes com periodontite, mas os mecanismos fisiopatológicos dessa associação ainda não estão completamente esclarecidos. Uma vez que foi demonstrado aumento da ativação plaquetária e do estresse oxidativo na periodontite, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a via L-arginina-óxido nítrico (NO)- guanosina monofosfato cíclica (GMPc) e parâmetros de estresse oxidativo em plaquetas de pacientes com periodontite, bem como avaliar o efeito do tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico nessas variáveis. Um total de 10 pacientes sem periodontite (periodontalmente saudáveis ou com gengivite) e 10 pacientes com periodontite participaram do estudo. A avaliação clínica, laboratorial e experimental foi realizada no início do estudo e 90 dias após realização da terapia periodontal básica (grupo periodontite). A avaliação clínica periodontal incluiu registros de: profundidade de bolsa à sondagem (PBS), nível de inserção (NIC), percentual de placa e percentual de sangramento à sondagem. Os seguintes experimentos foram realizados: influxo de L-arginina; atividade e expressão das enzimas óxido nítrico sintase e da arginase; expressão das enzimas guanilato ciclase solúvel e fosfodiesterase 5; determinação dos níveis intraplaquetários de GMPc; agregação plaquetária; avaliação do estresse oxidativo (atividade oxidante total, atividade das enzimas antioxidantes catalase e da superóxido dismutase - SOD); medição dos níveis de proteína C reativa (CRP) e de fibrinogênio. Os resultados obtidos no início do estudo demonstraram ativação do influxo de L-arginina em plaquetas via sistema y+L nos pacientes com periodontite, bem como concentrações intraplaquetárias de GMPc diminuídas e aumento sistêmico da CRP. Após o tratamento periodontal, observou-se redução do percentual de sítios com PBS ≥ 6 mm, NIC 4-5 mm e NIC ≥ 6 mm, aumento nos níveis de GMPc, para níveis comparáveis aos dos pacientes sem periodontite, acompanhado por uma maior atividade das enzimas antioxidantes SOD e catalase. Os demais parâmetros avaliados não apresentaram alterações significativas tanto pré- quanto pós-tratamento. Esses resultados considerados em conjunto sugerem uma menor biodisponibilidade de NO em plaquetas na periodontite e que o tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico foi capaz de reverter este quadro por um aumento das defesas antioxidantes. Portanto, alterações na via L-arginina-NO-GMPc e no estresse oxidativo podem levar à disfunção plaquetária, que poderia contribuir para um maior risco de DCV nos pacientes com periodontite.

Morphine induces Beclin 1-and ATG5-dependent autophagy in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and in the rat hippocampus

Chronic exposure to morphine can induce drug addiction and neural injury, but the exact mechanism is not fully understood. Here we show that morphine induces autophagy in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and in the rat hippocampus. Pharmacological approach shows that this effect appears to be mediated by PTX-sensitive G protein-coupled receptors signaling cascade. Morphine increases Beclin 1 expression and reduces the interaction between Beclin 1 and Bcl-2, thus releasing Beclin 1 for its pro-autophagic activity. Bcl-2 overexpression inhibits morphine-induced autophagy, whereas knockdown of Beclin 1 or knockout of ATG5 prevents morphine-induced autophagy. In addition, chronic treatment with morphine induces cell death, which is increased by autophagy inhibition through Beclin 1 RNAi. Our data are the first to reveal that Beclin 1 and ATG5 play key roles in morphine-induced autophagy, which may contribute to morphine-induced neuronal injury.

青杨(Populus cathayana Rehd.)雌雄植株对干旱胁迫的生理生态响应差异

随着全球气候变暖和温室效应加剧，干旱和荒漠化成为威胁人类生存和发展的主要 灾害，许多被子植物对干旱胁迫的生理、生态和生化响应已逐步得以报道，但很少有开 展干旱胁迫对雌雄异株植物的影响方面的研究。由于这类植物在长期进化过程中已经在 生长、性比、生殖格局、空间分布、资源配置和生物量分配等方面形成了明显的性别差 异，因此，干旱胁迫必将对其雌雄植株产生不同的生理生态影响。本研究以青杨为模式 植物，采用植物生态、生理及生物化学等研究方法，系统研究青杨雌雄植株在常温、增 温以及喷施外源脱落酸的条件下对干旱胁迫的响应，揭示其在生长形态、生物量分配、 光合作用、用水效率和生理生化等方面的性别间差异。主要研究结果如下： 1. 青杨雌雄植株对干旱胁迫的综合响应。 与较好水分条件相比，干旱胁迫显著降低了青杨雌雄植株的光合作用和生长发育， 影响了许多生理生化过程，并导致雌雄植株在生长发育、气体交换、用水效率、膜脂抗 氧化和抗氧化系统酶活性方面表现出显著的性别间差异。在较好水分条件下，雌雄植株 之间在株高、基径、生物量、净光合速率、蒸腾速率、用水效率以及丙二醛、脱落酸和 游离脯氨酸等生化物质含量方面均无显著差异。但在干旱胁迫下，雄株在生长发育、气 体交换、水分利用效率、膜脂过氧化保护和抗氧化系统酶活性方面均显著高于雌株，表 现出比雌株更高的株高、基径、叶面积、总叶片数、总生物量、总色素含量、类胡萝卜 素含量、净光合速率、蒸腾速率、羧化效率、光系统II最大光化学效率、内在水分利用 效率、碳同位素组分、过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶活性等，而在CO2补偿点、比叶面积、 叶绿素a/b、丙二醛、脱落酸和超氧化物歧化酶活性等指标上显著低于雌株。与雌株相比， 雄株表现出更高的干旱胁迫适应能力，而雌株的生长发育和生理生化过程更易遭受干旱 胁迫的影响。 2. 干旱胁迫下的青杨雌雄植株对增温处理的综合响应 与环境温度相比，增温在干旱胁迫前后均显著促进了雌雄植株的生长发育、气体交 换，降低水分利用效率，影响生化物质含量，并促使青杨雌雄植株之间在干旱胁迫下表 现出显著的差异。在较好水分条件下，增温导致雌株的株高、基径、叶面积、总叶片数、 总生物量和超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于雄株，而用水效率、丙二醛、脱落酸和游离脯 氨酸、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶和过氧化物酶活性低于雄株。在干旱胁迫下，增温将导致雄 株的株高、基径、叶面积、总生物量、净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、总色素含量、 相对含水量、过氧化氢酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性等显著高于雌株，而光系统II 最大 光化学效率、内在水分利用效率、碳同位素组分、丙二醛、脱落酸、游离脯氨酸和超氧 化物歧化酶活性显著低于雌株。与雄株相比，水分较好条件下的增温有利于促进雌株的 生长发育，并在生理生态特征上优于雄株。而干旱胁迫下的增温则加剧了水分胁迫强度， 致使雌株的生长发育遭受比雄株更多的负面影响。 3. 干旱胁迫下的青杨雌雄植株对喷施外源脱落酸处理的综合响应 与对照相比，在干旱胁迫下喷施外源脱落酸可显著增加青杨雌雄植株的生长发育、 气体交换、降低水分利用效率，影响了生化物质含量，并导致青杨雌雄植株之间在干旱 胁迫下表现出显著的生理生态差异。在干旱胁迫下，喷施外源脱落酸致使雌株的株高、 叶面积、叶干重、细根干重、总生物量、净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、光系统II 最大光化学效率、非光化学淬灭系数、相对含水量、总光合色素、类胡萝卜素、脱落酸、 超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性的增加量显著高于雄株，而根重比、根冠比、细根/ 总根、比叶面积、内在水分利用效率、碳同位素组分、丙二醛、脯氨酸、过氧化氢酶和 抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性等指标的减少量上显著低于雄株。与对照相比，干旱胁迫下的 喷施外源脱落酸则一定程度能减缓植株遭受胁迫的压力，促进植株生长和气体交换，减 少了植株体内的过剩自由基数量，并促使雌株的生长发育和光合能力显著提高，增强其 抗干旱胁迫能力。 With development of global warming and greenhouse effect, drought and desertification have been became main natural disasteres in resent years. Studies on ecophysiological responses of most angiosperm species to environmental stress have been reported, but little is known about dioecious plant responses to drought stress. Since significant differences on growth, survival, reproductive patterns, spatial distribution, as well as resource allocation between males and females of dioecious plant have been formed during evolutionary process, sexual different ecophysiological responses should be caused by drought stress. In this experiment, Populus cathayana Rehd. was used as model plant to study the sex-related responses to drought by using the ecological, physiological and biochemical methods under normal atmospheric temperature, elevated temperatures and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) application treatment respectively, and to expose the sexual differences in growth, biomass allocation, photosynthesis, water use efficiency and some biochemical material contents in the males and females of dioecious plant. The results are follows: 1. A large set of parallel responses of males and females of P. cathayana to drought stress Compared with well-watered treatment, drought significantly decreased growth and photosynthesis of P. cathayana individuals, affected some physiological and biochemical processes, and induced males and females to exhibit obvious sexual differences in growth, gas exchange, water use efficiency, lipid peroxidation protection and antioxidant defenses enzyme system. Under well-watered treatment, there were no significant sexual differences in height growth (HG), basal diameter (BD), dry matter accumulation (DMA), net photosynthesis rate (A), transpiration (E), water use efficiency (WUE), and malondialdehyde (MDA), abscisic acid (ABA) and praline (Pro). However, under drought stress, males were found to exhibit higher HG, BD, leaf area (LA), total leaf number (TLA), DMA, total chlorophyll contents (TC), carotenoids content (Caro), A, E, carboxylation efficiency (CE), the maximum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE ), carbon isotope composition (δ13C), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and lower CO2 compensation point (Γ), specific leaf area (SLA), chlorophyll a/b ratio (Chla/Chlb), MDA, ABA and superoxide dismutase (SOD) than females. The results suggest that males possess greater drought resistance than do females and females suffer more negative effect on growth and development, physiological and biochemical processes than males under drought stress. 2. A large set of parallel responses of drought-stressed males and females of P. cathayana to elevated temperatures Compared with environmental temperature, elevated temperature treatment significant increased growth and gas exchange, decreased water use efficiency, changed some biochemical material contents of P. cathayana individuals, and induced males and females to exhibit obvious differences under drought stress. Under good water condition, elevated temperature treatment caused females to show significant higher HG, BD, LA, TLN, DMA, SOD activity, and great lower WUE, MDA, ABA, Pro, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and POD than do males. On contrary, under drought condition, elevated temperature treatment induced males to exhibit higher HG, BD, LA, DMA, A, E, stomatal conductance (gs), relative water content (RWC), CAT, APX activity but lower Fv/Fm, WUE, δ13C, MDA, ABA, Pro, SOD activity than do females. The results suggest that females will benefit from elevating temperature under good water condition by possessing better ecophysiological processes than that of males, but will suffer from greater negative effects than do males when grown under drought stress with elevated temperature treatment. 3. A large set of parallel responses of drought-stressed males and females of P. cathayana to exogenous ABA application Compared with controls, exogenous ABA application under drought greatly increased growth and gas exchange, decreased water use efficiency, changed some biochemical material contents in P. cathayana individuals, and induced males and females to exhibit obvious sexual differences under drought. Under drought stress, exogenous ABA application induced females to exhibit more increases in HG, LA, leaf weight (LW), fine root weight (FRW), DMA, A, E, g, Fv/Fm, non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN), RWC, TC, Caro, ABA, SOD, POD s activity than males, but to show lower decreases in root/weight ratio (RWR), root mass/foliage area ratio (RF), fine root/total root ratio (FT), SLA, WUE, δ13C, MDA, Pro, CAT, APX than males. The results suggest that exogenous ABA application under drought stress will eliminate negative damages caused by drought stress at a certain extent，promote the growth and gas exchange of plant and decrease the number of superfluous 1O2 in plant cells of males and females of P. cathayana. Furthermore, exogenous ABA application promoted more drought resistance in females than in males by increasing more growth and photosynthetic capacity in females under drought stress.

Concentrations of Cadmium and Zinc in Seawater of Bohai Bay and Their Effects on Biomarker Responses in the Bivalve Chlamys farreri

Both in-field chemical investigation and in the laboratory toxic tests were carried out to systematically understand the pollution status of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in Bohai Bay. Samples collected from surface seawater were determined to describe the distributions of Cd and Zn in Bohai Bay. The average values in our study of Cd and Zn were 0.15 mu g/L and 19.68 mu g/L, respectively. Both of them were lower than the first class limit of seawater quality standard in China. In the laboratory, antioxidant enzymes [SOD (Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD), CAT], lipid peroxidation (MDA), phase I and phase II enzymes (CYP4501A and GST) were investigated in the bivalves Chlamys farreri exposed to Cd and Zn at the concentration levels of Bohai Bay seawater, which were obtained from our in-field investigation. The reduced SOD, CAT, and EROD (7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase) activities (with the inhibitory rate of 16.8%, 31.5%, and 51.6%, respectively) in Cd treatment were observed and resulted in obvious lipid peroxidation damage. However, treatment of Zn showed elevations in SOD and GST by 13.3% and 29.9%, respectively, and with no influence on lipid peroxidation. In summary, seawater quality in Bohai Bay seawater was ranked as good in general, but it seemed that Cd might possess a potential environmental risk by effecting pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance and phase I detoxification in C. farreri.

Efeitos da tetraciclina em Gambusia holbrooki

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Farmacêuticas

Adrenomedullin Gene Delivery is Cardio-protective in a Model of Chronic Nitric Oxide Deficiency Combining Pressure Overload, Oxidative Stress and Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

BACKGROUND/AIMS:
Chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is associated with hypertension, myocardial ischemia, oxidative stress and hypertrophy; expression of the vasodilator peptide, adrenomedullin (AM) and its receptors is augmented in cardiomyocytes, indicating that the myocardial AM system may be activated in response to pressure loading and ischemic insult to serve a counter-regulatory, cardio-protective role. The study examined the hypothesis that oxidative stress and hypertrophic remodeling in NO-deficient cardiomyocytes are attenuated by adenoviral vector-mediated delivery of the human adrenomedullin (hAM) gene in vivo.

METHODS:
The NO synthesis inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 15mg . kg(-1) . day(-1)) was given to rats for 4 weeks following systemic administration via the tail vein of a single injection of either adenovirus harbouring hAM cDNA under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter-enhancer (Ad.CMV-hAM-4F2), or for comparison, adenovirus alone (Ad.Null) or saline. Cardiomyocytes were subsequently isolated for assessment of the influence of each intervention on parameters of oxidative stress and hypertrophic remodelling.

RESULTS: Cardiomyocyte expression of the transgene persisted for > or =4 weeks following systemic administration of adenoviral vector. In L-NAME treated rats, relative to Ad.Null or saline administration, Ad.CMV-hAM-4F2 (i) reduced augmented cardiomyocyte membrane protein oxidation and mRNA expression of pro-oxidant (p22phox) and anti-oxidant (SOD-3, GPx) genes; (ii) attenuated increased cardiomyocyte width and mRNA expression of hypertrophic (sk-alpha-actin) and cardio-endocrine (ANP) genes; (iii) did not attenuate hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS: Adenoviral vector mediated delivery of hAM resulted in attenuation of myocardial oxidative stress and hypertrophic remodelling in the absence of blood pressure reduction in this model of chronic NO-deficiency. These findings are consistent with a direct cardio-protective action in the myocardium of locally-derived hAM which is not dependant on NO generation.

AGEs, RAGE, and Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a major diabetic complication with a highly complex etiology. Although there are many pathways involved, it has become established that chronic exposure of the retina to hyperglycemia gives rise to accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that play an important role in retinopathy. In addition, the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) is ubiquitously expressed in various retinal cells and is upregulated in the retinas of diabetic patients, resulting in activation of pro-oxidant and proinflammatory signaling pathways. This AGE-RAGE axis appears to play a central role in the sustained inflammation, neurodegeneration, and retinal microvascular dysfunction occurring during diabetic retinopathy. The nature of AGE formation and RAGE signaling bring forward possibilities for therapeutic intervention. The multiple components of the AGE-RAGE axis, including signal transduction, formation of ligands, and the end-point effectors, may be promising targets for strategies to treat diabetic retinopathy.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor mitigates inflammation and oxidative stress in retinal pericytes exposed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein

Oxidized and/or glycated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may mediate capillary injury in diabetic retinopathy. The mechanisms may involve pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant effects on retinal capillary pericytes. In this study, these effects, and the protective effects of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), were defined in a primary human pericyte model. Human retinal pericytes were exposed to 100 microg/ml native LDL (N-LDL) or heavily oxidized glycated LDL (HOG-LDL) with or without PEDF at 10-160 nM for 24 h. To assess pro-inflammatory effects, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion was measured by ELISA, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation was detected by immunocytochemistry. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) formation, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and nitric oxide (NO) production. The results showed that MCP-1 was significantly increased by HOG-LDL, and the effect was attenuated by PEDF in a dose-dependent manner. PEDF also attenuated the HOG-LDL-induced NF-kappaB activation, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of PEDF on MCP-1 was at least partially through the blockade of NF-kappaB activation. Further studies demonstrated that HOG-LDL, but not N-LDL, significantly increased ONOO(-) formation, NO production, and iNOS expression. These changes were also alleviated by PEDF. Moreover, PEDF significantly ameliorated HOG-LDL-induced ROS generation through up-regulation of superoxide dismutase 1 expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant effects of HOG-LDL on retinal pericytes, which were effectively ameliorated by PEDF. Suppressing MCP-1 production and thus inhibiting macrophage recruitment may represent a new mechanism for the salutary effect of PEDF in diabetic retinopathy and warrants more studies in future.

Free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation and systemic nitric oxide bioavailability:implications for postexercise hemodynamics

The metabolic vasodilator mediating postexercise hypotension (PEH) is poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests an exercise-induced reliance on pro-oxidant-stimulated vasodilation in normotensive young human subjects, but the role in the prehypertensive state is not known.

A randomized clinical trial of ascorbic acid in open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

BACKGROUND: Open AAA repair is associated with ischaemia-reperfusion injury where systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction can lead to multiple organ injury including acute lung injury. Oxidative stress plays a role that may be inhibited by ascorbic acid.

METHODS: A double blind, allocation concealed, randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed to test the hypothesis that a single bolus dose (2g) of intra-operative parenteral ascorbic acid would attenuate biomarkers of ischaemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing elective open AAA repair.

RESULTS: Thirty one patients completed the study; 18 received placebo and 13 ascorbic acid. Groups were comparable demographically. Open AAA repair caused an increase in urinary Albumin:Creatinine Ratio (ACR) as well as plasma IL-6 and IL-8. There was a decrease in exhaled breath pH and oxygenation. Lipid hydroperoxides were significantly higher in the ascorbic acid group following open AAA repair. There were no other differences between the ascorbic acid or placebo groups up to 4 hours after removal of the aortic clamping.

CONCLUSIONS: Open AAA repair caused an increase in markers of systemic endothelial damage and systemic inflammation. Administration of 2g parenteral ascorbic acid did not attenuate this response and with higher levels of lipid hydroperoxides post-operatively a pro-oxidant effect could not be excluded.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN27369400.

PTEN deficiency promotes macrophage infiltration and hypersensitivity of prostate cancer to IAP antagonist/radiation combination therapy

PTEN loss is prognostic for patient relapse post-radiotherapy in prostate cancer (CaP). Infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is associated with reduced disease-free survival following radical prostatectomy. However, the association between PTEN loss, TAM infiltration and radiotherapy response of CaP cells remains to be evaluated. Immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of surgically-resected Gleason 7 tumors confirmed that PTEN loss correlated with increased CXCL8 expression and macrophage infiltration. However PTEN status had no discernable correlation with expression of other inflammatory markers by CaP cells, including TNF-α. In vitro, exposure to conditioned media harvested from irradiated PTEN null CaP cells induced chemotaxis of macrophage-like THP-1 cells, a response partially attenuated by CXCL8 inhibition. Co-culture with THP-1 cells resulted in a modest reduction in the radio-sensitivity of DU145 cells. Cytokine profiling revealed constitutive secretion of TNF-α from CaP cells irrespective of PTEN status and IR-induced TNF-α secretion from THP-1 cells. THP-1-derived TNF-α increased NFκB pro-survival activity and elevated expression of anti-apoptotic proteins including cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 (cIAP-1) in CaP cells, which could be attenuated by pre-treatment with a TNF-α neutralizing antibody. Treatment with a novel IAP antagonist, AT-IAP, decreased basal and TNF-α-induced cIAP-1 expression in CaP cells, switched TNF-α signaling from pro-survival to pro-apoptotic and increased radiation sensitivity of CaP cells in co-culture with THP-1 cells. We conclude that targeting cIAP-1 can overcome apoptosis resistance of CaP cells and is an ideal approach to exploit high TNF-α signals within the TAM-rich microenvironment of PTEN-deficient CaP cells to enhance response to radiotherapy.

INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF NOX NADPH OXIDASE SIGNALLING IN CELL MIGRATION AND ANGIOGENESIS OF ENDOTHELIAL COLONY-FORMING CELLS

Introduction. Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) hold great cytotherapeutic potential for ischaemic disease. Emerging evidence supports a key role for NADPH oxidases in underlying angiogenic processes of these and other endothelial cells. Aims. To study the influence of Nox NADPH oxidases on the pro-angiogenic function of ECFCs. Methods. Human ECFCs isolated from umbilical cord blood were treated with pro-oxidant PMA and assessed in vitro, both under basal conditions and after siRNA knockdown of Nox4, a key endothelial NADPH oxidase isoform, alongside primary mature human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) for comparison, using an established scratch-wound assay as the functional end-point. Results. PMA (500nM for 8h) increased cell migration (control 18.6±2.8, PMA 32.7±6.6% wound closure; n=6, P<0.05) in a superoxide-dependent manner, as indicated by attenuation of this effect in the presence of PEG-SOD. Although HAoEC migration in response to PMA also tended to increase, this did not reach statistical significance. Notably, cell migration at 16h was reduced by Nox4 knockdown in ECFCs (control siRNA 53.4±3.5, Nox4 siRNA 35.1±4.9% closure; n=3, P<0.05), but not in HAoECs, whilst the pro-migratory effect of PMA in ECFCs was potentiated after Nox4 knockdown (control siRNA 53.4±3.5, +PMA 61.5±3.2% closure; n=3, P=NS; Nox4 siRNA 35.1±4.9, +PMA 53.0±4.9% closure; n=3, P<0.05). Conclusion. ECFC migration is enhanced by low concentrations of superoxide, to a greater extent compared to mature endothelial cells, and appears to be at least partly dependent upon NADPH oxidase, including a specific role for Nox4. Although, the precise contribution of endothelial Nox NADPH oxidases isoforms remains to be determined, it is clear that these findings may have significant implications for potential ECFC-based therapies for ischaemic disease, which is associated with an oxidative microenvironment.