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Volume 48 (2011)
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Volume 48, Issue 1
Displaying 1-17 of 17 articles from this issue
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Etsuo Niki, Yuji Naito2011 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 1
Published: 2011
Released on J-STAGE: December 29, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSDownload PDF (558K)
Reviews
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Etsuo Niki2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 3-7
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSLipid peroxidation induced by free radicals has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Numerous in vitro and animal studies show that oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is an important initial event of atherosclerosis. Vitamin E and other antioxidants inhibit low density lipoprotein oxidation efficiently in vitro, however, human clinical trials with vitamin E have not yielded positive results. The mixed results for vitamin E effect may be ascribed primarily to the two factors. Firstly low density lipoprotein oxidation proceeds by multiple pathways mediated not only by free radicals but also by other non-radical oxidants and vitamin E is effective only against free radical mediated oxidation. Secondly, in contrast to animal experiments, vitamin E is given at the latter stage where oxidation is no more important. Free radicals must play causal role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vitamin E should be effective if given at right time to right subjects.
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Michael J. Davies2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 8-19
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThere is considerable interest in the role that mammalian heme peroxidase enzymes, primarily myeloperoxidase, eosinophil peroxidase and lactoperoxidase, may play in a wide range of human pathologies. This has been sparked by rapid developments in our understanding of the basic biochemistry of these enzymes, a greater understanding of the basic chemistry and biochemistry of the oxidants formed by these species, the development of biomarkers that can be used damage induced by these oxidants in vivo, and the recent identification of a number of compounds that show promise as inhibitors of these enzymes. Such compounds offer the possibility of modulating damage in a number of human pathologies. This reviews recent developments in our understanding of the biochemistry of myeloperoxidase, the oxidants that this enzyme generates, and the use of inhibitors to inhibit such damage.
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Ken Shirato, Kazuki Nakajima, Hiroaki Korekane, Shinji Takamatsu, Cong ...2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 20-25
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSGlucose is an energy substrate, as well as the primary source of nucleotide sugars, which are utilized as donor substrates in protein glycosylation. Appropriate glycosylation is necessary to maintain the stability of protein, and is also important in the localization and trafficking of proteins. The dysregulation of glycosylation results in the development of a variety of disorders, such as cancer, diabetes mellitus and emphysema. Glycosylation is kinetically regulated by dynamically changing the portfolio of glycosyltransferases, nucleotide sugars, and nucleotide sugar transporters, which together form a part of what is currently referred to as the “Glycan cycle”. An excess or a deficiency in the expression of glycosyltransferases has been shown to alter the glycosylation pattern, which subsequently leads to the onset, progression and exacerbation of a number of diseases. Furthermore, alterations in intracellular nucleotide sugar levels can also modulate glycosylation patterns. It is observed that pathological hypoxic microenvironments frequently occur in solid cancers and inflammatory foci. Hypoxic conditions dramatically change gene expression profiles, by activating hypoxia-inducible factor-1, which mediates adaptive cellular responses. Hypoxia-induced glycosyltransferases and nucleotide sugar transporters have been shown to modulate glycosylation patterns that are part of the mechanism associated with cancer metastasis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 also induces the expression of glucose transporters and various types of glycolytic enzymes, leading to shifts in glucose metabolic patterns. This fact strongly suggests that hypoxic conditions are an important factor in modulating various nucleotide sugar biosynthetic pathways. This review discusses some of the current thinking of how hypoxia alters glucose metabolic fluxes that can modulate cellular glycosylation patterns and consequently modify cellular functions, particularly from the standpoint of the N-acetylglucosamine cycle, a part of the “Glycan cycle”.
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Lester Packer, Enrique Cadenas2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 26-32
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe role of R-α-lipoic acid as a cofactor (lipoyllysine) in mitochondrial energy metabolism is well established. Lipoic acid non-covalently bound and exogenously administered to cells or supplemented in the diet is a potent modulator of the cell’s redox status. The diversity of beneficial effects of lipoic acid in a variety of tissues can be mechanistically viewed in terms of thiol/disulfide exchange reactions that modulate the environment’s redox and energy status. Lipoic acid-driven thiol/disulfide exchange reactions appear critical for the modulation of proteins involved in cell signaling and transcription factors. This review emphasizes the effects of lipoic acid on PI3K and AMPK signaling and related transcriptional pathways that are integrated by PGC-1α, a critical regulator of energy homoestasis. The effects of lipoic acid on the neuronal energy-redox axis are largely reviewed in terms of their outcomes for aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Hideshi Ihara, Tomohiro Sawa, Yusaku Nakabeppu, Takaaki Akaike2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 33-39
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSOxidized and nitrated nucleotides including 8-oxogunanine and 8-nitroguanine derivatives such as 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate were generated by reactive nitrogen oxides and reactive oxygen species in cultured cells and in tissues. 8-oxoguanine and 8-nitroguanine in DNA and RNA are potentially mutagenic, and the former also induces cell death. Some derivative, 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate a major nitrated guanine nucleotide, was identified as a novel second messenger. Surprisingly, the amount of 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate generated was found to be higher than that of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in cells expressing inducible nitric oxide synthase. More important, 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate is electrophilic and reacted efficiently with sulfhydryls of proteins to produce a novel posttranslational modification (named S-guanylation) via guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate adduction. For example, 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-induced S-guanylation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 led to NF-E2-related factor activation and induction of antioxidant enzymes. 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate may thus protect cells against oxidative stress-related cytotoxicity. Therefore, although chemically modified nucleotides produced via oxidative and nitrative stress are regarded simply as endogenous mutagens, the endogenous nucleotides stored in cells per se may serve functionally as a sensing mechanism for reactive nitrogen oxides and oxygen species to induce cellular adaptive responses to oxidative stress.
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Holger Steinbrenner, Bodo Speckmann, Antonio Pinto, Helmut Sies2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 40-45
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe essential trace element selenium has long been considered to exhibit anti-diabetic and insulin-mimetic properties, but recent epidemiological studies indicated supranutritional selenium intake and high plasma selenium levels as possible risk factors for development of type 2 diabetes, pointing to adverse effects of selenium on carbohydrate metabolism in humans. However, increased plasma selenium levels might be both a consequence and a cause of diabetes. We summarize current evidence for an interference of selenium compounds with insulin-regulated molecular pathways, most notably the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling cascade, which may underlie some of the pro- and anti-diabetic actions of selenium. Furthermore, we discuss reports of hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in mice overexpressing the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase 1. The peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α represents a key regulator for biosynthesis of the physiological selenium transporter, selenoprotein P, as well as for hepatic gluconeogenesis. As proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α has been shown to be up-regulated in livers of diabetic animals and to promote insulin resistance, we hypothesize that dysregulated pathways in carbohydrate metabolism and a disturbance of selenium homeostasis are linked via proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α.
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Shinya Toyokuni2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 46-49
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSPersistent oxidative stress has been associated with carcinogenesis. Iron overload is considered one such condition that causes oxidative stress. Epidemiological studies support a close link between iron overload and carcinogenesis. Reportedly, regular semiannual phlebotomies reduced cancer risk in an otherwise normal population. More specifically, genetic hemochromatosis, chronic viral hepatitis, ovarian endometriosis and asbestosis induce iron overload, which can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma or mesothelioma in humans. Through a combination of animal experiments and microarray analyses, homozygous deletion of CDKN2A/2B has been recognized as one of the major target genes involved in iron overload-induced carcinogenesis. CDKN2A/2B are the second most frequently inactivated tumor suppressing genes in human cancers. Currently, when infection is becoming sufficiently controlled worldwide, iron regulation may be the next target for human longevity.
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Ian N. Hines, Matthew B. Grisham2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 50-56
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSLiver ischemia and reperfusion-induced injury is a major clinical complication associated with hemorrhagic or endotoxin shock and thermal injury as well as liver transplantation and resectional surgery. Data obtained from several different studies suggest that an important initiating event in the pathophysiology of ischemia and reperfusion-induced tissue injury is enhanced production of superoxide concomitant with a decrease in the bioavailability of endothelial cell-derived nitric oxide. This review will summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis that the redox imbalance induced by alterations in superoxide and nitric oxide generation creates a more oxidative environment within the different cells of the liver that enhances the nuclear transcription factor-κB-dependent expression of a variety of different cytokines and mediators that may promote as well as limit ischemia and reperfusion-induced hepatocellular injury. In addition, the evidence implicating endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase-dependent and -independent generation of nitric oxide as important regulatory pathways that act to limit ischemia and reperfusion-induced liver injury and inflammation is also presented.
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Junji Terao, Yuko Minami, Noriko Bando2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 57-62
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSCarotenoids are known to be potent quenchers of singlet molecular oxygen [O2 (1Δg)]. Solar light-induced photooxidative stress causes skin photoaging by accelerating the generation of reactive oxygen species via photodynamic actions in which O2 (1Δg) can be generated by energy transfer from excited sensitizers. Thus, dietary carotenoids seem to participate in the prevention of photooxidative stress by accumulating as antioxidants in the skin. An in vivo study using hairless mice clarified that a O2 (1Δg) oxygenation-specific peroxidation product of cholesterol, cholesterol 5α-hydroperoxide, accumulates in skin lipids due to ultraviolet-A exposure. Matrix metalloproteinase-9, a metalloproteinase family enzyme responsible for the formation of wrinkles and sagging, was enhanced in the skin of ultraviolet-A -irradiated hairless mice. The activation of metalloproteinase-9 and the accumulation of 5α-hydroperoxide, as well as formation of wrinkles and sagging, were lowered in mice fed a β-carotene diet. These results strongly suggest that dietary β-carotene prevents the expression of metalloproteinase-9 (at least in part), by inhibiting the photodynamic action involving the formation of 5α-hydroperoxide in the skin. Intake of β-Carotene therefore appears to be helpful in slowing down ultraviolet-A -induced photoaging in human skin by acting as a O2 (1Δg) quencher.
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César G. Fraga, María C. Litterio, Paula D. Prince, Vale ...2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 63-67
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSDiets rich in fruits and vegetables have been associated with benefits for human health. Those effects have been partially ascribed to their content in flavonoids, compounds that are present in many edible plants and its derived foods. In humans, a significant number of studies has been developed analyzing the effect of foods and beverages rich in flavonoids on the presence and progression of risk factors associated to cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Cocoa derived products, rich in flavanols, have been thoroughly studied and demonstrated to be efficient improving endothelial function and decreasing blood pressure in humans and animals. However, the final chemical species and the mechanism/s responsible for these effects have not been completely defined. In this paper we present data supporting the hypothesis that flavanols could define superoxide anion production and then, establish optimal nitric oxide levels and blood pressure.
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Hiroyuki Tsutsui, Shintaro Kinugawa, Shouji Matsushima, Takashi Yokota2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 68-71
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSDiabetes mellitus increases the risk of heart failure independently of underlying coronary artery disease. It also causes skeletal muscle dysfunction, which is responsible for reduced exercise capacity commonly seen in heart failure. The underlying pathogenesis is partially understood. Several factors may contribute to the development of cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction in heart failure and diabetes mellitus. Based on the findings in animal models, this review discusses the role of oxidative stress that may be involved in the development and progression of cardiac and skeletal dysfunction associated with diabetes.
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Ryoichi Takayanagi, Toyoshi Inoguchi, Keizo Ohnaka2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 72-77
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe involvement of reactive oxygen species in various diseases has been demonstrated almost in vitro or in animal studies and clinical studies supporting the involvement of reactive oxygen species are very few. Bilirubin has been recognized as an important antioxidant and also shown to have an inhibitory effect on the activity of NADPH oxidase, which may be an important source for superoxide production in various tissues. When the prevalence of vascular complcations was compared in diabetic patients with and without a congenital hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert syndrome), the prevalence of retinopathy, macroalbuminuria and coronary artery disease in patients with Gilbert syndrome was about 20% of that in those without Gilbert syndrome. For study of lifestyle-related diseases, the Fukuoka Cohort was constructed from 2003 to 2009 in Kyushu area in Japan, which contains a total of 12,949 persons. Cross-sectional study of the Fukuoka Cohort revealed an inverse relation between serum bilirubin level and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A precursor of bilirubin, biliverdin-treated db/db mice exhibited less albuminuria and nephropathic changes. These effects were paralleled with normalization of oxidative stress markers and expression of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits in kidney. These results suggested that oxidative stress is an exacerbating factor of type 2 diabetes mellitus and that antioxidant therapies are of value to diabetic nephropathy.
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Yoshimi Niwano, Keita Saito, Fumihiko Yoshizaki, Masahiro Kohno, Toshi ...2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 78-84
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThis paper summarizes our research for herbal extracts with potent antioxidant activity obtained from a large scale screening based on superoxide radical (O2•−) scavenging activity followed by characterization of antioxidant properties. Firstly, scavenging activity against O2•− was extensively screened from ethanol extracts of approximately 1000 kinds of herbs by applying an electron spin resonance (ESR)-spin trapping method, and we chose four edible herbal extracts with prominently potent ability to scavenge O2•−. They are the extracts from Punica granatum (Peel), Syzygium aromaticum (Bud), Mangifera indica (Kernel), and Phyllanthus emblica (Fruit). These extracts were further examined to determine if they also scavenge hydroxyl radical (•OH), by applying the ESR spin-trapping method, and if they have heat resistance as a desirable characteristic feature. Experiments with the Fenton reaction and photolysis of H2O2 induced by UV irradiation demonstrated that all four extracts have potent ability to directly scavenge •OH. Furthermore, the scavenging activities against O2•− and •OH of the extracts of P. granatum (peel), M. indica (kernel) and P. emblica (fruit) proved to be heat-resistant.
The results of the review might give useful information when choosing a potent antioxidant as a foodstuff. For instance, the four herbal extracts chosen from extensive screening possess desirable antioxidant properties. In particular, the extracts of the aforementioned three herbs are expected to be suitable for food processing in which thermal devices are used, because of their heat resistance.
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Original Articles
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Dharmendra K. Maurya, Nivedita Nandakumar, Thomas Paul Asir Devasagaya ...2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 85-90
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSGallic acid is widely distributed in plants, fruits and foods with a range of biological activities. In the present study the possible mechanisms of gallic acid anticancer properties were explored in A549, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Our study shows that it inhibited the A549 cell growth and decreased cell viability monitored at 24 h. It also inhibited cell proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manner as measured by 3-[4,5-methylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay at 24 and 48 h. Morphological examination of the cells after gallic acid treatment showed the typical feature of cell death such as cell shrinkage and rounding up of the cells. Clonogenic assay indicated that gallic acid treatments inhibited the colony formation. DNA fragmentation assay indicated the disappearance of the genomic DNA in dose-dependent manner. To find out possible mechanisms, mitochondrial potential and intracellular reactive oxygen species were measured. It was observed that gallic acid treatment decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species. Further caspases activity was measured and it was found that gallic acid activated the caspase-3 but not caspase-8 indicating the involvement of intrinsic pathway of cell apoptosis.
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Alejandro K. Samhan-Arias, Yulia Y. Tyurina, Valerian E. Kagan2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 91-95
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe essentiality of polyunsaturated lipids makes membranes susceptible to peroxidative modifications. One of the most contemporary examples includes selective peroxidation of cardiolipin in mitochondria of cells undergoing apoptosis. Cardiolipin peroxidation products are required for the mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, release of pro-apoptotic factors and completion of the cell death program. Therefore, search for effective inhibitors of cardiolipin peroxidation is critical to discovery and development of anti-apoptotic antioxidants. Mitochondria contain significant amounts of α-tocopherol, a well known scavenger of reactive free radicals. In the present study, we used an oxidative lipidomics approach to evaluate the effect of α-tocopherol and its homologues with different lengths of the side-chain such as 2,5,7,8,-tetramethyl-2(4-methylpentyl)-6-chromanol and 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-chromanol, on oxidation of tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin induced by cytochrome c in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Our data indicate that vitamin E homologues inhibit not only accumulation of tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin hydroperoxides but also hydroxy-derivatives of tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin formed in the enzymatic peroxidase half-reaction catalyzed by cytochrome c. This suggests that protective effects of vitamin E homologues against tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin peroxidation catalyzed by cytochrome c/hydrogen peroxide are realized largely due to their effects on the peroxidase activity of cytochrome c towards tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin rather than via their scavenging activity.
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Takehiro Yamamoto, Naoharu Takano, Kyoko Ishiwata, Makoto Suematsu2010 Volume 48 Issue 1 Pages 96-100
Published: 2010
Released on J-STAGE: December 28, 2010
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSAlthough carbon monoxide derived from heme oxygenase has been reported to exert diverse biological actions in mammals, macromolecules responsible for its direct reception and functional outcomes of the gas binding remain largely unknown. Based on our previous results in vivo suggesting carbon monoxide serves as an inhibitor of cystathionine β-synthase that rate-limits transsulfuration pathway for generation of hydrogen sulfide, we have herein hypothesized that the gas might serve as a regulator of protein methylation through accelerating turnover of remethylation cycle residing at the upstream of the enzyme. Metabolomic analysis in human monoblastic leukemia U937 cells in culture revealed that application of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules caused increases in methionine and S-adenosylmethionine and a decrease in cystathionine in the cells, suggesting the cystathionine β-synthase inhibition by carbon monoxide. Under these circumstances, the cells exhibited global protein arginine methylation: this event was also reproduced by the cell treatment with hemin, a heme oxygenase-1 inducer. The protein arginine methylation elicited by carbon monoxide was attenuated by knocking down cystathionine β-synthase with its small interfering RNA or by blocking S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase with adenosine dialdehyde, suggesting remethylation cycling is necessary to trigger the methylation processing. Furthermore, proteins undergoing the carbon monoxide-induced arginine methylation involved histone H3 proteins, suggesting chromatin modification by the gas. Collectively with our studies in vivo showing its inhibitory action on endogenous hydrogen sulfide production, the current results suggest that not only inhibition of transsulfuration pathway for H2S generation but also activation of protein methylation accounts for notable biological actions of carbon monoxide via the cystathionine β-synthase inhibition.
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