Analysis of glutathione endpoints for measuring copper stress in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant nonprotein thiol in eukaryotic cells and it protects cells by functioning as an antioxidant and a metal-binding ligand. Because glutathione readily undergoes oxidation-reduction reactions to combat oxidative stress, intracellular ratios of the reduced (GSH) to the oxidized (GSSG) forms of glutathione may serve as an important biomarker of exposure and effect of trace metals in eukaryotic cells. We compared sensitivity of glutathione ratios in the freshwater alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to the traditional endpoints of cell growth rates and chlorophyll a following exposure to Cu for periods of 6 and 24 h. A response of the GSH:GSSG ratio to Cu concentration was observed at Cu levels of 40 and 80 nM after exposure for both 6 and 24 h. The concentration of total GSH at 24 h was roughly half the value at 6 h after exposure to either 40 or 80 nM Cu. A response for cell growth rate was observed only at 24 h, whereby the average specific growth rate decreased from about 1.1 to 0.4 d(-1). The total Cu concentrations eliciting a cell response of 50%, effect concentrations (EC50s), after 24 h of exposure were similar (49.2, 49.8, and 38.2 nM Cu) and not significantly different for GSH:GSSG ratio, GSH levels, and specific growth, respectively. Total cell-associated Cu concentrations after exposure for 24 h were calculated from the EC50 endpoints and ranged from 13.3 to 17.0 fg/cell. Overall, thiol ratios were indicative of toxicity resulting from exposure to Cu, but precision may be greater for the cell growth rate endpoints.     

Alteration of intracellular cysteine and glutathione levels in alveolar macrophages and lymphocytes by diesel exhaust particle exposure

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on thiol regulation in alveolar macrophages (AM) and lymphocytes. We obtained AM and lymph node (thymic and tracheal) cells (LNC) (at different time points) from rats exposed intratracheally to DEP (5 mg/kg) or saline, and measured inflammatory markers, thiol levels, and glutathione reductase (GSH-R) activity. DEP exposure produced significant increases in neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, total protein, and albumin content in the lavage fluid. AM from DEP-exposed rats showed a time-dependent increase in intracellular cysteine (CYSH) and GSH. In LNC the intracellular GSH reached peak level by 24 hr, declining toward control levels by 72 hr after exposure. LNC-CYSH and AM-CYSH and GSH were increased at both 24 and 72 hr. Both Sprague-Dawley and Brown Norway rats showed similar trends of responses to DEP exposure as per measurement of the inflammatory markers and thiol changes. AM and, to a lesser degree, LNC were both active in cystine uptake. The DEP exposure stimulated GSH-R activity and increased the conversion of cystine to CYSH in both cell types. The intracellular level of GSH in DEP-exposed AM was moderately increased compared with the saline control, and was further augmented when cells were incubated with cystine. In contrast, the intracellular level of GSH in DEP-exposed LNC was significantly reduced despite the increased CYSH level and GSH-R activity when these cells were cultured for 16 hr. DEP absorbed 23-31% of CYSH, cystine, and GSH, and only 8% of glutathione disulfide when incubated in cell free media. These results indicate that DEP exposure caused lung inflammation and affected thiol levels in both AM and LNC.     

Cerebellar thiol status and motor deficit after lactational exposure to methylmercury

This study examined the exclusive contribution of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure through maternal milk on biochemical parameters related to the thiol status (glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities) in the cerebellums of suckling mice. The same biochemical parameters were also evaluated in the cerebellums of mothers, which were submitted to a direct oral exposure to MeHg (10 mg/L in drinking water). With regard to the relationship between cerebellar function and motor activity, the presence of signs of motor impairment was also evaluated in the offspring exposed to MeHg during lactation. After the treatment (at weaning period), the pups lactationally exposed to MeHg showed increased levels of mercury in the cerebellum compared to pups in the control group and a significant impairment in the motor performance in the rotarod apparatus. In addition, these pups showed decreased levels of GSH in the cerebellum compared to pups in the control group. In dams, MeHg significantly increased the levels of cerebellar GSH and the activities of cerebellar GR. However, this was not observed in pups. This study indicates that (1) the exposure of lactating mice to MeHg causes significant impairments in motor performance in the offspring which may be related to a decrease in the cerebellar thiol status and (2) the increased GSH levels and GR activity, observed only in the cerebellums of MeHg-exposed dams, could represent compensatory pathophysiologic responses to the oxidative effects of MeHg toward endogenous GSH.     

Thiol/disulfide redox status is oxidized in plasma and small intestinal and colonic mucosa of rats with inadequate sulfur amino acid intake

Low molecular weight thiol/disulfide redox pools are dependent upon extracellular cysteine (Cys) availability. We determined whether dietary sulfur amino acid (SAA) deficiency induces oxidative stress in vivo, as determined by redox state of major thiol/disulfide couples in plasma [Cys/cystine (CySS)] and intestinal mucosa [glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG)]. Rats were fed isocaloric, isonitrogenous semipurified diets: either SAA-adequate (control), SAA-deficient, or SAA-supplemented, pair-fed to intake of the SAA-deficient group. Reference rats consumed standard rat food ad libitum. After 7 d, plasma and gut mucosal samples were analyzed for Cys, CySS, GSH and GSSG, and the redox potentials of Cys/CySS and GSH/GSSG were determined. Mean daily food intake in the pair-fed rats was similar (approximately one-half of reference-rat intake). Body weight decreased in all pair-fed groups, but rats fed the SAA-deficient diet lost significantly more body weight. Dietary SAA deficiency decreased GSH concentrations in both plasma and gut mucosa, increased plasma GSSG, and oxidized plasma and gut mucosal GSH/GSSG redox and plasma Cys/CySS redox. SAA supplementation resulted in a more reducing plasma Cys/CySS redox potential. Reference rats exhibited similar tissue and plasma GSH/GSSG redox as rats that ate semipurified SAA-adequate rat food, which provided similar net SAA intake. Our in vivo data show that inadequate dietary SAA intake oxidizes the thiol/disulfide redox status in rat-gut mucosa and plasma. Such oxidation of redox pools is associated with oxidative stress and the onset or progression of several pathological conditions. Thus, dietary SAA deficiency could contribute to the progression of disease by causing an oxidation of these components.     

Use of exogenous glutathione for metabolism of peroxidized methyl linoleate in rat small intestine

The potential effects of dietary glutathione on the metabolism of peroxidized lipid ingested in the diet were studied using everted sacs of rat small intestine and peroxidized methyl linoleate. Peroxidized methyl linoleate was added to the luminal side, and the appearance of thiobarbituric acid-reactive (TBA-reactive) material on the contraluminal side was measured. Incubation with N,N,bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (BCNU) under conditions in which it inhibits the glutathione disulfide reductase/glutathione peroxidase system increased the appearance of TBA-reactive material, indicating that at least a portion of the TBA-reactive material passing through the epithelium is peroxide in nature. Adding glutathione (GSH) to the luminal side substantially decreased the appearance of TBA-reactive material on the contraluminal side, either without or with BCNU treatment. Inhibition of GSH transport and control experiments with GSH, peroxidized methyl linoleate and purified brush border membranes showed that this decrease was due primarily to uptake of luminal GSH and its use to support intracellular GSH-dependent reactions. Thus, the results indicate that exogenous GSH, which can exist in certain diets, can be taken up by the small intestine and used to protect against absorption of lipid peroxidation products.     

Glutathione status in critically-ill patients: possibility of modulation by antioxidants

Muscle tissue serves as a protein reservoir which is mobilized to meet the specific metabolic needs associated with various catabolic conditions in human subjects, such as trauma and critical illness. Glutathione is one of the most abundant short-chain peptides and a major source of non-protein thiol in the body, and tissue glutathione concentration is related to its oxidative capacity. Skeletal muscle is relatively unique with respect to a variety of metabolic properties, such as oxidative potential, patterns of amino acid utilization, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The glutathione concentration is not influenced by food intake, or by food deprivation. Moreover, there is no diurnal variation on muscle glutathione levels. Following elective surgery the muscle concentration of GSH (the reduced form) decreases by 40% 24 h post-operatively, while the concentration of GSSG (the oxidized form) remains unaltered. During critical illness a similar decrease in the GSH concentration is seen, but in addition a change in the redox status indicative of an elevated GSSG level occurs. Furthermore, correlations between the concentrations of glutamine as well as glutamate and GSH exist in these patients. From available evidence accumulated it is clear that glutathione plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of the intracellular redox status, the antioxidant vitamin levels, and the antioxidant enzyme functions under various metabolic conditions. The effectiveness of glutathione protection in the individual tissue depends on the tissue concentration of glutathione as well as the capacity of the tissue to import GSH and to export GSSG. The mechanisms by which catabolism regulates tissue glutathione levels and the enzyme activities associated with the gamma-glutamyl cycle are not completely understood and further studies need to be conducted.     

Sulfur amino acid deficiency depresses brain glutathione concentration

Dietary sulfur amino acid content is a major determinant of glutathione concentration in some tissues. We examined whether brain glutathione (GSH), a key component of antioxidant defense important for minimizing ischemic injury, was also responsive to short-term sulfur amino acid deficiency. Female Long-Evans adult rats were fed a sulfur-deficient L-amino acid defined diet for five days; the control diet was supplemented with L-cystine and L-methionine (n = 6). Sulfur amino acid deficiency was confirmed by a reduction in liver cysteine and GSH concentrations, marked decreases in food intake, and weight loss. GSH concentration analyzed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography was significantly depressed in the neocortex and thalamus of deficient rats. Brain cysteine was not decreased in a parallel manner. Classical glutathione peroxidase activity was increased in the liver and brain of sulfur amino acid deficient rats. This suggests an upregulation of antioxidant defense but these findings may be complicated by alterations in tissue composition. The depletion of brain GSH by a reduced supply of dietary precursors may be important during brain ischemia when the rate of GSH utilization and the need for synthesis are increased.     

Inhibition of glutathione synthesis with propargylglycine enhances N-acetylmethionine protection and methylation in bromobenzene-treated Syrian hamsters

The finding that liver necrosis caused by the environmental glutathione (GSH)-depleting chemical, bromobenzene (BB) is associated with marked impairment in O- and S-methylation of BB metabolites in Syrian hamsters raises questions concerning the role of methyl deficiency in BB toxicity. N-Acetylmethionine (NAM) has proven to be an effective antidote against BB toxicity when given after liver GSH has been depleted extensively. The mechanism of protection by NAM may occur via a replacement of methyl donor and/or via an increase of GSH synthesis. If replacement of the methyl donor is an important process, then blocking the resynthesis of GSH in the methyl-repleted hamsters should not decrease NAM protection. This hypothesis was examined in this study. Propargylglycine (PPG), an irreversible inhibitor of cystathionase, was used to inhibit the utilization of NAM for GSH resynthesis. Two groups of hamsters were pretreated with an intraperitoneal (ip) dose of PPG (30 mg/kg) or saline 24 h before BB administration (800 mg/kg, ip). At 5 h after BB treatment, an ip dose of NAM (1200 mg/kg) was given. Light microscopic examinations of liver sections obtained 24 h after BB treatment indicated that NAM provided better protection (P < 0.05) in the PPG + BB + NAM group than in the BB + NAM group. Liver GSH content, however, was lower in the PPG + BB + NAM group than in the BB + NAM group. The Syrian hamster has a limited capability to N-deacetylated NAM. The substitution of NAM with methionine (Met; 450 mg/kg) resulted in a higher level of GSH in the BB + Met group than in the BB + NAM group (P < 0.05). The enhanced protection by PPG in the PPG + BB + NAM group was accompanied by higher (P < 0.05) urinary excretions of specificO- and S-methylated bromothiocatechols than in the BB + NAM group. The results suggest that NAM protection occurs primarily via a replacement of the methyl donor and that methyl deficiency occurring in response to GSH repletion plays a potential role in BB toxicity.     

Protective effect of hawthorn extract against genotoxicity induced by methyl methanesulfonate in human lymphocytes

The preventive effect of hawthorn (Crataegus microphylla) fruit extract against genotoxicity induced by methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) has been investigated in human cultured blood lymphocytes. Peripheral blood samples were collected from human volunteers at 0 (10 minutes before), and at 1 and 2 hours after a single oral ingestion of 1 g hawthorn powder extract. At each time point, the whole blood was treated in vitro with MMS (200 μmol) at 24 hours after cell culture, and then the lymphocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimulation to determine the micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cells. The lymphocytes treated with hawthorn and MMS to exhibit a significant decreasing in the incidence of micronucleated binucleated cells, as compared with similarly MMS-treated lymphocytes from blood samples collected at 0 hour. The maximum protection and decreasing in frequency of micronuclei (36%) was observed at 1 hour after ingestion of hawthorn extract. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that hawthorn contained chlorogenic acid, epicatechin and hyperoside. It is obvious that hawthorn, particularly flavonoids constituents with antioxidative activity, reduced the oxidative stress and genotoxicity induced by toxic compounds. This set of data may have an important application for the protection of human lymphocyte from the genetic damage and side effects induced by chemicals hazardous in people.     

Dose-dependent thiol and immune responses to ovalbumin challenge in Brown Norway rats

Dose-dependent specific antibody production, antigen-dependent pulmonary inflammation, and thiol changes in the lung and associated lymph nodes were examined in a Brown Norway rat model of pulmonary sensitization. Cysteine (CYSH), glutathione (GSH), and markers of inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured following ovalbumin (OVA) inhalation challenge. Alveolar macrophages (AM) and pulmonary-associated lymph node cells (LNC) were isolated and intracellular CYSH and GSH assessed. OVA-specific IgE and IgG antibodies were quantified from sera. A dose-dependent biphasic response was noted with respect to OVA-specific IgE. OVA-specific IgG concentrations were maximal at 68 mg (OVA)/m3. OVA challenge to sensitized rats induced increases in BALF albumin, total protein, lactate dehydrogenase, CYSH and GSH that were independent of serum antibody concentrations. AM thiols were modestly elevated at low OVA challenge doses, but sharply reduced at the higher OVA challenge doses. In contrast, both thiols were dose dependently elevated in BALE CYSH, but not GSH, was elevated in LNC of OVA challenged rats. In summary, antigen exposure caused a dose-dependent alteration of inflammatory, thiol and immune parameters in OVA sensitized and challenged rats. Changes in thiol levels did not correlate with antibody responses. While the results of the present study do not support a functional role for thiols in the immune response, it is important to note the dose-dependent dramatic alteration seen in thiols following sensitization and challenge.     

Parenteral glutathione monoester enhances tissue antioxidant stores.

Glutathione (GSH) is a potent endogenous antioxidant that protects major organs from oxidant injury. However, present nutrition regimens may inadequately support tissue stores of this tripeptide during critical illness. To determine whether GSH reserves can be enhanced in vivo with intravenous (IV) supplements, rats underwent central venous catheterization, were given chow and water ad libitum during a 2-day recovery period, and were then randomized to receive one of three treatments as an IV bolus: (1) dextrose, (2) glutathione (GSH), or (3) glutathione monoethyl ester. GSH monoethyl ester is transported into cells more easily than is GSH. Tissue and plasma samples were analyzed for GSH at 2 and 4 hours after drug administration. Liver, renal, and ileal mucosal GSH were significantly increased in the GSH-monoethyl ester rats compared with dextrose-treated animals. In addition, plasma GSH was dramatically increased after monoester injection. In contrast, GSH administration depressed liver GSH stores and did not significantly affect GSH concentration in the other organs analyzed. Plasma GSH concentration was elevated 2 hours after GSH administration. We conclude that: (1) the monoethyl ester of glutathione can be used in vivo to enhance tissue and plasma GSH concentration and (2) IV GSH administration does not significantly increase tissue GSH levels and may paradoxically depress hepatic GSH in normal rats. Because the malnourished and critically ill are likely to have depleted GSH stores, nutrition strategies that include the provision of GSH monoester may lend additional support to those organs that are at risk for injury from oxygen free radicals during catabolic states.     

The effect of methyl oleate hydroperoxide,a possible toxic ozone intermediate,on human normal and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient erythrocytes

Erythrocytes of both normal and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD)-deficient humans responded in a dose-dependent manner to the oxidant stress of methyl oleate hydroperoxide (MOHP) as measured by decreases in G-6-PD activity, increases in methemoglobin (METHB) levels, and decreases in reduced glutathione (GSH). The G-6-PD-deficient erythrocytes displayed a markedly enhanced sensitivity to MOHP-induced decreases in G-6-PD activity and METHB increases while being less sensitive than normal erythrocytes to changes in GSH levels.     

Evaluation of oxidative stress in some cases of argimone oil poisoning during a recent outbreak of epidemic dropsy in India

The study was designed to evaluate the oxidative stress and modulation of anti-oxidant enzymes in 10 accidental argimone oil poisoning cases admitted in a hospital in Delhi, India during a recent outbreak of epidemic dropsy in 1998. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level, oxygen free-radical scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) and related enzymes, e.g. glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in erythrocytes were assayed. The sanguinarine level in serum was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The serum MDA level was higher and the GSH level in erythrocytes was lower in argimone oil poisoning cases than those in controls. There was a significant decrease in SOD and GPx activities in erythrocytes of epidemic dropsy cases but no changes were observed in CAT, GR and GST assay. The depletion of GSH in erythrocytes, serum MDA level and clinical severity were dependent on serum sanguinarine level. The results indicate that sanguinarine (argimone oil) poisoning creates an oxidative stress in humans. The oxidative stress and differential modulation of anti-oxidant enzymes by sanguinarine might play a pathogenic role in epidemic dropsy, which suggests the incorporation of anti-oxidant drugs in the treatment protocol of the disease.     

Intestinal Redox Status of Major Intracellular Thiols in a Rat Model of Chronic Alcohol Consumption

Background: Alcohol consumption is associated with oxidative stress in multiple tissues in vivo, yet the effect of chronic alcohol intake on intestinal redox state has received little attention. In this study, we investigated the redox status of 2 major intracellular redox regulating couples: glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and cysteine (Cys)/cystine (CySS) in a rat model of chronic alcohol ingestion. Methods: Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed the liquid Lieber‐DeCarli diet consisting of 36% ethanol of total calories for 6 weeks. Control rats were pair‐fed with an isocaloric, ethanol‐free liquid diet. Defined mucosal samples from the jejunum, ileum, and colon were obtained and analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for GSH and Cys pool redox status. Mucosal free malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Results: In the ethanol‐fed rats, Cys and mixed disulfide (GSH‐Cys) were significantly decreased in all 3 segments of intestinal mucosa. Free MDA was increased in jejunal but not in ileal or colonic mucosa. Chronic ethanol ingestion significantly increased mucosal GSH concentration in association with a more reducing GSH/GSSG redox potential in the jejunum, but these indices were unchanged in the ileum. In the colon, chronic ethanol ingestion increased oxidant stress as suggested by decreased GSH and oxidized GSH/GSSG redox potential. Conclusions: Chronic alcohol intake differentially alters the mucosal redox status in proximal to distal intestinal segments in rats. Such changes may reflect different adaptability of these intestinal segments to the oxidative stress challenge induced by chronic ethanol ingestion.     

Tributyltin-sulfhydryl interaction as a cause of immunotoxicity in phagocytes of tunicates

We reported elsewhere that tributyltin (TBT) has detrimental effects on the immune system of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, through interaction with calmodulin and alteration of Ca2+ homeostasis. Here, we studied the capability of TBT to react with intracellular thiols. After exposure to 0.1 microM TBT, a significant decrease in B. schlosseri hemocytes stained for total thiols and reduced glutathione (GSH) was detected. Exogenous sulfhydryl and sulfide compounds can prevent TBT-induced cell morphology alterations and decrease the percentage of tin-containing hemocytes, indicating the scavenging ability of thiol peptides. No effects were observed with disulfides, N-acetylcysteine, or the GSH fragment Cys-Gly. No interactions were observed with TBT and carmustine, whereas TBT and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) showed a combined antagonistic action, suggesting direct interaction of TBT with thiol-containing compounds. Regulation of Ca2+ efflux from internal stores seems to depend on stimulation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor by oxidized glutathione (GSSG), which results from interactions of both TBT-GSH and TBT-GSH reductase.     

A comparative investigation of the metabolism of methyl bromide and methyl iodide in human erythrocytes

Summary Human erythrocyte cytoplasm was incubated in head space vials with either methyl bromide or methyl iodide. The decline in concentration of the two methyl halides was monitored by gas chromatography. Simultaneously, the production of S-methylglutathione was determined by thin layer chromatography. In parallel experiments, boiled erythrocyte cytoplasm was used in order to determine non-enzymatic conjugation. Furthermore, inhibition experiments with sulfobromophthalein were performed. The results were compared with previous findings on the metabolism of methyl chloride. In contrast to methyl chloride, both methyl bromide and methyl iodide showed a significant non-enzymatic conjugation with glutathione. In addition, an enzymatic conjugation could be observed in the erythrocyte cytoplasm of the majority of the population, whereas a minority lacks this enzymatic activity. This is consistent with findings on methyl chloride. Inhibition experiments show that a minor form of the erythrocyte glutathione transferase may be responsible for the enzymatic conjugation. Of the three monchalogenated methanes, methyl bromide is the substrate with the highest affinity for the conjugating enzyme(s). In the case of methyl iodide, non-enzymatic reaction overweighs the enzymatic process. There are possible implications of the results for occupational health and the toxicity of the substances.     

谷胱甘肽与亚硒酸钠对饮水砷暴露小鼠体内砷代谢的影响

目的 探讨给予外源性谷胱甘肽(GSH)和亚硒酸钠(sodium selenite)对饮水砷暴露小鼠肝、肾和血中砷代谢的影响.方法 将小鼠按数字表法随机分为对照组、单纯染砷组(砷组)、GSH干预组(GSH组)与亚硒酸钠干预组(硒组),每组各8只小鼠.小鼠以自由饮水方式共染砷4周,饮水砷浓度为50 mg/L.从第4周起,染砷同时腹腔注射GSH(600 mg/kg体重)或亚硒酸钠(1 mg/kg体重)进行干预,共干预7 d.末次注射后处死小鼠,取其肝、肾和血组织样品.采用氢化物发生-超低温捕集-原子吸收分光光度法,分别检测小鼠肝、肾和血中无机砷(iAs)、一甲基胂(MMA)和二甲基胂(DMA)的含量.结果 GSH组小鼠肝中DMA含量[(233.76±60.63)ng/g湿重]及血中DMA含量[(88.52±30.86)ng/g湿重]和总砷(TAs)含量[(162.32±49.45)ng/g湿重]高于相对应的砷组小鼠[(218.36±42.71)、(45.32±12.19)、(108.51±18.00)ng/g湿重](q值分别为3.06、6.40、10.72,P＜0.05).GSH组小鼠肝中砷一甲基化率(PMI,0.65±0.05)和二甲基化率(SMI,0.55±0.05)及血中PMI(0.85±0.07)与砷组小鼠相对应的甲基化率(0.58±0.06、0.44±0.09、0.54±0.11)比较升高(q值分别为3.75、5.26、4.21.P＜0.05).硒组与砷组各项指标间差异无统计学意义.结论 给予外源性GSH可以促进iAs在小鼠体内甲基化代谢,从而降低其对机体的毒性损伤.而亚硒酸钠则无明显作用.     

Diurnal variation in glutathione and cysteine redox states in human plasma

BACKGROUND: Plasma glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) and cysteine/cystine (Cys/CySS) couples are oxidized in humans in association with oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease risk. Animal studies show that both pools undergo diurnal variations associated with dietary intake of sulfur amino acids. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the redox state of GSH, Cys, GSH/GSSG, or Cys/CySS undergoes diurnal variation in healthy adults. DESIGN: Plasma samples were collected every hour for 24 h from 63 persons aged 18-86 y who were consuming normal food (protein, 0.8 g kg(-1) d(-1); sulfur amino acids, 20 mg kg(-1) d(-1)) at standardized mealtimes. Measurements of Cys, CySS, GSH, and GSSG were used with the Nernst equation to calculate the redox states. RESULTS: Plasma Cys and GSH concentrations varied with the time of day. The highest values for plasma Cys occurred approximately 3 h after meals. Glutathione was maximal 6 h after peak plasma Cys. The calculated redox states of the GSH/GSSG and Cys/CySS couples varied in association with the concentrations of the thiol forms. Maximal reduction and oxidation of the Cys/CySS couple occurred at 2130 and 0630, whereas the respective values for the GSH/GSSG couple occurred at 0330 and 1330. The mean diurnal variation for Cys/CySS redox in persons aged >or=60 y was 1.8-fold that in persons aged <40 y. CONCLUSIONS: Cys/CySS and GSH/GSSG redox states in human plasma undergo diurnal variation with an increased magnitude of variation in Cys/CySS redox state in older persons. This variation could alter sensitivity to oxidative stress over a course of hours.     

Effect of the olive oil phenol hydroxytyrosol on human hepatoma HepG2 cells

BACKGROUND: Scientific evidence suggests that olive oil's beneficial effects are related to the high level of antioxidants, including phenolic compounds such as hydroxytyrosol. In vivo studies have shown that olive oil HTy is bioavailable and its biological activities, similar to those reported for other natural antioxidants such as quercetin, include prevention of LDL oxidation. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that HTy and other phenolics in olive oil are absorbed and metabolized by cultured human hepatoma HepG2 cells where glucuronidated and methylated conjugates were the main derivatives formed, resembling the metabolic profile of olive oil phenols observed in human plasma and urine. AIM OF THE STUDY: The effect of olive oil phenol (HTy) on cell viability and redox status of cultured HepG2 cells, and the protective effect of HTy against an oxidative stress induced by tertbutylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH) were investigated. METHODS: Lactate dehydrogenase activity as marker for cell integrity, concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as markers of redox status and determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) as marker of lipid peroxidation were measured. RESULTS: No changes in cell integrity or intrinsic antioxidant status resulted from a direct treatment with 10-40 microM HTy. Pre-treatment of HepG2 with 10-40 microM HTy for 2 or 20 h completely prevented cell damage as well as the decrease of reduced glutathione and increase of malondialdehyde evoked by t-BOOH in HepG2 cells. Reactive oxygen species generation and the significant increase of glutathione peroxidase activity induced by t-BOOH were greatly reduced when cells were pretreated with HTy. CONCLUSION: The results clearly show that treatment of HepG2 cells with the olive oil phenolic HTy may positively affect their antioxidant defense system, favoring cell integrity and resistance to cope with a stressful situation.     

Five cysteine-containing compounds have antioxidative activity in Balb/cA mice

Balb/cA mice were used to study the in vivo effect of N-acetyl cysteine, S-allyl cysteine, S-ethyl cysteine, S-methyl cysteine and S-propyl cysteine, all derived from garlic, on glutathione (GSH) concentration and catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in plasma, kidney and liver. Cysteine was used for comparison. The effects of these compounds on the levels of fibronectin, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol and alpha-tocopherol were also evaluated. Cysteine or cysteine-containing compounds were added to drinking water at 1 g/L. After 4 wk of treatment, GSH levels in kidney and liver were greater (P<0.05) than in controls. Cysteine decreased catalase and GPX activities in liver, and enhanced both Fe2+- and glucose-induced lipid oxidation in plasma, kidney and liver compared with the control group (P<0.05). However, the administration of the five cysteine-containing compounds enhanced catalase and GPX activities in kidney and liver, and reduced Fe2+- and glucose-induced lipid oxidation in plasma, kidney and liver compared with the control and cysteine-treated groups (P<0.05). Intake of the five cysteine-containing compounds reduced fibronectin, TG and cholesterol concentrations in plasma and liver, and increased the alpha-tocopherol concentration in plasma, kidney and liver compared with the control and cysteine-treated groups (P<0.05). The five cysteine-containing compounds derived from garlic had marked effects on antioxidant enzymes and spared alpha-tocopherol in mice. Furthermore, these compounds reduced fibronectin, TG and cholesterol concentrations in plasma. These data indicate that these compounds have a range of protective effects for cardiovascular disease prevention or therapy.