The effect of liposomes with superoxide dismutase on A2182 cells.

Differently charged liposomes were examined for the efficiency of delivery of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) to human lung epithelial cells, A2182, and their prospects of cell protection from oxidative agents. A2182 cells were treated with cationic, neutral and anionic liposomes with encapsulated CuZnSOD. Untreated cells and cells pre-treated with liposome-encapsulated CuZnSOD were exposed to oxidative stress caused by xanthine/xanthine oxidase. Cellular antioxidant response was monitored for 4 or 24h after the beginning of oxidative stress induced by the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total glutathione concentration. CuZnSOD-loaded liposomes increased the SOD activity of A2182 cells 24h after treatment. The highest increase of cellular SOD, by 108%, was achieved using anionic liposomes. Neutral and cationic liposomes increased cellular SOD by 83 and 85%, respectively. Cationic liposomes were the most cytotoxic. Exposure of untreated cells to oxidative stress increased the cellular glutathione level after 24h. Cells pre-treated with liposome-encapsulated CuZnSOD were protected from oxidative stress, as shown by the unchanged concentration of cellular glutathione.     

Oxidative stress increases endothelin-1 synthesis in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.

Endothelins, nitric oxide, and oxygen-derived free radicals decisively regulate vascular tone. An imbalance in the biosynthesis of these substances in pathophysiologic conditions may trigger vasospasm and promote the development of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that oxygen-derived free radicals can increase the synthesis of endothelin-1 in cultured endothelial cells. Interestingly, conditions of increased oxidative stress within smooth muscle cells as induced by angiotensin II infusion or hypercholesterolemia have been shown to be associated with increased autocrine synthesis of endothelin-1. Because endothelin-1 formed in smooth muscle cells can trigger hypersensitivity to vasoconstrictors, we tested whether oxidative stress per se may affect endothelin expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. Cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were exposed to oxidative stress generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction or by hydrogen peroxide. Preproendothelin-1 mRNA content was quantitated by means of quantitative polymerase chain reaction and endothelin-1 protein was measured by radioimmunoassay. Incubation with xanthine/xanthine oxidase significantly increased preproendothelin-1 mRNA synthesis, whereas GAPDH remained unchanged. Likewise, xanthine/xanthine oxidase also led to a dose-dependent increase of intracellular endothelin-1. The increase in ET-1 expression induced by xanthine/xanthine oxidase was significantly inhibited by superoxide dismutase but not by catalase. We conclude that oxygen-derived free radicals can stimulate the synthesis of endothelin-1 in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells by increasing preproendothelin-1 mRNA content and that this effect is mediated predominantly by superoxide anions. We therefore have identified a new mechanism in the interaction of oxidative stress and endothelin-1 expression in smooth muscle cells that may have important implications in diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension.     

Chromosomal aberrations in V79 cells induced by superoxide radical generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system

The effect of the superoxide radical, generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system, on chromosomal mutation was examined in Chinese hamster V79 cells. When cells were treated with this system for 1 h in Hanks' solution, the incidence of metaphases with chromosomal aberrations was increased with hypoxanthine at concentrations of 2.5 to 10 micrograms/ml. On the other hand, in Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM) or MEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, only hypoxanthine at 5 micrograms/ml plus xanthine oxidase induced chromosomal aberrations and higher concentrations of hypoxanthine were cytotoxic to V79 cells. The increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations and the cytotoxicity of hypoxanthine plus xanthine oxidase were not affected by superoxide dismutase, but were strongly inhibited by catalase.     

Involvement of oxidative sress in the toxicity of 4-monochlorophenol in Hep G2 cells in culture

Chlorophenols, mainly used as biocides, are compounds with a wide spectrum of toxic effects, including teratogenic and carcinogenic actions. The aim of this study was to examine possible 4-monochlorophenol (4-MCP) toxicity related to metabolic pathways, which may implicate semiquinones and reactive oxygen species (ROS), in human Hep G2 cells. The effects of 4-MCP were performed through cytotoxicity assays (viability, ATP level), metabolic activities (4-MCP intracellular concentration, NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase (Cyt P-450 red.) and glutathione-S-transferase activities, CYP 3A7 mRNA expression) and oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities, glutathione status, malondialdehyde concentration, CYP 2E1 mRNA expression). According to the literature, in this work Hep G2 cells were incubated in the continuous presence of 4-MCP at 350 microM over 24 or 48 h. Results showed statistically significant decreases in ATP levels (24 or 48 h, P < 0.05) versus controls. The 4-MCP intracellular concentrations increased as early as 8-24 h and then decreased (P < 0.01). Decreases in Cyt. P-450 red. (24 h, P < 0.05), catalase (24 h, P < 0.05; 48 h, P < 0.01), glutathione peroxidase activities (48 h, P < 0.05) and reduced glutathione concentrations (48 h, P < 0.05) were observed. In addition, exposure to 4-MCP increased mRNA expressions of CYP 3A7 (24 h, P < 0.05; 48 h, P < 0.01) and CYP 2E1 (24 h, P < 0.01) versus controls. Taken together, these results suggest that 4-MCP metabolites could induce oxidative stress conditions in Hep G2 cells.     

Protective effects of curcumin against ischaemia/reperfusion insult in rat forebrain.

Oxidative stress is believed to be implicated in the pathogenesis of postischaemic cerebral injury. Many antioxidants were shown to be neuroprotective in experimental models of cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R). The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effects of curcumin (CUR) against I/R insult in rat forebrain. The model adopted was that of surgically-induced forebrain ischaemia, performed by means of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 1 h, followed by reperfusion for another 1h. The effects of a single i.p. dose of CUR (50, 100 or 200 mg kg(-1)), administered 0.5 h after the onset of ischaemia, were investigated by assessing oxidative stress-related biochemical parameters in rat forebrain. CUR, at the highest dose level (200 mg kg(-1)), decreased the I/R-induced elevated xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, superoxide anion (O(2)*(-)) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. On the other hand, CUR did not affect the declined reduced glutathione (GSH) content due to I/R insult. Worth mentioning is that the activity of catalase (CAT) did not change in response to either I/R insult or drug treatment. In conclusion, CUR was found to protect rat forebrain against I/R insult. These protective effects may be attributed to its antioxidant properties and/or its inhibitory effects on xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase (XD/XO) conversion and resultant O(2)*(-) production.     

Upregulation of endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes by the red wine polyphenol, resveratrol in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells leads to cytoprotection against oxidative and electrophilic stress.

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene), a polyphenolic compound found in mulberries, grapes and red wine has been demonstrated to be capable of protecting against oxidative cardiovascular pathophysiology. However, the underlying cellular and biochemical mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study was undertaken to determine if resveratrol could upregulate endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), and if such increased cellular defenses could provide protection against oxidative and electrophilic vascular cell injury. Incubation of rat ASMCs with resveratrol at low micromolar concentrations resulted in a significant induction of a scope of cellular antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in a concentration- and/or time-dependent fashion. These cytoprotective factors include superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NOQ1). Notably, induction of catalase, GST, and NOQ1 was most remarkable among the above resveratrol-inducible antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes. Moreover, resveratrol treatment also significantly increased the mRNA expression of catalase, GSTA1, and NQO1 in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of ASMCs with resveratrol afforded a remarkable protection against xanthine oxidase (XO)/xanthine- or 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-induced cytotoxicity, as assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. Resveratrol pretreatment also led to a marked reduction in intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species in ASMCs after incubation with XO/xanthine. Taken together, this study demonstrates that a scope of key endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in cultured ASMCs can be upregulated by resveratrol at low micromolar concentrations, and that such chemically-elevated cellular defenses rendered cells increased resistance to oxidative and electrophilic stress. The results of this study thus suggested a new mechanism, which might contribute to the cardiovascular protective effects of resveratrol.     

Oxidative stress in early stage of acute lung injury induced with oleic acid in guinea pigs

Changes in several biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) during an early stage of lung injury induced with oleic acid were examined in guinea pigs. In addition, a possible contribution of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and xanthine oxidase to the oxidative changes in the lung injury was investigated. An intravenous injection of oleic acid increased the levels of lipid peroxidation products, lactate dehydrogenase, and total proteins, decreased the ratio of glutathione to glutathione disulfide in the BALF, and also affected the levels of other oxidative biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase and catalase in the BALF in a dose-dependent manner. Diphenyleneiodonium chloride, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, inhibited the oxidative changes in the BALF and the decrease in partial pressure of oxygen in artery induced with oleic acid, while allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, had no inhibitory effects. The results demonstrate that oxidative stress would be an important mechanism of oleic acid-induced lung injury, and indicate that the NADPH oxidase-dependent pathway contributes significantly to the generation of reactive oxygen species in oleic acid-induced lung injury.     

Reactive oxygen species and glucocorticoid-induced hypertension

1. There is increasing evidence for a role of oxidative stress and nitric oxide deficiency in experimental glucocorticoid-induced hypertension, as evidenced by increased biomarkers of oxidative stress; the effectiveness of antioxidants or reduced NADPH oxidase antagonists in lowering blood pressure; and secondary upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in response to oxidative stress. 2. In the vasculature, the main sources of superoxide are NADPH oxidase, xanthine oxidase, uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and mitochondria. 3. NADPH oxidase plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid-induced hypertension in the rats, but xanthine oxidase and uncoupled eNOS pathways are not important sources of reactive oxygen species in these models. The role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension remains to be clarified.     

Oxidation pathways for the intracellular probe 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin

The oxidation of 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) to a fluorescent product is currently used to evaluate oxidant stress in cells. However, there is considerable uncertainty as to the enzymatic and nonenzymatic pathways that may result in DCFH oxidation. Iron/hydrogen peroxide-induced DCFH oxidation was inhibited by catalase or by the hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethylsulfoxide; however, superoxide dismutase (SOD) had no effect on DCFH oxidation. The formation of hydroxyl radical (indicated by the oxidation of salicylic acid to 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid) was proportional to DCFH oxidation, suggesting that the hydroxyl radical is responsible for the iron/peroxide-mediated oxidation of DCFH. Utilizing a superoxide generating system consisting of hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase, oxidation of DCFH was unaffected by SOD, catalase or desferoxamine, and stimulated by removing hypoxanthine from the reaction mixture. In contrast, SOD or elimination of hypoxanthine abolished superoxide formation. In addition, potassium superoxide did not support the oxidation of DCFH. Thus, superoxide is not involved in DCFH oxidation. Boiling xanthine oxidase eliminated its concentration-dependent oxidation of 1 μM DCFH, indicating that xanthine oxidase can enzymatically utilize DCFH as a high affinity substrate. Kinetic studies of the oxidation of DCFH by xanthine oxidase indicated a K _{m (app)} of 0.62 μM. Hypoxanthine competed with DCFH with a K _{i (app)} of 1.03 mM. These studies suggest that DCFH oxidation may be a useful indicator of oxidative stress. However, other types of cellular damage may produce DCFH oxidation. For example, conditions or chemicals that damage intracellular membranes may release to the cytoplasm oxidases or peroxidases that might use DCFH as a substrate, similar to xanthine oxidase Received: 25 October 1993 / Accepted: 14 March 1994     

Time‐dependent protective efficacy of Trolox (vitamin E analog) against microcystin‐induced toxicity in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Microcystins (MCs), hepatotoxins from cyanobacteria, induce oxidative stress and pathological changes in fish that can be ameliorated with chemoprotectants such as vitamin E (vit E). This study investigated the time period after MCs exposure in which Trolox, a vitamin E analog, is effective against oxidative and histological damage in different organs of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish were fed Trolox supplement (700 mg/kg diet) for 7 days, or received only commercial fish food, and then were exposed to a single oral dose of 120 μg/fish microcystin‐LR, and sacrificed in 24, 48, or 72 h. The Trolox protective efficacy was evaluated based on lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein oxidation, enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants, and a morphologic study. Regarding the oxidative stress biomarkers altered by MCs, the higher protective action of Trolox was observed 24 h post toxin exposure, although it extends also until 48 h in gills (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)), and liver, where glutathione reductase (GR) backed to control values 48 and 72 h after the toxin application. Glutathione‐S‐ transferase (GST) activity in the liver was ameliorated by the chemoprotectant after 24 and 48 h, although control values were not recovered. Trolox modulation of these biomarkers and its ability to quench free radicals explain the recovery of LPO values in all organs at 24 h and also in gills at 48 h. Histopathologically, Trolox efficacy was more evident after 72 h. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.     

活性氧簇及抗氧化剂对钙调神经磷酸酶作用的研究

目的:研究活性氧簇(ROS)及抗氧化剂对钙调神经磷酸酶的作用。方法:测定并比较对照黄嘌呤/黄嘌呤氧化酶ROS生成系统作用下及与超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶、甘露醇或二巯基苏糖醇(DTT)共同作用下钙调神经磷酸酶的活性。结果:黄嘌呤/黄嘌呤氧化酶系统产生的ROS使钙调神经磷酸酶活性下降33.1%。SOD、过氧化氢酶、DTT可显著减少ROS对钙调神经磷酸酶活性的抑制。结论:钙调神经磷酸酶受氧化还原作用调节。     

Lindane-induced oxidative stress. I. Time course of changes in hepatic microsomal parameters, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidative indices and morphological characteristics

1. Lindane (60 mg/kg) administered orally to rats increased liver cytochrome P-450 content and superoxide radical (O2-.) generation 24 h after treatment, while formation of thiobarbituric acid reactants and NADPH/ADP-supported microsomal chemiluminescence were significantly increased 4 h after treatment. 2. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase decreased 6 h after lindane treatment and SOD/O2-. ratio progressively decreased during 4 to 24 h after lindane treatment. 3. Morphological evidence of hepatic cell injury after lindane treatment was seen at all times studied, and appeared to increase with time. 4. Lindane administration results in time-dependent oxidative stress in liver which involves an early component (4-6 h) related to the reductive metabolism of lindane, and a late component (24 h) associated with the induction of cytochrome P-450; the biochemical changes correlated with the observed morphological lesions.     

Mechanisms of 2-butoxyethanol carcinogenicity: studies on Syrian Hamster Embryo (SHE) cell transformation.

Previous studies showed that 2-butoxyethanol increased liver tumors in B6C3F1 mice following chronic exposure. While the mechanism of 2-butoxyethanol-induced liver carcinogenicity has not been defined, 2-butoxyethanol has been shown to induce hemolysis in rodents via 2-butoxyacetic acid, the major metabolite of 2-butoxyethanol. This toxic effect, coupled with the observation that continued treatment with 2-butoxyethanol results in hemosiderin deposition in the liver, has led to our hypothesis that liver carcinogenicity by 2-butoxyethnaol is mediated via oxidative stress (iron catalyzed) and Kupffer cell activation. The present study used Syrian Hamster Embryo (SHE) cell transformation, a surrogate in vitro model for carcinogenesis in vivo, to examine whether 2-butoxyethanol, 2-butoxyacetic acid, or iron (ferrous sulfate) produced cell transformation. SHE cells were treated with either 2-butoxyethanol (0.5-20 mM), 2-butoxyacetic acid (0.5-20 mM), or ferrous sulfate (0.5-75 microg/ml) for 7 days. 2-Butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyacetic acid did not induce cellular transformation. In contrast, treatment with ferrous sulfate (2.5 and 5.0 microg/ml) increased morphological transformation. Cotreatment of ferrous sulfate with the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) or (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) prevented ferrous sulfate-induced transformation, suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress in SHE cell transformation. The level of oxidative DNA damage (OH8dG) increased following ferrous sulfate treatment in SHE cells; additionally, using single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), ferrous sulfate treatment produced an increase in DNA damage. Both DNA lesions were decreased by cotreatment of ferrous sulfate with antioxidants. These data support our proposal that iron, produced indirectly through hemolysis, and not 2-butoxyethanol or its metabolite 2-butoxyacetic acid, is responsible for the observed carcinogenicity of 2-butoxyethanol.     

Morphological transformation and oxidative stress induced by cyanide in Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells.

Cyanide is a well-established poison known for its rapid lethal action and toxicity. Although long-term mammalian studies examining the carcinogenic potential of cyanide have not been previously reported, cyanide was reported to be positive in Salmonella typhimurium mutagenesis assay and induced aneuploidy in DROSOPHILA: To further evaluate the carcinogenic potential of cyanide, the ability of cyanide to induce morphological transformation in Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells was studied. Cyanide induced a dose-dependent increase in morphological transformation in SHE cells following a 7-day continuous treatment. A significant increase in transformation was observed at potassium cyanide doses of 200 microM and greater. Transformation induced by cyanide was inhibited in a dose-related manner by vitamin E, suggesting a role of oxidative stress in the induction of morphological transformation by cyanide. Further, it was shown that 500 microM cyanide induced oxidative DNA damage in SHE cells, evidenced by the formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (50-66% increase over control). The induction of oxidative stress by cyanide involved an early and temporal inhibition of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) as well as an increased production of reactive oxygen species (1.5- to 2.0-fold over control).     

Cooperative stimulation by sulfite and crocidolite asbestos fibres of enzyme catalyzed production of reactive oxygen species

Methylthioketobutyric acid has been used as an indicator for the production of reactive oxygen species during incubation with xanthine oxidase or NADH diaphorase in the presence of an autooxidizable quinone. The production of OH-radical-type oxidants is enhanced in the presence of crocidolite but not by the asbestos types chrysotile or amosite. This activity of crocidolite in the diaphorase system is further stimulated by bisulfite. Crocidolite-dependent ethylene formation from methylthioketobutyric acid is inhibited by both superoxide dismutase and catalase. In the presence of both crocidolite and bisulfite, however, the inhibition by superoxide dismutase is preserved, but the inhibition by catalase is lost. Since in some respect the NADH-diaphorase quinone system may reflect the situation in the activated macrophage, crocidolite activation may represent a biochemical model system describing potential asbestos toxicity.Abbreviations SOD Superoxide dismutase - KMB methylthioketobutyrate - XOD xanthine oxidase     

石杉碱乙对大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤细胞氧糖缺乏所致细胞损伤的保护作用

目的：研究石杉碱乙（HupB)对氧糖缺乏培养所致PC12细胞损伤的保护作用。方法：氧糖缺乏培养3小时再氧化24小时后,用倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态;噻唑蓝（MTT）法检测细胞存活率;硫代巴比妥酸法测定细胞丙二醛（MDA）含量;黄嘌呤氧化酶法测定细胞超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活;Marbach及Weil方法测定细胞乳酸（LA）含量。结果：氧糖缺乏培养3小时再氧化24小时诱发约70％的细胞死亡,细胞形态发生明显改变,MDA、SOD及LA等生化指标明显升高。HupB(1-100μmol/L）预孵育2小时,能明显提高细胞存活率,改善细胞形态,降低各项生化指标。结论：HupB对氧糖缺乏所致细胞损伤保护作用可能与调节氧化能量代谢失衡有关。     

Effects of TBEP on the induction of oxidative stress and endocrine disruption in Tm3 Leydig cells

The flame retardant tris (2‐butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) is a frequently detected contaminant in the environment. In the cultured TM3 cells (originated from ATCC), effects of TBEP on the induction of oxidative stress and endocrine disruption were evaluated. It was observed that exposure to 100 μg/mL TBEP for 24 h significantly reduced the viability of TM3 cells. The mRNA levels of genes related to oxidative stress including Sod, Gpx1, Cat, and Gsta1 were changed in a dose‐dependent and/or time‐dependent manner after exposure to 30 and 100 μg/mL TBEP for 6, 12, or 24 h. Moreover, notable decrease in glutathione (GSH) contents and increases in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) contents as well as the antioxidant enzyme activities like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S‐transferase were found in the group treated with 100 μg/mL TBEP for 24 h, indicating that TBEP induced oxidative stress in TM3 Leydig cells. In addition, the expression of genes related to testosterone (T) synthesis including cytochrome P450 cholesterol side‐chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), cytochrome P450 17α‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (P450‐17α), and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β‐HSD) and T levels in medium were remarkably declined by the treatment of 100 μg/mL TBEP for 24 h. And TBEP could inhibit the expression of P450‐17α and 17β‐HSD and T levels up‐regulated by hCG in TM3 cells. Taken together, these findings indicated that TBEP can induce oxidative stress and alter steroidogenesis in TM3 cells. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1276–1286, 2016.     

Correlation of antioxidants with lipid peroxidation and lipid profile in patients suffering from coronary artery disease

In addition to many traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) development, enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation are serious conditions that may also be classified as novel risk factors. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the correlation of antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and vitamin E) with lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and lipid profile (triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL_c)) in patients suffering from coronary artery disease. Lipid profile, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and vitamin E levels were determined inpatients and controls. Increased levels of Malondialdehyde and decreased levels of antioxidants were observed in patients with coronary artery disease (n = 100) when compared with normal healthy controls (n = 50). A positive correlation of antioxidants was observed with triglycerides and LDL_c. A negative correlation of vitamin E with malondialdehyde and a positive correlation of superoxide dismutase and catalase with malondialdehyde were observed. The study thus, establishes that the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase are increased in the initial stages of coronary artery disease to protect and prevent lipid peroxidation and both have therapeutic targets to act against reactive oxygen species in coronary artery disease but the levels are decreased thereafter with the severity of disease.     

Effect of tumor necrosis factor on hepatic oxidative stress and antioxidant defense indices in normal and Plasmodium yeolii nigeriensis infected mice

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis (P. y. nigeriensis) produces lethal malaria infection in Swiss albino mice. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide along with endogenously produced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of malaria. OBJECTIVE: Study the effect of TNF on hepatic oxidative stress and antioxidant defense indices in normal and P. y. nigeriensis infected mice. METHODS: Mice were divided into four groups. Normal group, TNF treated group, P. y. nigeriensis infected group, and P. y. nigeriensis infected mice treated with TNF group (250 microg/kg body weight, i.p.). RESULTS: TNF treatment of normal mice caused a highly significant decrease in hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) while changes in other oxidative stress and antioxidant defense indices were nonsignificant. On the other hand, TNF treatment of P. y. nigeriensis infected mice caused a highly significant increase in hepatic xanthine oxidase, lipid peroxidation and a significant decrease in hepatic SOD with respect to infected mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that exogenous TNF acts synergistically with P. y. nigeriensis infection to generate oxidative stress in the host and also causes an impairment of antioxidant defense enzyme such as superoxide dismutase.