Inhibition of gonadotropin action and progesterone synthesis by xanthine oxidase in rat luteal cells.

Hydrogen peroxide produces marked antigonadotropic and lytic actions in luteal cells, but the effects of superoxide, the archetypal oxygen radical, are unknown. Xanthine oxidase generates superoxide, and the activity of this enzyme, and purine substrate, are increased under ischemia, such as that seen at luteal regression. We therefore examined the actions of xanthine oxidase on luteal cells to assess the effects of this enzyme and the superoxide anion on luteal function. Xanthine oxidase, in the presence of hypoxanthine (50 microM), produced marked inhibition of LH-sensitive cAMP and progesterone production with complete inhibition at 25 mU/ml and half-maximal inhibition at about 5 mU/ml. These antigonadotropic actions of xanthine oxidase were rapid with maximal effects within 5 min, followed several minutes later by substantial depletion of ATP. Heat, superoxide dismutase, and catalase or catalase alone abolished the actions of xanthine oxidase. While depletion of ATP by xanthine oxidase was prevented by 3-amino-benzamide, an inhibitor of DNA repair, inhibition of cAMP and progesterone production was still evident. Xanthine oxidase also inhibited progesterone synthesis stimulated by 8-bromo-cAMP. Isobutylmethylxanthine, a cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, did not reverse the inhibition of cAMP accumulation by xanthine oxidase, and the enzyme had no effect on LH receptor binding activity. Since catalase reversed the effects of xanthine oxidase, we conclude that superoxide was rapidly dismuted to hydrogen peroxide and mediated the antigonadotropic and antisteroidogenic actions of xanthine oxidase in luteal cells. The sensitivity of luteal cells to xanthine oxidase raises the possibility that this enzyme may serve as a significant source of hydrogen peroxide in the corpus luteum.     

Enhanced production and action of cyclic ADP-ribose during oxidative stress in small bovine coronary arterial smooth muscle

Recent studies in our lab and by others have indicated that cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) as a novel second messenger is importantly involved in vasomotor response in various vascular beds. However, the mechanism regulating cADPR production and actions remains poorly understood. The present study determined whether changes in redox status influence the production and action of cADPR in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) and thereby alters vascular tone in these arteries. HPLC analyses demonstrated that xanthine (X, 40 microM)/xanthine oxidase (XO, 0.1 U/ml), a superoxide-generating system, increased the ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity by 59% in freshly isolated bovine CASMCs. However, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 1-100 microM) had no significant effect on ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity. In these CASMCs, X/XO produced a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i (Delta[Ca2+]i=201 nM), which was significantly attenuated by a cADPR antagonist, 8-Br-cADPR. Both inhibition of cADPR production by nicotinamide (Nicot) and blockade of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) by tetracaine (TC) and ryanodine (Rya) significantly reduced X/XO-induced rapid Ca2+ responses. In isolated, perfused, and pressurized small bovine coronary arteries, X at 2.5-80 microM with a fixed XO level produced a concentration-dependent vasoconstriction with a maximal decrease in arterial diameter of 45%. This X/XO-induced vasoconstriction was significantly attenuated by 8-Br-cADPR, Nicot, TC, or Rya. We conclude that superoxide activates cADPR production, and thereby mobilizes intracellular Ca2+ from the SR and produces vasoconstriction in coronary arteries.     

Hypoxia injures endothelial cells by increasing endogenous xanthine oxidase activity.

Exposure to decreasing oxygen tensions progressively increased xanthine dehydrogenase (XD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities over 48 hr in cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells (EC) without altering XD/XO ratios. Increases in XD and XO activity in EC induced by hypoxia were associated upon reoxygenation with increased (P less than 0.05) extracellular superoxide anion (O2-.) levels that were inhibited by treatment with XO inhibitors (tungsten, allopurinol) or an anion-channel blocker (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid). EC monolayers subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation also leaked more preloaded 51Cr, were more adherent to neutrophils, and permitted greater albumin transit than control monolayers. Treatment with tungsten, allopurinol, and/or superoxide dismutase decreased (P less than 0.05) 51Cr release, neutrophil adherence, and albumin transit in EC monolayers exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation. We conclude that prolonged hypoxia increases both XO and XD activity in EC and may predispose the endothelium to oxidative and inflammatory damage.     

Effects of reactive oxygen species on intracellular calcium in bovine tracheal epithelium: modulation by nitric oxide

We studied the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and their possible modulation by nitric oxide (NO) in fura-2-loaded cultured bovine tracheal epithelium. Hypoxanthine (HX) and xanthine oxidase (XO), which generate superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), dose dependently increased [Ca2+]i. The increase in [Ca2+]i was reduced in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD, 200 U/mL) and catalase (200 U/mL) by 29% and 43%, respectively. The iron chelator o-phenanthroline and the hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavenger dimethylthiourea (DMTU) more potently inhibited the response of [Ca2+]i. H2O2-derived .OH generated by the Fenton reaction caused a marked [Ca2+]i elevation, but exogenous H2O2 did not. Sodium nitroprusside (100 microM), an NO donor, potentiated HX-XO-induced [Ca2+]i rise by 50%, an effect that was abolished in the presence of SOD or DMTU. These results suggest that .OH formed by interaction of O2- and H2O2 in the presence of iron may play a major role in the HX-XO-induced disruption of airway epithelial Ca2+ homeostasis, and that NO potentiates ROS-induced [Ca2+]i response, presumably by reacting with O2- and producing .OH.     

Superoxide does not mediate the acute vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II: a study in human and porcine arteries

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether superoxide mediates angiotensin (Ang) II-induced vasoconstriction. METHODS: Human coronary arteries (HCAs), porcine femoral arteries (PFA) and porcine coronary arteries (PCAs) were mounted in organ baths and concentration-response curves to Ang II, the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and the NAD(P)H oxidase substrate NADH were constructed in the absence and presence of superoxide inhibiting and activating drugs. Extracellular superoxide was measured using cytochrome c reduction. RESULTS: Ang II constricted both HCAs and PFAs. In HCAs, the NAD(P)H inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and apocynin, and the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor allopurinol, but not the superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic tempol or the SOD inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA), reduced this constriction. Catalase potentiated Ang II in HCAs, indicating a vasodilator role for H2O2. DPI, tempol and SOD did not affect Ang II in PFAs. DPI, apocynin and allopurinol relaxed preconstricted HCAs. Although the relaxant effects of the NO donor SNAP in PCAs was reduced by DETCA, indicating that superoxide-induced constrictions depend on NO inactivation, the apocynin-induced relaxations were NO independent. Moreover, NADH relaxed all vessels, and this effect was blocked by KCl but not DPI or NO removal. Xanthine plus XO also relaxed HCAs and PCAs. Incubation of human or porcine arteries with Ang II or NADH did not result in detectable increases of extracellular superoxide within 1 h. CONCLUSIONS: Acute vasoconstriction by Ang II is not mediated via superoxide generated through NAD(P)H oxidase and/or XO activation. Such activation, if occurring, rather results in the generation of the vasodilator H2O2.     

Effect of intraarterial active oxygen species on the rat pancreas.

To explore the role of active oxygen species in the development and progression of acute pancreatitis, we studied the direct toxic effect on the rat pancreas of active oxygen species: superoxide anions generated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). After a continuous injection of X (10(-3)M, 0.9 ml/hour)/XO (1 U/ml, 0.3 ml/hour) into the celiac artery supplying the pancreas, hemorrhages and extensive edema developed in the pancreas. The amylase and lipase concentrations in the peritoneal fluid rose to 10.3 and 13.8 times the control values, respectively. The subsequent infusion of superoxide dismutase (SOD, 3600 U/hour) into the external jugular vein completely suppressed hemorrhages, and reduced edema and the amylase and lipase concentrations in the peritoneal fluid. After continuous injection of H2O2 (100 microM, 1.2 ml/hour), via the celiac artery, marked hemorrhages and edema appeared in the pancreas, and the amylase and lipase concentrations in the peritoneal fluid were 11.1 and 17.3 times higher than the control values, respectively. These abnormalities were significantly suppressed by the intravenous infusion of catalase (10 mg/kg/hour) or gabexate mesilate (10 mg/kg/hour). These results indicate that active oxygen species have a direct toxic effect on the pancreas and that free radicals may play an important role in the development of acute pancreatitis.     

Effect of metal chelators and antiinflammatory drugs on the degradation of hyaluronic acid

Degradation of hyaluronic acid (measured viscometrically) by oxygen-derived free radicals (ODFR) generated 1) by autoxidation of ferrous EDTA chelates and 2) enzymatically by xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine (XO/HX) was studied. Degradation of hyaluronic acid by XO/HX was strongly inhibited by superoxide dismutase and catalase, whereas degradation of hyaluronic acid by autoxidation of ferrous ions was weakly inhibited by catalase and unaffected by superoxide dismutase. Both ODFR-producing systems were inhibited by hydroxyl radical scavengers, suggesting that hydroxyl radical was the proximate damaging species in both systems. Penicillamine at concentrations of 1-5 mM stimulated hyaluronic acid degradation by ferrous EDTA chelates but inhibited degradation by the XO/HX system. Higher concentrations of penicillamine and all concentrations studied (1-100 mM) of other antiinflammatory drugs (chloroquine, gold sodium thiomalate, and salicylate) inhibited hyaluronic acid degradation by both the autoxidation and enzymatic ODFR-producing systems, with inhibitory potency similar to that seen with known hydroxyl radical scavengers. Both systems serve as in vitro models of ODFR-mediated tissue damage which may occur in vivo at sites of inflammation.     

The physiology of endothelial xanthine oxidase: from urate catabolism to reperfusion injury to inflammatory signal transduction

Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is a ubiquitous metalloflavoprotein that appears in two interconvertible yet functionally distinct forms: xanthine dehydrogenase (XD), which is constitutively expressed in vivo; and xanthine oxidase (XO), which is generated by the posttranslational modification of XD, either through the reversible, incremental thiol oxidation of sulfhydryl residues on XD or the irreversible proteolytic cleavage of a segment of XD, which occurs at low oxygen tension and in the presence of several proinflammatory mediators. Functionally, both XD and XO catalyze the oxidation of purines to urate. However, whereas XD requires NAD+ as an electron acceptor for these redox reactions, thereby generating the stable product NADH, XO is unable to use NAD+ as an electron acceptor, requiring instead the reduction of molecular oxygen for this purine oxidation and generating the highly reactive superoxide free radical. Nearly 100 years of study has documented the physiologic role of XD in urate catabolism. However, the rapid, posttranslational conversion of XD to the oxidant-generating form XO provides a possible physiologic mechanism for rapid, posttranslational, oxidant-mediated signaling. XO-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in various clinicopathologic entities, including ischemia/reperfusion injury and multisystem organ failure. More recently, the concept of physiologic signal transduction mediated by ROS has been proposed, and the possibility of XD to XO conversion, with subsequent ROS generation, serving as the trigger of the microvascular inflammatory response in vivo has been hypothesized. This review presents the evidence and basis for this hypothesis.     

Mechanism of superoxide anion-induced modulation of vascular tone

We investigated the effects of superoxide anions (O₂−) generated by xanthine (X) plus xanthine oxidase (XO) on isolated rabbit aorta suspended in Krebs-Ringer solution. Xanthine plus xanthine oxidase produced concentration-dependent contractions of rabbit aorta. Superoxide dismutase completely reversed the contractile response observed. Superoxide anion-induced contraction of rabbit aorta was totally abolished in preparations denuded of endothelium. The contractile effect was reduced by 56% by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin. The contractile effect was not affected by the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril. These results indicate that O ₁ ⁻ produces a contraction of the isolated rabbit aorta that is endothelium-dependent and is partly mediated by an arachidonic acid metabolite.     

Oxygen radical inhibition of nitric oxide-dependent vascular function in sickle cell disease

Plasma xanthine oxidase (XO) activity was defined as a source of enhanced vascular superoxide (O(2)( *-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production in both sickle cell disease (SCD) patients and knockout-transgenic SCD mice. There was a significant increase in the plasma XO activity of SCD patients that was similarly reflected in the SCD mouse model. Western blot and enzymatic analysis of liver tissue from SCD mice revealed decreased XO content. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver tissue of knockout-transgenic SCD mice indicated extensive hepatocellular injury that was accompanied by increased plasma content of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase. Immunocytochemical and enzymatic analysis of XO in thoracic aorta and liver tissue of SCD mice showed increased vessel wall and decreased liver XO, with XO concentrated on and in vascular luminal cells. Steady-state rates of vascular O(2)( *-) production, as indicated by coelenterazine chemiluminescence, were significantly increased, and nitric oxide (( *)NO)-dependent vasorelaxation of aortic ring segments was severely impaired in SCD mice, implying oxidative inactivation of ( *)NO. Pretreatment of aortic vessels with the superoxide dismutase mimetic manganese 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin markedly decreased O(2)( small middle dot-) levels and significantly restored acetylcholine-dependent relaxation, whereas catalase had no effect. These data reveal that episodes of intrahepatic hypoxia-reoxygenation associated with SCD can induce the release of XO into the circulation from the liver. This circulating XO can then bind avidly to vessel luminal cells and impair vascular function by creating an oxidative milieu and catalytically consuming (*)NO via O(2)( small middle dot-)-dependent mechanisms.     

Reoxygenation of endothelial cells increases permeability by oxidant-dependent mechanisms.

We investigated the effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation exposure on the barrier function of endothelial cell monolayers. Bovine pulmonary microvessel endothelial cells were grown to confluence on microporous filters (0.8-microns pore diameter) and exposed to hypoxia (0.1% O2 or PO2 approximately 1 mm Hg) for 2, 4, 12, or 24 hours, followed by reoxygenation with room air for a period ranging from 16 seconds to 2 hours. The transendothelial clearance rate of 125I-albumin was measured to determine the permeability of endothelial monolayers. Permeability increased twofold or fivefold over control values after 1 hour of reoxygenation in monolayers that had been exposed to either 12 or 24 hours of hypoxia. The response occurred within 5 minutes of reoxygenation, increased maximally by 40 minutes, and remained elevated with continuous reoxygenation for up to 2 hours. The increase in permeability was associated with F-actin reorganization, a change to spindlelike cells, and injured mitochondria. Immunoblot analysis indicated that neither hypoxia alone nor reoxygenation changed CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD), MnSOD, and catalase levels. However, release of superoxide anions (O2-) into the extracellular medium increased by twofold within 40-60 minutes of reoxygenation. Treatment of endothelial cells with CuZnSOD (100 units/ml) for the 24-hour hypoxia period prevented O2- generation and approximately 50% of the increase in permeability. Higher CuZnSOD concentrations (greater than or equal to 200 units/ml) were not protective. Treatment with catalase (100-1,000 units/ml) inhibited the reoxygenation-induced increase in permeability at the highest catalase concentration (1,000 units/ml), suggesting a critical role of hydrogen peroxide in mediating the response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of the products released from the activated human neutrophils and endotoxin on bovine pulmonary endothelial cells

The endothelial cells of pulmonary blood vessel play an significant role in lung vessel permeability, especially in acute lung damage and adult respiratory distress syndrome. In this study, bovine pulmonary endothelial cells were isolated, cultured and identified by means of reverse microscopic, scanning electromicroscopic, transmission electro- microscopic and immunofluorescence microscopic observation. Then they were labeled with 51Cr. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), H2O2 with catalase, xanthine oxidase (XO) with hypoxanthine (HX), human neutrophil elastase (HNE), cathepsin-G (C-G) and endotoxin (ET) were incubated with the labeled cells for half hour in various experimental groups respectively. The amount of 51Cr in the suspension released from the damaged cells was counted with r-radiometer. The results show that HNE, ET, H2O2 and superoxide anion (the latter is produced from the reaction between XO and HX) could at some degree damage the membrane of endothelial cells, and the inflammatory mediators of human neutrophils might play an important role in the development of pulmonary edema.     

Glycosylation enhances oxygen radical-induced modifications and decreases acetylhydrolase activity of human low density lipoprotein

Background. Posttranslational nonenzymatic glycosylation of native low-density lipoprotein (n-LDL) occurs bothin vitro andin vivo in diabetic patients. Glycosylated LDL (glc-LDL) behave similarly to oxidized LDL in some respects. In fact, unlike n-LDL, uptake of glc-LDL can occur in part by the scavenger receptor(s), as also demonstrated for oxidized LDL. The enzyme acetylhydrolase, carried by LDL, catabolizes platelet activating factor (PAF). This enzymatic activity is inhibited in oxidized LDL. However, it is unknown whether glc-LDL have reduced acetylhydrolase activity.Objectives. The first aim of the study was to investigate whether glc-LDL were more susceptible than n-LDL to oxidative modification, and which different oxygen radical species were involved in the phenomenon. Moreover, in order to investigate whether glycosylation may affect acetylhydrolase, we also measured this enzymatic activity in both n- and glc-LDL.Methods. In vitro glc-LDL and n-LDL were exposed to the oxidants xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO; 2 mM and 100 mU/ml, respectively), or CuSO₄ (10 M) for 18 hs at 37°C. Parallel experiments were done in the presence of the superoxide radical scavenger superoxide dismutase (SOD; 330 U/ml), the hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase (1000 U/ml), or the hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethylthiourea (10 mM) or dimethylsulfoxide (1 mM). Standards of PAF and lyso-PAF were visualized with iodine vapors after separation by thin layer chromatography. The distribution of label was determined by an imaging scanner. Labeled products were then isolated from the chromatography plate, and the amount of³H-lyso-PAF formed was determined by liquid scintillation counting.Results. Glc-LDL were more susceptible than n-LDL to lipid peroxidation (n-LDL 22.9±3.4 vs 34.8±4.2^* nmoles/MDA/mg of protein in glc-LDL oxidized by X/XO and n-LDL 28.9±4.2 vs 40.4±4.1^* in glc-LDL oxidized by CuSO₄,^*p<0.05 vs n-LDL). SOD, but not other scavengers, prevented peroxidation, indicating an obligatory role for superoxide radicals. Oxidation of glc-LDL also induced a higher degree of apolipoprotein-B₁₀₀ modifications than n-LDL, with increased electrophoresis mobility and decreased TNBS reactivity. These effects were similarly prevented by SOD. Finally, acetylhydrolase activity was significantly lower in glc-LDL than in n-LDL.Conclusion. Glycosylation increases LDL oxidation due to superoxide radicals, and also reduces acetylhydrolase activity. These phenomenona may contribute to enhance and/or accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients.Abbreviation LDL low density lipoprotein - n-LDL native LDL - glc-LDL glycosylated LDL - PAF platelet activating factor - X/XO xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction - SOD superoxide dismutase - DMTU dimethylthiourea - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - TNBS trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid - MDA malonyldialdehyde - LPO lipid peroxides This study was presented in abstract form at the 42nd Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology, Anaheim, CA, 14–18 March 1993 (see Ref. 30).     

Melatonin prevents disruption of hepatic reactive oxygen species metabolism in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride

We reported that melatonin prevents the progression of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in rats possibly by attenuating enhanced lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione depletion. Herein, we examined the effect of melatonin on the changes in hepatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (1.6 g/kg body weight); the intent was to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of the indoleamine on CCl4-induced acute liver injury. Rats with and without CCl4 treatment received a single oral dose of melatonin (10, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight) 6 hr after CCl4 treatment. Hepatic concentrations of ascorbic acid (ASC) and vitamin E (VE) and hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), Se-glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), and xanthine oxidase (XO) were determined 6 and 24 hr after CCl4 treatment. The liver of CCl4-treated rats showed reductions in ASC concentrations, and SOD activity and an increase in G-6-PDH activity at 6 hr after treatment and further decreases in ACS concentrations and SOD activity and also further increase in G-6-PDH activity in addition to decreases in CAT and GSSG-R activities and increases in VE concentrations and XO activity at 24 hr after treatment. Melatonin attenuated the reductions in hepatic ASC concentrations and SOD, CAT and GSSG-R activities and the increase in hepatic XO activity in a dose-dependent manner without affecting either hepatic Se-GSH-Px activity or the increased hepatic VE concentration and G-6-PDH activity at 24 hr after CCl4 treatment. No dose of melatonin influenced hepatic ACS and VE concentrations and SOD, CAT, Se-GSH-Px, G-6-PDH, and XO activities in CCl4-untreated rats. These results indicate that melatonin postadministered at pharmacological doses prevents the disruption of hepatic ROS metabolism associated with ASC, SOD, CAT, GSSG-R, and XO, in addition to reduced glutathione, in CCl4-treated rats.     

Oxygen free radical injury of IEC-18 small intestinal epithelial cell monolayers.

Oxygen radicals can cause endothelial and epithelial permeability changes and mucosal injury of the small intestine. There is no clear consensus concerning the relative injurious potential of individual oxygen radicals. In this study, the small intestinal cell line IEC-18 was used as an in vitro model to study the relative injurious effects of reactive oxygen metabolites. By introducing different combinations of oxygen metabolite-producing enzymes, xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, and an iron chelator, deferoxamine, to the fully confluent monolayers and to proliferating IEC-18 cells, the differential injurious effects of the oxygen metabolites O2-, H2O2, and OH. could be evaluated. The extent of cellular injury was assessed using [3H]thymidine uptake, 51Cr release, and morphological evaluations. Our results suggest that OH. produced as a by-product of O2- and H2O2 via the Haber-Weiss reaction was the most injurious oxygen species involved in cellular injury of IEC-18 monolayers induced by xanthine oxidase. O2- produced by xanthine oxidase appeared to be only minimally injurious, and H2O2 produced by xanthine oxidase and as a result of conversion of O2- by superoxide dismutase was moderately injurious. Superoxide dismutase and deferoxamine at appropriate concentrations were protective against xanthine/xanthine oxidase-induced monolayer injury. H2O2 added directly or produced indirectly by glucose oxidase was very injurious to the intestinal monolayers, and this injury was mitigated by catalase.     

Effect of oxygen radicals and differential expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase in adult Heligmosomoides polygyrus during primary infections in mice with differing response phenotypes

The ability of oxygen radicals to kill Heligmosomoides polygyrus adult worms was examined by assessing parasite survival following incubation with hydrogen peroxide and acetaldehyde/xanthine oxidase, generators of H2O2 and H2O2/O2(-), respectively. H. polygyrus worms could tolerate levels of < 0.25 mM hydrogen peroxide and < 0.5 mM/20 mU acetaldehyde/xanthine oxidase for 20 h, but, at higher concentrations, marked sex-dependent susceptibility was observed, with males being more sensitive to H2O2 and O2(-) than female worms. The ability to evade free radical-mediated damage was also evaluated by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels in worms isolated at different time points from four strains of mice with differing resistance phenotypes. Levels of both catalase and SOD in female worms isolated from 'rapid'[(SWRxSJL)F1], 'fast' (SWR) or 'intermediate' (BALB/c), but not 'slow' (C57BL/10), responder mice showed a strain-dependent increase with time. Moreover, male worms were rejected faster than female worms in the 'rapid', 'fast' and 'intermediate' responder strains of mice. The results suggest that host-derived free radicals can damage adult worms and that female worms can increase production of their scavenging enzymes in response to the immune onslaught that eventually leads to worm expulsion in mice with 'fast', 'rapid' or 'intermediate' response phenotypes.     

The role of oxygen-derived free radicals in ischemia-induced increases in canine skeletal muscle vascular permeability

Previous studies indicate that vascular permeability is increased in skeletal muscle subjected to 4 hours of inflow occlusion. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the increase in permeability are unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the role of oxygen-derived free radicals and histamine as putative mediators of the increased permeability in skeletal muscle subjected to 4 hours of inflow occlusion. The osmotic reflection coefficient for total plasma proteins and isogravimetric capillary pressure were estimated in canine gracilis muscle for the following conditions: control, ischemia, and ischemia plus pretreatment with allopurinol (a xanthine oxidase inhibitor), catalase (a peroxidase that reduces hydrogen peroxide to water and molecular oxygen), superoxide dismutase (a superoxide anion scavenger), dimethyl sulfoxide (a hydroxyl radical scavenger), diphenhydramine (a histamine H1-receptor blocker), or cimetidine (a histamine H2-receptor blocker). Ischemia, followed by reperfusion, significantly reduced the reflection coefficient from 0.94 +/- 0.02 to 0.64 +/- 0.02 and isogravimetric capillary pressure from 13.8 +/- 1.0 mm Hg to 6.9 +/- 0.4 mmHg, indicating a dramatic increase in microvascular permeability. Prior treatment with diphenhydramine or cimetidine did not significantly alter the permeability increase induced by ischemia. However, pretreatment with allopurinol, catalase, superoxide dismutase, or dimethylsulfoxide did significantly attenuate the increase in vascular permeability. The results of this study indicate that oxygen radicals are primarily responsible for the increased vascular permeability produced by ischemia-reperfusion, that the hydroxyl radical may represent the primary damaging radical, and that xanthine oxidase may represent the primary source of oxygen-derived free radicals in ischemic skeletal muscle.