Studies on the mechanisms of oxidation in the erythrocyte by metabolites of primaquine

The interaction of certain metabolites of the 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial primaquine with both normal and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient erythrocytes and with haemoglobin preparations was studied in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms of methaemoglobin formation and haemolytic anaemia associated with the use of primaquine. Studies using erythrocytes revealed that oxidation of haemoglobin and reduced glutathione (GSH) was due to the metabolites rather than the parent drug. Incubation of free haemoglobin with 5-hydroxylated metabolites of primaquine also led to oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin and GSH. Oxidation of GSH also occurred in the absence of oxyhaemoglobin. The results suggest a dual mechanism for these oxidative effects, involving autoxidation of the 5-hydroxy-8-aminoquinolines and their coupled oxidation with oxyhaemoglobin. The initial products of these processes would be drug metabolite free radicals, superoxide radical anions, hydrogen peroxide and methaemoglobin. Further free radical reactions would lead to oxidation of GSH, more haemoglobin and probably other cellular constituents. NADPH had no effect on the oxidative effects of the primaquine metabolites in these experiments. In the G6PD-deficient erythrocyte, the oxidation of haemoglobin and GSH leads to Heinz body formation and eventually to haemolysis, the mechanisms of which are as yet unclear. The possible role of oxygen free radicals in the mode of action of 8-aminoquinolines against the malaria parasite is also briefly discussed.     

A mechanism for primaquine mediated oxidation of NADPH in red blood cells

The incubation of NADPH with primaquine results in the formation of free radicals which were demonstrated by the electron spin resonance (ESR) technique of spin trapping using 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as the spin trap. The free radicals formed were identified as the superoxide (DMPO-OOH) and hydroxyl (DMPO-OH) spin adducts of DMPO. Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase inhibited the formation of DMPO-OOH while it only partly inhibited the formation of DMPO-OH which could be totally inhibited by catalase. This indicates that the formation of hydroxyl radicals is not totally arising from the Haber-Weiss reaction. However since the formation of hydroxyl radicals is dependent on hydrogen peroxide, a non-metal catalysed reduction of hydrogen peroxide is postulated for their formation. Oxygen consumption during the reaction between primaquine and NADPH was found to be consistent with the spin trapping experiments and the rate of production of DMPO-OH indicates the formation of 1:1 catalytic complex between the two reactants. Quenching of the fluorescence of NADPH at 460 nm in the presence of primaquine indicates the formation of a charge transfer complex. When red blood cells are incubated with primaquine a hydroxyl spin adduct (DMPO-OH) is observed. The formation of this radical is probably the main cause of primaquine mediated toxicity.     

Studies on the mechanism of toxicity of the mycotoxin sporidesmin. 2--Evidence for intracellular generation of superoxide radical from sporidesmin

Formation of hydrogen peroxide, the dismutation product of superoxide radical, has been demonstrated in erythrocytes incubated with the mycotoxin sporidesmin. Erythrocytic thiols, both non-protein and protein-bound, were depleted in the presence of sporidesmin, whilst haemoglobin was oxidized to methaemoglobin. Irreversible haemoglobin oxidation also occurred in these cells, shown by the formation of Heinz bodies; purified haemoglobin likewise suffered oxidative damage when incubated with sporidesmin in the presence of glutathione. Sporidesmin has previously been shown to generate superoxide radical in vitro; the erythrocytic changes induced by the mycotoxin, which are characteristically produced by compounds which generate 'active oxygen' species, suggest that it is also capable of generating this radical intracellularly.     

Toxicity of aromatic disulphides. I. Generation of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide by aromatic disulphides in vitro

The aromatic thiol, thiophenol, is readily autoxidized at neutral pH in a reaction which generates superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide. The oxidation product, diphenyl disulphide, may be reduced back to thiophenol by glutathione and in the presence of an excess of the latter thiol a reduction/autoxidation cycle for generation of 'active oxygen' species is established. The autoxidation reaction is strongly catalysed by haematin; haemoglobin is also an effective mediator of 'active oxygen' generation from the diphenyl disulphide/glutathione couple, being oxidized to methaemoglobin in the process. Certain derivatives of diphenyl disulphide also generate superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of glutathione, although the rate of the reaction is strongly influenced by the nature of the substituent groups. Among the ring-substituted derivatives of diphenyl disulphide investigated, the rate of 'active oxygen' production decreased in the order 4-amino greater than 2-amino greater than 4-methyl greater than unsubstituted greater than 4-nitro greater than 2-carboxyl; little reaction was detected with the homologous compound, dibenzyl disulphide.     

Free radical production from normal and adriamycin-treated rat cardiac sarcosomes

The production of hydroxyl radicals in rat myocardial sarcosomes treated with adriamycin was demonstrated by the electron spin resonance technique of spin trapping. Using the spin trapping agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), the formation of a hydroxyl radical spin adduct was observed in adriamycin-treated rat heart sarcosomes with NADPH as co-factor. Oxygen, NADPH and sarcosomal protein were absolute requirements for hydroxyl radical production. Hydroxyl radical spin adduct formation was not inhibited by the metal ion chelators diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DETAPAC) or desferrioxamine, or by addition of superoxide dismutase but could be inhibited by addition of catalase and high concentration of the hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol and N-acetylcysteine. Hydroxyl radical production in adriamycin-treated rat myocardial sarcosomes appears to arise from the reductive metabolism of adriamycin by an NADPH-dependent quinone reductase--NADPH: cytochrome P450 reductase; the reduced quinone (semiquinone) reduces oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, probably via superoxide, although this was not detected. The hydrogen peroxide appears to react directly with adriamycin semiquinone, although involvement of traces of iron in a Fenton type of reaction cannot be excluded. From the observations it is suggested that adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity is an oxidative pathology arising from intracellular generation of relatively high levels of hydroxyl radicals.     

Characterization of hydroxyl radical formation by microsomal enzymes using a water-soluble trap, terephthalate

Using terephthalic acid as a water-soluble trap, we characterized hydroxyl radicals (HO?) formation by liver microsomal enzymes from isoniazid-treated rats. We found that HO? formation was entirely dependent on intact microsomal enzymes, the presence of NADPH, and iron complexed with EDTA. In contrast to the other radical traps, we found no evidence that terephthalate is a substrate for cytochrome P450. Cumene hydroperoxide, an artificial supporter of cytochrome P450-catalyzed oxidation, failed to maintain HO(.-) formation. HO(.-) formation in liver microsomes was inhibited by the HO(.-) radical scavengers: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), mannitol, and citrulline. It was abolished by catalase, but not superoxide dismutase (SOD), indicating that hydrogen peroxide was the sole precursor of the HO(.-). Therefore, the generation of hydroxyl radicals by microsomal enzymes appears to be dependent on two processes: (1) the rate of hydrogen peroxide production; and (2) the availability of iron ions or other transition metals for Fenton type reactions.     

Phenol and catechol induce prehemolytic and hemolytic changes in human erythrocytes

The toxic potency of two industrially used compounds (phenol and catechol) was studied in human blood cells in vitro. Catechol was found to be a more harmful toxin than phenol, since it provokes statistically significant changes in the function of erythrocytes even at low doses. Most of the changes was statistically significant for the doses of 50 ppm of catechol and 250 ppm of phenol. Both compounds induced methaemoglobin formation, glutathione depletion and conversion of oxyhaemoglobin to methaemoglobin, which is associated with superoxide anion production and lead to formation of ferryl hemoglobin, hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radicals. It is known that oxidation of catechol leads to formation of semiquinone radicals. Semiquinones are able to bind to nucleophilic residues like -SH or -NH2 of proteins and these macromolecules may undergo inactivation. We observed among especially susceptible to action of catechol are catalase (CAT) (100 ppm) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (250 ppm). Decrease of the activity of catalase and SOD by catechol induced radical species formation. This lead to inhibition of another protective enzymes such as glutathione-S-transferase (500 ppm), glutathione reductase (1000 ppm), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity (1000 ppm). Cytotoxicity of phenol or catechol was noted as hemolysis. Haemoglobin liberated from erythrocytes in this process may further generate oxygen free radicals and subsequently initiate enzymes damage. It seems to be essential that in phenol and catechol toxicity special role play damages of heme proteins and other proteins molecule, and damages of lipids are not so important.     

Catecholamine Stimulation of Copper Dependent Haemolysis: Protective Action of Superoxide Dismutase,Catalase, Hydroxyl Radical Scavengers and Serum Proteins (Ceruloplasmin,Albumin and Apotransferrin)

Abstract: Copper induced lysis of washed rat erythrocytes was stimulated by catecholamines, the order of effectiveness being: adrenaline > noradrenaline ∼ dopamine > L-DOPA. The degree of effectiveness is related to the rate of copper ion dependent oxidation of catecholamine, adrenaline being more rapidly oxidized than the other catecholamines investigated. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and different hydroxyl radical scavengers (mannitol, tris, formate and ethanol) markedly reduced the haemolytic effect of copper and catecholamine, suggesting the possibility that superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, formed in the reaction system, cooperate in producing hydroxyl radicals, which are directly involved in the haemolytic action. The plasma proteins, ceruloplasmin, albumin and apotransferrin, also reduced the copper-catecholamine induced haemolysis. The protective action is probably not related to the copper binding ability of these proteins.     

Hydroxyl radical participation in the in vitro effects of gram-negative endotoxin on cardiac sarcolemmal Na,K-ATPase activity.

The effect of in vitro exposure of sarcolemmal membrane (SL) vesicles to Gram-negative endotoxin lipopolysaccharides (LPS) was studied. LPS decreased the Na,K-ATPase activity of SL vesicles; this effect was inhibited by hydroxyl radical (.OH) scavengers such as dimethylthiourea and dimethyl sulfoxide, but not by superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of superoxide anion radicals or by the hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase. ESR spin-trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide verified the generation of .OH from LPS itself under the conditions used; .OH generated from LPS was not affected by deferoxamine, a powerful iron chelator. The Na,K-ATPase activity was reduced by an .OH radical generating system consisting of dihydroxyfumarate and Fe3(+)-ADP. Furthermore, exposure of SL vesicles to LPS caused an increase in malondialdehyde formation. It can be concluded that LPS damages cardiac SL by an oxygen free radical mechanism by the generation of .OH, due to inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity and peroxidation of lipids, and that the effect of LPS is not dependent on the presence of contaminating iron.     

Hydroxyl radical mediated demethylenation of (methylenedioxy)phenyl compounds.

The oxidative demethylenation reactions of (methylendioxy)phenyl compounds (MDPs), (methylenedioxy)benzene (MDB), (methylenedioxy)amphetamine (MDA), and (methylenedioxy)methamphetamine (MDMA), were evaluated by using two hydroxyl radical generating systems, the autoxidation of ascorbate in the presence of iron-EDTA and the iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction conducted by xanthine/xanthine oxidase with iron-EDTA. Reaction products generated when MDB, MDA, and MDMA were incubated with the ascorbate or xanthine oxidase system were catechol, dihydroxyamphetamine (DHA), and dihydroxymethamphetamine (DHMA), respectively. The reaction required the presence of either ascorbic acid or xanthine oxidase. Levels of each catechol increased in proportion to ferric ion concentration and were suppressed by desferrioxamine B methanesulfonate (desferal). Catalase (CAT) inhibited the oxidation by the ascorbate system whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) had little effect. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to the reaction mixture stimulated the oxidation, but the reaction was not initiated by hydrogen peroxide alone, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide acts as a precursor of hydroxyl radical. SOD and CAT suppressed the demethylenation reactions in the xanthine oxidase system. Hydroxyl radical scavenging agents such as ethanol, benzoate, DMSO, and thiourea effectively inhibited the oxidation by both systems. Urea, which has little effect on hydroxyl radical, was without any effect. These results indicated that hydroxyl radical can effect the cleavage of methylenedioxy group on MDPs.     

Chemical Pathways of Peptide Degradation. VIII. Oxidation of Methionine in Small Model Peptides by Prooxidant/Transition Metal Ion Systems: Influence of Selective Scavengers for Reactive Oxygen Intermediates

In the presence of oxygen, Fe(III), and an appropriate electron donor (e.g. ascorbic acid, dithiothreitol), the oxidation of methionine residues to methionine sulfoxides in small model peptides can be induced. It is shown in this study that these oxidations can be retarded by catalase in a pH-dependent manner, by some hydroxyl radical scavengers, and by azide. In contrast, superoxide dismutase has only a minimal effect, indicating that the superoxide radical does not contribute significantly to the oxidation of the methionine residue. The experimental results can be interpreted by invoking hydrogen peroxide as the major oxidizing species at pH 7, whereas the involvement of free hydroxyl radicals seems to be negligible. Other reactive oxygen intermediates such as iron-bound hydroperoxy, or site-specifically generated reactive oxygen species may be actively involved in the oxidation of methionine residues at pH > 7.     

Site-specific DNA damage induced by cobalt(II) ion and hydrogen peroxide: role of singlet oxygen

The effect of Co(II) ion on the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with DNA was investigated by a DNA sequencing technique using 32P-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments obtained from human c-Ha-ras-1 protooncogene. Co(II) induced strong DNA cleavage in the presence of hydrogen peroxide even without alkali treatment. Guanine residues were the most alkali-labile site, and the extent of cleavages at the positions of thymine and cytosine was dependent on the sequence. Adenine residues were relatively resistive. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, present in excess over Co(II), inhibited DNA cleavage. Singlet oxygen scavengers (dimethylfuran, sodium azide, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, dGMP), sulfur compounds (methional, methionine), and superoxide dismutase inhibited DNA cleavage completely. Hydroxyl radical scavengers were not so effective as singlet oxygen scavengers. ESR studies using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone as a singlet oxygen trap suggest that Co(II) reacts with hydrogen peroxide to produce singlet oxygen or its equivalent. ESR studies using 5,5-dimethylpyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) showed that the hydroxyl radical adduct of DMPO was also formed. The results suggest that Co(II) ion binds to DNA and subsequently reacts with hydrogen peroxide to produce singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals and that singlet oxygen plays a more important role in the DNA damage than hydroxyl free radicals.     

Oxygen-derived free radicals mediate endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine in aortas from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Experiments were designed to investigate whether or not oxygen-derived free radicals mediate endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Isometric tension was measured in aortic rings taken from adult male SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) in the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine. Endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine were significantly greater in rings from SHR compared to WKY. Oxygen-derived free radicals, generated from xanthine plus xanthine oxidase, induced contractions that were larger in aortas from SHR than from WKY. Contractions to acetylcholine and free radicals were abolished by a selective TP-receptor antagonist, S 18886, and a preferential inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase-1, valeryl salicylate, but not by a preferential inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase-2, NS-398. Allopurinol, deferoxamine and the combination of superoxide dismutase plus catalase inhibited the contractions to oxygen-derived free radicals but did not significantly affect those to acetylcholine. In contrast, diethyldithiocarbamic acid, an inhibitor of superoxide dismutase, or Tiron, a scavenger of superoxide anion, reduced endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine in aortas from SHR. The effect of these two drugs was additive. In SHR chronically treated with dimethylthiourea endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine were decreased, and reduced further by acute in vitro exposure to deferoxamine or the combination of superoxide dismutase plus catalase. These results suggest that in the SHR aorta acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent contractions involve endothelial superoxide anion production and the subsequent dismutation into hydroxyl radicals and/or hydrogen peroxide. The free radicals activate cyclo-oxygenase-1, most likely to produce endoperoxides. Activation of TP-receptors is required to observe endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine or endothelium-independent contractions in response to free radical generation.     

Production of superoxide during the metabolism of nitrazepam

Nitrazepam is metabolized in both humans and rats to 7-amino-nitrazepam OFFicating that this drug is reduced to a number of metabolic intermediates including several free radical species. When rat-hepatic microsomes are incubated with NADPH in the presence of nitrazepam, its nitro anion free radical was observed under anaerobic conditions. In the presence of oxygen, this free radical reduced oxygen giving nitrazepam and superoxide. 7-Nitroxyl-nitrazepam was produced by the chemical oxidation of 7-amino-nitrazepam using m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Reaction of this reactive free radical with hepatic microsomes led to the covalent spin labelling of microsomal protein. This phenomenon was also observed by the enzymic oxidation of 7-amino-nitrazepam with hepatic microsomes, obtained from a phenobarbital-induced rat, in the presence of a NADPH-generating system. With the generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (arising from the dismutation of superoxide), it is not surprising that nitrazepam-enhanced lipid peroxidation was demonstrated by monitoring the production of lipid peroxyl radicals using spin-trapping techniques.     

Role of free radicals in the toxicity of airborne fine particulate matter

Exposure to airborne fine particles (PM2.5) is implicated in excess of 50 000 yearly deaths in the USA as well as a number of chronic respiratory illnesses. Despite intense interest in the toxicity of PM2.5, the mechanisms by which it causes illnesses are poorly understood. Since the principal source of airborne fine particles is combustion and combustion sources generate free radicals, we suspected that PM2.5 may contain radicals. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we examined samples of PM2.5 and found large quantities of radicals with characteristics similar to semiquinone radicals. Semiquinone radicals are known to undergo redox cycling and ultimately produce biologically damaging hydroxyl radicals. Aqueous extracts of PM2.5 samples induced damage to DNA in human cells and supercoiled phage DNA. PM2.5-mediated DNA damage was abolished by superoxide dismutase, catalase, and deferoxamine, implicating superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, and the hydroxyl radical in the reactions inducing DNA damage.     

Oxygen-derived free radical and active oxygen complex formation from cobalt(II) chelates in vitro.

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique was used to study the generation of oxygen free radicals from the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with various Co(II) complexes in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. The 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) spin trap was used in these experiments to detect superoxide and hydroxyl free radicals. Superoxide radical was generated from the reaction of H2O2 with Co(II), but was inhibited when Co(II) was chelated with adenosine 5'-diphosphate or citrate. Visible absorbance spectra revealed no change in the final oxidation state of the cobalt ion in these samples. The EDTA complex also prevented detectable free-radical formation when H2O2 was added, but visible absorbance data indicated oxidation of the Co(II) to Co(III) in this case. The amount of DMPO/.OOH adduct detected by EPR was greatly enhanced when H2O2 reacted with the nitrilotriacetate complex relative to Co(II) alone, and in addition, concurrent formation of the DMPO/.OH adduct due to slow oxidation of Co(II) was observed. The hydroxyl radical adduct formation was suppressed by ethanol, but not DMSO, indicating that free hydroxyl radical was not formed. The deferoxamine nitroxide radical was exclusively formed when H2O2 was added to the Co(II) complex of this ligand, most probably in a site-specific manner. In the presence of ethylenediamine, Co(II) bound molecular O2 and directly oxidized DMPO to its DMPO/.OH adduct without first forming free superoxide, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide. An experiment using 17O-enriched water revealed that the Co(II)-ethylenediamine complex caused the DMPO to react with solvent water to form the DMPO/.OH adduct. The relevance of these results to toxicological studies of cobalt is discussed.     

Synergistic interactions between NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, paraquat, and iron in the generation of active oxygen radicals

The toxicity associated with paraquat is believed to involve the generation of active oxygen radicals and the production of oxidative stress. Paraquat can be reduced by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase to the paraquat radical; this results in consumption of NADPH. A variety of ferric complexes, including ferric-ATP, -citrate, -EDTA, ferric diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid and ferric ammonium sulfate, produced a synergistic increase in the paraquat-mediated oxidation of NADPH. This synergism could be observed with very low concentrations of iron, e.g. 0.25 microM ferric-ATP. Very low rates of hydroxyl radical were generated by the reductase with paraquat alone, or with ferric-citrate or -ATP or ferric ammonium sulfate in the absence of paraquat; however, synergistic increases in the rate of hydroxyl radical generation occurred when these ferric complexes were added together with paraquat. Ferric-EDTA and -DTPA catalyzed some production of hydroxyl radicals, which was also synergistically elevated in the presence of paraquat. Ferric desferrioxamine was essentially inert in the absence or presence of paraquat. This enhancement of hydroxyl radical generation was sensitive to catalase and competitive scavengers but not to superoxide dismutase. The interaction of paraquat with NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and ferric complexes resulted in an increase in oxygen radical generation, and various ferric complexes increased the catalytic effectiveness and potentiated significantly the toxicity of paraquat via this synergistic increase in oxygen radical generation by the reductase.     

Dialuric acid autoxidation. Effects of transition metals on the reaction rate and on the generation of "active oxygen" species

The autoxidation of dialuric acid, a process which is believed to be of crucial importance in the diabetogenic action of alloxan, was found to be strongly catalysed by copper, iron and manganese. Superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide were generated in both the uncatalysed and the metal-catalysed reactions. In contrast, hydroxyl radical was formed during dialuric acid autoxidation only in the presence of added iron salts. Production of the latter radical was strongly inhibited by catalase but only weakly by superoxide dismutase, implying that the metal-catalysed Haber-Weiss reaction is of comparatively little importance in hydroxyl radical generation from dialuric acid.     

SIN-1-induced cytotoxicity in cultured endothelial cells involves reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide: protective effect of sepiapterin

The purpose of this study was to examine whether tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), one of the cofactors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, attenuates endothelial cell death induced by 3-morpholinosydnonimine-N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1), which is known to produce both superoxide and NO. Endothelial cell death was assessed by the release of intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Addition of SIN-1 (500, 1,000 microM) to endothelial cells induced cell death from 6 h after its addition. The SIN-1-induced endothelial cell death was strongly reduced by treatment with carboxy-PTIO, a NO scavenger, or superoxide dismutase (SOD). Iron chelators and hydroxyl radical scavengers also reduced the SIN-1-induced endothelial cell death. Interestingly, the SIN-1-induced endothelial cell death was also reduced by treatment with catalase. Thus NO, superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide are likely to be implicated in SIN-1-induced endothelial cell death. Moreover, pretreatment with sepiapterin, a precursor of BH4 synthesis, reduced the SIN-1-induced endothelial cell death and increased the intracellular BH4 content. Both the protective effect of sepiapterin and the increase in intracellular BH4 content were prevented by co-pretreatment with N-acetylserotonin (NAS), an inhibitor of BH4 synthesis. The protective effect of sepiapterin also was observed when up-take of trypan blue was used as another marker of cell death. These findings suggest that BH4 has a protective effect against endothelial cell death caused by the presence of NO and superoxide. The protective effect of BH4 may at least partly involve scavenging of superoxide or hydrogen peroxide or both, because we and other groups previously found that BH4 has a scavenging activity for reactive oxygen species.     

Nick translation studies on DNA strand breaks in pBR322 plasmid induced by different chromium species

Single strand breaks are DNA defects caused by various chemicals. DNA strand breaks induced in vitro by chromium(VI) during the reduction of this chromium species with glutathione or hydrogen peroxide were examined. Using DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and a nick translation assay, strand breaks were detected only when chromium(VI) was reduced by hydrogen peroxide. The reduction of chromium(VI) by an excess of glutathione led to no alteration in the DNA agarose gel electrophoresis pattern of the double-stranded plasmid pBR322 DNA and in the nick translation assay, indicating that no strand breaks had occurred under these conditions. No strand breaks could be detected during the reduction by hydrogen peroxide after the addition of superoxide dismutase. This indicates that hydroxyl radicals from peroxochromium complexes may be a relevant reactive species involved in chromate genotoxicity.