Effects of deferoxamine on H2O2-induced oxidative stress in isolated rat heart

During myocardial reperfusion injury, iron has been implicated in the Fenton based generation of hydroxyl radical, ·OH, leading to further organ injury. Although previous studies have investigated the protective effect of iron chelators including deferoxamine (DFX) in myocardial reperfusion injury, there is little information regarding the role of iron chelation during oxidative stress produced by H₂O₂ on the heart. Isolated hearts from male Sprague-Dawley rats were retrograde-perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 5 ml/min. After a 60-min equilibration, oxyradical challenge was instituted by the addition of H₂O₂ (200–600 M) to the perfusate for 60 min. A subgroup of animals received DFX (400 M) in the perfusate prior to challenge with 400 M H₂O₂. Contractility was continuously monitored; perfusate samples for glutathione (GSH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) estimations were collected at 30-min intervals. Headspace ethane, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was estimated at 30-min intervals by gas chromatography. Control hearts maintained contractility during the perfusion period. H₂O₂ perfusion caused a dose dependent decrease in myocardial contractility; DFX pretreatment was partialy protective. Headspace ethane slowly accumulated in control hearts; perfusion with H₂O₂ caused dose dependent increase in ethane accumulation indicative of enhanced lipid peroxidation. GSH and LDH in the perfusate remained low in control hearts. In contrast, H₂O₂ treated hearts had a dose dependent inclease in the efflux of GSH and LDH which was markedly increased by perfusion with 600 M H₂O₂. Pretreatment with DFX did not significantly reduce GSH or LDH efflux from hearts perfused with peroxide. While H₂O₂ perfused with peroxide. While H₂O₂ perfusion causes a dose dependent decrease in myocardial contractility with a corresponding increase in headspace ethane release with GSH & LDH efflux indicative of oxidative stress, concurrent treatment with DFX reduces myocardial dysfunction and ethane generation. However, sublethal damage of plasma membrane still continues as reflected by continuous enhancement of LDH efflux, possibly indicating involvement of other reactive species besides hydroxyl radical.     

花青素抗氧化损伤及细胞凋亡的作用研究

目的:探索花青素对H2O2引起的Huh7细胞氧化应激、细胞凋亡的作用及其机制.方法:对H2O2和花青素干预培养的Huh7细胞,应用MTT法检测细胞活力,荧光探针DCFH-DA测定细胞内活性氧(ROS)生成量,免疫印迹测定Akt、磷酸化激活的c-Jun蛋白水平.结果:H2O2 0.8mmol/L孵育1小时可显著诱导Huh7细胞损伤,细胞活力下降到(49.27±3.2)%,ROS生成量是未处理细胞的3.56倍.细胞经花青素50μmol/L与H2O2共孵育后,细胞存活率提高到(81.2±2.34)%;花青素能显著抑制H2O2引起的Huh7细胞ROS生成,ROS生成下降74%(P＜0.01).花青素抑制H2O2引起Huh7细胞死亡和ROS生成的效应随剂量增加而加强.花青素抑制H2O2激发Huh7细胞磷酸化c-Jun表达,提高细胞Akt水平.结论:花青素抑制H2O2引起的Huh7细胞氧化应激损伤所导致的细胞死亡,其作用机制在于减少细胞内活性氧生成,抑制H2O2激活磷酸化c-Jun,提高细胞Akt水平.     

Liver-homing of purified glucose oxidase: a novel in vivo model of physiological hepatic oxidative stress (H2O2)

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as H2O2, are implicated in normal and pathological liver function. However, due to the lack of suitable in vivo models of ROS generation the (patho) physiological relevance of H2O2 remains controversial. METHODS: We established a novel model of sustained hepatic H2O2 release using intravenous administration of purified Aspergillus niger glucose oxidase (GOX) in rats. RESULTS: GOX is rapidly cleared from the blood stream and almost exclusively localizes to Kupffer cells. GOX maintained its ability to generate H2O2 over 24h. While sublethal GOX doses induced hepatocellular necrosis, our morphological and functional studies show that lower levels of GOX which generate H2O2 comparable to release by inflammatory cells are non-toxic and do not induce histological inflammation. However, these non-toxic H2O2 levels increased oxidized glutathione and induced heme oxygenase 1 in the liver. In addition, several hepatocyte transporters were downregulated, while no decrease of bile formation, a sensitive marker of liver function, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our in vivo model allows to study the effects of extracellular H2O2 in the liver as is released by inflammatory cells. Thus analysis of the role of this major ROS in the absence of confounding inflammatory cofactors will be possible.     

Enhanced H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity in "epithelioid" smooth muscle cells: implications for neointimal regression

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are phenotypically diverse. Although most medial SMCs can be classified as "fusiform," others are of the "epithelioid" phenotype. Proliferation and apoptosis of epithelioid SMCs may contribute importantly to neointimal formation and regression, respectively. Because reactive oxygen species (ROS) are increased in vascular injury and can induce apoptosis of SMCs, we compared the effects of ROS on epithelioid and fusiform SMCs. Epithelioid and fusiform SMC lines were clonally isolated from rat aortic media and studied under similar conditions and passage numbers. H(2)O(2) produced dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity that was enhanced in epithelioid compared with fusiform cells. After 24-hour exposure to 50 micromol/L H(2)O(2), epithelioid cell numbers were reduced by 34+/-5% versus a 3+/-5% (P<0.05) reduction in fusiform cell numbers. Similar results were obtained whether H(2)O(2) was administered to growth-arrested or growing cells or when epithelioid and fusiform cells were exposed to extracellular O(2)(.-). To investigate whether apoptosis contributed to enhanced ROS-induced cytotoxicity in epithelioid SMCs, terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TDT)-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed. The incidence of TUNEL positivity was 5-fold increased in epithelioid versus fusiform SMCs after treatment with 50 micromol/L H(2)O(2) (19+/-1% epithelioid versus 5+/-1% fusiform, P<0.05). Enhanced H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in epithelioid SMCs was confirmed by DNA laddering. Furthermore, when balloon-injured aortas were exposed to H(2)O(2) ex vivo, enhanced apoptosis was observed in neointimal compared with medial SMCs. These results suggest that epithelioid SMCs exhibit enhanced sensitivity to ROS-induced apoptosis, which may play an important role in neointimal regression.     

Impaired deformability of erythrocytes and neutrophils in children with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Aims/hypothesis. Abnormal rheological properties of erythrocytes, leucocytes and plasma may have a role in the development of diabetic microangiopathy. We hypothesized that changed haemorrheological variables may already be found in children with onset diabetes. Methods. Erythrocyte deformation (rheoscope), neutrophil deformation (micropipette), erythrocyte aggregation, blood and plasma viscosity were measured in 15 children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus before initiation of insulin treatment and 4 to 6 weeks later, 15 diabetic children treated with insulin for 5 to 8 years, 15 healthy children and 15 healthy adults. Results. At a low shear stress of 0.6 Pa, erythrocyte deformation was decreased in the diabetic children before (–28 %), after 4 to 6 weeks (–22 %) and after 5 to 8 years (–17 %) of insulin treatment compared with healthy children. More active neutrophils were counted in the untreated diabetic children (9 ± 6 %) than in healthy children (3 ± 2 %). Deformability of passive neutrophils was greatly decreased in the children with onset diabetes and moderately reduced in the diabetic children who were treated with insulin. Neutrophil deformation (r = –0.52) and erythrocyte deformation at 0.6 Pa (r = –0.62) were inversely related to haemoglobin A1 c. Haematocrit and blood viscosity were increased in the untreated children and in the children treated with insulin for 5 to 8 years. Plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation were similar in the three groups of children. Conclusion/interpretation. Decreased erythrocyte deformation at low shear force, increased count of active neutrophils and impaired deformability of passive neutrophils may increase the risk for acute cerebro-vascular complications in children with uncontrolled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 865–869] Received: 17 November 1998 and in final revised form: 2 February 1999     

胡黄连苷Ⅱ对H2O2损伤L-02细胞的保护作用

目的:探讨胡黄连苷Ⅱ(picroside Ⅱ)对氧化应激损伤L-02细胞的保护作用.方法:H2O2损伤的L-02细胞作为氧化应激损伤模型,MTT法检测细胞增殖状况,膜联蛋白(Annexin-Ⅴ)和碘化丙啶(PI)染色流式细胞术(flow cytometry,FCM)检测细胞凋亡,罗丹明123染色FCM检测细胞线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial potential membrane,△Ψm),双氢罗丹明123染色FCM检测细胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)的含量.结果:0.6 mmol/L H2O2可诱导L-02细胞凋亡.细胞内ROS浓度增加,细胞线粒体跨膜电位明显下降.预先经过0.05,0.5,5 mmol/L浓度的胡黄连苷Ⅱ处理后,H2O2诱导的L-02细胞凋亡明显减少(30.8%±9.09%,10.2%±9.82%,8.2%±7.10%vs 42.8%±8.28%,均P＜0.01),同时明显减弱H2O2对细胞内ROS浓度和线粒体跨膜电位的影响.结论:胡黄连苷Ⅱ对氧化应激损伤L-02细胞具有保护作用,其机制可能与降低细胞内ROS含量,进而抑制△Ψm的降低有关.     

Upregulation of annexin A2 in H(2)O(2)-induced premature senescence as evidenced by 2D-DIGE proteome analysis

Human diploid fibroblasts undergo premature senescence after treatment with sublethal concentration of H(2)O(2). We report the first proteomic study of microsomal proteins in the context of H(2)O(2)-induced premature senescence by using 2D-DIGE approach. Twelve different proteins with altered abundance at day 3 after treatment with H(2)O(2) were identified. Among them, we demonstrated a re-localization of annexin A2 in plasma membrane.     

H(2)O(2)-induced left ventricular dysfunction in isolated working rat hearts is independent of calcium accumulation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular Ca²⁺ overload play key roles in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury but the relationships among ROS, Ca²⁺ overload and LV mechanical dysfunction remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis that H₂O₂ impairs LV function by causing Ca²⁺ overload by increasing late sodium current (I_Na), similar to Sea Anemone Toxin II (ATX-II). Diastolic and systolic Ca²⁺ concentrations (d[Ca²⁺]_i and s[Ca²⁺]_i) were measured by indo-1 fluorescence simultaneously with LV work in isolated working rat hearts. H₂O₂ (100 μM, 30 min) increased d[Ca²⁺]_i and s[Ca²⁺]_i. LV work increased transiently then declined to 32% of baseline before recovering to 70%. ATX-II (12 nM, 30 min) caused greater increases in d[Ca²⁺]_i and s[Ca²⁺]_i. LV work increased transiently before declining gradually to 17%. Ouabain (80 μM) exerted similar effects to ATX-II. Late I_Na inhibitors, lidocaine (10 μM) or R56865 (2 μM), reduced effects of ATX-II on [Ca²⁺]_i and LV function, but did not alter effects of H₂O₂. The antioxidant, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine (MPG, 1 mM) prevented H₂O₂-induced LV dysfunction, but did not alter [Ca²⁺]_i. Paradoxically, further increases in [Ca²⁺]_i by ATX-II or ouabain, given 10 min after H₂O₂, improved function. The failure of late I_Na inhibitors to prevent H₂O₂-induced LV dysfunction, and the ability of MPG to prevent H₂O₂-induced LV dysfunction independent of changes in [Ca²⁺]_i indicate that impaired contractility is not due to Ca²⁺ overload. The ability of further increases in [Ca²⁺]_i to reverse H₂O₂-induced LV dysfunction suggests that Ca²⁺ desensitization is the predominant mechanism of ROS-induced contractile dysfunction.     

Evidence for P(2)-purinoceptors contribution in H(2)O(2)-induced contraction of rat aorta in the absence of endothelium

OBJECTIVE: H(2)O(2) can contract many arteries, however the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aims to test whether H(2)O(2)-induced vasoconstriction could be functionally attributed to the activation of P(2)-purinoceptors in rat aorta and to explore its possible signaling mechanisms. METHODS: Isometric tension recording of H(2)O(2) and ATP-induced contractions of rat aortic rings were compared in the absence or presence of various pharmacological tools to identify their possible common signaling pathways. RESULTS: Both H(2)O(2) and ATP induced transient phasic contractions in a concentration-dependent manner (1-1000 microM). Removal of endothelium potentiated the contractile responses to H(2)O(2) and to ATP. H(2)O(2) (30 microM)-induced phasic contraction could be abolished by catalase (800 U/ml), but not affected by SOD (150 U/ml), DMSO (5 mM) and apyrase (5 U/ml), suggesting no involvement of O(2)(-), hydroxyl free radicals and ATP release. Also, several receptor antagonists including phentolamine, atropine, methysergide and chlorpheniramine (each 3 microM) were without effect on H(2)O(2) (30 microM)-induced phasic contraction, suggesting no involvement of typical neurotransmitter release. However, both H(2)O(2) (30 microM) and ATP (1 mM)-induced phasic contractions not only presented homologous desensitization, but also showed heterogeneous desensitization. Furthermore, the phasic contractions in response to H(2)O(2) (30 microM) or ATP (100 microM) could be inhibited or abolished in a concentration dependent manner by RB-2 and suramin (10-100 microM), two widely used P(2)-purinoceptor antagonists, with only partial inhibition by Evans blue (300 microM), a moderately selective P(2x) receptor blocker, or by alpha-beta-methylene-ATP (100 microM), a selective P(2x) receptor desensitizer. On the other hand, both H(2)O(2) (30 microM) and ATP (100 microM)-induced phasic contractions were also attenuated, to different degree, by inhibitors of several enzymes including PLC, PKC, PLA(2) and cyclooxygenase. Lastly, removal of extracellular Ca(2+) or pretreatment with procaine (10 mM) and dantrolene (30 microM), two putative intracellular Ca(2+) release blockers, or with Ni(2+) (100 microM) and tetrandrine (5 microM), two Ca(2+) channel blockers, all significantly inhibited H(2)O(2) and ATP-induced contractions. However, nifedipine (1 microM), a voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, was without effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that H(2)O(2)-induced phasic contraction of rat aorta involves, at least in part, the activation of P(2)-purinoceptors in the aortic smooth muscle cells     

Time course study of oxidative and nitrosative stress and antioxidant enzymes in K2Cr2O7-induced nephrotoxicity

Background

It has been established that hypothyroidism protects rats against renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR) oxidative damage. However, it is not clear if hypothyroidism is able to prevent protein tyrosine nitration, an index of nitrosative stress, induced by IR or if antioxidant enzymes have involved in this protective effect. In this work it was explored if hypothyroidism is able to prevent the increase in nitrosative and oxidative stress induced by IR. In addition the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase was studied. Control and thyroidectomized (HTX) rats were studied 24 h of reperfusion after 60 min ischemia.

Methods

Male Wistar rats weighing 380 ± 22 g were subjected to surgical thyroidectomy. Rats were studied 15 days after surgery. Euthyroid sham-operated rats were used as controls (CT). Both groups of rats underwent a right kidney nephrectomy and suffered a 60 min left renal ischemia with 24 h of reperfusion. Rats were divided in four groups: CT, HTX, IR and HTX+IR. Rats were sacrificed and samples of plasma and kidney were obtained. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were measured in blood plasma. Kidney damage was evaluated by histological analysis. Oxidative stress was measured by immunohistochemical localization of protein carbonyls and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal modified proteins. The protein carbonyl content was measured using antibodies against dinitrophenol (DNP)-modified proteins. Nitrosative stress was measured by immunohistochemical analysis of 3-nitrotyrosine modified proteins. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase was measured by spectrophotometric methods. Multiple comparisons were performed with ANOVA followed by Bonferroni t test.

Results

The histological damage and the rise in plasma creatinine and BUN induced by IR were significantly lower in HTX+IR group. The increase in protein carbonyls and in 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal modified proteins was prevented in HTX+IR group. IR-induced decrease in renal antioxidant enzymes was essentially not prevented by HTX in HTX+IR group.

Conclusion

Hypothyroidism was able to prevent not only oxidative but also nitrosative stress induced by IR. In addition, the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase seem not to play a protective role in this experimental model.     

热休克蛋白B1对大鼠心肌细胞氧化应激性损伤的作用

目的探讨线粒体在热休克蛋白 B1(HSPB1)抗氧化应激诱导的大鼠心肌细胞株 H9c2损伤中的作用。方法以培养的稳定高表达 HSPB1 H9c2(HSPB1细胞)和空载体转染的 H9c2(对照细胞)为模型,0～1000/μmol/L H_2O_2刺激2h,观察细胞形态学、线粒体内膜跨膜电位、内源性活性氧自由基(ROS)水平。结果 (1)HSPB1高表达显著减轻 H_2O_2诱导的细胞形态学的损伤变化;(2)HSPB1高表达显著减轻 H_2O_2诱导的线粒体跨膜电位丧失:0、75、150、300、500、1000μmol/LH_2O_2刺激后,HSPB1和对照细胞的跨膜电位分别为10.0±0.11和7.01±0.26,9.11±0.17和6.05±0.19,7.69±0.28和5.14±0.28,6.95±0.13和4.66±0.11,6.61±0.20和1.85±0.35,6.60±0.05和1.19±0.01,各组差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);(3)HSPB1和对照细胞在0、75、150、300、500、1000μmol/L H_2O_2诱导后,内源性 ROS 水平分别为5527±248和5964±387、6719±336和8528±411、6469+160和7795±136、7042±12和7591±203、6148±208和6911±136、5468±546和6822±371,除0 μmol/L 外,其他各组差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论HSPB1高表达显著保护了大鼠心肌细胞因氧化应激诱导的形态学变化,这可能与稳定线粒体膜电位和抑制线粒体产生的 ROS 有关。     

Peroxyl-induced oxidative stress in aging erythrocytes of rat

This study aims at determining the possible changes in intracellular calcium (Ca_i²⁺), plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA) activity and phosphatidylserine (PS) along with glutathione (GSH) level in response to an oxidant challenge in vitro. Erythrocytes were isolated on Percoll and incubated with 2, 2′azobis (2-aminopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) as well as with vitamin C preceding AAPH incubation. Membrane integrity in terms of hemolysis was negatively related to acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity with the extent of reduction under OS being higher in the old erythrocyte than in the young. A divergent pattern was seen towards lower PMCA and higher (Ca_i²⁺) in the young and old cells. However, the PMCA activity in the stressed young cell was high when pre-treated with vitamin C. PS externalization in the young under OS is perhaps analogous to normal aging, with vitamin C preventing premature death. These findings suggest that young erythrocytes may benefit from vitamin C in therapies addressed towards the mechanisms underlying the reduced effects of OS.     

Impaired antioxidant defense in hemoglobin E-containing erythrocytes: A mechanism protective against malaria?

Red blood cell (RBC) antioxidant defense was investigated in eight individuals with hemoglobin E (Six EE and two E-B⁺ thalassemia) and compared to that in six individuals with thalassemia and ten normal subjects. Individuals with hemoglobin E had increased incubated Heinz body formation (68% ± 18%; p < 0.001) compared to normal and thalassemic RBC (10% ± 2% and 11% ± 5%, respectively). Stimulated pentose phosphate shunt activity was increased in the thalassemic and decreased in the hemoglobin E RBC as compared to normal. The 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) content of the EE RBC was increased to 5.59 ± 0.69 μmol/ml RBC as compared to normal (4.51 ± 0.77; p < 0.001). In the EE RBC, there was a direct correlation between Heinz body formation and DPG content (r = 0.73). Ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid (0.1 and 1.0 mM) were able to decrease the degree of Heinz body formation in the hemoglobin E RBC. Ascorbic acid (0.1 mM) prolonged the response of the pentose shunt. Thus impaired antioxidant defense may account for the persistence of the hemoglobin E gene in areas where malaria is endemic. Oxidant medications should be used with caution in individuals of Southeast Asian origin.     

内吗啡肽对过氧化氢诱导的大鼠胰岛损伤的保护作用

目的 研究过氧化氢(H2O2)对胰岛的损伤及内吗啡肽(EMs)对这种损伤的保护作用.方法 成年雄性Wistar大鼠18只,体质量200～300 g,体外分离、纯化和培养Wistar大鼠胰岛,双硫腙(DyTZ)染色鉴定,锥虫蓝染色检测细胞活力,葡萄糖刺激实验检测胰岛生物活性.四唑蓝(MTT)分析不同浓度的H2O2对胰岛的...     

金属硫蛋白对氧化应激引起的糖尿病心肌病的保护作用

糖尿病心肌病（DC）发生的氧化应激（OS）学说成为当前研究热点,即高血糖引起的氧化和硝基化促使了DC的发生.金属硫蛋白（MT）是一种广泛存在于真核细胞的抗氧化蛋白,本文对DC的氧化损伤机制及MT的保护作用进行综述.     

Melatonin prevents H2O2-induced activation of rat hepatic stellate cells

Considerable evidence shows therapeutic effects of melatonin on liver injury and the involvement of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo. In the present studies, we investigate the protective effect of melatonin on H2O2-induced activation of HSCs in vitro. Compared with that in control HSCs, synthesis of collagen type I was increased in H2O2-treated cells. Melatonin pretreatment significantly inhibited the above effects of H2O2 in HSCs. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP-alpha), which could partially reverse the phenotype of activated HSCs, augmented in HSCs pretreated with melatonin. Moreover, secretion of the most important fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) diminished in melatonin-pretreated HSCs. These results suggest that melatonin prevents H2O2-induced activation of HSCs and that the mechanism involves, at least in part, differential regulation of TGF-beta1 and C/EBP-alpha gene expression.     

Anomalous dispersion of sulfur in quinidine sulfate, (C(20)H(25)N(2)O(2))(2)SO(4).2H(2)O: Implications for structure analysis

A Patterson-type map computed with Bijvoet differences squared as coefficients, (|F_h| - |F_-h|)², as recommended by Rossmann, readily yielded the position of the S atom. The experiment was performed with Cu Kα radiation which is far from the absorption edge for sulfur. The coordinates of the remainder of the 54C, N, and O atoms were derived by means of partial structure development by use of the tangent formula. The latter was used only to effect phase extension, not phase refinement. A main purpose of this experiment was to reaffirm, as first shown in the investigation of the protein crambin by Hendrickson and Teeter, that, in the presence of a large number of lighter atoms, sulfur atoms can be located by use of anomalous dispersion at wave-lengths far from the absorption edge. The space group is P2₁ with a = 26.718(8) Å, b = 6.987(3) Å, c = 10.857(6) Å, and β = 99.51(4)° and contains two quinidyl ions, one sulfate ion, and two water molecules per asymmetric unit. The conformations of the two independent quinidyl ions differ mainly in the torsional angle of the bond between the vinyl side chain and the quinuclidine moiety. The R factor is 4.9% for all 2869 data.     

Peroxone chemistry: formation of H2O3 and ring-(HO2)(HO3) from O3/H2O2

The recent observation [Wentworth, P., Jones, L. H., Wentworth, A. D., Zhu, X. Y., Larsen, N. A., Wilson, I. A., Xu, X., Goddard, W. A., Janda, K. D., Eschenmoser, A. & Lerner, R. A. (2001) Science 293, 1806-1811] that antibodies form H(2)O(2) from (1)O(2) plus H(2)O was explained in terms of the formation of the H(2)O(3) species that in the antibody reacts with a second H(2)O(3) to form H(2)O(2). There have been few reports of the chemistry for forming H(2)O(3), but recently Engdahl and Nelander [Engdahl, A. & Nelander, B. (2002) Science 295, 482-483] reported that photolysis of the ozone-hydrogen peroxide complex in argon matrices leads to significant concentrations of H(2)O(3). We report here the chemical mechanism for this process, determined by using first-principles quantum mechanics. We show that in an argon matrix it is favorable (3.5 kcal/mol barrier) for H(2)O(2) and O(3) to form a [(HO(2))(HO(3))] hydrogen-bonded complex [head-to-tail seven-membered ring (7r)]. In this complex, the barrier for forming H(2)O(3) plus (3)O(2) is only 4.8 kcal/mol, which should be observable by means of thermal processes (not yet reported). Irradiation of the [(HO(2))(HO(3))-7r] complex should break the HO-OO bond of the HO(3) moiety, eliminating (3)O(2) and leading to [(HO(2))(HO)]. This [(HO(2))(HO)] confined in the matrix cage is expected to rearrange to also form H(2)O(3) (observed experimentally). We show that these two processes can be distinguished isotopically. These results (including the predicted vibrational frequencies) suggest strategies for synthesizing H(2)O(3) and characterizing its chemistry. We suggest that the [(HO(2))(HO(3))-7r] complex and H(2)O(3) are involved in biological, atmospheric, and environmental oxidative processes.     

Involvement of Phospholipase A(2) in H(2)O(2)-dependent Platelet Activation

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) triggers activation of platelets 'primed' by low concentrations of arachidonic acid (< 20 μM) or collagen (< 0.2 μg/ml), but has no effect on platelets exposed to low concentrations of thrombin, ADP or A23187. Platelets are not affected (they do not aggregate or produce thromboxane A(2) or release serotonin) by H(2)O(2) alone or by the low concentrations of arachidonic acid or collagen. The H(2)O(2) concentration used (0.15-7.5 μM) induces aggregation, TA(2) production and dense granule content release (monitored by radiolabeled serotonin) by 'primed' platelets. Using arachidonic acid as the 'priming' stimulus, K(app) of 687 nM and 560 nM are calculated for platelet aggregation and TA(2) formation respectively. With collagen as the 'priming' stimulus, K(app) of 841 nM and 946 nM are obtained for platelet aggregation and TA(2) production, respectively. The effect of H(2)O(2) is dependent on arachidonic acid metabolism because aspirin prevents H(2)O(2)-mediated platelet activation. Furthermore this activation seems to be dependent on arachidonic acid mobilization from platelet phospholipids by phospholipase A(2) since mepacrine is able to block H(2)O(2)-mediated platelet activation.