Synthesis and biological characterization of new aminophosphonates for mitochondrial pH determination by (31)P NMR spectroscopy.

A series of mitochondria targeted α-aminophosphonates combining a diethoxyphosphoryl group and an alkyl chain-connected triphenylphosphonium bromide tail were designed and synthesized, and their pH-sensitive (31)P NMR properties and biological activities in vitro and in vivo were evaluated. The results showed a number of these mito-aminophosphonates exhibiting pKa values fitting the mitochondrial pH range, short relaxation, and chemical shift parameters compatible with sensitive (31)P NMR detection, and low cytotoxicity on green algae and murine fibroblasts cell cultures. Of these, two selected compounds demonstrated to distribute at NMR detectable levels within the cytosolic and mitochondrial sites following their perfusion to isolated rat livers, with no detrimental effects on cell energetics and aerobic respiration. This study provided a new molecular scaffold for further development of in situ spectroscopic real-time monitoring of mitochondrion/cytosol pH gradients.

EPR spin trapping evaluation of ROS production in human fibroblasts exposed to cerium oxide nanoparticles: evidence for NADPH oxidase and mitochondrial stimulation.

To better understand the antioxidant (enzyme mimetic, free radical scavenger) versus oxidant and cytotoxic properties of the industrially used cerium oxide nanoparticles (nano-CeO(2)), we investigated their effects on reactive oxygen species formation and changes in the antioxidant pool of human dermal and murine 3T3 fibroblasts at doses relevant to chronic inhalation or contact with skin. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping with the nitrone DEPMPO showed that pretreatment of the cells with the nanoparticles dose-dependently triggered the release in the culture medium of superoxide dismutase- and catalase-inhibitable DEPMPO/hydroxyl radical adducts (DEPMPO-OH) and ascorbyl radical, a marker of ascorbate depletion. This DEPMPO-OH formation occurred 2 to 24 h following removal of the particles from the medium and paralleled with an increase of cell lipid peroxidation. These effects of internalized nano-CeO(2) on spin adduct formation were then investigated at the cellular level by using specific NADPH oxidase inhibitors, transfection techniques and a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. When micromolar doses of nano-CeO(2) were used, weak DEPMPO-OH levels but no loss of cell viability were observed, suggesting that cell signaling mechanisms through protein synthesis and membrane NADPH oxidase activation occurred. Incubation of the cells with higher millimolar doses provoked a 25-60-fold higher DEPMPO-OH formation together with a decrease in cell viability, early apoptosis induction and antioxidant depletion. These cytotoxic effects could be due to activation of both the mitochondrial source and Nox2 and Nox4 dependent NADPH oxidase complex. Regarding possible mechanisms of nano-CeO(2)-induced free radical formation in cells, in vitro EPR and spectrophotometric studies suggest that, contrary to Fe(2+) ions, the Ce(3+) redox state at the surface of the particles is probably not an efficient catalyst of hydroxyl radical formation by a Fenton-like reaction in vivo.

Exercise-induced oxidative-nitrosative stress is associated with impaired dynamic cerebral autoregulation and blood-brain barrier leakage.

The present study examined whether dynamic cerebral autoregulation and blood-brain barrier function would become compromised as a result of exercise-induced oxidative-nitrosative stress. Eight healthy men were examined at rest and after an incremental bout of semi-recumbent cycling exercise to exhaustion. Changes in a dynamic cerebral autoregulation index were determined during recovery from continuous recordings of blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCAv) and mean arterial pressure during transiently induced hypotension. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and ozone-based chemiluminescence were employed for direct detection of spin-trapped free radicals and nitric oxide metabolites in venous blood. Neuron-specific enolase, S100ß and 3-nitrotyrosine were determined by ELISA. While exercise did not alter MCAv, it caused a mild reduction in the autoregulation index (from 6.9 ± 0.6 to 5.5 ± 0.9 a.u., P < 0.05) that correlated directly against the exercise-induced increase in the ascorbate radical, 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide and N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone adducts, 3-nitrotyrosine and S100ß (r = -0.66 to -0.76, P < 0.05). In contrast, no changes in neuron-specific enolase were observed. In conclusion, our findings suggest that intense exercise has the potential to increase blood-brain barrier permeability without causing structural brain damage subsequent to a free radical-mediated impairment in dynamic cerebral autoregulation.

Solid-phase de novo synthesis of a (+/-)-2-deoxy-glycoside.

The solid-phase synthesis of methyl 2-deoxy-3-O-benzyl-D,L-arabino-hexopyranoside was achieved in a six-step sequence via a de novo strategy based on the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of a vinyl ether supported on an azalactone-functionalized polystyrene resin, followed by the functional modification of the heteroadduct and the final release of the methyl glycoside by acidic solvolysis.