Oxidative stress in distant organs and the effects of allopurinol during experimental acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The present study was aimed at an assessment of the role of oxygen-derived free radicals in the development of local and systemic manifestations of L-arginine (Arg)-induced acute pancreatitis and at an evaluation of the protective effect of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol. METHODS: Acute pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats by injecting 2 x 250 mg/100 g body weight of Arg intraperitoneally at an interval of 1 h, as a 20% solution in 0.15 M NaCl. Control rats received the same quantity of glycine. In a third group, 200 mg/kg of allopurinol was administered subcutaneously 30 min before the first Arg injection. Rats were killed at 6, 12, 24, or 48 h following Arg administration. Acute pancreatitis was confirmed by a serum amylase level elevation and typical inflammatory features were observed microscopically. Tissue concentrations of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (Mn- and Cu,Zn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase were measured in the pancreas, liver, and kidney. RESULTS: The tissue concentration of MDA was significantly elevated in each organ. The activities of Mn-SOD, Cu,Zn-SOD, GPx, and catalase were quickly depleted in the pancreas and kidney, whereas only the Mn-SOD and GPx activities were reduced in the liver after the onset of pancreatitis. Histologic examination revealed acinar cell necrosis in the pancreas, but only mild alterations in the liver and kidney. Allopurinol pretreatment prevented the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites in the pancreas and reduced their formation in the kidney. CONCLUSION: Oxygen-derived free radicals are generated in the pancreas, liver, and kidney at an early stage of Arg-induced acute pancreatitis. The liver and the kidney, but not the pancreas, are able to defend against oxidative stress. The prophylactic application of allopurinol significantly restrains the generation of free radicals in pancreas and kidney.

The pathogenesis of L-arginine-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis: inflammatory mediators and endogenous cholecystokinin.

This study was aimed at an assessment of the role of oxygen-derived free radicals, cytokines and endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in the pathogenesis of L-arginine (Arg)-induced acute pancreatitis in rat. We measured the levels of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and superoxide dismutase (Mn- and Cu, Zn-SOD) in pancreatic tissue, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CCK, and evaluated the protective effect of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol and a novel CCK receptor antagonist KSG-504. Acute pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats by injecting 2x 250 mg/100 g body weight of Arg intraperitoneally in an 1-h interval, as a 20% solution in 0.15 M NaCl. Control rats received the same quantity of glycine. 200 mg x kg(-1) allopurinol 30 min before the first Arg treatment or 50 mg x kg(-1) KSG-504 30 min before and 6, 18 and 36 h after the first Arg injection was administered subcutaneously. Rats were killed at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h following Arg administration, and acute pancreatitis was confirmed by a serum amylase level elevation and typical inflammatory features observed microscopically. The serum level of amylase reached the peak level at 24 h after the Arg injection (30,800 +/- 3,813 versus 6,382 +/- 184 U x L(-1) in the control) and normalized at 48 h. The tissue concentration of MDA was significantly elevated at 24 h, and reached the peak value at 48 h (5.00 +/- 1.75 versus 0.28 +/- 0.05 nM x mg(-1) protein in the control). The catalase and Mn-SOD activities were significantly decreased throughout the study, while the GPx activity was significantly reduced at 6 and 12 h, and the Cu, Zn-SOD activity was significantly lower at 12 h after the Arg injection as compared with the controls. Both the TNF-alpha and the IL-6 levels were already elevated significantly at 12 h and peak at 24 h versus the controls (19.1 +/- 7.9 U x mL(-1) and 57.6 +/- 11.2 pg x mL(-1) versus 3.1 +/- 0.8 U x mL(-1) and 15.2 +/- 3.1 pg x mL(-1), respectively). No significant changes in plasma CCK levels were observed. Allopurinol treatment markedly reduced the serum amylase elevation (12.631 +/- 2.257 U x L(-1) at 24 h), prevented the increase in tissue MDA concentration (0.55 +/- 0.09 nM x mg(-1) protein at 48 h) and significantly ameliorated the pancreatic edema, necrosis and inflammation at 48 h after Arg administration. KSG-504 administration did not exert any beneficial effect on the development of histopathological changes neither modified the serum amylase or cytokine levels. Oxygen-derived free radicals and cytokines are involved, while endogenous CCK does not seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of Arg-induced acute pancreatitis.

Changes in cardiac electrophysiology, morphology, tissue biochemistry and vascular reactions in glutathione depleted animals.

The effects of acute and chronic glutathione depletion (single i.p. injection of 3 mmol/kg L-buthionine-S,R-sulphoximine and 2 mmol/kg for 4 days) on heart action potential (AP) characteristics, electronmicroscopy, cytochemistry and biochemistry and vascular contractility and nitric oxide-mediated relaxation were studied in rats and guinea pigs. In guinea pig cardiac preparations both acute and chronic glutathione depletion caused a significant decrease of maximum rate of rise of depolarization phase and duration of action potential AP(APD) at 25, 50, and 90% of repolarization but did not modify the other AP parameters. The contractile responses of helically cut aortic strips to norepinephrine were not altered by chronic glutathione depletion but the relaxing responses of precontracted preparations to acetylcholine were significantly reduced both in rats and guinea pigs. Morphologically there were indications of permeability changes, intracellular and interstitial edema and myofilament damage in the myocardium. There was also a decrease in cytochromoxydase and succinyl dehydrogenase activities both in rats and guinea pigs. The present data suggest that glutathione depletion may influence the Na+ and K+ channel activities, causes morphological and biochemical changes in cardiac preparations and may interfere with nitric oxide generation or its action in aortic strips.

Involvement of oxygen-derived free radicals in L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis.

This study was aimed at an assessment of the role of oxygen-derived free radicals in the pathogenesis of L-arginine (Arg)-induced acute pancreatitis in rat, by measuring the levels of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (Mn- and Cu,Zn-SOD) in the pancreatic tissue, and evaluating the protective effect of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol. Acute pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats by injecting 2 x 250 mg/100 g body weight of Arg intraperitoneally in a 1-hr interval, as a 20% solution in 0.15 M NaCl. Control rats received the same quantity of glycine. Allopurinol, 100 or 200 mg/kg, was administered subcutaneously 30 min before the first Arg injection. Rats were killed at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr following Arg administration, and acute pancreatitis was confirmed by a serum amylase level elevation and typical inflammatory features observed microscopically. The serum level of amylase reached the peak level at 24 hr after the Arg injection (30,800+/-3813 vs 6382+/-184 units/liter in the control) and normalized at 48 hr. The tissue concentration of MDA was significantly elevated at 24 hr and reached the peak value at 48 hr (5.00+/-1.75 vs 0.28+/-0.05 nM/mg protein in the control). The catalase and Mn-SOD activities were significantly decreased throughout the study, while the GPx activity was significantly reduced at 6 and 12 hr, and the Cu,Zn-SOD activity was significantly lower at 12 hr after the Arg injection as compared with the controls. Allopurinol treatment markedly reduced the serum amylase elevation (12.631+/-2.257 units/liter at 24 hr) and prevented the increase in tissue MDA concentration (0.55+/-0.09 nM/mg protein at 48 hr). Both doses of allopurinol significantly ameliorated the pancreatic edema, necrosis, and inflammation at 48 hr after Arg administration. Oxygen-derived free radicals are generated at an early stage of Arg-induced acute pancreatitis. Prophylactic allopurinol treatment prevents the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites, reduces the serum amylase concentration, and exerts a beneficial effect on the development of histopathological changes.

Organophosphate effects on antioxidant system of carp (Cyprinus carpio) and catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus).

The effect of the organophosphate insecticide Dichlorvos on antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative and redox parameters of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) were studied. Changes in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and in the case of carp acetylcholinesterase activities were studied in tissue homogenates. Other parameters studied: changes of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and the amounts of two radicals, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals are compared. Our results showed that the organophosphate tested, besides its inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase--or together with it--induces changes characteristic of "oxidative stress."

Oxidative stress changes in L-arginine-induced pancreatitis in rats.

The important role of oxygen radicals in acute experimental pancreatitis was demonstrated by study of the changes in the antioxidant system in the blood, liver, kidney, and pancreas of rats after the administration of a large quantity of L-arginine (L-Arg). The changes in lipid peroxidation and in reduced and oxidized glutathione were followed, as well as the activities of peroxide-decomposing enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and H2O2-producing superoxide dismutases. The results demonstrated that "oxidative stress" develops and acute pancreatitis appears rapidly after L-Arg treatment. Oxidative stress symptoms are expressed 24 h after the final treatment. Slow restitution of the studied antioxidant system can be demonstrated as early as after 48 h.

The activation by magnesium treatment of anti-oxidants eliminating the oxygen free radicals in Drosophila melanogaster in vivo.

Drosophila melanogaster adults of the Oregon R and Canton S wild-type stocks were fed for 24 h with 0.10 M, 0.25 M and 0.50 M MgCl2 in 1 per cent sugar solution. This treatment resulted in a significant increase (10-50 per cent) in the activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase as well as in the concentration of the non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH). The increased activities could be due to the increased synthesis caused by the Mg treatment.

Effects of diethyl-dithiocarbamate on antioxidant system in carp tissue.

The influence the pro- and antioxidant values the diethyl-dithiocarbamate (DDTC) in different concentrations in carp tissues was studied. From antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathion peroxidase activity changes were studied in tissue homogenates. Beside enzyme activities tissue lipid peroxidation (LP), reduced glutathione (GSH) and hydroxyl radical loading of the tissues were measured. Our results indicate that DDTC affects antioxidant parameters by generating GSH excess, not loading the cells thereby with "oxidative stress".

Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanism in glomerular diseases.

The changes in red blood cell (RBC) lipid peroxidation [measured via the malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) concentration], reduced (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, hemoglobin (Hb) oxidation and antioxidant enzyme [catalase (Cat), glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] activities were studied in 45 pediatric patients with various glomerular diseases [minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) in relapse or in remission, lupus nephropathy (SLE), poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), IgA nephropathy (IGA gn)], and in 20 adult patients with IGA gn and also in 15 pediatric and 14 adult controls. The in vitro effects of hydrogen peroxide [acetyl phenylhydrazine (APH) test] on the GSH and Hb metabolisms were likewise investigated. There was an increased oxidative stress in MCNS with relapse, IGA gn, SLE gn, and APSGN, which could be detected in the GSH and Hb oxidation and in the lipid peroxidation on the peripheral RBC-s. The RBC SOD and Cat activities were significantly lower in all patients than in the controls. The RBC GSSG level was significantly elevated in all patients, with the exception of MCNS in remission. This stimulated a compensatory GSH production in MCNS with relapse and in IGA gn, but not in SLE or APSGN. The regeneration of GSH from GSSG was reduced in MCNS with relapse, SLE, and IGA gn, but not in APSGN. In remission, the GSH-GSSG redox system normalizes, but in vitro the APH test stimulates an intensive Hb oxidation. In conclusion, there is a correlation between the presence of active glomerular disease and the evidence of oxidative changes in the various parameters measured in peripheral RBCs.

Further prove on oxidative stress in alloxan diabetic rat tissues.

After intravenous administration of alloxan monohydrate (AL) diabetes developed in rats. Forty-eight hours after the injection the animals were sacrificed, their blood was collected in heparin containing tubes and the tissues were dissected and frozen (-70 degrees C) until their homogenization for pro- and antioxidant testing. Our results can be summarised as follows: (i) In the blood hemolysate the lipid peroxidation slightly elevated and the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione decreased. (ii) Similar phenomena could be observed in the different examined organ homogenates. The organs tested for pro- and antioxidant system were as follows: the liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas. In our present work we attempt to confirm the data in support of the oxidative predominance over antioxidants in oxidative stress of AL diabetic rats.

Pro-, antioxidant and rheologic studies in the blood of type 2 diabetic patients.

This study was conducted on type 2 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) cases and healthy blood donors. Lipid peroxidation (LP) products in plasma and red blood cell (RBC) hemolysates were estimated as total thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TTBARS). The plasma and hemolysate reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG) levels are compared. In the hemolysates the antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx-ase), glutathione reductase (GR-ase) and catalase (C-ase) are also compared. The RBC filtration characteristics are determined and compared with controls: 1. LP and GSH in diabetic plasma were significantly higher, but in the hemolysate the GSH raised but the LP was significantly lower in diabetics than in healthy controls. 2. Superoxide dismutase and C-ase were significantly higher in NIDDM hemolysate. Contrary the GPx-ase activity was significantly lower in diabetics. 3. The diabetic RBCs filtration characteristics are changed in respects significantly namely the Fi was lower, the Tc and CR were higher. It means higher rigidity and oxidative damage of the membrane of diabetic RBCs.

Pro-, antioxidant and filtration changes in the blood of type 1 diabetic patients.

In our present work we attempt to clarify the pro-, antioxidant status (redox status) of blood and the red blood cell (RBC) filtration changes in type 1 (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus = IDDM) diabetic patients, broadening our biochemical knowledge about the mechanism of disease. Further on we try to apply our observations in therapy. Our studies on enzymes and the pro- and antioxidant status in type 1 diabetes are closely related to earlier works. Our studies on antioxidants have been extended deeper on redox conditions for example on the reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and glutathione reductase activity. The properties and changes of antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) as well as lipid peroxidation (LP) have been studied earlier without selecting the different type of human diabetics. At the same time the red blood cell filtration characteristics are compared also with normal values. The results of our studies confirmed the earlier findings that human diabetes is accompanied by a strong oxidative predominance (oxidative stress) in blood.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system changes in acute L-arginine pancreatitis in rats.

The important role of oxygen radicals in acute experimental pancreatitis was demonstrated by study of the changes in the antioxidant system in the blood, liver, kidney and pancreas of rats after the administration of a large quantity of L-arginine (L-Arg). The changes in lipid peroxidation and in reduced and oxidized glutathione were followed as well as the activities of peroxide-decomposing enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and H2O2-producing superoxide dismutases. The results demonstrated that acute pancreatitis and "oxidative stress" develop rapidly after L-Arg treatment. "Oxidative stress" symptoms are expressed 24 hours after the final treatment. Slow restitution of the studied antioxidant system can be demonstrated as early as after 48 hours.

Oxidative stress in experimental diabetes induced by streptozotocin.

It is known that streptozotocin (STZ) penetrating into the organism generates nitrogen monoxide (NO). Therefore, it is justified to presume, that in beta-cell destruction thereby induced, peroxinitrit resulting from NO and superoxide (O2-) reaction has an important role. It has also been studied how pro- and antioxidant systems change in STZ induced experimental diabetes in rat organs. Beside pro- and antioxidant systems of plasma and red blood cell hemolysates, changes in homogenates of the following organs were studied: liver, kidney, heart, lungs, spleen, brain, muscles and pancreas. We tested and compared antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase-, glutathione peroxidase- and catalase activities) glutathione reductase activity regenerate reduced glutathione (GSH). The oxidized, reduced glutathione values and lipid peroxidation changes were measured. From our studies it has appeared that STZ treatment generally induces an oxidative predominance in tissues. Changes in this model thereby, can be compared to changes occurring in type 1 human diabetic patients.

Effect of glutathione depletion on electrophysiological characteristics of guinea-pig ventricles.

In this study the effect of acute and chronic glutathione depletion with L-buthionine-S,R-sulphoximine (BSO) on action potential characteristics of guinea-pig left ventricle papillary muscles were investigated. BSO caused significant decrease of maximum rate in rise of depolarization phase (Vmax) and duration of AP (APD) at 25%, 50%, 90% of repolarization in both cases of depletion and a slight but not significant decrease in the action potential amplitude, but did not modify the resting membrane potential. Pretreatment with bisaramil prevented the effect of BSO on APD in both cases of depletion.

[Hemo-rheologic and antioxidant changes in acute human pancreatitis]. / Haemorhoelogiai és antioxidáns változások akut humán pankreatitiszben.

In earlier studies of authors on acute and intermittent human pancreatitis it appeared that oxygen radicals may have important role in inflammations of pancreas. Therefore, detailed and systematic studies have been started in order to understand the rheological characteristics of human red blood cells (RBCs), antioxidant enzymes and other antioxidant parameters in clinically serious acute pancreatitis. Measurements of antioxidant system of blood, plasma and haemolysates have indicated prooxidant preponderance, and have apparently well reflected the "oxidative stress" conditions of the organism.

Effects of an organophosphate on the antioxidant systems of fish tissues.

The effect of a Hungarian made and applied insecticide, organophosphate (Dichlorvos) on antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative and redox parameters of two different fish species, carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) was studied. The two fish species have different ways of life. From antioxidant enzymes, changes in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and, in the case of carp, acetylcholinesterase activities were studied in tissue homogenates. Other parameters studied: changes of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathion and two radicals, which are superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Our results showed that the organophosphate tested, besides its inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase-or together with it-induces changes characteristic of "oxidative stress".

Oxidative damage of red blood cells in haemolytic uraemic syndrome.

Changes in red blood cell (RBC) lipid peroxidation [measured by malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) concentration], glutathione (GSH) metabolism, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and haemoglobin (Hb) metabolites (metHb, carboxy Hb) were studied in six children with post-enteropathic (D+) haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and ten controls. The in vitro effect of hydrogen peroxide [acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) test] on GSH and Hb metabolism was also investigated. MDA levels were significantly higher and the antioxidant enzyme activities were lower in HUS patients than in the controls (P < 0.01). The oxidised glutathione concentration was significantly higher in the patients than in the control children (26.3 +/- 12.6 vs. 10.9 +/- 1.8 nmol/g Hb. Percentage values of carboxy Hb and metHb were also higher in HUS (P < 0.01). Incubation of RBC with APH induced a more pronounced decrease in the concentration of GSH (P < 0.001) and a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the level of metHb and carboxy Hb in the HUS patients. This suggests that there is reduced RBC GSH stability in HUS. Utilisation of GSH and antioxidant enzymes leads to increased Hb oxidation and haemolysis. The oxidative damage may have an important role in the pathogenesis of haemolytic anaemia in HUS.