2--7--dichlorodihydrofluorescein and 6-hydroxy-2-5-7-8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic-acid

Crocetin is a carotenoid that is the aglicone of crocin, which are found in saffron stigmas (Crocus sativus L.) and gardenia fruit (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis). In this study, we investigated the effects of crocetin on retinal damage. To examine whether crocetin affects stress pathways, we investigated intracellular oxidation induced by reactive oxygen species, expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins, disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m)), and caspases activation. In vitro, we employed cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5, a mouse ganglion cell-line transformed using E1A virus). Cell damage was induced by tunicamycin or hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) exposure. Crocetin at a concentration of 3μM showed the inhibitory effect of 50-60% against tunicamycin- and H(2)O(2)-induced cell death and inhibited increase in caspase-3 and -9 activity. Moreover, crocetin inhibited the enzymatic activity of caspase-9 in a cell-free system. In vivo, retinal damage in mice was induced by exposure to white light at 8000lx for 3h after dark adaptation. Photoreceptor damage was evaluated by measuring the outer nuclear layer thickness at 5days after light exposure and recording the electroretinogram (ERG). Retinal cell damage was also detected with Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining at 48h after light exposure. Crocetin at 100mg/kg, p.o. significantly inhibited photoreceptor degeneration and retinal dysfunction and halved the expression of TUNEL-positive cells. These results indicate that crocetin has protective effects against retinal damage in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that the mechanism may inhibit increase in caspase-3 and -9 activities after retinal damage.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Carotenoids; Caspase Inhibitors; Caspases; Cell Death; Cell Line; Chromans; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Fluoresceins; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Intracellular Space; Light; Male; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Mice; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate; Rats; Retinal Degeneration; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Tunicamycin; Vitamin A; Xanthenes

High concentrations of ethylmalonic acid are found in tissues and biological fluids of patients affected by ethylmalonic encephalopathy, deficiency of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity and other illnesses characterized by developmental delay and neuromuscular symptoms. The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the brain damage in these patients are virtually unknown. Therefore, in the present work we investigated the in vitro effect of EMA on oxidative stress parameters in rat cerebral cortex. EMA significantly increased chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid-reactive species levels (lipoperoxidation), as well as carbonyl content and oxidation of sulfhydryl groups (protein oxidative damage) and DCFH. EMA also significantly decreased the levels of reduced glutathione (non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses). In contrast, nitrate and nitrite levels were not affected by this short organic acid. It is therefore presumed that oxidative stress may represent a pathomechanism involved in the pathophysiology of the neurologic symptoms manifested by patients affected by disorders in which EMA accumulates.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Butyryl-CoA Dehydrogenase; Cerebral Cortex; Chromans; Fluoresceins; Glutathione; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Malonates; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Protein Carbonylation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Adriamycin (ADM) is a broad-spectrum antineoplastic antibiotic used to treat cancer patients. However, the usefulness of this drug is presently limited by the development of a dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. A current hypothesis for the ADM-induced cardiotoxicity is the production of reactive oxygen radicals by the drug. We utilized the fluorescent indicator 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH/DA), in which fluorescence appears if reactive oxygen species (ROS) are present, to investigate the ability of ADM to generate reactive oxygen species and the potential protective effect of antioxidants in a cultured cardiomyocyte model. All three of the antioxidants (alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), trolox, and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)) tested in our ADM-treated myocytes provided protection against the oxidative stress induced by the drug. These findings suggest that antioxidants modulate ADM-induced oxidative stress, and they are discussed in terms of a possible therapeutic strategy in the prevention of cardiotoxicity resulting from ADM administration.

Topics: Animals; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Antioxidants; Chromans; Cyclic N-Oxides; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Doxorubicin; Fluoresceins; Heart; Mesalamine; Myocardium; Nitrogen Oxides; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Reactive Oxygen Species