4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and Cadaver

We conducted a study of lipid peroxidation as a marker of age-related free-radical damage in the human larynx--the first study of its kind. A colorimetric assay for malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) was performed on extracts taken from thyroarytenoid muscle harvested from fresh cadaveric laryngeal specimens. Levels of MDA and 4-HNE were measured by spectrophotometry. Correlation studies were performed by linear regression analysis. We found that MDA levels in human thyroarytenoid muscle appeared to increase with age while 4-HNE levels showed a slight decrease with age. Our findings are consistent with those of previous studies of other organ systems and indicate that there is a need for further study of free-radical damage and the effects of aging on the human larynx and on voice production.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Aldehydes; Cadaver; Culture Techniques; Female; Free Radicals; Humans; Larynx; Linear Models; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spectrophotometry

Topics: Aldehydes; Arteriosclerosis; Biomarkers; Biopsy; Cadaver; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental; Humans; Kidney; Lipid Peroxidation; Malondialdehyde; Renal Artery Obstruction; Tissue and Organ Harvesting; Tissue Donors

The relaxant effect of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a lipid peroxidation product, on human cerebral arteries was studied. Addition of 4-HNE to artery rings promoted no contraction, and after stimulation with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PFG2 alpha; 10(-7)-3 x 10(-6) M), 100% relaxation was obtained with 3 x 10(-5) M 4-HNE. Inhibition of nitric oxide formation with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME; (10(-4) M), as well as prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin (3 x 10(-6) M), partially prevented 4-HNE-induced relaxation, but each of these substances separately failed to inhibit complete relaxation. Addition of both inhibitors together reduced 4-HNE-induced relaxation to approximately 50%, but relaxation could not be abolished. When the endothelium was removed, 4-HNE did not promote relaxation after PGF2 alpha stimulation. The possible roles of different intracellular signaling systems in the vascular effect of 4-HNE are discussed.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aldehydes; Arginine; Cadaver; Cerebral Arteries; Dinoprost; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium, Vascular; Humans; Indomethacin; Lipid Peroxides; Male; Middle Aged; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Osmolar Concentration; Vasodilation