Reactive oxygen species Superoxide

Nonspecific cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation involves enzyme-catalyzed formation of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals), which oxidize susceptible amino acids such as proline, arginine, lysine, and histidine. 

Relaxation of blood vessels appears to be at least partially under the control of endothelial cells and their secreted products, especially endothelium-derived relaxation factor (EDRF). Oxidized LDL directly inhibits the endothelial cell-associated vessel relaxation. The generation of increased reactive oxygen species in association with elevated levels of blood cholesterol has also been reported. One of these reactive oxygen species, superoxide (O2), may interact with vasoactive EDRF (nitric oxide) locally in the artery wall, preventing endothelial cell-dependent vasodilation. In addition, a product of the reaction of nitric oxide and superoxide, the reactive peroxynitrite, may act to stimulate lipoprotein oxidation, which, as noted above, is regarded as an early step in atherosclerotic plaque generation. 

Note that one oxygen atom is bound to the heme iron and one oxygen atom is associated with Cub. This reaction is a rapid four-electron reduction of O2, bypassing any formation of toxic reactive oxygen species (superoxide, peroxide, hydroxide radical) (see Babcock ). Even though the Fe" " =0 state and Tyr radical that are formed at the catalytic site are reactive, they are bound to the COX and are not released. Note that the formation of Pm just rearranges electrons and protons that are already present at the catalytic site and does not require any additional proton or electron input. 

One of the important consequences of neuronal stimulation is increased neuronal aerobic metabolism which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can oxidize several biomoiecules (carbohydrates, DNA, lipids, and proteins). Thus, even oxygen, which is essential for aerobic life, may be potentially toxic to cells. Addition of one electron to molecular oxygen (O,) generates a free radical [O2)) the superoxide anion. This is converted through activation of an enzyme, superoxide dismurase, to hydrogen peroxide (H-iO,), which is, in turn, the source of the hydroxyl radical (OH). Usually catalase... 

Lipid peroxidation (see Fig. 17.2) is a chain reaction that can be attacked in many ways. The chain reaction can be inhibited by use of radical scavengers (chain termination). Initiation of the chain reaction can be blocked by either inhibiting synthesis. of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or by use of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), complexes of SOD and catalase. Finally, agents that chelate iron can remove free iron and thus reduce Flaber-Weiss-mediated iron/oxygen injury. 

Results of a more recent series of investigations suggest that lead may cause hypertension in rats by increasing reactive oxygen species, which act as vasoconstrictors, and decreasing nitric oxide, a vasodilator released by the endothelium. The reactive oxygen species may be the hydroxyl radical, and did not appear to be the superoxide anion (Ding et al. 1998). 

The mitochondrial dysfunctionality seen in manganese neurotoxicity might be related to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (Verity, 1999). Mitochondrial Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is found to be low or absent in tumour cells and may act as a tumour suppressor. It is induced by inflammatory cytokines like TNF, presumably to protect host cells. In a rat model, iron-rich diets were found to decrease MnSOD activity, although a recent study reported that in rat epithelial cell cultures iron supplementation increased MnSOD protein levels and activity, but did not compromise the ability of inflammatory mediators like TNF to further increase the enzyme activity (Kuratko, 1999). 

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