Revisiting the Oxidation of Flavonoids: Loss, Conservation or Enhancement of Their Antioxidant Properties

Flavonoids display a broad range of health-promoting bioactivities. Among these, their capacity to act as antioxidants has remained most prominent. The canonical reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging mode of the antioxidant action of flavonoids relies on the high susceptibility of their phenolic moieties to undergo oxidation. As a consequence, upon reaction with ROS, the antioxidant capacity of flavonoids is severely compromised. Other phenol-compromising reactions, such as those involved in the biotransformation of flavonoids, can also markedly affect their antioxidant properties. In recent years, however, increasing evidence has indicated that, at least for some flavonoids, the oxidation of such residues can in fact markedly enhance their original antioxidant properties. In such apparent paradoxical cases, the antioxidant activity arises from the pro-oxidant and/or electrophilic character of some of their oxidation-derived metabolites and is exerted by activating the Nrf2–Keap1 pathway, which upregulates the cell’s endogenous antioxidant capacity, and/or, by preventing the activation of the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway. This review focuses on the effects that the oxidative and/or non-oxidative modification of the phenolic groups of flavonoids may have on the ability of the resulting metabolites to promote direct and/or indirect antioxidant actions. Considering the case of a metabolite resulting from the oxidation of quercetin, we offer a comprehensive description of the evidence that increasingly supports the concept that, in the case of certain flavonoids, the oxidation of phenolics emerges as a mechanism that markedly amplifies their original antioxidant properties. An overlooked topic of great phytomedicine potential is thus unraveled.

INTENSITY OF FREE RADICAL PROCESSES IN THE POSTNUCLEAR FRACTION OF RAT KIDNEYS UNDER INFLUENCE OF LASER IRRADIATION AND ω-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS

Introduction. The effect of laser irradiation on the body can lead to local tissue damage, which will be accompanied by changes in biochemical processes that occur in the kidneys. The direction of these changes is completely unclear, so the study of free radical oxidation of lipids and proteins as the main markers of oxidative stress in the body and their correction by ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) remains relevant. Aim. To evaluate the intensity of lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of proteins in the postnuclear fraction of rat kidneys under the action of laser irradiation and additional administration of ω-3 PUFA. Methods. The studies used white outbred rats, which were irradiated daily for 4 minutes with a laser diode with a wavelength of 650 nm, power of 50 mW in the abdominal cavity at a distance of 10 cm from the skin surface. The state of lipid peroxidation (LPO) was determined by the level of primary, secondary and final products. The intensity of oxidative modification of proteins (OMP) was evaluated by the level of carbonyl derivatives and protein SH-groups. To correct the prooxidant state, the animals were additionally injected with ω-3 PUFA. Results. Low-intensity laser irradiation has a destructive effect on the cell membranes of the kidneys, which is expressed by an increase in primary, secondary and final products of LPO in phospholipid extracts and an increase in the intensity of OMP. The introduction of ω-3 PUFAs reduces free radical processes in the kidneys of irradiated rats, but this effect depends on the scheme of their introduction. ω-3 PUFAs do not show antioxidant effect under the conditions of their introduction after laser irradiation. Daily administration of ω-3 PUFA two hours before irradiation shows a slight antioxidant effect only in the initial stages of irradiation. Preliminary seven-day administration of ω-3 PUFA before laser irradiation is the most effective, as it helps to reduce free radical processes. Conclusion. It is established that ω-3 PUFAs are able to have a corrective effect on the action of low-intensity laser irradiation, which depends on the scheme of their introduction. The highest antioxidant effect is observed in groups of animals to which ω-3 PUFA was previously administered before the action of laser irradiation.

Nitric Oxide as a Remedy against Oxidative Damages in Apple Seeds Undergoing Accelerated Ageing

Seed ageing is associated with a high concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) seeds belong to the orthodox type. Due to a deep dormancy, they may be stored in dry condition at 5 °C for a long time, without viability loss. In the laboratory, artificial ageing of apple seeds is performed by imbibition in wet sand at warm temperature (33 °C). The aim of the work was to study nitric oxide (NO) as a seed vigour preservation agent. Embryos isolated from apple seeds subjected to accelerated ageing for 7, 14, 21 or 40 days were fumigated with NO. Embryo quality was estimated by TTC and MDA tests. ROS level was confirmed by NBT staining. We analysed the alteration in transcript levels of CAT, SOD and POX. NO fumigation of embryos of seeds aged for 21 days stimulated germination and increased ROS level which correlated to the elevated expression of RBOH. The increased total antioxidant capacity after NO fumigation was accompanied by the increased transcript levels of genes encoding enzymatic antioxidants, that could protect against ROS overaccumulation. Moreover, post-aged NO application diminished the nitro-oxidative modification of RNA, proving NO action as a remedy in oxidative remodelling after seeds ageing.

Protective Effect of Dinitrosyl Iron Complexes Bound with Hemoglobin on Oxidative Modification by Peroxynitrite

Dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) are a physiological form of nitric oxide (•NO) in an organism. They are able not only to deposit and transport •NO, but are also to act as antioxidant and antiradical agents. However, the mechanics of hemoglobin-bound DNICs (Hb-DNICs) protecting Hb against peroxynitrite-caused, mediated oxidative modification have not yet been scrutinized. Through EPR spectroscopy we show that Hb-DNICs are destroyed under the peroxynitrite action in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, DNICs inhibit the oxidation of tryptophan and tyrosine residues and formation of carbonyl derivatives. They also prevent the formation of covalent crosslinks between Hb subunits and degradation of a heme group. These effects can arise from the oxoferryl heme form being reduced, and they can be connected with the ability of DNICs to directly intercept peroxynitrite and free radicals, which emerge due to its homolysis. These data show that DNICs may ensure protection from myocardial ischemia.

The state of pro- and antioxidant systems in rats with DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis on the background of extracorporeal detoxification

Aim: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The aim of this research was to study the indices of pro- and antioxidant systems in rats with dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis on the background of the enterosorbent AUT-M use. Materials and methods: The study was performed on 70 white male rats weighing 200–250 g. Adenocarcinoma of the colon was simulated by subcutaneous injection of the DMH (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie, Japan) at a dose of 7.2 mg/kg once a week during 7 months. Enterosorbent AUT-M was administered intragastrically daily for 21 days after simulation of carcinogenesis at a dose of 1 ml of suspension per 100 g of animal body weight. The state of the pro- and antioxidant systems was studied by the content of oxidative modification of proteins products (OMP), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), contents of ceruloplasmin (CP) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Results: It was found that DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats is accompanied by disorders in the antioxidant defense system and activation of free radical oxidation processes. Enterosorbent AUT-M provides a significant reduction in the content of OMP370 and OMP430 in both blood serum and liver homogenate of rats. Moreover, the use of enterosorbent AUT-M demonstrated a significant increase in the activity of SOD, CAT, content of GSH and a decrease in CP content in investigated tissues. Conclusion: The use of enterosorbent AUT-М demonstrated prominent potential suppression for oxidative stress and positive effect on antioxidant defense system in rats with DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis.

THE IMPACT OF METFORMIN AND ROSUVASTATIN ON THE MARKERS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS, GLYCEMIC CONTROL, AND LIPID PROFILE IN RATS WITH STREPTOZOTOCIN-NICOTINAMIDE-INDUCED DIABETES AFTER ACUTE INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE

Hyperproduction of highly active carbonyl compounds and reactive oxygen species initiates the development of oxidative stress in various pathological conditions and protein carbonylation is considered to be one of the key factors in the progression of diabetes mellitus and associated complications. This comparative research aimed to study the effect of metformin and rosuvastatin on the levels of biochemical markers of oxidative stress, glycemic control, and lipid profile in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated by a brain hemorrhage.T2DM was simulated with a single intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide and streptozotocin (NA/STZ) to male Wistar rats (n=38). Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was induced by microinjection of 1 μL of bacterial collagenase 0.2 IU/μL into the striatum. Animals were randomized into 5 groups: negative control, intact rats; positive control 1, NA/STZ; positive control 2, NA/STZ+ICH; metformin, 250 mg/kg +NA/STZ+ICH; rosuvastatin, 15 mg/kg+NA/STZ+ICH. Drug effects were assessed by the area under the glycemic curve (AUC), the content of glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), homocysteine (Hcy), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and the markers of oxidative modification of proteins – aldehyde- and ketonephenylhydrazones (APH/KPH) in blood serum.It was found that brain hemorrhage in rats with T2DM can intensify the manifestations of oxidative modification of molecules and worsen glycemic control and lipid profile. Under these conditions, rosuvastatin improved lipid metabolism and reduced the levels of AGEs by 35.1% but did not affect glycemia and content of APH/KPH. Metformin reduced oxidative stress (AGEs by 35.4%, KPH by 21.2%) as well as improved both glycemic status and lipid profile (TG level by 20.2%, TG/HDL ratio by 31.9%). Both drugs did not produce any effect on Hcy level.Thus, metformin in conditions of T2DM complicated by acute ICH has advantages over rosuvastatin in relation to the markers of oxidative modification and glycemic control.

Oxidative Modification of LHC II Associated with Photosystem II and PS I-LHC I-LHC II Membranes

Under aerobic conditions the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by electron transport chains is unavoidable, and occurs in both autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. In photosynthetic organisms both Photosystem II (PS II) and Photosystem I (PS I), in addition to the cytochrome b6/f complex, are demonstrated sources of ROS. All of these membrane protein complexes exhibit oxidative damage when isolated from field-grown plant material. An additional possible source of ROS in PS I and PS II is the distal, chlorophyll-containing light-harvesting array LHC II, which is present in both photosystems. These serve as possible sources of 1O2 produced by the interaction of 3O2 with 3chl* produced by intersystem crossing. We have hypothesized that amino acid residues close to the sites of ROS generation will be more susceptible to oxidative modification than distant residues. In this study, we have identified oxidized amino acid residues in a subset of the spinach LHC II proteins (Lhcb1 and Lhcb2) that were associated with either PS II membranes (i.e. BBYs) or PS I-LHC I-LHC II membranes, both of which were isolated from field-grown spinach. We identified oxidatively modified residues by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Interestingly, two different patterns of oxidative modification were evident for the Lhcb1 and Lhcb2 proteins from these different sources. In the LHC II associated with PS II membranes, oxidized residues were identified to be located on the stromal surface of Lhcb1 and, to a much lesser extent, Lhcb2. Relatively few oxidized residues were identified as buried in the hydrophobic core of these proteins. The LHC II associated with PS I-LHC I-LHC II membranes, however, exhibited fewer surface-oxidized residues but, rather a large number of oxidative modifications buried in the hydrophobic core regions of both Lhcb1 and Lhcb2, adjacent to the chlorophyll prosthetic groups. These results appear to indicate that ROS, specifically 1O2, can modify the Lhcb proteins associated with both photosystems and that the LHC II associated with PS II membranes represent a different population from the LHC II associated with PS I-LHC I-LHC II membranes.

Sirtuin Oxidative Post-translational Modifications

Increased sirtuin deacylase activity is correlated with increased lifespan and healthspan in eukaryotes. Conversely, decreased sirtuin deacylase activity is correlated with increased susceptibility to aging-related diseases. However, the mechanisms leading to decreased sirtuin activity during aging are poorly understood. Recent work has shown that oxidative post-translational modification by reactive oxygen (ROS) or nitrogen (RNS) species results in inhibition of sirtuin deacylase activity through cysteine nitrosation, glutathionylation, sulfenylation, and sulfhydration as well as tyrosine nitration. The prevalence of ROS/RNS (e.g., nitric oxide, S-nitrosoglutathione, hydrogen peroxide, oxidized glutathione, and peroxynitrite) is increased during inflammation and as a result of electron transport chain dysfunction. With age, cellular production of ROS/RNS increases; thus, cellular oxidants may serve as a causal link between loss of sirtuin activity and aging-related disease development. Therefore, the prevention of inhibitory oxidative modification may represent a novel means to increase sirtuin activity during aging. In this review, we explore the role of cellular oxidants in inhibiting individual sirtuin human isoform deacylase activity and clarify the relevance of ROS/RNS as regulatory molecules of sirtuin deacylase activity in the context of health and disease.