Xanthine oxidase inhibitor tungsten prevents the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice fed a Western-type diet

The role of uric acid in kidney fibrosis: experimental evidences for the causal relationship

Hyperuricemia is a common finding in chronic kidney disease due to decreased uric acid clearance. The role of uric acid as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease has been largely debated, and recent studies suggested a role of uric acid in the causation and progression of kidney fibrosis, a final common pathway in chronic kidney disease. Uric acid and xanthine oxidase may contribute to kidney fibrosis mainly by inducing inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Besides, hyperuricemia induces alterations in renal hemodynamics via afferent arteriolopathy and contributes to the onset and progression of kidney fibrosis. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors may prevent kidney damage via lowering uric acid and/or inhibiting xanthine oxidase. However, there is still no sufficient evidence from interventional clinical researches supporting the causal relationship between uric acid and kidney fibrosis. The effect and role of xanthine oxidase inhibitors in preventing kidney fibrosis and chronic kidney disease progression must be further explored by performing future large scale clinical trials.

Xanthine oxidase inhibition by febuxostat attenuates experimental atherosclerosis in mice

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease due to lipid deposition in the arterial wall. Multiple mechanisms participate in the inflammatory process, including oxidative stress. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and has been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show enhanced XO expression in macrophages in the atherosclerotic plaque and in aortic endothelial cells in ApoE(-/-) mice, and that febuxostat, a highly potent XO inhibitor, suppressed plaque formation, reduced arterial ROS levels and improved endothelial dysfunction in ApoE(-/-) mice without affecting plasma cholesterol levels. In vitro, febuxostat inhibited cholesterol crystal-induced ROS formation and inflammatory cytokine release in murine macrophages. These results demonstrate that in the atherosclerotic plaque, XO-mediated ROS formation is pro-inflammatory and XO-inhibition by febuxostat is a potential therapy for atherosclerosis.

Molecular biology of atherosclerosis

At least 468 individual genes have been manipulated by molecular methods to study their effects on the initiation, promotion, and progression of atherosclerosis. Most clinicians and many investigators, even in related disciplines, find many of these genes and the related pathways entirely foreign. Medical schools generally do not attempt to incorporate the relevant molecular biology into their curriculum. A number of key signaling pathways are highly relevant to atherogenesis and are presented to provide a context for the gene manipulations summarized herein. The pathways include the following: the insulin receptor (and other receptor tyrosine kinases); Ras and MAPK activation; TNF-α and related family members leading to activation of NF-κB; effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on signaling; endothelial adaptations to flow including G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and integrin-related signaling; activation of endothelial and other cells by modified lipoproteins; purinergic signaling; control of leukocyte adhesion to endothelium, migration, and further activation; foam cell formation; and macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell signaling related to proliferation, efferocytosis, and apoptosis. This review is intended primarily as an introduction to these key signaling pathways. They have become the focus of modern atherosclerosis research and will undoubtedly provide a rich resource for future innovation toward intervention and prevention of the number one cause of death in the modern world.

Febuxostat, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced MCP-1 production via MAPK phosphatase-1-mediated inactivation of JNK

Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation can trigger various pathological conditions such as inflammation, in which xanthine oxidase (XO) is one major enzymatic source of ROS. Although XO has been reported to play essential roles in inflammatory conditions, the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of XO in inflammatory pathways remain unclear. Febuxostat, a selective and potent inhibitor of XO, effectively inhibits not only the generation of uric acid but also the formation of ROS. In this study, therefore, we examined the effects of febuxostat on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory responses. Here we show that febuxostat suppresses LPS-induced MCP-1 production and mRNA expression via activating MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) which, in turn, leads to dephosphorylation and inactivation of JNK in macrophages. Moreover, these effects of febuxostat are mediated by inhibiting XO-mediated intracellular ROS production. Taken together, our data suggest that XO mediates LPS-induced phosphorylation of JNK through ROS production and MKP-1 inactivation, leading to MCP-1 production in macrophages. These studies may bring new insights into the novel role of XO in regulating inflammatory process through MAPK phosphatase, and demonstrate the potential use of XO inhibitor in modulating the inflammatory processes.

3,4-Dihydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (DHNB) is a potent inhibitor of xanthine oxidase: a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of hyperuricemia and gout

Hyperuricemia, excess of uric acid in the blood, is a clinical problem that causes gout and is also considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) produces uric acid during the purine metabolism; therefore, discovering novel XO inhibitors is an important strategy to develop an effective therapy for hyperuricemia and gout. We found that 3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (DHNB), a derivative of the natural substance protocatechuic aldehyde, potently inhibited XO activity with an IC₅₀ value of 3 μM. DHNB inhibited XO activity in a time-dependent manner, which was similar to that of allopurinol, a clinical XO inhibitory drug. DHNB displayed potent mixed-type inhibition of the activity of XO, and showed an additive effect with allopurinol at the low concentration. Structure-activity relationship studies of DHNB indicated that the aldehyde moiety, the catechol moiety, and nitration at C-5 were required for XO inhibition. DHNB interacted with the molybdenum center of XO and was slowly converted to its carboxylic acid at a rate of 10⁻¹⁰ mol/L/s. In addition, DHNB directly scavenged free radical DPPH and ROS, including ONOO⁻ and HOCl. DHNB effectively reduced serum uric acid levels in allantoxanamide-induced hyperuricemic mice. Furthermore, mice orally given a large dose (500 mg/kg) of DHNB did not show any side effects, while 42% of allopurinol (500 mg/kg)-treated mice died and their offspring lost their fur. Thus, DHNB could be an outstanding candidate for a novel XO inhibitory drug that has potent activity and low toxicity, as well as antioxidant activity and a distinct chemical structure from allopurinol.

Effects of Aging and Hypercholesterolemia on Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice

Recent evidence from apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE^−/−) mice shows that aging and atherosclerosis are closely associated with increased oxidative stress and DNA damage in some cells and tissues. However, bone marrow cells, which are physiologically involved in tissue repair have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of aging and hypercholesterolemia on oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in bone marrow cells from young and aged apoE^−/− mice compared with age-matched wild-type C57BL/6 (C57) mice, using the comet assay and flow cytometry. The production of both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in bone marrow cells was higher in young apoE^−/− mice than in age-matched C57 mice, and reactive oxygen species were increased in aged C57 and apoE^−/− mice. Similar results were observed when we analyzed the DNA damage and apoptosis. Our data showed that both aging and hypercholesterolemia induce the increased production of oxidative stress and consequently DNA damage and apoptosis in bone marrow cells. This study is the first to demonstrate a functionality decrease of the bone marrow, which is a fundamental extra-arterial source of the cells involved in vascular injury repair.

The role of peroxidases in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which include superoxide anions and peroxides, induce oxidative stress, contributing to the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases involving atherosclerosis. The endogenous and exogenous factors hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and shear stress induce various enzyme systems such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and lipoxygenase in vascular and immune cells, which generate ROS. Besides inducing oxidative stress, ROS mediate signaling pathways involved in monocyte adhesion and infiltration, platelet activation, and smooth muscle cell migration. A number of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidases, and peroxiredoxins) regulate ROS in vascular and immune cells. Atherosclerosis results from a local imbalance between ROS production and these antioxidant enzymes. In this review, we will discuss 1) oxidative stress and atherosclerosis, 2) ROS-dependent atherogenic signaling in endothelial cells, macrophages, and vascular smooth muscle cells, 3) roles of peroxidases in atherosclerosis, and 4) antioxidant drugs and therapeutic perspectives.

Redox control of the survival of healthy and diseased cells

Abstract Cellular redox homeostasis is the first line of defense against diverse stimuli and is crucial for various biological processes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), byproducts of numerous cellular events, may serve in turn as signaling molecules to regulate cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, when overproduced ROS fail to be scavenged by the antioxidant system, they may damage cellular components, giving rise to senescent, degenerative, or fatal lesions in cells. Accordingly, this review not only covers general mechanisms of ROS production under different conditions, but also focuses on various types of ROS-involved diseases, including atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. In addition, potentially therapeutic agents and approaches are reviewed in a relatively comprehensive manner. However, due to the complexity of ROS and their cellular impacts, we believe that the goal to design more effective approaches or agents may require a better understanding of mechanisms of ROS production, particularly their multifaceted impacts in disease at biochemical, molecular, genetic, and epigenetic levels. Thus, it requires additional tools of omics in systems biology to achieve such a goal. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 15, 2867-2908.

Xanthine oxidoreductase is involved in macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis development

OBJECTIVE

Hyperuricemia is common in patients with metabolic syndrome. We investigated the role of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) in atherosclerosis development, and the effects of the XOR inhibitor allopurinol on this process.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Oral administration of allopurinol to ApoE knockout mice markedly ameliorated lipid accumulation and calcification in the aorta and aortic root. In addition, allopurinol treatment or siRNA-mediated gene knockdown of XOR suppressed transformation of J774.1 murine macrophage cells, treated with acetylated LDL or very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) into foam cells. This inhibitory effect of allopurinol was also observed in primary cultured human macrophages. In contrast, overexpression of XOR promoted transformation of J774.1 cells into foam cells. Interestingly, SR-A1, SR-B1, SR-B II, and VLDL receptors in J774.1 cells were reduced by XOR knockdown, and increased by XOR overexpression. Conversely, expressions of ABCA1 and ABCG1 were increased by XOR knockdown and suppressed by XOR overexpression. Finally, productions of inflammatory cytokines accompanied by foam cell formation were also reduced by allopurinol administration.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly suggest XOR activity and/or its expression level to contribute to macrophage foam cell formation. Thus, XOR inhibitors may be useful for preventing atherosclerosis.

Reactive oxygen species in cardiovascular disease

Based on the "free radical theory" of disease, researchers have been trying to elucidate the role of oxidative stress from free radicals in cardiovascular disease. Considerable data indicate that reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are important features of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. However, blanket strategies with antioxidants to ameliorate cardiovascular disease have not generally yielded favorable results. However, our understanding of reactive oxygen species has evolved to the point at which we now realize these species have important roles in physiology as well as pathophysiology. Thus, it is overly simplistic to assume a general antioxidant strategy will yield specific effects on cardiovascular disease. Indeed, there are several sources of reactive oxygen species that are known to be active in the cardiovascular system. This review addresses our understanding of reactive oxygen species sources in cardiovascular disease and both animal and human data defining how reactive oxygen species contribute to physiology and pathology.

Oxidative risk for atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease

In the vasculature, reactive oxidant species, including reactive oxygen, nitrogen, or halogenating species, and thiyl, tyrosyl, or protein radicals may oxidatively modify lipids and proteins with deleterious consequences for vascular function. These biologically active free radical and nonradical species may be produced by increased activation of oxidant-generating sources and/or decreased cellular antioxidant capacity. Once formed, these species may engage in reactions to yield more potent oxidants that promote transition of the homeostatic vascular phenotype to a pathobiological state that is permissive for atherothrombogenesis. This dysfunctional vasculature is characterized by lipid peroxidation and aberrant lipid deposition, inflammation, immune cell activation, platelet activation, thrombus formation, and disturbed hemodynamic flow. Each of these pathobiological states is associated with an increase in the vascular burden of free radical species-derived oxidation products and, thereby, implicates increased oxidant stress in the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic vascular disease.

Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) channels as redox signals to liver mitochondria in response to hypertriglyceridemia

We have recently demonstrated that hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) mice present both elevated body metabolic rates and mild mitochondrial uncoupling in the liver owing to stimulated activity of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK(ATP)). Because lipid excess normally leads to cell redox imbalance, we examined the hepatic oxidative status in this model. Cell redox imbalance was evidenced by increased total levels of carbonylated proteins, malondialdehydes, and GSSG/GSH ratios in HTG livers compared to wild type. In addition, the activities of the extramitochondrial enzymes NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase were elevated in HTG livers. In contrast, Mn-superoxide dismutase activity and content, a mitochondrial matrix marker, were significantly decreased in HTG livers. Isolated HTG liver mitochondria presented lower rates of H(2)O(2) production, which were reversed by mitoK(ATP) antagonists. In vivo antioxidant treatment with N-acetylcysteine decreased both mitoK(ATP) activity and metabolic rates in HTG mice. These data indicate that high levels of triglycerides increase reactive oxygen generation by extramitochondrial enzymes that promote mitoK(ATP) activation. The mild uncoupling mediated by mitoK(ATP) increases metabolic rates and protects mitochondria against oxidative damage. Therefore, a biological role for mitoK(ATP) as a redox sensor is shown here for the first time in an in vivo model of systemic and cellular lipid excess.

Chemical and molecular mechanisms of antioxidants: experimental approaches and model systems

Free radicals derived from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur molecules in the biological system are highly active to react with other molecules due to their unpaired electrons. These radicals are important part of groups of molecules called reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), which are produced during cellular metabolism and functional activities and have important roles in cell signalling, apoptosis, gene expression and ion transportation. However, excessive ROS attack bases in nucleic acids, amino acid side chains in proteins and double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids, and cause oxidative stress, which can damage DNA, RNA, proteins and lipids resulting in an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, autism and other diseases. Intracellular antioxidant enzymes and intake of dietary antioxidants may help to maintain an adequate antioxidant status in the body. In the past decades, new molecular techniques, cell cultures and animal models have been established to study the effects and mechanisms of antioxidants on ROS. The chemical and molecular approaches have been used to study the mechanism and kinetics of antioxidants and to identify new potent antioxidants. Antioxidants can decrease the oxidative damage directly via reacting with free radicals or indirectly by inhibiting the activity or expression of free radical generating enzymes or enhancing the activity or expression of intracellular antioxidant enzymes. The new chemical and cell-free biological system has been applied in dissecting the molecular action of antioxidants. This review focuses on the research approaches that have been used to study oxidative stress and antioxidants in lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, protein modification as well as enzyme activity, with emphasis on the chemical and cell-free biological system.

Brain purine metabolism and xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase conversion in hyperammonemia are under control of NMDA receptors and nitric oxide

In hyperammonemia, a decrease in brain ATP can be a result of adenine nucleotide catabolism. Xanthine dehydrogenase (XD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) are the end steps in the purine catabolic pathway and directly involved in depletion of the adenylate pool in the cell. Besides, XD can easily be converted to XO to produce reactive oxygen species in the cell. In this study, the effects of acute ammonia intoxication in vivo on brain adenine nucleotide pool and xanthine and hypoxanthine, the end degradation products of adenine nucleotides, during the conversion of XD to XO were studied. Injection of rats with ammonium acetate was shown to lead to the dramatic decrease in the ATP level, adenine nucleotide pool size and adenylate energy charge and to the great increase in hypoxanthine and xanthine 11 min after the lethal dose indicating rapid degradation of adenylates. Conversion of XD to XO in hyperammonemic rat brain was evidenced by elevated XO/XD activity ratio. Injection of MK-801, a NMDA receptor blocker, prevented ammonia-induced catabolism of adenine nucleotides and conversion of XD to XO suggesting that in vivo these processes are mediated by activation of NMDA receptors. The in vitro dose-dependent effects of sodium nitroprusside, a NO donor, on XD and XO activities are indicative of the direct modification of the enzymes by nitric oxide. This is the first report evidencing the increase in brain xanthine and hypoxanthine levels and adenine nucleotide breakdown in acute ammonia intoxication and NMDA receptor-mediated prevention of these alterations.

Oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease: novel tools give (free) radical insight

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality in the Western world and accounts for up to a third of all deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular disease is multifactorial and involves complex interplay between lifestyle (diet, smoking, exercise, ethanol consumption) and fixed (genotype, age, menopausal status, gender) causative factors. The initiating step in cardiovascular disease is endothelial damage, which exposes these cells and the underlying cell layers to a deleterious inflammatory process which ultimately leads to the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Intrinsic to lesion formation is cellular oxidative stress, due to the production of damaging free radicals (reactive oxygen and nitrogen species) by many cell types including endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and monocytes/macrophages. Exogenous factors such as smoking and the existence of other disease states such as diabetes also contribute to oxidative stress and are strong risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this review we describe this role of free radicals in atherosclerosis and discuss the mechanisms and cellular systems by which these radicals are produced. We also highlight recent technological advances which have added to the vascular biologist's armoury and which promise to provide new insight into the role of reactive oxygen species in cardiovascular disease.

Composition and functions of vascular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases are important sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are expressed in at least three different homologues in the vasculature. The enzymes consist of a membrane complex of one of the large catalytically active Nox proteins and p22phox and different cytosolic subunits. Reactive oxygen species formation by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases Nox1 and Nox2 in arteries is a consequence of an activation of the enzymes by different stimuli such as growth factors, cytokines, and cardiovascular risk factors (cigarette smoke, high blood pressure, oxidized lipids). Nox4, in contrast, is constitutively active, and therefore, ROS formation by this enzyme is controlled on the expression level of the protein. The negative vascular effects of ROS, such as endothelial dysfunction, vascular hypertrophy, aneurysm formation, and inflammatory activation, appear to be the consequence of an activation of Nox1 and Nox2. Nox4, in contrast, potentially elicits positive effects because it promotes differentiation and reduces proliferation of cells. Consequently, selective pharmacologic inhibition of Nox proteins has a potential to interfere with cardiovascular disease initiation and progression.

Absence of CD36 protects against atherosclerosis in ApoE knock-out mice with no additional protection provided by absence of scavenger receptor A I/II

AIMS

The role of scavenger receptors in atherogenesis is controversial as a result of conflicting reports and a recent hypothesis suggesting that scavenger receptor absence would enhance the pro-inflammatory, pro-atherogenic milieu. This study addresses the effect of combined absence of scavenger receptors CD36 and SRA I/II on atherosclerosis lesion development in the apolipoprotein E knock-out (apoE degrees ) model.

METHODS

We created background-related strains of apoE degrees , scavenger receptor A I/II knock-out (SRA degrees )/apoE degrees , CD36 knock-out (CD36 degrees )/apoE degrees , and CD36 degrees /SRA degrees /apoE degrees mice that were >99% C57Bl/6. Four-week-old mice were fed a Western diet for 12 weeks and were assessed for lesion burden/morphology, risk factors for atherosclerosis, inflammatory mediators, and macrophage function.

RESULTS

There was a 61 and 74% decrease in total aortic lesion area in CD36 degrees /apoE degrees males and females, respectively, compared with apoE degrees controls. The absence of SRA was protective (32% decrease in lesion) in female mice. The combined absence of CD36 and SRA provided no further protection in either gender. Macrophages from mice lacking CD36 had decreased pro-inflammatory characteristics and less migration to a pro-inflammatory stimulus. Plasma levels of cytokines/chemokines showed that CD36 degrees /apoE degrees and CD36 degrees /SRA degrees /apoE degrees mice had a less pro-inflammatory phenotype compared with apoE degrees and SRA degrees /apoE degrees mice. Oblivious mice in the apoE degrees background ruled out potential 'passenger gene' effects in the case of CD36.

CONCLUSION

These results provide new insights into the pro-atherogenic mechanisms of CD36 by implicating processes other than modified lipoprotein uptake.

Structure-activity relationship of C6-C3 phenylpropanoids on xanthine oxidase-inhibiting and free radical-scavenging activities

We employed the techniques of DNA relaxation, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate), and DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide)-electron spin resonance (ESR), to study the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) suppression by 11 selected C6-C3 phenylpropanoid derivatives under oxidative conditions. We also investigated the effects of the derivatives on the inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, and the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these derivatives against XO activity were further examined using computer-aided molecular modeling. Caffeic acid was the most potent radical scavenger among the 11 test compounds. Our results suggest that the chemical structure and number of hydroxyl groups on the benzene ring of phenylpropanoids are correlated with the effects of ROS suppression. All test derivatives were competitive inhibitors of XO. The results of the structure-based molecular modeling exhibited interactions between phenylpropanoid derivatives and the molybdopterin region of XO. The para-hydroxyl of phenylpropanoid derivatives was pointed toward the guanidinium group of Arg 880. The phenylpropanoid derivatives containing the meta-or ortho-hydroxyl formed hydrogen bonds with Thr 1010. In addition, meta-hydroxyl formed hydrogen bonds with the peptide bond between the residues of Thr1010 and Phe1009. CAPE, the phenylenethyl ester of phenylpropanoids, had the highest affinity toward the binding site of XO, and we speculated that this was due to hydrophobic interactions of the phenylethyl ester with several hydrophobic residues surrounding the active site. The hypoxanthine/XO reaction in the DMPO-ESR technique was used to correlate the effects of these phenylpropanoid derivatives on enzyme inhibition and ROS suppression, and the results showed that caffeic acid and CAPE were the two most potent agents among the tested compounds. We further assessed the effects of the test compounds on living cells, and CAPE was the most potent agent for protecting cells against ROS-mediated damage among the tested phenylpropanoids.