Molecular actions of ebselen--an antiinflammatory antioxidant

Experimental and clinical evidence of antioxidant therapy in acute pancreatitis

Oxidative stress has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). Antioxidants, alone or in combination with conventional therapy, should improve oxidative-stress-induced organ damage and therefore accelerate the rate of recovery. In recent years, substantial amounts of data about the efficiency of antioxidants against oxidative damage have been obtained from experiments with rodents. Some of these antioxidants have been found beneficial in the treatment of AP in humans; however, at present there is insufficient clinical data to support the benefits of antioxidants, alone or in combination with conventional therapy, in the management of AP in humans. Conflicting results obtained from experimental animals and humans may represent distinct pathophysiological mechanisms mediating tissue injury in different species. Further detailed studies should be done to clarify the exact mechanisms of tissue injury in human AP. Herein I tried to review the existing experimental and clinical studies on AP in order to determine the efficiency of antioxidants. The use of antioxidant enriched nutrition is a potential direction of clinical research in AP given the lack of clues about the efficiency and safety of antioxidant usage in patients with AP.

Pharmacology of iron transport

Elucidating the molecular basis for the regulation of iron uptake, storage, and distribution is necessary to understand iron homeostasis. Pharmacological tools are emerging to identify and distinguish among different iron transport pathways. Stimulatory or inhibitory small molecules with effects on iron uptake can help characterize the mechanistic elements of iron transport and the roles of the transporters involved in these processes. In particular, iron chelators can serve as potential pharmacological tools to alleviate diseases of iron overload. This review focuses on the pharmacology of iron transport, introducing iron transport membrane proteins and known inhibitors.

Small molecule modulators of Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway as potential preventive and therapeutic agents

Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response elements (ARE) pathway represents one of the most important cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress and xenobiotic damage. Activation of Nrf2 signaling induces the transcriptional regulation of ARE-dependent expression of various detoxifying and antioxidant defense enzymes and proteins. Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling has become an attractive target for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases and conditions including cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. Over the last few decades, numerous Nrf2 inducers have been developed and some of them are currently undergoing clinical trials. Recently, overactivation of Nrf2 has been implicated in cancer progression as well as in drug resistance to cancer chemotherapy. Thus, Nrf2 inhibitors could potentially be used to improve the effectiveness of cancer therapy. Herein, we review the signaling mechanism of Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway, its disease relevance, and currently known classes of small molecule modulators. We also discuss several aspects of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction, Nrf2-based peptide inhibitor design, and the screening assays currently used for the discovery of direct inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction.

Effects of ebselen on radiocontrast media–induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Oxidative stress is accepted as a potential responsible mechanism in the pathogenesis of radiocontrast media (RCM)-induced hepatotoxicity. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of ebselen against RCM-induced hepatotoxicity by measuring tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters and histological changes in rats. Wistar albino rats were randomly separated into four groups consisting of eight rats per group. Normal saline was given to the rats in control group (group 1). RCM was given to the rats in group 2, and both RCM and ebselen were given to the rats in group 3. Only ebselen was given to the rats in group 4. Liver sections of the killed animals were analyzed to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as histopathological changes. In RCM group, SOD and CAT levels were found increased. In RCM-ebselen group, MDA, SOD and CAT levels were found decreased. In RCM-ebselen group, however, GSH-Px activities of liver tissue increased. All these results indicated that ebselen produced a protective mechanism against RCM-induced hepatotoxicity and took part in oxidative stress.

Ebselen reduces hyperglycemia temporarily-induced by diazinon: a compound with insulin-mimetic properties

The present study investigated the effect of ebselen (EB) against hyperglycemia induced by the organophosphate (OPI) diazinon (DI) in rats. The insulin-mimetic properties of EB were investigated in vitro with the aim of better understanding the hypoglycemic effect of this compound. The protective effect of EB against pancreatic and hepatic damage caused by DI in rats was also appraised. In the in vivo experiments, rats were pre-treated with a single injection of EB (50mg/kg, intraperitoneal, i.p.). Afterward, animals were treated with a single injection of DI (200 mg/kg, i.p.). The parameters indicative of pancreatic and hepatic damage such as, serum amylase, lipase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities as well as serum glucose levels, hepatic glycogen content and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity were determined. EB pre-treatment was effective in reducing serum amylase, lipase, AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH activities, protecting against pancreatic and hepatic damage. EB reduced hyperglycemia and increased hepatic glycogen content in animals exposed to DI. In the in vitro assays, EB (150 μM) or insulin (IN 10 μM, positive control) was incubated with either skeletal muscle or hepatic tissue with the aim of measuring glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis and glycogen breakdown. EB increased the glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, stimulated hepatic glycogen synthesis and inhibited glycogen breakdown in a similar way to IN. In conclusion, EB, possibly through its insulin-mimetic action, protected against pancreatic and hepatic damage caused by DI in rats.

Evaluation of the neurotoxic/neuroprotective role of organoselenides using differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line challenged with 6-hydroxydopamine

It is well established that oxidative stress plays a major role in several neurodegenerative conditions, like Parkinson disease (PD). Hence, there is an enormous effort for the development of new antioxidants compounds with therapeutic potential for the management of PD, such as synthetic organoselenides molecules. In this study, we selected between nine different synthetic organoselenides the most eligible ones for further neuroprotection assays, using the differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line as in vitro model. Neuronal differentiation of exponentially growing human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells was triggered by cultivating cells with DMEM/F12 medium with 1% of fetal bovine serum (FBS) with the combination of 10 μM retinoic acid for 7 days. Differentiated cells were further incubated with different concentrations of nine organoselenides (0.1, 0.3, 3, 10, and 30 μM) for 24 h and cell viability, neurites densities and the immunocontent of neuronal markers were evaluated. Peroxyl radical scavenging potential of each compound was determined with TRAP assay. Three organoselenides tested presented low cytotoxicity and high antioxidant properties. Pre-treatment of cells with those compounds for 24 h lead to a significantly neuroprotection against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) toxicity, which were directly related to their antioxidant properties. Neuroprotective activity of all three organoselenides was compared to diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)₂, the simplest of the diaryl diselenides tested. Our results demonstrate that differentiated human SH-SY5Y cells are suitable cellular model to evaluate neuroprotective/neurotoxic role of compounds, and support further evaluation of selected organoselenium molecules as potential pharmacological and therapeutic drugs in the treatment of PD.

Acute hypoxia stimulates intracellular peroxynitrite formation associated with pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation

There is separate evidence for peroxynitrite formation and hypoxia-induced cell proliferation in several models of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. We therefore hypothesized that the stimulation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation by hypoxia is due to peroxynitrite formation. The effect of hypoxia alone and in combination with ≤ 0.2 μM peroxynitrite on PASMCs was investigated in explants from bovine lungs grown in 1%, 5%, or 10% oxygen for 24 hours with or without peroxynitrite. At 0.1% fetal bovine serum, DNA synthesis of PASMCs (assessed by 3H thymidine incorporation) was increased by transient exposure to 0.2 μM peroxynitrite (by 158% ± 14%, P < 0.01) or to 24 hours of hypoxia (5% oxygen) (by 221% ± 17%, P < 0.01). Results were similar at 2.5% fetal bovine serum. Treatment of PASMCs with 0.2 μM peroxynitrite or 5% O2 hypoxia caused a significant increase in nitrotyrosine formation to a similar extent and intensity. The proliferative response to 0.2 μM peroxynitrite or to the combination of peroxynitrite plus 5% O2 was similar to the effect of 5% O2 alone and was abolished by simultaneous treatment with peroxynitrite scavenger-ebselen (5 μM). Our present data indicate that hypoxia can initiate peroxynitrite-induced proliferative events and suggest a mechanism for the vascular hypertrophy associated with pulmonary hypertension.

Synthesis and antioxidant capacity of 5-selenopyranose derivatives

Described is a convenient method for the syntheses of sulfur and selenium containing carbohydrate derivatives of L-gulodeoxynojirimycin and the corresponding C-5 epimer D-mannodeoxynojirimycin. The key step in the synthesis of the latter involves epimerisation of the C-5 hydroxyl group by an oxidation followed by stereo-selective reduction to obtain the desired D-sugar derivative. Both derivatives displayed a dose-dependent prevention of the oxidation of methionine residues on human plasma proteins induced by the inflammatory oxidant hypochlorous acid. The seleno-analogues were considerably more active than their thio-equivalents.

Screening for dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase inhibitors reveals ebselen as a bioavailable inactivator

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) is an endogenous regulator of nitric oxide production and represents a potential therapeutic target. However, only a small number of biologically useful inhibitors have been reported, and many of these are substrate analogs. To seek more diverse scaffolds, we developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay and queried two small libraries totaling 2446 compounds. The HTS assay proved to be robust, reproducible and scalable, with Z' factors ≥ 0.78. One inhibitor, ebselen, is structurally divergent from substrate and was characterized in detail. This selenazole covalently inactivates DDAH in vitro and in cultured cells. The rate constant for inactivation of DDAH (44,000 ± 2,400 M(-1)s(-1)) is greater than those reported for any other target, suggesting this pathway is an important aspect of ebselen's total pharmacological effects.

Gold activates mast cells via calcium influx through multiple H2O2-sensitive pathways including L-type calcium channels

Heavy metals, including gold, induce severe contact hypersensitivity and autoimmune disorders, which develop through an initial Th2-independent process followed by a Th2-dependent process. It has been shown that mast cell activation plays a role in the Th2-independent process and that gold stimulates histamine release in vitro. However, the mechanisms of the gold-induced mast cell activation remain largely unclear. Here we report that gold directly activates mast cells in a Ca2+-dependent manner. HAuCl4 [Au(III)] at nontoxic concentrations (≤50 μM) induced substantial degranulation and leukotriene C4 secretion in an extracellular Ca2+-dependent manner. Au(III) induced a robust Ca2+ influx but not Ca2+ mobilization from internal stores. Au(III) also stimulated intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, including H2O2, and blockade of the production abolished the mediator release and Ca2+ influx. Au(III) induced Ca2+ influx through multiple store-independent Ca2+ channels, including Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB)-sensitive Ca2+ channels. The 2-APB-sensitive channel seemed to mediate Au(III)-induced degranulation. Our results indicate that gold stimulates Ca2+ influx and mediator release in mast cells through multiple H2O2-sensitive Ca2+ channels including LTCCs and 2-APB-sensitive Ca2+ channels. These findings provide insight into the roles of these Ca2+ channels in the Th2-independent process of gold-induced immunological disorders.

Anti-hemolytic and peroxyl radical scavenging activity of organoselenium compounds: an in vitro study

Selenium-containing amino acids, selenocystine (CysSeSeCys), methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys), and selenomethionine (SeMet) have been examined for anti-hemolytic and peroxyl radical scavenging ability. Effect of these compounds on membrane lipid peroxidation, release of hemoglobin, and loss of intracellular K(+) ion as a consequence of peroxyl radicals-induced oxidation of human red blood cells were used to evaluate their anti-hemolytic ability. The peroxyl radicals were generated from thermal degradation of 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride. Significant delay (t(eff)) was observed in oxidative damage in the presence of the selenium compounds. From the IC(50) values for the inhibition of hemolysis, lipid peroxidation, and K(+) ion leakage, the relative anti-hemolytic ability of the compounds were found to be in the order of CysSeSeCys > MeSeCys > SeMet. The anti-hemolytic abilities of the compounds, when compared with sodium selenite (Na(2)SeO(3)) under identical experimental conditions, were found to be better than Na(2)SeO(3). Relative rate constants estimated for the reaction of MeSeCys and SeMet with peroxyl radicals by competition kinetics using ABTS(2-) as a reference confirmed that all the compounds are efficient peroxyl radical scavengers. Comparison of the GPx-like activity of these compounds, by NADPH-GSH reductase coupled assay, indicated that CysSeSeCys exhibits the highest activity. Based on these results, it is concluded that among the compounds examined, CysSeSeCys, possessing the ability to reduce peroxyl radicals and hydroperoxides showed efficient anti-hemolytic activity.

Effect of functional groups on antioxidant properties of substituted selenoethers

Selenoethers attached to functional groups through propyl chain viz., bis(3-carboxypropyl)selenide (SeBA), bis(3-hydroxypropyl)selenide (SePOH) and bis(3-aminopropyl)selenide dihydrochloride (SePAm), have been examined for their ability to inhibit peroxyl radical mediated DNA damage, peroxyl radical scavenging ability and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) like activity. The DNA damage was monitored by gel electrophoresis, bimolecular rate constants for scavenging of model peroxyl radical were determined by pulse radiolysis and the GPx activity was followed by their ability to reduce hydrogen peroxide in the presence of glutathione utilizing NADPH decay and HPLC analysis. Among these compounds, SeBA showed maximum DNA protecting activity and it was also the most efficient in scavenging peroxyl radicals with the highest GPx mimicking activity. Quantum chemical calculations confirmed that SeBA with the highest energy level of HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) is the easiest to undergo oxidation and therefore exhibits better radical scavenging, GPx mimicking and DNA protecting activity than SePOH or SePAm.

Functional mimics of glutathione peroxidase: bioinspired synthetic antioxidants

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the biological system's ability to detoxify these reactive intermediates. Mammalian cells have elaborate antioxidant defense mechanisms to control the damaging effects of ROS. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), a selenoenzyme, plays a key role in protecting the organism from oxidative damage by catalyzing the reduction of harmful hydroperoxides with thiol cofactors. The selenocysteine residue at the active site forms a "catalytic triad" with tryptophan and glutamine, which activates the selenium moiety for an efficient reduction of peroxides. After the discovery that ebselen, a synthetic organoselenium compound, mimics the catalytic activity of GPx both in vitro and in vivo, several research groups developed a number of small-molecule selenium compounds as functional mimics of GPx, either by modifying the basic structure of ebselen or by incorporating some structural features of the native enzyme. The synthetic mimics reported in the literature can be classified in three major categories: (i) cyclic selenenyl amides having a Se-N bond, (ii) diaryl diselenides, and (iii) aromatic or aliphatic monoselenides. Recent studies show that ebselen exhibits very poor GPx activity when aryl or benzylic thiols such as PhSH or BnSH are used as cosubstrates. Because the catalytic activity of each GPx mimic largely depends on the thiol cosubstrates used, the difference in the thiols causes the discrepancies observed in different studies. In this Account, we demonstrate the effect of amide and amine substituents on the GPx activity of various organoselenium compounds. The existence of strong Se···O/N interactions in the selenenyl sulfide intermediates significantly reduces the GPx activity. These interactions facilitate an attack of thiol at selenium rather than at sulfur, leading to thiol exchange reactions that hamper the formation of catalytically active selenol. Therefore, any substituent capable of enhancing the nucleophilic attack of thiol at sulfur in the selenenyl sulfide state would enhance the antioxidant potency of organoselenium compounds. Interestingly, replacement of the sec-amide substituent by a tert-amide group leads to a weakening of Se···O interactions in the selenenyl sulfide intermediates. This modification results in 10- to 20-fold enhancements in the catalytic activities. Another strategy involving the replacement of tert-amide moieties by tert-amino substituents further increases the activity by 3- to 4-fold. The most effective modification so far in benzylamine-based GPx mimics appears to be either the replacement of a tert-amino substituent by a sec-amino group or the introduction of an additional 6-methoxy group in the phenyl ring. These strategies can contribute to a remarkable enhancement in the GPx activity. In addition to enhancing catalytic activity, a change in the substituents near the selenium moiety alters the catalytic mechanisms. The mechanistic investigations of functional mimics are useful not only for understanding the complex chemistry at the active site of GPx but also for designing and synthesizing novel antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

Identification and characterization of novel classes of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) inhibitors with distinct mechanisms of action

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a proinflammatory cytokine, is considered an attractive therapeutic target in multiple inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. In addition to its known biologic activities, MIF can also function as a tautomerase. Several small molecules have been reported to be effective inhibitors of MIF tautomerase activity in vitro. Herein we employed a robust activity-based assay to identify different classes of novel inhibitors of the catalytic and biological activities of MIF. Several novel chemical classes of inhibitors of the catalytic activity of MIF with IC(50) values in the range of 0.2-15.5 microm were identified and validated. The interaction site and mechanism of action of these inhibitors were defined using structure-activity studies and a battery of biochemical and biophysical methods. MIF inhibitors emerging from these studies could be divided into three categories based on their mechanism of action: 1) molecules that covalently modify the catalytic site at the N-terminal proline residue, Pro(1); 2) a novel class of catalytic site inhibitors; and finally 3) molecules that disrupt the trimeric structure of MIF. Importantly, all inhibitors demonstrated total inhibition of MIF-mediated glucocorticoid overriding and AKT phosphorylation, whereas ebselen, a trimer-disrupting inhibitor, additionally acted as a potent hyperagonist in MIF-mediated chemotactic migration. The identification of biologically active compounds with known toxicity, pharmacokinetic properties, and biological activities in vivo should accelerate the development of clinically relevant MIF inhibitors. Furthermore, the diversity of chemical structures and mechanisms of action of our inhibitors makes them ideal mechanistic probes for elucidating the structure-function relationships of MIF and to further determine the role of the oligomerization state and catalytic activity of MIF in regulating the function(s) of MIF in health and disease.

Diphenyl diselenide in its selenol form has dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione S-transferase-like activity dependent on the glutathione content

Objectives

The antioxidant action of diphenyl diselenide ((PhSe)2) is attributed to the mechanism by which (PhSe)2 has pharmacological activity. Although (PhSe)2 has glutathione peroxidase mimetic activity, the exact mechanism involved in its antioxidant effect has not yet been completely elucidated. In the present study, mechanisms involved in the antioxidant property of (PhSe)2 (1–50 µm) were investigated.

Methods

Dehydroascorbate (DHA) reductase- and glutathione S-transferase (GST)-like activity, 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical-scavenging activity and the protection against the oxidation of Fe2+ were evaluated.

Key findings

(PhSe)2 at concentrations equal to, or greater than, 5 µm showed DHA reductase- and GST-like activity. (PhSe)2 was not a scavenger of DPPH or ABTS radicals and did not protect against the oxidation of Fe2+.

Conclusions

These results clearly indicated that DHA reductase- and GST-like activity are the mechanisms involved in the antioxidant effect of (PhSe)2.

Acute exposure of rabbits to diphenyl diselenide: a toxicological evaluation

The simple organoselenium compound diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)(2) is a promising new pharmacological agent. However, few toxicological evaluations of this molecule have been reported. We evaluated the effects of acute administration of (PhSe)(2) on toxicological parameters in rabbits. Adult New Zealand rabbits were exposed to (PhSe)(2) (5-500 micromol kg(-1) , intraperitoneally) once a day for 5 days. Exposure to 500 micromol kg(-1) caused 85% mortality. Exposure to 50 micromol kg(-1) of (PhSe)(2) increased the glutathione levels in the hippocampus, kidney, heart, muscle and blood, whereas lipoperoxidation (TBARS) decreased in the cerebellum and kidney after exposure to 5 micromol kg(-1) . The activity of glutathione peroxidase increased in the heart and muscle of rabbits treated with 50 micromol kg(-1) of (PhSe)(2) and glutathione reductase activity was reduced in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex and kidney. Treatment with (PhSe)(2) reduced the activity of δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase in the hippocampus and increased this activity in the heart, but did not alter the activity of complexes I and II of the respiratory chain in the liver and brain. Hepatic and renal biochemical and histological parameters were not modified by (PhSe)(2) and apoptosis was not detected in these tissues; however, the hepatic cells tended to accumulate fat vacuoles. These results indicated that acute toxicology to (PhSe)(2) in rabbit is dependent on the dose, which should motivate further experiments on the therapeutic properties of this compound.

Reactive oxygen species, Ki-Ras, and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase cooperate in nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of PC12 cells

Nerve growth factor (NGF) induces terminal differentiation in PC12, a pheochromocytoma-derived cell line. NGF binds a specific receptor on the membrane and triggers the ERK1/2 cascade, which stimulates the transcription of neural genes. We report that NGF significantly affects mitochondrial metabolism by reducing mitochondrial-produced reactive oxygen species and stabilizing the electrochemical gradient. This is accomplished by stimulation of mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally via Ki-Ras and ERK1/2. Activation of MnSOD is essential for completion of neuronal differentiation because 1) expression of MnSOD induces the transcription of a neuronal specific promoter and neurite outgrowth, 2) silencing of endogenous MnSOD by small interfering RNA significantly reduces transcription induced by NGF, and 3) a Ki-Ras mutant in the polylysine stretch at the COOH terminus, unable to stimulate MnSOD, fails to induce complete differentiation. Overexpression of MnSOD restores differentiation in cells expressing this mutant. ERK1/2 is also downstream of MnSOD, as a SOD mimetic drug stimulates ERK1/2 with the same kinetics of NGF and silencing of MnSOD reduces NGF-induced late ERK1/2. Long term activation of ERK1/2 by NGF requires SOD activation, low levels of hydrogen peroxide, and the integrity of the microtubular cytoskeleton. Confocal immunofluorescence shows that NGF stimulates the formation of a complex containing membrane-bound Ki-Ras, microtubules, and mitochondria. We propose that active NGF receptor induces association of mitochondria with plasma membrane. Local activation of ERK1/2 by Ki-Ras stimulates mitochondrial SOD, which reduces reactive oxygen species and produces H(2)O(2). Low and spatially restricted levels of H(2)O(2) induce and maintain long term ERK1/2 activity and ultimately differentiation of PC12 cells.

High-throughput multiplex flow cytometry screening for botulinum neurotoxin type a light chain protease inhibitors

Given their medical importance, proteases have been studied by diverse approaches and screened for small molecule protease inhibitors. Here, we present a multiplexed microsphere-based protease assay that uses high-throughput flow cytometry to screen for inhibitors of the light chain protease of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNTALC). Our assay uses a full-length substrate and several deletion mutants screened in parallel to identify small molecule inhibitors. The use of multiplex flow cytometry has the advantage of using full-length substrates, which contain already identified distal-binding elements for the BoNTALC, and could lead to a new class of BoNTALC inhibitors. In this study, we have screened 880 off patent drugs and bioavailable compounds to identify ebselen as an in vitro inhibitor of BoNTALC. This discovery demonstrates the validity of our microsphere-based approach and illustrates its potential for high-throughput screening for inhibitors of proteases in general.

3-Alkynyl selenophene protects against carbon-tetrachloride-induced and 2-nitropropane-induced hepatic damage in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of 3-alkynyl selenophene (3-ASP) on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) and 2-nitropropane (2-NP) in rats. On the first day of treatment, the animals received 3-ASP (25 mg/kg, p.o.). On the second day, the rats received CCl(4) (1 mg/kg, i.p.) or 2-NP (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Twenty-four hours after CCl(4) or 2-NP administration, the animals were euthanized, and their plasma and liver were removed for biochemical and histological analyses. The histological analysis revealed extensive injury in the liver of CCl(4)-exposed and 2-NP-exposed rats, which was attenuated by 3-ASP. 3-ASP significantly attenuated (1) the increase in plasmatic aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities and lipid peroxidation levels induced by CCl(4) and 2-NP; (2) the inhibition of δ-aminolevulinic dehydratase activity caused by 2-NP; and (3) the decrease in ascorbic acid (AA) levels and catalase (CAT) activity caused by CCl(4). AA levels and CAT activity remained unaltered in the liver of rats exposed to 2-NP. The protective effect of 3-ASP on acute liver injury induced by CCl(4) and 2-NP in rats was demonstrated.

Glutamate receptors, neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration

Glutamate excitotoxicity is a hypothesis that states excessive glutamate causes neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. As glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS), the implications of glutamate excitotoxicity are many and far-reaching. Acute CNS insults such as ischaemia and traumatic brain injury have traditionally been the focus of excitotoxicity research. However, glutamate excitotoxicity has also been linked to chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and others. Despite the continued research into the mechanisms of excitotoxicity, there are currently no pharmacological interventions capable of providing significant neuroprotection in the clinical setting of brain ischaemia or injury. This review addresses the current state of excitotoxic research, focusing on the structure and physiology of glutamate receptors; molecular mechanisms underlying excitotoxic cell death pathways and their interactions with each other; the evidence for glutamate excitotoxicity in acute neurologic diseases; laboratory and clinical attempts at modulating excitotoxicity; and emerging targets for excitotoxicity research.

Pathways involved in the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species during glucose deprivation and its role on the death of cultured hippocampal neurons

Oxidative stress has been suggested as a mechanism contributing to neuronal death induced by hypoglycemia, and an early production of reactive species (RS) during the hypoglycemic episode has been observed. However, the sources of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species have not been fully identified. In the present study we have examined the contribution of various enzymatic pathways to RS production and neuronal death induced by glucose deprivation (GD) in hippocampal cultures. We have observed a rapid increase in RS during GD, which depends on the activation of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors and on the influx of calcium from the extracellular space. Accordingly, intracellular calcium concentration [Ca(2+)](i) progressively increases more than 30-fold during the GD period. It was observed that superoxide production through the activation of the calcium-dependent enzymes, phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and xanthine oxidase (XaO), contributes to neuronal damage, while nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is apparently not involved. Inhibition of cPLA(2) decreased RS at early times of GD whereas inhibition of XaO diminished RS at more delayed times. The antioxidants trolox and ebselen also showed a protective effect against neuronal death and diminished RS generation. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase also contributed to the early generation of superoxide. Taking together, the present results suggest that the early activation of calcium-dependent ROS producing pathways is involved in neuronal death associated with glucose deprivation.

Vitamins E and D3 attenuate demyelination and potentiate remyelination processes of hippocampal formation of rats following local injection of ethidium bromide

Cognitive deficits have been observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) due to hippocampal insults. Antioxidant vitamins D and E are suggested for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases like MS, while their mechanisms of action are not well understood. Here, we have tried to study the effects of these vitamins on demyelination, cell death, and remyelination of rat hippocampus following local ethidium bromide (EB) injection. Animals received 100 mg/kg vitamin E or 5 microg/kg of vitamin D3 for 2, 7, or 28 days. The extent of demyelination, myelin staining intensity, and expression of myelin basic protein and caspase-3 were investigated using histological and immunoblotting verification. Administration of EB alone caused demyelination, cell death, and afterward an endogenous repair. Vitamins E and D3 reduced the EB-induced damage and increased the endogenous remyelination of hippocampus. Although the anti-apoptotic effect of these vitamins and protection against demyelination were predictable based on their antioxidant effect, our results indicated the positive effect of vitamins E and D3 on process of remyelination by endogenous progenitor cells and supported their possible therapeutic effects in the context of demyelinating diseases like MS.

Mechanisms involved in the antinociceptive effect caused by diphenyl diselenide in the formalin test

This study investigated the mechanisms involved in the antinociceptive action induced by diphenyl diselenide ((PhSe)2) in the formalin test. Mice were pre-treated with (PhSe)2 by the oral route (0.1–100 mg kg−1), 30 min before formalin injection. To address some of the mechanisms by which (PhSe)2 inhibits formalin-induced nociception mice were treated with different drugs. The antinociceptive effect of (PhSe)2 was shown in the first and second phases of the formalin test. The antinociceptive effect caused by (PhSe)2 (10 mg kg−1, p.o.) was prevented by intrathecal injection of K+ channel blockers such as apamin and charybdotoxin (small- and large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel inhibitors, respectively) and tetraethylammonium (TEA, a non-selective voltage-dependent K+ channel inhibitor), but not glib-enclamide (an ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor). The antinociceptive action caused by (PhSe)2 (10 mg kg−1, p.o.) was also blocked by a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor (Nω-nitro-l-arginine, L-NOARG) and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitors 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and methylene blue. These results suggest the participation of NO/cyclic GMP/Ca2+ and K+ channel pathways in the antinociceptive effect caused by (PhSe)2.

Effect of oil-in-water lipid emulsions prepared with fish oil or soybean oil on the growth of MCF-7 cells and HepG2 cells

The growth of human breast cancer-derived MCF-7 cells was affected by oil-in-water lipid emulsions prepared with fish oil (FO) rich in n-3 fatty acids (FAs) and egg-yolk phosphatides (EYP) (FO-emulsions), but not by lipid emulsions prepared with soybean oil (SO) and EYP (SO-emulsions). On the other hand, the growth of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells was affected by neither SO-emulsions nor FO-emulsions. The growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells in the presence of FO-emulsions was not affected by trolox, but was inhibited by α-lipoic acid, and was even potentiated by ebselen, which works as an antioxidant as well as a lipoxygenase inhibitor. Since prostaglandin E3, generated from n-3 FAs by cyclooxygenases, has a suppressive effect on tumour cell growth, and increases when lipoxygenases are inhibited, these findings suggest that lipid emulsions incorporating triglycerides of n-3 FAs might be effective in suppressing the growth of MCF-7 cells, possibly via oxidative stress and through eicosanoid production with anti-proliferating activity against cancer cells.

Mechanisms involved in the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of bis selenide in mice

Objectives

The present study examined the mechanisms involved in the antinociceptive effects of bis selenide [(Z)-2,3-bis(4-chlorophenylselanyl)prop-2-en-1-ol].

Methods

The effects of oral bis selenide were tested against licking behaviour and oedema in mice induced by formalin, serotonin, histamine, glutamate, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), 8-bromoadenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP) and pros-taglandin E2. The effects of a variety of receptor antagonists on the antinociceptive activity were tested to determine the likely mechanism of action of bis selenide.

Key findings

Bis selenide caused antinociception on the first and second phases of the formalin test, with mean ID50 values of 34.21 (29.66–39.45) and 15.86 (12.17–20.67) mg/kg and maximal inhibition of 65 ± 3% and 90 ± 1%, respectively. At 50 mg/kg bis selenide significantly inhibited (31 ± 2%) paw oedema induced by intraplantar injection of formalin. At 25 mg/kg given 5 min after the formalin injection, bis selenide caused a significant inhibition (42 ± 5%) in the second phase of the formalin test, whereas the prophylactic treatment caused more intense inhibition (64 ± 3%). Oral administration of bis selenide reduced licking and paw oedema induced by serotonin, histamine, glutamate, PGE2, PMA and 8-BrcAMP. The antinociceptive effect of bis selenide (25 mg/kg, p.o.) on the formalin test was reversed by i.p. administration of p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis), ketanserin (a selective 5-HT2a receptor antagonist), ondansetron (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) and ranitidine (a histamine H2-receptor antagonist).

Conclusions

Glutamatergic, prostaglandin E2, serotonergic (5-HT2a and 5-HT3) and histamine H2 receptors are involved in the antinociceptive effects of bis selenide in mice. The interaction of bis selenide with protein kinase C and A signalling pathways was also demonstrated.

Redox control of asthma: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities

An imbalance in reducing and oxidizing (redox) systems favoring a more oxidative environment is present in asthma and linked to the pathophysiology of the defining symptoms and signs including airflow limitation, hyper-reactivity, and airway remodeling. High levels of hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide ((*)NO), and 15-F(2t)-isoprostane in exhaled breath, and excessive oxidative protein products in lung epithelial lining fluid, peripheral blood, and urine provide abundant evidence for pathologic oxidizing processes in asthma. Parallel studies document loss of reducing potential by nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. The essential first line antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutases (SOD) and catalase are reduced in asthma as compared to healthy individuals, with lowest levels in those patients with the most severe asthma. Loss of SOD and catalase activity is related to oxidative modifications of the enzymes, while other antioxidant gene polymorphisms are linked to susceptibility to develop asthma. Monitoring of exhaled (*)NO has entered clinical practice because it is useful to optimize asthma care, and a wide array of other biochemical oxidative and nitrative biomarkers are currently being evaluated for asthma monitoring and phenotyping. Novel therapeutic strategies that target correction of redox abnormalities show promise for the treatment of asthma.

5-Selenization of salicylic acid derivatives yielded isoform-specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors

Low molecular weight seleno-organic compounds exhibit glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activity; the well-known compound ebselen is being used in clinical trials as a stroke medication. Here, we describe the facile one-step synthesis of novel 5-selenized salicylic acid derivatives using selenium tetrachloride. The products were analyzed by spectroscopic studies including (77)Se-NMR and some were subjected to X-ray structure determination. Several products were identified as selective inhibitors of the pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) but had little effect on the catalytic activity of 12/15-LOX, which has been implicated in the synthesis of anti-inflammatory mediators. Such isoform-specificity (specificity coefficient >120) has not been reported before for any seleno-organic compound. In addition, synthesis products exhibited GPx-like activity, which was higher than that of ebselen for some derivatives.