An unexpected antioxidant and redox activity for the classic copper-chelating drug penicillamine

Pentachlorophenol exposure, plasma metabolomic markers, and gestational diabetes mellitus: Association and potential mediation analyses

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a pervasive endocrine-disrupting compound present in the environment. Limited research has explored the effects of PCP exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), particularly the metabolites-related mechanism. Our study seeks to characterize the interrelationships between PCP exposure, plasma metabolomic markers, and GDM, aiming to elucidate the metabolomic profile mediating PCP-GDM relationship. From a prospective cohort in Changzhou, China, a nested case-control study was conducted, involving 154 GDM cases and 308 controls. We collected fasting blood samples before 16 weeks of gestation and determined PCP levels by UPLC-MS/MS. Plasma metabolomic markers were identified using untargeted metabolomics. Multivariate logistic regression and mediation analysis were used to examine the relationships among PCP exposure, metabolomic markers, and GDM. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, we found that serum PCP levels were significantly higher in GDM cases (median: 0.43 ng/mL, IQR: 0.28-0.77) compared to controls (median: 0.38 ng/mL, IQR: 0.24-0.64; P = 0.041). In the fully adjusted model, which additionally accounted for dietary patterns, the OR (95 %CI) values for GDM across tertiles of serum PCP were 1 (reference), 1.24 (0.73, 2.11), and 2.17 (1.28, 3.68), respectively, indicating a potential dose-response relationship (P trend = 0.004). Furthermore, 152 differential metabolites were identified between groups (FDR <0.05), implicating 4 metabolic pathways: "Nitrogen metabolism", "Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism", "Glycerophospholipid metabolism", and "Pyrimidine metabolism" (FDR <0.1). Mediation analysis revealed that 5 metabolomic markers (such as N-Acetylalanine and 4-Acetamidobutyric acid) significantly mediated the association between PCP and GDM (FDR <0.05), with mediated proportions ranging from 0.15 to 0.31. Together, pregnant women in Eastern China exhibit widespread PCP exposure, with serum PCP levels positively associated with GDM risk. PCP exposure-related metabolomic changes may partially mediate the link between PCP and GDM.

Merestinib inhibits cuproptosis by targeting NRF2 to alleviate acute liver injury

The emergence of cuproptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death, is induced by an excess of copper ions and has been associated with the progression of multiple diseases, including liver injury, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, there are currently no inhibitors available for targeting specific cuproptosis-related pathways in therapy. Here, the compound merestinib (MTB) has been identified as a strong inhibitor of cuproptosis through screening of a kinase inhibitor library. The results show that MTB effectively blocks elesclomol-CuCl2 (ES-Cu) induced cuproptosis by preventing the aggregation of lipoylated proteins and the destabilization of Fe-S cluster proteins, thereby preventing proteotoxic stress and ultimately cell death. Mechanistically, MTB decreases oxidative stress levels by binding directly to NRF2. Additionally, it boosts the efficiency of the copper homeostasis and facilitates the exocytosis and transportation of copper ions, ultimately inhibiting cuproptosis. Furthermore, our research showed that MTB has the ability to alleviate cuproptosis-driven acute liver injury in mice. These findings suggest that MTB is a specific inhibitor of cuproptosis, presenting a hopeful option for therapeutic approaches in cuproptosis-related diseases.

Counterexample to Luminescent Metal Nanocluster Paradigm: Reactive Au(I) Complexes from His-Au(III) Synthetic Reactions and Their Chemistry for Direct Analysis of d-Penicillamine

There is a widely accepted material characterization paradigm in the success of synthesis of luminescent metal nanoclusters (NCs) in the aqueous phase: new emission, metal reduction, and ultrasmall particles (size < 3 nm). Herein, we falsified well-known fluorescent histidine (His)-directed Au NCs and a new model of metastable His-Au(I) complexes with emissive His oxidation products has been established. The redox reaction of His and Au(III) yields His oligomers with blue-green fluorescence and reducible Au(I) self-assemblies, which can form ultrasmall particles at electron bombardment. The resultant Au(I) complexes can be further reduced by d-penicillamine (DPA) via forming anisotropic Au nanoparticles with distinct local surface plasmon resonance absorption. The emerging absorption can quench the fluorescence of the His oxidation products through the inner filter effect pathway. A facile dual-model analytical approach is thus proposed to directly detect DPA fluorometrically and colorimetrically without interference from common biothiols, including cysteine and glutathione. Thus, with the help of a smartphone app, a highly sensitive and selective point-of-care testing for DPA direct detection can be realized. Our study warrants the importance of thinking twice about characterization results and supports corrective models for finding new reactions and possible applications.

Highly Sensitive Determination of Copper Ions as MnO2 Etching Inhibitor in Single-Particle Nanoplasmonic Imaging

Dark-field microscopy (DFM) imaging based on plasmonic metal nanoparticles has garnered significant attention. Here, we exploit the susceptibility of MnO2 to reduction to modulate the local dielectric environment of an Au nanoparticle core through the etching/antietching effects of specific targets on the encapsulated MnO2 shell. The presence of d-penicillamine promotes MnO2 etching, while the chelation of d-penicillamine with Cu2+ effectively inhibits this etching. By recording the Cu2+-induced color shift of scattered light from orange to bright green at the single-particle level and performing the statistical analysis of the green-to-red (G/R) values in DFM images, we achieved quantitative determination of Cu2+ with a wide linear range (0.1-10 μM) and a low limit of detection (4.55 nM). With the facile and reliable Cu2+ assay in real-world samples exemplifying the practicality of the single-particle nanoplasmonic imaging method, this work may inspire future DFM-based investigations of nanoshell etching inhibition processes.

Molecular mechanism for the activation of the potent hepatotoxin acetylhydrazine: Identification of the initial N-centered radical and the secondary C-centered radical intermediates

Acetylhydrazine (AcHZ), a major human metabolite of the widely-used anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid (INH), was considered to be responsible for its serious hepatotoxicity and potentially fatal liver injury. It has been proposed that reactive radical species produced from further metabolic activation of AcHZ might be responsible for its hepatotoxicity. However, the exact nature of such radical species remains not clear. Through complementary applications of ESR spin-trapping and HPLC/MS methods, here we show that the initial N-centered radical intermediate can be detected and identified from AcHZ activated by transition metal ions (Mn(III)Acetate and Mn(III) pyrophosphate) and myeloperoxidase. The exact location of the radical was found to be at the distal-nitrogen of the hydrazine group by ¹⁵N-isotope-labeling techniques via using ¹⁵N-labeled AcHZ we synthesized. Additionally, the secondary C-centered radical was identified unequivocally as the reactive acetyl radical by complementary applications of ESR spin-trapping and persistent radical TEMPO trapping coupled with HPLC/MS analysis. This study represents the first detection and unequivocal identification of the initial N-centered radical and its exact location, as well as the reactive secondary acetyl radical. These findings should provide new perspectives on the molecular mechanism of AcHZ activation, which may have potential biomedical and toxicological significance for future research on the mechanism of INH-induced hepatotoxicity.

Cuproptosis: mechanisms and links with cancers

Cuproptosis was a copper-dependent and unique kind of cell death that was separate from existing other forms of cell death. The last decade has witnessed a considerable increase in investigations of programmed cell death, and whether copper induced cell death was an independent form of cell death has long been argued until mechanism of cuproptosis has been revealed. After that, increasing number of researchers attempted to identify the relationship between cuproptosis and the process of cancer. Thus, in this review, we systematically detailed the systemic and cellular metabolic processes of copper and the copper-related tumor signaling pathways. Moreover, we not only focus on the discovery process of cuproptosis and its mechanism, but also outline the association between cuproptosis and cancers. Finally, we further highlight the possible therapeutic direction of employing copper ion ionophores with cuproptosis-inducing functions in combination with small molecule drugs for targeted therapy to treat specific cancers.

Structural Features of Small Molecule Antioxidants and Strategic Modifications to Improve Potential Bioactivity

This review surveys the major structural features in various groups of small molecules that are considered to be antioxidants, including natural and synthetic compounds alike. Recent advances in the strategic modification of known small molecule antioxidants are also described. The highlight is placed on changing major physicochemical parameters, including log p, bond dissociation energy, ionization potential, and others which result in improved antioxidant activity.

Coexposure of Cyclopiazonic Acid with Aflatoxin B1 Involved in Disrupting Amino Acid Metabolism and Redox Homeostasis Causing Synergistic Toxic Effects in Hepatocyte Spheroids

Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an emerging toxin, has been found in various foods such as corn, peanuts, and figs. Aspergillus flavus can produce CPA, leading to coexposure with highly toxic aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), but the mechanism of their combined action is not clear. In this study, cocultured hepatocyte spheroids were used as the evaluation model, and two concentration settings of isotoxicity and different toxicity ratios were used to investigate the combined toxic effects. Metabolomics was subsequently used to analyze the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of their exposure. AFB1 and CPA might exhibit stronger cytotoxicity, with significant combined effects on mitochondrial morphology, activity, and reactive oxygen levels. The gene expression analysis revealed that the overexpression of AKT genes could mitigate the combined effects of AFB1 and CPA to some extent. Metabolomics analysis indicated that AFB1 and CPA significantly downregulated the metabolism of l-aspartate and antioxidant substances (e.g., penicillamine, myricetin, and ethanolamine). The pathway enrichment analysis also revealed a large impact on amino acid metabolism, likely affecting intracellular redox homeostasis. In addition, the presence of CPA affects intracellular glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism pathways. This study suggested a direction for future research on relevant toxic pathways and provided possible ideas for inhibiting or mitigating toxicity.

Providing multicolor plasmonic patterns with graphene quantum dots functionalized d-penicillamine for visual recognition of V(V), Cu (II), and Fe(III): Colorimetric fingerprints of GQDs-DPA for discriminating ions in human urine samples

In this study, a novel fluorescent probe (graphene quantum dots functionalized d-penicillamine [GQDs-DPA]) was developed for the selective identification of Cu²⁺ , V⁵⁺ , and Fe³⁺ among 26 types of metal ions, which considerably quench the fluorescence intensity of GQD. So, GQDs-DPA was applied as a simple fluorescent probe for facile metal ions recognition in standard solution. The proposed DPA-GQD supported amino acids respond to Cu²⁺ , V⁵⁺ , and Fe³⁺ , with high sensitivity. The intensity of the fluorescence histogram of this probe significantly diminished in exposure to metal ions such as Cu(II), V(V), and Fe(III). Moreover, a microfluidic paper-based device (μPAD) was fabricated through a facile and cost-effective protocol. Cu²⁺ , V⁵⁺ , and Fe³⁺ can be selectively recognized by GQDs-DPA using μPAD by naked eye. Also, GQDs-DPA exhibits a linear response for the detection of ions in concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1 ppm, with a low limit of quantification of 0.01 ppm in standards samples. The boosted color uniformity, low instrumental needs of the stamp, and disposability of μPADs enable the application of the proposed device for commercial applications in environmental science and technology.

Mechanistic Study on Oxidative DNA Damage and Modifications by Haloquinoid Carcinogenic Intermediates and Disinfection Byproducts

Haloquinones (XQs) are a group of carcinogenic intermediates of the haloaromatic environmental pollutants and newly identified chlorination disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water. The highly reactive hydroxyl radicals/alkoxyl radicals and quinone enoxy/ketoxy radicals were found to arise in XQs and H₂O₂ or organic hydroperoxides system, independent of transition-metal ions. However, it was not clear whether these haloquinoid carcinogens and hydroperoxides can cause oxidative DNA damage and modifications, and if so, what are the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), DNA strand breaks, and three methyl oxidation products could arise when DNA was treated with tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone and H₂O₂ via a metal-independent and intercalation-enhanced oxidation mechanism. Similar effects were observed with other XQs, which are generally more efficient than the typical Fenton system. We further extended our studies from isolated DNA to genomic DNA in living cells. We also found that potent oxidation of DNA to the more mutagenic imidazolone dIz could be induced by XQs and organic hydroperoxides such as t-butylhydroperoxide or the physiologically relevant hydroperoxide 13S-hydroperoxy-9Z,11E-octadecadienoic acid via an unprecedented quinone-enoxy radical-mediated mechanism. These findings should provide new perspectives to explain the potential genotoxicity, mutagenesis, and carcinogenicity for the ubiquitous haloquinoid carcinogenic intermediates and DBPs.

Caffeic Acid Phenyl Ester (CAPE) Protects against Iron-Mediated Cellular DNA Damage through Its Strong Iron-Binding Ability and High Lipophilicity

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and its structurally-related caffeic acid (CA), ferulic acid (FA) and ethyl ferulate (EF) are constituents of honeybee propolis that have important pharmacological activities. This study found that CAPE—but not CA, FA, and EF—could effectively prevent cellular DNA damage induced by overloaded iron through decreasing the labile iron pool (LIP) levels in HeLa cells. Interestingly, CAPE was found to be more effective than CA in protecting against plasmid DNA damage induced by Fe(II)–H₂O₂ or Fe(III)–citrate–ascorbate-H₂O₂ via the inhibition of hydroxyl radical (•OH) production. We further provided more direct and unequivocal experimental evidences for the formation of inactive CAPE/CA–iron complexes. CAPE was found to have a stronger iron-binding ability and a much higher lipophilicity than CA. Taken together, we propose that the esterification of the carboxylic moiety with phenethyl significantly enhanced the iron-binding ability and lipophilicity of CAPE, which is also responsible for its potent protection against iron-mediated cellular DNA damage. A study on the iron coordination mechanism of such natural polyphenol antioxidants will help to design more effective antioxidants for the treatment and prevention of diseases caused by metal-induced oxidative stress, as well as help to understand the structure–activity relationships of these compounds.

The critical role of superoxide anion radicals on delaying tetrachlorohydroquinone autooxidation by penicillamine

We have recently found that penicillamine, a classic copper-chelating thiol-drug for Wilson's disease, can delay tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ) autooxidation via a previously unrecognized redox-activity. However, its underlying molecular mechanism remains not fully understood. In this study, we found, interestingly and unexpectedly, that superoxide dismutase (SOD) can significantly shorten the delay of TCHQ autooxidation by penicillamine, but not by ascorbate; SOD can also markedly increase the yields of the oxidized form of penicillamine. Similar effects were observed with a recently-developed specific and sensitive superoxide anion radical (O₂^•-) probe CT-02H, which was also employed to successfully measure O₂^•- generated from both TCHQ and TCHQ/penicillamine systems for the first time. More importantly, addition of extra O₂^•- (KO₂/18-crown-6) can further prolong the delaying effects by penicillamine and slow down penicillamine consumption. Taken together, an unexpected critical role of O₂^•- in TCHQ/penicillamine interaction was proposed: O₂^•- may regenerate penicillamine, thereby continuously reducing TCSQ^•- to TCHQ and finally delaying TCHQ autooxidation; In contrast, if O₂^•- were eliminated, which can not only markedly change the reaction equilibrium, accelerate the rate of interaction, and ultimately shorten the delay of TCHQ autooxidation by penicillamine, but can also accelerate penicillamine oxidation to form its corresponding disulfide solely via redox reaction without any minor nucleophilic reaction. These findings not only further support our previously-proposed redox mechanism for the protection against TCHQ-induced cytotoxicity by penicillamine, but also reveal a new mode of action for O₂^•- in the inhibition of haloquinoids-induced toxicity by thiol antioxidants.

First unequivocal identification of the critical acyl radicals from the anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid and its hydrazide analogs by complementary applications of ESR spin-trapping and HPLC/MS methods

The carbon-centered isonicotinic acyl radical of isoniazid (INH), a widely-used frontline anti-tuberculosis drug, has been considered to play a critical role in inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but not fully identified. Here we show that this radical intermediate can be unequivocally characterized by complementary applications of ESR spin-trapping and HPLC/MS methods by employing N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) as the suitable spin-trapping agent, which can form the most stable radical adduct. More importantly, for the first time, analogous carbon-centered acyl radicals and their respective NAD⁺ adducts have also been detected and identified from its two isomers (nicotinic acid hydrazide and 2-pyridinecarbohydrazide) and benzhydrazide which are structurally-related to INH, but not by 2-chloroisonicotinohydrazide. This study represents the first unequivocal identification of the carbon-centered acyl radicals of INH and other hydrazide analogs by both ESR spin-trapping and HPLC/MS methods, which may have broad biomedical and toxicological significance for future research for more efficient hydrazide anti-tuberculosis drugs.