Effects of hyperthermic conditions on the reactivity of oxygen radicals

Influence of endophyte consumption and heat stress on intravaginal temperatures, plasma lipid oxidation, blood selenium, and glutathione redox of mononuclear cells in heifers grazing tall fescue

A grazing experiment was conducted to assess the effects of wild-type endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue consumption and elevated ambient temperatures on intravaginal temperatures, plasma lipid peroxidation, and glutathione redox of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Angus heifers (n = 34) were allotted by BW to 4 blocks consisting of E+ and endophyte-free (E-) fescue pastures. Monthly, in June, July, and August, temperature loggers were fixed into blank controlled internal drug releasers and inserted into a subsample of heifers (n = 16) for 2 d. After 48 h, heifers were weighed, and blood (30 mL) was collected via jugular venipuncture. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated for analysis of glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione reductase activity, and reduced:oxidized glutathione. Plasma malondialdehyde was evaluated as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and whole blood Se concentration was determined. Serum prolactin was assayed after the grazing period. Heifer ADG was greatest in August and least in July (P < 0.001). In August, heifers grazing E+ fescue exhibited greater (P < 0.05) afternoon intravaginal temperatures and temperature fluctuations than heifers grazing E- fescue. In July and August, all heifers had greater afternoon temperatures (P < 0.02) and less reduced:oxidized glutathione (P < 0.0001) than in June. Glutathione reductase activity of all heifers was greater in June (P = 0.03) than in July. Similarly, all heifers exhibited decreased glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.0008) in July, whereas whole blood Se was reduced (P < 0.0001) in July and August. No treatment or date effects were detected for malondialdehyde, but serum prolactin was reduced at the end of the grazing period (P = 0.008) in heifers stocked on E+ fescue. Using these markers, differences in oxidative stress were not detected between heifers consuming E+ fescue and those consuming E- fescue. Date effects indicating altered glutathione redox and enzyme activity may have been related to heat stress and nutritional limitations.

Can the different heat shock response thresholds found in fermenting and respiring yeast cells be attributed to their differential redox states?

In this study we used a heat-shock (HS) reporter gene to demonstrate that respiring cells are intrinsically less sensitive (by 5 degrees C) than their fermenting counterparts to a sublethal heat shock. We also used an oxidant-sensitive fluorescent probe to demonstrate that this correlates with lower levels of sublethal reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in heat-stressed respiring cells. Moreover, this relationship between HS induction of the reporter gene and ROS accumulation extends to respiring cells that have had their ROS levels modified by treatment with the anti-oxidant ascorbic acid and the pro-oxidant H(2)O(2). Thus, by demonstrating that the ROS/HSR correlation previously demonstrated in fermenting cells also holds for respiring cells (despite their greater HS insensitivity and higher level of intrinsic thermotolerance), we provide evidence that the intracellular redox state may influence both the sensitivity of the heat-shock response (HSR) and stress tolerance in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Nutritional intervention with omega-3 fatty acids enhances tumor response to anti-neoplastic agents

Nutritional intervention with specific fatty acids depresses tumor growth and enhances tumor responsiveness to chemotherapy. Supplementation of tumors with long chained omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids results in enrichment of tumor phospholipid fractions with omega-3 fatty acids resulting in an altered membrane composition and function. Tumors enriched with long chained omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids possess membranes with increased fluidity, an elevated unsaturation index, enhanced transport capabilities that results in accumulation of selective anti-cancer agents, increased activity of selected drug activating enzymes, and alteration of signaling pathways important for cancer progression. These nutritionally induced changes in tumor fatty acid composition result in increased sensitivity to chemotherapy, especially in tumor lines that are resistant to chemotherapy and cause specific enhancement of cytotoxicity to tumor cells and protection of normal cells. Pre-disposing tumors to increased chemo-sensitivity through nutritional intervention with specific fatty acids has the potential to improve patient response to chemotherapy with fewer untoward side effects if these pre-clinical findings carry over into a clinical setting.

Role of antioxidant enzymes in survival of conidiospores of Aspergillus niger 26 under conditions of temperature stress

AIMS

A better understanding of the role of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the protection of Aspergillus niger spores against thermal stress.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Conidiospores from A. niger 26 were subjected to wide range of temperatures (30, 50, 60 and 80 degrees C). The stress response was investigated by the determination of spore germination and mycelial growth of survivors under submerged cultivation. Exposure to any temperature above the optimal value induced an increase in SOD and CAT activities. PAGE demonstrated enhanced level of Cu/ZnSOD under stress conditions. We compared the influence of heat shock and superoxide-generating agent paraquat on growth and antioxidant enzyme defence and found different response to the both type of stresses.

CONCLUSIONS

Heat stress elicits the enhanced synthesis of enzymes whose functions are to scavenge reactive oxygen species. These results suggested an association between thermal and oxidative stress.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Evidence is provided for the possibility that oxidative stress plays a major role in the effect of heat in low eucaryotes such as A. niger. This knowledge may be of importance in controlling both fermentation and pathogenicity.

Enhancement of lipid peroxidation and of the antitumor effect of hyperthermia upon combination with oral eicosapentaenoic acid

The present study was designed to determine the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on the susceptibility of tumor cells to treatments that kill the cells by lipid peroxidation. Using AH109A carcinoma, a rat liver cancer, we measured EPA content, levels of antioxidants, and degree of lipid peroxidation in tumor tissue and normal liver tissue after oral administration of EPA. In the control group treated with distilled water, EPA in tumor tissue was lower than in normal liver tissue, suggesting that its content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (the substrates for lipid peroxidation) was inherently low. Levels of antioxidants also tended to be lower in tumor tissue. EPA level increased in both tumor and normal tissues after oral administration of EPA. At the same time, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased in normal tissue, whereas tumor tissue displayed no increase in antioxidants; instead GSH decreased. The EPA-induced change in balance between substrates for lipid peroxidation and antioxidants suggested that tumor tissue might become more susceptible to lipid peroxidation than normal liver tissue. In fact, hyperthermia treatment did enhance lipid peroxidation and antitumor action. Our results indicate that oral EPA specifically increases the susceptibility of liver tumor tissue to lipid peroxidation, and hence enhance the antitumor effect of hyperthermia and prolongs survival.

Whole-blood concentrations of glutathione in cattle exposed to heat stress or a combination of heat stress and endophyte-infected tall fescue toxins in controlled environmental conditions

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether cattle exposed to heat stress alone or heat stress while consuming endophyte-infected fescue (EIF) have lower whole-blood (WB) concentrations of glutathione (GSH).

ANIMALS

10 Simmental cows.

PROCEDURE

Cows were sequentially exposed to thermoneutral (TN; 2 weeks; 18 C, 50% relative humidity [RH]), heat stress (HS; 2 weeks; alternating 4-hour intervals at 26 and 33 C; 50% RH), and heat stress while consuming EIF (10 microg of ergovaline/kg/d; 2 weeks, HS + EIF). Blood samples were collected after each period and tested for GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentrations.

RESULTS

Feed consumption was similar when data were analyzed for time points at which WB concentrations of GSH or GSSG were determined. However, significant effects of treatment, cow, days exposed to heat, cow-by-treatment interaction, and treatment-by-days exposed to heat interaction were detected when data were considered simultaneously. Mean +/- SD hematocrit for TN, HS, and HS + EIF were 35.3+/-3, 33.3+/-2, and 37.1+/-3%, respectively. Mean WBGSH concentrations for TN, HS, and HS + EIF were 3.2+/-0.65, 2.7+/-0.62, and 2.4+/-0.56 mmol/L of RBC, respectively. Reduced WBGSH concentrations were associated with reduced feed intake during the later part of each heat period.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Decreased GSH and increased GSSG concentrations were evident during heat stress, especially when cattle consumed EIF These were associated with reduced feed intake during heat stress. Heat stress, reductions in feed intake, and thermoregulatory effects of EIF may induce oxidative stress in cattle.

Selected contribution: Differential expression of stress-related genes with aging and hyperthermia

Aging is associated with a reduced capacity to cope with physiological stress. To study the molecular mechanisms associated with the decline in stress tolerance that accompanies aging, differences in gene expression between young and old Fischer 344 rats under euthermic control conditions or in response to hyperthermic challenge were evaluated using a cDNA array containing 207 stress-related genes. In the nonstressed control condition, aging resulted in selective upregulation of stress protein genes and transcripts involved in cell growth, death, and signaling, along with a downregulation of genes involved in antioxidant defenses and drug metabolism. Heat stress resulted in a broad induction of genes in the antioxidant and drug metabolism categories and transcripts involved in DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis for both age groups. Old animals had a robust upregulation of genes involved in cell growth, death, and signaling after heat challenge, along with a blunted expression of stress-response genes. In contrast, young animals had a strong induction of stress-response genes after hyperthermic challenge. Changes in expression of selected genes were confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. These findings suggest that aging results in altered gene expression in response to heat stress that is indicative of decreased stress protein transcription and increased expression of oxidative stress-related genes. Thus our findings support the postulate that transcriptional changes in response to a physiological challenge such as hyperthermia contribute to the loss of stress tolerance in older organisms.

Reduced enzymatic antioxidative defense in deep-sea fish

Oxygen, while being an obligate fuel for aerobic life, has been shown to be toxic through its deleterious reactive species, which can cause oxidative stress and lead ultimately to cell and organism death. In marine organisms, reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, are generated within respiring cells and tissues and also by photochemical processes in sea water. Considering both the reduced metabolic rate of nektonic organisms thriving in the deep sea and the physico-chemical conditions of this dark, poorly oxygenated environment, the meso- and bathypelagic waters of the oceans might be considered as refuges against oxidative dangers. This hypothesis prompted us to investigate the activities of the three essential enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase, GPX) constitutive of the antioxidative arsenal of cells in the tissues of 16 species of meso- and bathypelagic fishes occurring between the surface and a depth of 1300 m. While enzymatic activities were detected in all tissues from all species, the levels of SOD and GPX decreased in parallel with the exponential reduction in the metabolic activity as estimated by citrate synthase activity. In contrast, CAT was affected neither by the metabolic activity nor by the depth of occurrence of the fishes. High levels of metabolic and antioxidative enzymes were detected in the light organs of bioluminescent species. The adjustment of the activity of SOD and GPX to the decreased metabolic activity associated with deep-sea living suggests that these antioxidative defense mechanisms are used primarily against metabolically produced ROS, whereas the maintenance of CAT activity throughout all depths could be indicative of another role. The possible reasons for the occurrence of such a reduced antioxidative arsenal in deep-sea species are discussed.

Effect of in vitro generation of oxygen free radicals on T cell function in young and old rats

T cells from young (6 months) and old (24 months) male Fischer 344 rats were isolated and exposed to three different oxidative stress conditions: (a) reactive oxygen species generated by xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X/XO), (b) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and (c) hyperthermia (43 degrees C for 1 h). After oxidative stress treatment, the induction of proliferation and IL-2 production by concanavalin A (Con A) was measured. Exposure of T cells to X/XO or H2O2 resulted in suppression of proliferation and IL-2 expression, and the suppressive effect was more pronounced in T cells from young rats than in T cells from old rats. Similarly, hyperthermia caused inhibition of proliferation and IL-2 expression in T cells from young and old rats. Addition of antioxidant to cultured cells only slightly attenuated the effects of X/XO and H2O2 on T cell function; however, antioxidant had no effect on heat shock-mediated inhibition of proliferation in young or old rats. Because IL-2 plays a crucial role in T cell proliferation and because the transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cell) plays a major role in the regulation of IL-2 transcription, the induction of NFAT as well as NF-KB and AP-1 DNA binding activities in nuclear extracts of the X/XO-treated and untreated control cells was measured using a gel shift assay. The ability of nuclear extracts to bind NFAT or NF-KB oligonucleotide decreased in the X/XO-treated cells from young and old rats compared to the untreated controls. Therefore, these data imply that reactive oxygen species generated by the X/XO system alter the distal step of mitogen-mediated signal transduction, i.e., transcription factors that regulate IL-2 transcription.

Hyperthermic sensitization by hematoporphyrin on glioma cells

This study investigated: (1) the effect of Hp as a hyperthermic sensitizer on glioma cells; and (2) the possible mechanism of hyperthermic sensitization by Hp using an exogenous scavenger specific to a particular reactive oxygen species. Hp at nontoxic doses at 37 degrees C significantly enhanced thermal cell damage at 41.5 degrees C and above in a dose-dependent manner. Thermal cell damage enhancement by HP was effectively suppressed by the addition of beta-carotene, a singlet oxygen scavenger, or SOD, a superoxide scavenger, but not by the addition of mannitol or catalase. These results support the following hypothesis: The generation of superoxide is increased in cells treated with Hp in combination with hyperthermia. Thermal cell damage enhancement by Hp is probably mediated by singlet oxygen generated via superoxide in an alternative pathway different from that of photosensitization. Hp has potential as a hyperthermic sensitizer because of the following advantages: (1) its dose-dependent enhancement of thermal cell damage; and (2) the lack of toxicity at physiological temperature at doses of Hp required for hyperthermic sensitization of tumour cells.

Accumulation of purine catabolites in solid tumors exposed to therapeutic hyperthermia

Intensified adenosine triphosphate (ATP) degradation following therapeutic hyperthermia is often observed in solid tumors. As a result, accumulation of purine catabolites can be expected together with formation of protons at several stages during degradation to the final product, uric acid. Proton formation in turn can contribute to the development of heat-induced acidosis. Furthermore, oxidation of hypoxanthine and xanthine may result in generation of reactive oxygen species, which may lead to DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and protein denaturation, thus also contributing to heat-induced cytotoxicity. In hyperthermia experiments a tumor-size-dependent, significant increase in the levels of the following catabolites has been demonstrated: [symbol: see text] [IMP + GMP] (sum of guanosine and inosine monophosphate levels), inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid, along with a drop in ATP and guanosine triphosphate (GTP) levels. These data suggest that formation of reactive oxygen species and protons during purine degradation may indeed play a significant role in the antitumor effect of hyperthermia.

Oxidative stress is involved in heat-induced cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cause for death after lethal heat shock is not well understood. A shift from low to intermediate temperature causes the induction of heat-shock proteins in most organisms. However, except for HSP104, a convincing involvement of heat-shock proteins in the development of stress resistance has not been established in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This paper shows that oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes play a major role in heat-induced cell death in yeast. Mutants deleted for the antioxidant genes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and cytochrome c peroxidase were more sensitive to the lethal effect of heat than isogenic wild-type cells. Overexpression of catalase and superoxide dismutase genes caused an increase in thermotolerance. Anaerobic conditions caused a 500- to 20,000-fold increase in thermotolerance. The thermotolerance of cells in anaerobic conditions was immediately abolished upon oxygen exposure. HSP104 is not responsible for the increased resistance of anaerobically grown cells. The thermotolerance of anaerobically grown cells is not due to expression of heat-shock proteins. By using an oxidation-dependent fluorescent molecular probe a 2- to 3-fold increase in fluorescence was found upon heating. Thus, we conclude that oxidative stress is involved in heat-induced cell death.

Effect of thermal stress on glutathione metabolism in human erythrocytes

This is the first experiment to investigate the effect of heat and cold stress on glutathione metabolism in human erythrocytes. We immersed men at three different water temperatures for 10 min. At 39 degrees C, no remarkable changes were observed. Levels of glutathione (GSH) decreased from 2.44 (0.14) to 1.80 (0.10) mumol.ml red blood cells-1 [mumol.ml RBC-1; mean (SEM); P < 0.0005] and those of lipid peroxides increased from 1.87 (0.03) to 2.06 (0.04) nmol.ml RBC-1 (P < 0.01) after the immersion at 42 degrees C. In contrast, levels of GSH increased from 2.46 (0.17) to 2.91 (0.17) mumol.ml RBC-1 (P < 0.05) and those of lipid peroxides did not change after the immersion at 25 degrees C. The activities of glutathione peroxidase decreased from 35.90 (1.83) to 34.33 (1.66) IU.g Hb-1 (P < 0.01) after the immersion at 42 degrees C; however, these activities did not change after the immersion at 25 degrees C. The activities of glutathione reductase (both active and inactive forms) showed no changes at any temperatures. These changes indicate that heat stress causes oxidative stress in the human body; however, cold stress is thought to augment the activity of the antioxidative defence system. It is suggested that body exposure to hot environmental conditions should not be recommended for patients suffering from a damaged antioxidative defence system.

Heat-induced cytotoxicity in H2O2-resistant Chinese hamster fibroblasts

Hydrogen-peroxide-resistant Chinese hamster fibroblasts, derived from the HA-1 cell line, were isolated following continuous culturing in the presence of progressively increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen-peroxide-resistant phenotype has been stable for over 360 days following removal from H2O2 stress. These H2O2-resistant cell lines demonstrate increased resistance to hyperthermic cell killing mediated by continuous heating at 43 degrees C but not 45 degrees C. The relationship between mammalian cellular adaptation to oxidative stress mediated by H2O2 and resistance to 43 degrees C hyperthermia is discussed.

Hydrogen peroxide or heat shock induces resistance to hydrogen peroxide in Chinese hamster fibroblasts

Survival after H2O2 exposure or heat shock of asynchronous Chinese hamster ovary cells (HA-1) was assayed following pretreatment with mildly toxic doses of either H2O2 or hyperthermia. H2O2 cytotoxicity at 37 degrees C, expressed as a function of mM H2O2 was found to be dependent on cell density at the time of treatment. The density dependence reflected the ability of cells to reduce the effectiveness of H2O2 as a cytotoxic agent. When the survival data were plotted as a function of mumoles H2O2/cell at the beginning of the treatment, survival was independent of cell density. Cells pretreated with 0.1 mM (3-5 mumoles/cell X 10(-7)) H2O2 for 1 hr at 37 degrees C (30-50% survival) became resistant to a subsequent H2O2 treatment 16-36 hr after pretreatment [dose modifying factor (DMF) at 1% isosurvival = 4-6]. Their resistance to 43 degrees C heating, however, was only slightly increased over controls 16-36 hr following pretreatment (DMF at 1% isosurvival = 1.2). During this same interval, the synthesis of protein migrating in the 70 kD region of a one-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel was enhanced twofold in the H2O2-pretreated cells. When the cells were heated for 15 min at 45 degrees C (40-60% survival), the survivors became extremely resistant to 43 degrees C heating and somewhat resistant to H2O2 (DMF at 1% isosurvival = 2). The heat-induced resistance to heat developed much more rapidly (reached a maximum between 6 and 13 hr) following pretreatment than the heat-induced resistance to H2O2 (16-36 hr). The enhanced synthesis of 70 kD protein after heat shock was greater in magnitude and occurred more rapidly following preheating than following H2O2 pretreatment. The cells that became resistant to H2O2 by either pretreatment (H2O2 or heat shock) also increased their ability to reduce the H2O2 cytotoxicity from the treatment medium beyond that of the untreated HA-1 cells. This may be one of the mechanisms involved in the increased resistance and a common adaptive mechanism induced by both stresses. These data indicate that mammalian cells develop resistance to H2O2 following mild pretreatment with H2O2 or heat shock. The cross-resistance induced by H2O2 and heat shock reinforce the hypothesis that some overlap in mechanisms exist between the cellular responses to these two stresses. However, the failure of H2O2 pretreatment to induce much resistance to heat indicates that there are also differences in the actions of the two agents.