Publications by authors named "Bernhard M K Gmeiner"

Uremic toxins have been shown to play a role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in uraemia. The oxidative modification of LDL may play a role in early atherogenesis.

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The transcription factor HIF-1α regulates the adaptive response of cells to hypoxia and oxidative stress. In addition, an important regulatory role for HIF-1α in immune reactions and inflammation is suggested. The present study attempts to investigate the effect of the gaseous signalling molecule hydrogen sulphide (H2S) on HIF-1α in THP-1 macrophages using the slow H2S releasing donor GYY4137.

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4-HNE (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal) is a highly reactive α,β-unsaturated aldehyde generated from oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of several diseases. 4-HNE can bind to amino acids, proteins, polynucleotides, and lipids and exert cytotoxicity. 4-HNE forms adducts (Michael adducts) with cysteine, lysine, as well as histidine on proteins with the thiol function as the most reactive nucleophilic moiety.

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Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been identified as the third gasotransmitter. Beside its role as signaling molecule in the cardiovascular and nervous system the antioxidant and cyto-protective properties of H2S have gained much attention. In the present study we show that cyanate, an uremic toxin which is found in abundant concentration in sera of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD), can abrogate the antioxidant and cytoprotective activity of H2S via S-carbamoylation reaction, a reaction that previously has only been shown to have a physiological effect on cysteine groups, but not on H2S.

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N-carbamoylation is the non-enzymatic reaction of cyanate with amino groups. Due to urea-formed cyanate in uremic patients beside carbamoylated proteins also free amino acid carbamoylation has been detected, a modification which has been linked to disturbed protein synthesis as NH(2)-derivatisation interferes with peptide bond formation. HOCl the product of the activated MPO/H(2)O(2)/Cl(-) system is known to react with the NH(2)-group of free amino acids to form chloramines which could exert some protective effect against protein modification and cytotoxicity induced by HOCl.

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Carbamoylation is the non-enzymatic reaction of cyanate with amino-, hydroxy- or thiol groups. In vivo, amino group modification (N-carbamoylation) resulting in altered function of proteins/amino acids has been observed in patients suffering from uraemia due to urea-derived cyanate. Uraemia has been linked to impaired antioxidant defense.

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Highly reactive alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes like 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), generated from oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, can bind to proteins, polynucleotides and exert cytotoxicity. 4-HNE is known to react readily with thiol and amino groups on free or bound amino acids. Recently, hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has been identified as an endogenous vascular gasotransmitter and neuromodulator which can reach up to 160 micromol/l in the brain.

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LOOHs (lipid hydroperoxides) in oxLDL [oxidized LDL (low-density lipoprotein)] are potentially atherogenic compounds. Recently, H2S was identified as the third endogenous gasotransmitter in the vasculature. H2O2 is known to be destroyed by H2S.

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Hypochlorite (HOCl), the product of the activated myeloperoxidase/H(2)O(2)/chloride (MPO/H(2)O(2)/Cl(- )) system is favored as a trigger of LDL modifications, which may play a pivotal role in early atherogenesis. As HOCl has been shown to react with thiol-containing compounds like glutathione and N-acetylcysteine protecting LDL from HOCl modification, we have tested the ability of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) - which has recently been identified as an endogenous vasorelaxant - to counteract the action of HOCl on LDL. The results show that H(2)S could inhibit the atherogenic modification of LDL induced by HOCl, as measured by apolipoprotein alterations.

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Hypericin and pseudohypericin are polycyclic-phenolic structurally related compounds found in Hypericum perforatum L. (St John's wort). As hypericin has been found to bind to LDL one may assume that it can act as antioxidant of LDL lipid oxidation, a property which is of prophylactic/therapeutic interest regarding atherogenesis as LDL oxidation may play a pivotal role in the onset of atherosclerosis.

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Introduction: Tissue factor (TF) plays a pivotal role in the generation of thrombin in atherothrombotic disease. The oxidized phospholipid 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (oxPAPC), an active compound of minimally oxidized low-density lipoprotein (MM-LDL), induces TF in endothelial cells (EC). The dietary soybean isoflavonoid genistein has been claimed to reverse several processes leading to atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular events via binding to estrogen receptors, generating nitric oxide (NO) or inhibiting tyrosine kinase-dependent pathways.

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The water-soluble Cu+ chelator bathocuproine disulfonate (BCS) is widely used to quantify Cu+ or detect Cu+ formation in Cu2+-initiated oxidation reactions. The dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) assay is commonly used to monitor free radical reactions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), or reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Upon oxidation the non-fluorescent DCFH is converted into the fluorescent compound dichlorofluorescein (DCF).

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Hypochlorite (HOCl) attacks amino acid residues in LDL making the particle atherogenic. Tryptophan is prone to free radical reactions and modification by HOCl. We hypothesized, that free tryptophan may quench the HOCl attack therefore protecting LDL.

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Objective: Al(3+) stimulates Fe(2+) induced lipid oxidation in liposomal and cellular systems. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation may render the particle atherogenic. As elevated levels of Al(3+) and increased lipid oxidation of LDL are found in sera of hemodialysis patients, we investigated the influence of Al(3+) on LDL oxidation.

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The oxidative modification of LDL may play an important role in the early events of atherogenesis. Thus the identification of antioxidative compounds may be of therapeutic and prophylactic importance regarding cardiovascular disease. Copper-chlorophyllin (Cu-CHL), a Cu(2+)-protoporphyrin IX complex, has been reported to inhibit lipid oxidation in biological membranes and liposomes.

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Lipid oxidation in LDL may play a role in atherogenesis. It has been shown that sulfite - a compound in the aqueous fraction of wine - could inhibit free radical (AAPH) mediated oxidation of plasma. Thus, sulfite has been proposed as an antioxidant.

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Hydroxyl radicals have been shown to convert free tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine (DOPA) which has reducing properties. During protein or peptide oxidation such reducing species are also formed from tyrosine residues. Free DOPA or peptide-bound DOPA (PB-DOPA) is able to promote radical-generating events, facilitating the damage of biomolecules such as nucleic acids.

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