Alpha-lipoic acid potently inhibits peroxynitrite-mediated DNA strand breakage and hydroxyl radical formation: implications for the neuroprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid.

Alpha-lipoic acid (LA) has recently been reported to afford protection against neurodegenerative disorders in humans and experimental animals. However, the mechanisms underlying LA-mediated neuroprotection remain an enigma. Because peroxynitrite has been extensively implicated in the pathogenesis of various forms of neurodegenerative disorders, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of LA in peroxynitrite-induced DNA strand breaks, a critical event leading to peroxynitrite-elicited cytotoxicity.

Upregulation of cellular glutathione by 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione as a possible treatment strategy for protecting against acrolein-induced neurocytotoxicity.

Acrolein, an unsaturated aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease. However, protection against acrolein toxicity in neuronal cells via chemical upregulation of cellular aldehyde-detoxification factors has not been investigated. In this study, we have investigated the induction of glutathione (GSH), GSH S-transferase (GST), and aldose reductase (AR) by the unique nutraceutical compound 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T); and the protective effects of the D3T-mediated cellular defenses on acrolein-mediated toxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Carcinogenic chromium(VI)-induced protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation: implications in DNA-protein crosslinking.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds are Group-I human carcinogens. Cr(VI)-induced DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) have been implicated in the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of Cr(VI). Although multiple mechanisms have been suggested for Cr(VI)-induced DNA-protein crosslinking, the mechanism of formation of DNA-protein crosslinks is not well understood.

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-dependent myocardiac cytoprotection against oxidative and electrophilic stress.

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a critical regulator of cytoprotective gene expression. However, the role of this transcription factor in myocardiac cytoprotection against oxidative and electrophilic stress remains unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate if Nrf2 signaling could control the constitutive and inducible expression of antioxidants and phase 2 enzymes in primary cardiomyocytes as well as the susceptibility of these cells to oxidative and electrophilic injury.

EPR studies on the superoxide-scavenging capacity of the nutraceutical resveratrol.

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene), a polyphenolic compound found in mulberries, grapes, and red wine, has received considerable attention because of its apparent protective effects against various degenerative diseases due to its potential antioxidant activities. However, direct evidence for the superoxide-scavenging capacity of resveratrol is lacking in literature. In this study, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methylpyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO)-spin trapping technique was utilized to determine the ability of resveratrol in scavenging superoxide anions generated from both potassium superoxide and the xanthine oxidase/xanthine system.

Dopamine as a potent inducer of cellular glutathione and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 in PC12 neuronal cells: a potential adaptive mechanism for dopaminergic neuroprotection.

Dopamine auto-oxidation and the consequent formation of reactive oxygen species and electrophilic quinone molecules have been implicated in dopaminergic neuronal cell death in Parkinson's disease. We reported here that in PC12 dopaminergic neuronal cells dopamine at noncytotoxic concentrations (50-150 muM) potently induced cellular glutathione (GSH) and the phase 2 enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), two critical cellular defenses in detoxification of ROS and electrophilic quinone molecules. Incubation of PC12 cells with dopamine also led to a marked increase in the mRNA levels for gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and NQO1.