Inhibition of LDL oxidation and inflammasome assembly by nitroaliphatic derivatives. Potential use as anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic agents.

We have previously shown the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of several para-substituted arylnitroalkenes. Since oxidative stress and inflammation are key processes that drive the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, in the present work the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties of an extended library of aryl-nitroaliphatic derivatives, including several newly designed nitroalkanes, was explored. The antioxidant capacity of the nitroaliphatic compounds, measured using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay (ORAC) showed that the p-methylthiophenyl-derivatives were about three times more effective than Trolox to prevent fluorescein oxidation, independently of the presence or the absence of the double bond next to the nitro group.

Arylnitroalkenes as scavengers of macrophage-generated oxidants.

Oxygen and nitrogen derived molecules mediated oxidation and nitration have been involved in several pathological conditions. Conversely, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide are important signalization intermediates, whose concentrations are tightly regulated by specialized enzyme repertoires and should remain undisturbed by the addition of exogenous antioxidant molecules, as already demonstrated by intervention studies with antioxidant vitamins. Our goal was to develop specific antioxidants able to scavenge peroxynitrite anion, as well the radicals derived from the homolytic decomposition of its conjugated acid, nitrogen dioxide and hydroxyl radical.

Analysis of two methods to evaluate antioxidants.

This exercise is intended to introduce undergraduate biochemistry students to the analysis of antioxidants as a biotechnological tool. In addition, some statistical resources will also be used and discussed. Antioxidants play an important metabolic role, preventing oxidative stress-mediated cell and tissue injury.