Bibiana Beckmann

Endogenous Nitric Oxide Synthesis Inhibitor Asymmetric Dimethyl L-Arginine Accelerates Endothelial Cell Senescence

Objectives—Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and its accumulation has been associated with cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate the role of ADMA in endothelial cell senescence. Methods and Results—Endothelial cells were cultured until the tenth passage. ADMA was replaced every 48 hours starting at the fourth passage. ADMA significantly accelerated senescence associated &bgr;-galactosidase activity. Additionally, the shortening of telomere length was significantly accelerated and the telomerase activity was significantly reduced. This effect was associated with an increase of oxidative stress: allantoin, a marker of oxygen free radical generation, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased significantly after ADMA treatment compared with control, whereas cellular thiol status and NOx synthesis decreased. Furthermore, ADMA-increased oxidative stress was accompanied by a decrease in the activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH), the enzyme that degrades ADMA, which could be prevented by the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. Exogenous ADMA also stimulated secretion of MCP-1 and interleukin-8. Coincubation with the methyltransferase inhibitor S-adenosylhomocysteine abolished the effects of ADMA. Conclusions—These data suggest that ADMA accelerates senescence, probably via increased oxygen radical formation by inhibiting nitric oxide elaboration. This study provides evidence that modest changes of intracellular ADMA levels are associated with significant effects on slowing endothelial senescence.

Natriuretic peptides enhance the oxidative capacity of human skeletal muscle

Cardiac natriuretic peptides (NP) are major activators of human fat cell lipolysis and have recently been shown to control brown fat thermogenesis. Here, we investigated the physiological role of NP on the oxidative metabolism of human skeletal muscle. NP receptor type A (NPRA) gene expression was positively correlated to mRNA levels of PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC1A) and several oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes in human skeletal muscle. Further, the expression of NPRA, PGC1A, and OXPHOS genes was coordinately upregulated in response to aerobic exercise training in human skeletal muscle. In human myotubes, NP induced PGC-1α and mitochondrial OXPHOS gene expression in a cyclic GMP-dependent manner. NP treatment increased OXPHOS protein expression, fat oxidation, and maximal respiration independent of substantial changes in mitochondrial proliferation and mass. Treatment of myotubes with NP recapitulated the effect of exercise training on muscle fat oxidative capacity in vivo. Collectively, these data show that activation of NP signaling in human skeletal muscle enhances mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and fat oxidation. We propose that NP could contribute to exercise training-induced improvement in skeletal muscle fat oxidative capacity in humans.

HPLC analysis of human erythrocytic glutathione forms using OPA and N-acetyl-cysteine ethyl ester: Evidence for nitrite-induced GSH oxidation to GSSG ☆

Glutathione exists in biological samples in the reduced form (GSH), as its disulfide (GSSG) and as a mixed disulfide (GSSR) with thiols (RSH). GSH is the most abundant low-molecular-mass thiol and plays important roles as a cofactor and as a main constituent of the intracellular redox status. Due to its own sulfhydryl (SH) group, GSH reacts readily with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) to form a highly stable and fluorescent isoindole derivative (GSH-OPA), which allows for sensitive and specific quantitative determination of GSH in biological systems by HPLC with fluorescence (FL) detection. In the present article we report on the utility of the novel, strongly disulfide bond-reducing thiol N-acetyl-cysteine ethyl ester (NACET) for the specific quantitative analysis of GSH and GSSG in the cytosol of red blood cells (RBC) as GSH-OPA derivative with FL (excitation/emission 338/458nm) or UV absorbance (338nm) detection. Unlike in aqueous solution, the derivatization of GSH in RBC cytosol yielded two closely related derivatives in the absence of NACET and only the GSH-OPA derivative in the presence of NACET. The HPLC method was optimized and validated for human RBC and applied to measure GSH and GSSG in RBC of healthy subjects. Basal GSH and GSSG concentrations were determined to be 2340+/-350microM and 11.4+/-3.2microM, respectively, in RBC of 12 healthy young volunteers (aged 23-38 years). The method was also applied to study the effects of nitrite on the glutathione status in intact and lysed human RBC. Nitrite at mM-concentrations caused instantaneous and considerable GSSG formation in lysed but much less pronounced in intact RBC. GSH externally added to lysed RBC inhibited nitrite-induced methemoglobin formation. Our findings suggest that nitric oxide/nitrite-related consumption rate of GSH, and presumably that of NADH and NADPH, could be of the order of 600micromol/day in RBC of healthy subjects.

Renal carbonic anhydrases are involved in the reabsorption of endogenous nitrite.

Nitrite (ONO(-)) exerts nitric oxide (NO)-related biological actions and its concentration in the circulation may be of particular importance. Nitrite is excreted in the urine. Hence, the kidney may play an important role in nitrite/NO homeostasis in the vasculature. We investigated a possible involvement of renal carbonic anhydrases (CAs) in endogenous nitrite reabsorption in the proximal tubule. The potent CA inhibitor acetazolamide was administered orally to six healthy volunteers (5 mg/kg) and nitrite was measured in spot urine samples before and after administration. Acetazolamide increased abruptly nitrite excretion in the urine, strongly suggesting that renal CAs are involved in nitrite reabsorption in healthy humans. Additional in vitro experiments support our hypothesis that nitrite reacts with CO(2), analogous to the reaction of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) with CO(2), to form acid-labile nitrito carbonate [ONOC(O)O(-)]. We assume that this reaction is catalyzed by CAs and that nitrito carbonate represents the nitrite form that is actively transported into the kidney. The significance of nitrite reabsorption in the kidney and the underlying mechanisms, notably a direct involvement of CAs in the reaction between nitrite and CO(2), remain to be elucidated.

Doubts concerning functional endothelial nitric oxide synthase in human erythrocytes

To the editor: Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the modulation of multiple physiologic functions. NO is produced from L-Arg by the catalytic action of NO synthase (NOS; EC 1.14.13.39).[1][1] Erythrocytes have been reported to express NOS,[2][2][][3][][4][][5][][6][][7]–[8][8] an eNOS isoform.[5][

Simultaneous gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry quantification of symmetric and asymmetric dimethylarginine in human urine.

Previously, we demonstrated the utility of a gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method for the quantitative determination of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in biological samples. Here we report the extension of this method to symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in human urine. SDMA and ADMA were simultaneously quantitated in urine by using their in situ prepared trideuteromethyl esters as internal standards. The GC-MS/MS method was validated for SDMA and ADMA in spot urine samples of 19 healthy adults. In these samples, the creatinine-corrected excretion rate was 3.23±0.63 μmol/mmol for SDMA and 3.14±0.98 μmol/mmol for ADMA.

Measurement of nitrite in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Nitric oxide (NO) is enzymatically produced from L-arginine and has a variety of biological functions. Autoxidation of NO in aqueous media yields nitrite (O = N-O(-)). NO and nitrite are oxidized in erythrocytes by oxyhemoglobin to nitrate (NO(3)(-)). Nitrate reductases from bacteria reduce nitrate to nitrite. Nitrite and nitrate are ubiquitous in nature, they are present throughout the body and they are excreted in the urine. Nitrite in urine has been used for several decades as an indicator and measure of bacteriuria. Since the identification of nitrite as a metabolite of NO, circulating nitrite is also used as an indicator of NO synthesis and is considered an NO storage form. In contrast to plasma nitrite, the significance of nitrite in the urine beyond bacteriuria is poorly investigated and understood. This chapter describes a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) protocol for the quantitative determination of nitrite in urine of humans. Although the method is useful for detection and quantification of bacteriuria, the procedures described herein are optimum for urinary nitrite in conditions other than urinary tract infection. The method uses [(15)N]nitrite as internal standard and pentafluorobenzyl bromide as the derivatization agent. Derivatization is -performed on 100-μL aliquots and quantification of toluene extracts by selected-ion monitoring of m/z 46 for urinary nitrite and m/z 47 for the internal standard in the electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization mode.

Free iron ions decrease indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression and reduce IFNγ-induced inhibition of Chlamydia trachomatis infection

Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-mediated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression, important in innate immunity, immune suppression, and tolerance, can be counteracted by ferrous iron (FeSO(4)). Elevation of intracellular iron levels during stimulation with IFNgamma impeded IFNgamma-induced IDO mRNA and protein expression in HEp-2 cells. Decreased IDO expression was accompanied by decreased tryptophan degradation. Accordingly, IFNgamma-mediated suppressing effects on Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection were reduced or even abolished in the presence of FeSO(4). Conversely, lowering intracellular iron levels by deferoxamine (DFO) did not increase IFNgamma-induced IDO expression but potentiated Chlamydia-suppressing effects by lowering intracellular iron availability. Additionally, DFO led to a CT-induced IDO expression in HEp-2 cells not treated with IFNgamma. In summary, this study demonstrates that iron acts as a regulatory element for modulating IDO expression, in addition to its function as an essential element for chlamydial growth. This may represent an important control mechanism of IDO expression at the transcriptional level.

Simultaneous pentafluorobenzyl derivatization and GC-ECNICI-MS measurement of nitrite and malondialdehyde in human urine: Close positive correlation between these disparate oxidative stress biomarkers

Urinary nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA) are biomarkers of nitrosative and oxidative stress, respectively. At physiological pH values of urine and plasma, nitrite and MDA exist almost entirely in their dissociated forms, i.e., as ONO- (ONOH, pKa=3.4) and -CH(CHO)2 (CH2(CHO)2, pKa=4.5). Previously, we reported that nitrite and MDA react with pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) bromide (PFB-Br) in aqueous acetone. Here, we report on the simultaneous derivatization of nitrite and MDA and their stable-isotope labeled analogs O15NO- (4μM) and CH2(CDO)2 (1μM or 10μM) with PFB-Br (10μL) to PFBNO2, PFB15NO2, C(PFB)2(CHO)2), C(PFB)2(CDO)2 by heating acetonic urine (urine-acetone, 100:400μL) for 60min at 50°C. After acetone evaporation under a stream of nitrogen, derivatives were extracted with ethyl acetate (1mL). A 1-μL aliquot of the ethyl acetate phase dried over anhydrous Na2SO4 was injected in the splitless mode for simultaneous GC-MS analysis in the electron capture negative-ion chemical ionization mode. Quantification was performed by selected-ion monitoring (SIM) the anions [M-PFB]-m/z 46 for ONO-, m/z 47 for O15NO-, m/z 251 for -C(PFB)(CHO)2, and m/z 253 for -C(PFB)(CDO)2. The retention times were 3.18min for PFB-ONO2/PFB-O15NO2, and 7.13min for -C(PFB)(CHO)2/-C(PFB)(CDO)2. Use of CH2(CDO)2 at 1μM but not at 10μM was associated with an unknown interference with the C(PFB)2(CDO)2 peak. Endogenous MDA can be quantified using O15NO- (4μM) and CH2(CDO)2 (10μM) as the internal standards. The method is also useful for the measurement of nitrate and creatinine in addition to nitrite and MDA. Nitrite and MDA were measured by this method in urine of elderly healthy subjects (10 females, 9 males; age, 60-70 years; BMI, 25-30kg/m2). Creatinine-corrected excretion rates did not differ between males and females for MDA (62.6 [24-137] vs 80.2 [52-118]nmol/mmol, P=0.448) and for nitrite (102 [71-174] vs. 278 [110-721]nmol/mmol P=0.053). We report for the first time a close correlation (r=0.819, P<0.0001) between MDA and nitrite in human urine. This correlation is assumed to be due to involvement of myeloperoxidase which catalyzes the formation of hypochlorite (-OCl) from chloride and hydrogen peroxide. In turn, hypochlorite reacts both with nitrite and with polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, with the later reaction generating MDA. The proposed mechanisms are supported by the literature but remain to be fully explored.

GC–MS and GC–MS/MS measurement of ibuprofen in 10-μL aliquots of human plasma and mice serum using [α-methylo-2H3]ibuprofen after ethyl acetate extraction and pentafluorobenzyl bromide derivatization: Discovery of a collision energy-dependent H/D isotope effect and pharmacokinetic application to inhaled ibuprofen-arginine in mice

GC-MS and GC-MS/MS methods were developed and validated for the quantitative determination of ibuprofen (d0-ibuprofen), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), in human plasma using α-methyl-2H3-4-(isobutyl)phenylacetic acid (d3-ibuprofen) as internal standard. Plasma (10μL) was diluted with acetate buffer (80μL, 1M, pH 4.9) and d0- and d3-ibuprofen were extracted with ethyl acetate (2×500μL). After solvent evaporation d0- and d3-ibuprofen were derivatized in anhydrous acetonitrile by using pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) bromide and N,N-diisopropylethylamine as the base catalyst. Under electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization (ECNICI), the PFB esters of d0- and d3-ibuprofen readily ionize to form their carboxylate anions [M-PFB]- at m/z 205 and m/z 208, respectively. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of m/z 205 and m/z 208 resulted in the formation of the anions at m/z 161 and m/z 164, respectively, due to neutral loss of CO2 (44 Da). A collision energy-dependent H/D isotope effect was observed, which involves abstraction/elimination of H- from d0-ibuprofen and D- from d3-ibuprofen and is minimum at a CE value of 5eV. Quantitative GC-MS determination was performed by selected-ion monitoring of m/z 205 and m/z 208. Quantitative GC-MS/MS determination was performed by selected-reaction monitoring of the mass transitions m/z 205 to m/z 161 for d0-ibuprofen and m/z 208 to m/z 164 for d3-ibuprofen. In a therapeutically relevant concentration range (0-1000μM) d0-ibuprofen added to human plasma was determined with accuracy (recovery, %) and imprecision (relative standard deviation, %) ranging between 93.7 and 110%, and between 0.8 and 4.9%, respectively. GC-MS (y) and GC-MS/MS (x) yielded almost identical results (y=4.00+0.988x, r2=0.9991). In incubation mixtures of arachidonic acid (10μM), d3-ibuprofen (10μM) or d0-ibuprofen (10μM) with ovine cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms 1 and 2, the concentration of d3-ibuprofen and d0-ibuprofen did not change upon incubation at 37°C up to 60min. The trough pharmacokinetics of an inhaled arginine-containing ibuprofen preparation in mice was studied after once-daily treatment (0.0, 0.07, 0.4 and 2.5mg/kg body weight) for three days. A linear relationship between ibuprofen concentration in serum (10μL) and administered dose 24h after the last drug administration was observed.