Grzegorz A. Czapski

Effect of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors on oxidative stress evoked hydroxyl radical level and macromolecules oxidation in cell free system of rat brain cortex

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a nuclear enzyme involved in DNA repair, replication and cell cycle. However, its overactivation leads to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and ATP depletion and cell death. The inhibitors of PARP-1 were successfully used in the basic studies and in animal models of different diseases. For this reason, it is important to discriminate between specific and non-specific antioxidant properties of PARP-1 inhibitors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PARP-1 inhibitors on the free radical level and oxidation of macromolecules and to compare their properties with the efficacy of antioxidants. Oxidative stress was induced in the brain cortex homogenate by FeCl(2) or CuSO(4) at 25 microM during 15 min incubation at 37 degrees C. PARP-1 inhibitors 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), 1,5-dihydroxyisoquinoline (DHIQ) and 3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2H)-isoquinolinone (DPQ), and the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, resveratrol and Tempol were used at 0-5 mM. Free radical contents were estimated by spin-trapping using HPLC. Lipid and protein oxidation were determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and carbonyl groups or using fluorescent probe TyrFluo, respectively. Our data indicate that 3-AB and DHIQ are potent hydroxyl radical scavengers and inhibitors of protein oxidation. DHIQ additionally decreases lipid peroxidation. DPQ has no antioxidant properties and seems to be a specific PARP-1 inhibitor, however, it is a water insoluble compound. Among the investigated antioxidants, the most potent was resveratrol and then alpha-tocopherol and Tempol. These results indicate that 3-A beta, benzamide and DHIQ are potent hydroxyl radical scavengers and antioxidants. These data ought to be taken into consideration when properties of these compounds as PARP inhibitors are evaluated.

Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase-1 in Amyloid Beta Toxicity and Alzheimer's Disease

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a key enzyme responsible for the maintenance of genome stability, transcriptional regulation, and long-term potentiation in neurons. However, the excessive activation of PARP-1 under pathological conditions may lead to an accumulation of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR), a novel signaling molecule that induces programmed cell death, or to NAD depletion that induces energy crisis and necrotic cell death. PARP-1 is thought to be primarily a nuclear enzyme, but some data indicate that it can also be localized to the mitochondria where it is responsible for posttranslational modification of electron transport chain complexes and alteration of mitochondria function. The enhancement of PARP-1 activity and the accumulation of PAR were demonstrated in the brain of patients with Alzheimers disease (AD), particularly in neurons of the frontal and temporal lobes and in skin fibroblasts and lymphoblasts. Moreover, it has been reported that PARP-1 gene polymorphisms are highly associated with the development of AD. The activation of PARP-1 by oxidative stress seems to be an early and important event in the pathogenesis of AD. It is now widely accepted that the overproduction and oligomerization of amyloid β (Aβ) are responsible for the activation of a free radical cascade and oxidative stress in AD. Interestingly, the activity of PARP-1 is enhanced in AD and is also increased by Aβ peptides. The activation of PARP-1 by Aβ can lead to the PAR-mediated release of apoptosis-inducing factor from the mitochondria and its translocation to the nucleus, which leads to death of some populations of cells. A role of PARP-1 in the regulation of Aβ precursor protein metabolism processing and Aβ liberation has not been described previously. The study presented in this review indicated the relationship between PARP-1 activation, alteration of mitochondria function, and Aβ toxicity. The presented data should stimulate further studies on the role of PARP-1 in AD pathogenesis and thereby engage a new perspective regarding AD therapy.

Role of nitric oxide in the brain during lipopolysaccharide-evoked systemic inflammation.

Although the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a well‐established source of nitric oxide (NO•) during inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS), little is known about the involvement of constitutive isoforms of NOS (cNOS) in the inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to compare the responses of the expression and activity of iNOS and the two cNOS isoforms, neuronal and endothelial (nNOS and eNOS, respectively), in the brain to systemic inflammation and their roles in the cascade of events leading to degeneration and apoptosis. A systemic inflammatory response in C57BL/6 mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide [LPS; 1 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)]. The relative roles of the NOS isoforms were evaluated after injection of NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine (NNLA; 30 mg/kg b.w.), which preferentially inhibits cNOS, or 1400W (5 mg/kg b.w.), an inhibitor of iNOS. Biochemical and morphological alterations were analyzed up to 48 hr after administration of LPS. Systemic LPS administration evoked significant ultrastructural alterations in brain capillary vessels, neuropils, and intracellular organelles of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Apoptotic/autophagic processes occurred in many neurons of the substantia nigra (SN), which coincided with exclusive enhancement of iNOS expression and activity in this brain region. Moreover, inhibitors of both iNOS and cNOS prevented LPS‐evoked release of apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) from SN mitochondria. Collectively, the results indicate that synthesis of NO• by both the inducible and constitutive NOS isoforms contribute to the activation of apoptotic pathways in the brain during systemic inflammation.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase during reperfusion after transient forebrain ischemia: its role in brain edema and cell death.

The activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in the reperfused brain after ischemia has been assumed but never has been directly presented. Our studies indicate a different dynamic of PARP activity alteration in hippocampus during reperfusion after 3 and 10 min of transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. The phasic stimulation of PARP activity was observed during reperfusion 15 min, 120 min, and 4 d after 3 min of ischemia with subsequent lowering of its activity close to control value on the seventh day of reperfusion. After 10 min of ischemic insult, PARP activity significantly increased from the third to the seventh day of reperfusion. The protein level of PARP was not significantly changed during reperfusion after 3 and 10 min of ischemia, with one exception: On the third day after 10 min of ischemia, PARP protein level was 28% lower compared to control; however, no enhancement of 85-kDa protein immunoreactivity was observed. These data indicate the lack of PARP cleavage in hippocampus of gerbils subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury. The inhibitor of PARP, 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) in a dose of 30 mg/kg b.w. (body weight) injected intravenously directly after 3 min of ischemia protects >60% of neuronal cells against death in the CA1 layer of hippocampus but has no effect after 10 min of ischemic episode. 3-AB decreased forebrain edema significantly after 3 and 10 min of ischemia. Our data indicate that PARP inhibitor(s) might offer a potent therapeutic strategy for short global ischemia. The combination of PARP inhibitor with potent antioxidant might enhance its ameliorating effect.

Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide induces molecular and morphological alterations in the hippocampus.

A systemic inflammatory reaction may have detrimental effects on the organism, including the central nervous system. Previous studies have indicated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-evoked systemic inflammation induces pathological alterations in the mouse midbrain, especially in the substantia nigra. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the hippocampus is also affected after an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS. We focussed on the dynamics of proinflammatory gene expression and the processes leading to neuronal cell death. A systemic inflammatory response in C57BL/6 mice was induced by an i.p. injection of LPS (1mg/kg b.w.). The genetic, biochemical and morphological alterations were analysed up to 96h after LPS administration using quantitative PCR, immunochemical, immunocytochemical and electron microscopic methods. Real-time PCR analysis indicated an altered expression of several genes, mainly responsible for arachidonic acid release and metabolism, in the hippocampus 96h after the systemic administration of LPS. Three hours after LPS treatment, the level of mRNA for iNOS, COX-2 and TNFα was increased; then, after 6-24h, it rose for TLR4 and cPLA2. The expression of 5-LOX and 12-LOX was increased at 12-24 and 24-48h after LPS injection, respectively. Our data demonstrate for the first time the sequential activation of the expression of several pro-inflammatory genes responsible for the maintenance of the inflammatory response. Moreover, the electron microscopy studies presented the stimulation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)-mediated death signalling and cathepsin B-related autophagy or necrosis. These biochemical and morphological alterations in the hippocampus, which were induced by systemic inflammation, may be responsible for the impairment of cognition function observed previously.

Evaluation of the antioxidative properties of lipoxygenase inhibitors

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress is a component of many pathological conditions including neurodegenerative diseases and inflammation. An important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are lipoxygenases (LOX) - enzymes responsible for the metabolism of arachidonic acid and other polyunsaturated fatty acids. LOX inhibitors have a protective effect in inflammatory diseases and in neurodegenerative disorders because of their anti-inflammatory activity. However, the molecular mechanism of the protective action of LOX inhibitors has not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidative potential of widely used LOX inhibitors: BWB70C, AA-861, zileuton, baicalein and NDGA. The antioxidative properties were evaluated in cell-free systems. We measured the effect of the tested compounds on iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation and on carbonyl group formation in the rat brain homogenate. Direct free radical scavenging was analyzed by using DPPH assay. RESULTS Our data showed that the inhibitor of all LOXs, i.e., NDGA, 5-LOX inhibitor BWB70C and the inhibitor of 12/15-LOX, baicalein, significantly decreased the level of lipid and protein oxidation. The free radical scavenging activity of these inhibitors was comparable to known ROS scavengers, i.e., resveratrol and trolox. Zileuton (the inhibitor of 5-LOX) slightly prevented lipid and protein oxidation, it also scavenged the DPPH radical. AA-861 (the inhibitor of 5 and 12/15-LOX) slightly protected lipids against Fe/asc-evoked lipid peroxidation at high concentrations, but had no effect on carbonyl group formation and DPPH scavenging. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that some LOX inhibitors demonstrate potent anti-oxidative, free radical scavenging properties. AA-861, whose antioxidative potential is very weak, may be a specific tool to be used in experimental and perhaps even clinical applications.

Perinatal exposure to lead induces morphological, ultrastructural and molecular alterations in the hippocampus.

The aim of this paper is to examine if pre- and neonatal exposure to lead (Pb) may intensify or inhibit apoptosis or necroptosis in the developing rat brain. Pregnant experimental females received 0.1% lead acetate (PbAc) in drinking water from the first day of gestation until weaning of the offspring; the control group received distilled water. During the feeding of pups, mothers from the experimental group were still receiving PbAc. Pups were weaned at postnatal day 21 and the young rats of both groups then received only distilled water until postnatal day 28. This treatment protocol resulted in a concentration of Pb in rat offspring whole blood (Pb-B) below the threshold of 10 μg/dL, considered safe for humans.We studied Casp-3 activity and expression, AIF nuclear translocation, DNA fragmentation, as well as Bax, Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression as well as BDNF concentration in selected structures of the rat brain: forebrain cortex (FC), cerebellum (C) and hippocampus (H). The microscopic examinations showed alterations in hippocampal neurons.Our data shows that pre- and neonatal exposure of rats to Pb, leading to Pb-B below 10 μg/dL, can decrease the number of hippocampus neurons, occurring concomitantly with ultrastructural alterations in this region. We observed no morphological or molecular features of severe apoptosis or necrosis (no active Casp-3 and AIF translocation to nucleus) in young brains, despite the reduced levels of BDNF. The potential protective factor against apoptosis was probably the decreased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which requires further investigation. Our findings contribute to further understanding of the mechanisms underlying Pb neurotoxicity and cognition impairment in a Pb-exposed developing brain.

Extracellular α-Synuclein Leads to Microtubule Destabilization via GSK-3β-Dependent Tau Phosphorylation in PC12 Cells

α-Synuclein (ASN) plays an important role in pathogenesis of Parkinsons disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Novel and most interesting data showed elevated tauopathy in PD and suggested relationship between ASN and Tau protein. However, the mechanism of ASN-evoked Tau protein modification is not fully elucidated. In this study we investigated the role of extracellular ASN in Tau hyperphosphorylation in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and the involvement of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) in ASN-dependent Tau modification. Our results indicated that exogenously added ASN increases Tau phosphorylation at Ser396. Accordingly, the GSK-3β inhibitor (SB-216763) prevented ASN-evoked Tau hyperphosphorylation, but the CDK5 inhibitor had no effect. Moreover, western blot analysis showed that ASN affected GSK-3β via increasing of protein level and activation of this enzyme. GSK-3β activity evaluated by its phosphorylation status assay showed that ASN significantly increased the phosphorylation of this enzyme at Tyr216 with parallel decrease in phosphorylation at Ser9, indicative of stimulation of GSK-3β activity. Moreover, the effect of ASN on microtubule (MT) destabilization and cell death with simultaneous the involvement of GSK-3β in these processes were analyzed. ASN treatment increased the amount of free tubulin and concomitantly reduced the amount of polymerized tubulin and SB-216763 suppressed these ASN-induced changes in tubulin, indicating that GSK-3β is involved in ASN-evoked MT destabilization. ASN-induced apoptotic processes lead to decrease in PC12 cells viability and SB-216763 protected those cells against ASN-evoked cytotoxicity. Concluding, extracellular ASN is involved in GSK-3β-dependent Tau hyperphosphorylation, which leads to microtubule destabilization. GSK-3β inhibition may be an effective strategy for protecting against ASN-induced cytotoxicity.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibition protects the brain against systemic inflammation.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is involved in DNA repair, but its overactivation can induce cell death. Our aim was to investigate the role of PARP-1 in activation of programmed cell death processes in the brain during systemic inflammation. Our data indicated that lipopolysaccharide (1mg/kgb.w., i.p.)-evoked systemic inflammation enhanced PARP-1 activity in the mouse brain, leading to the lowering of beta-NAD(+) concentration, to translocation of apoptosis inducing factor from mitochondria to the nucleus, and to enhanced lipid peroxidation. Inhibitor of PARP-1, 3-aminobenzamide (30 mg/kgb.w., i.p.), protected the brain against prooxidative and cell death processes, suggesting involvement of PARP-1 in systemic inflammation-related processes in the brain.

α-Synuclein induced cell death in mouse hippocampal (HT22) cells is mediated by nitric oxide-dependent activation of caspase-3

Our previous studies indicated that exogenous α‐synuclein (ASN) activates neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS) in rat brain slices. The present study, carried out on immortalized hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22), was designed to extend the previous results by showing the molecular pathway of NO‐mediated cell death induced by exogenous ASN. Extracellular ASN (10 μM) was found to stimulate nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and increase caspase‐3 activity in HT22 cells, leading to poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP‐1) cleavage. The inhibitor of Ca2+‐dependent NOS (N‐nitro‐l‐arginine, 100 μM) prevented ASN‐evoked caspase‐3 activation and PARP‐1 degradation. ASN exposure resulted in apoptotic death of HT22 cells and this effect was reversed by inhibition of NO synthesis and caspase‐3 activity. Our results demonstrated that extracellular ASN induces neuronal cell death by NO‐mediated caspase‐3 activation.