Stefania Sabatini

Purification of bovine plasma amine oxidase

Abstract A new method for the purification of bovine plasma amine oxidase is described. The enzyme is purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and by affinity chromatography performed with AH-Sepharose 4B and concanavalin A-Sepharose. Three activity peaks were separated, all showing similar properties. Specific activity is the highest described for this enzyme. The enzyme appears to contain 2 copper atoms and 1 carbonyl group/molecule.

Explosive type of moderate-resistance training induces functional, cardiovascular, and molecular adaptations in the elderly

Current recommendations aimed at reducing neuromuscular and functional loss in aged muscle have identified muscle power as a key target for intervention trials, although little is known about the biological and cardiovascular systemic response in the elderly. This study investigated the effects of 12xa0weeks of low-frequency, moderate-intensity, explosive-type resistance training (EMRT) on muscle strength and power in old community-dwelling people (70–75xa0years), monitoring functional performance linked to daily living activities (ADL) and cardiovascular response, as well as biomarkers of muscle damage, cardiovascular risk, and cellular stress response. The present study provides the first evidence that EMRT was highly effective in achieving a significant enhancement in muscular strength and power as well as in functional performance without causing any detrimental modification in cardiovascular, inflammatory, and damage parameters. Moreover, trained elderly subjects showed an adaptive response at both systemic and cellular levels by modulation of antioxidant and stress-induced markers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and 27 (Hsp27), and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1).

Reaction of beef plasma and lentil seedlings Cu-amine oxidases with phenylhydrazine

The reaction of copper amine oxidases from beef plasma and lentil seedlings with hydrazine derivatives has been studied. A 1:1 stoichiometry was always found for the irreversible binding to the dimeric proteins. The formation of the adduct does not require the presence of oxygen or copper. Substrates compete with hydrazine derivatives for the binding to the enzymes. The binding of hydrazines and of substrate has different effects on the EPR spectra of enzymic copper.

Oxidative stress responses to a graded maximal exercise test in older adults following explosive-type resistance training.

We recently demonstrated that low frequency, moderate intensity, explosive-type resistance training (EMRT) is highly beneficial in elderly subjects towards muscle strength and power, with a systemic adaptive response of anti-oxidant and stress-induced markers. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of EMRT on oxidative stress biomarkers induced in old people (70–75 years) by a single bout of acute, intense exercise. Sixteen subjects randomly assigned to either a control, not exercising group (n=8) or a trained group performing EMRT protocol for 12-weeks (n=8), were submitted to a graded maximal exercise stress test (GXT) at baseline and after the 12-weeks of EMRT protocol, with blood samples collected before, immediately after, 1 and 24 h post-GXT test. Blood glutathione (GSH, GSSG, GSH/GSSG), plasma malonaldehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls and creatine kinase (CK) levels, as well as PBMCs cellular damage (Comet assay, apoptosis) and stress–protein response (Hsp70 and Hsp27 expression) were evaluated. The use of multiple biomarkers allowed us to confirm that EMRT per se neither affected redox homeostasis nor induced any cellular and oxidative damage. Following the GXT, the EMRT group displayed a higher GSH/GSSG ratio and a less pronounced increase in MDA, protein carbonyls and CK levels compared to control group. Moreover, we found that Hsp70 and Hsp27 proteins were induced after GXT only in EMRT group, while any significant modification within 24 h was detected in untrained group. Apoptosis rates and DNA damage did not show any significant variation in relation to EMRT and/or GXT. In conclusion, the adherence to an EMRT protocol is able to induce a cellular adaptation allowing healthy elderly trained subjects to cope with the oxidative stress induced by an acute exercise more effectively than the aged-matched sedentary subjects.

Evaluation of Levodopa and Carbidopa Antioxidant Activity in Normal Human Lymphocytes In Vitro: Implication for Oxidative Stress in Parkinson’s Disease

The main pathochemical hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the loss of dopamine in the striatum of the brain, and the oral administration of levodopa (l-dopa) is a treatment that partially restores the dopaminergic transmission. In vitro assays have demonstrated both toxic and protective effects of l-dopa on dopaminergic cells, while in vivo studies have not provided any convincing data. The peripheral metabolic pathways significantly decrease the amount of l-dopa reaching the brain; therefore, all of the current commercial formulations require an association with an inhibitor of dopa-decarboxylase, such as carbidopa. However, the dosage and the actual effectiveness of carbidopa have not yet been well defined. PD patients exhibit a reduced efficiency of the endogenous antioxidant system, and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) represent a dopaminergic system for use as a cellular model to study the pharmacological treatments of neurodegenerative disorders in addition to analysing the systemic oxidative stress. According to our previous studies demonstrating a protective effect of both l-dopa and carbidopa on neuroblastoma cells in vitro, we used the PBLs of healthy donors to evaluate the modulation of DNA damage by different concentrations of l-dopa and carbidopa in the presence of oxidative stress that was exogenously induced by H2O2. We utilised a TAS assay to evaluate the in vitro direct scavenging activity of l-dopa and carbidopa and analysed the expression of genes that were involved in cellular oxidative metabolism. Our data demonstrate the antioxidant capacity of l-dopa and carbidopa and their ability to protect DNA against oxidative-induced damage that derives from different mechanisms of action.

Effects of tadalafil administration on plasma markers of exercise-induced muscle damage, IL6 and antioxidant status capacity

IntroductionPhysical exercise is associated with enhanced production of reactive oxygen species, which if uncontrolled can result in tissue injury. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) exhibit protective effect against oxidative stress, both in animals and healthy/unhealthy humans. However, the effect of a chronic administration of PDE5i, particularly combined with physical exercise, has never been investigated.PurposeThe present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the long-acting PDE5i tadalafil on oxidative status and muscle damage after exhaustive exercise in healthy males included in a double-blind crossover trial.HypothesisTadalafil, having a putative antioxidant activity, may reduce oxidative damage after strenuous exercise.MethodsEach volunteer randomly received two tablets of placebo or tadalafil (20xa0mg/day) with 36xa0h of interval before performing exhaustive exercise. After 2xa0weeks of washout, the volunteers were crossed over. Blood samples were collected immediately before exercise, immediately after, and during recovery (15, 30, 60xa0min). Plasma total antioxidant status, glutathione homeostasis (GSH/GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 were assessed.ResultsTadalafil administration per se affected redox homeostasis (GSH/GSSG −36xa0%; pxa0<xa00.05), cellular (CK +75xa0% and LDH +36xa0%; pxa0<xa00.05) and oxidative damage (MDA +41xa0% and protein carbonyls +50xa0%; pxa0<xa00.05) markers. The exhaustive exercise increased all the above-reported biochemical parameters, with subjects from the tadalafil group showing significantly higher values with respect to the placebo group.ConclusionsA prolonged exposure to tadalafil decreases antioxidant capacity at resting condition, therefore making subjects more susceptible to the oxidative stress induced by an exhaustive bout of exercise.

Adaptive responses of heart and skeletal muscle to spermine oxidase overexpression: Evaluation of a new transgenic mouse model.

ABSTRACT Spermine oxidase oxidizes spermine to produce H2O2, spermidine, and 3‐aminopropanal. It is involved in cell drug response, apoptosis, and in the etiology of several pathologies, including cancer. Spermine oxidase is an important positive regulator of muscle gene expression and fiber size and, when repressed, leads to muscle atrophy. We have generated a transgenic mouse line overexpressing Smox gene in all organs, named Total‐Smox. The spermine oxidase overexpression was revealed by &bgr;‐Gal staining and reverse‐transcriptase/PCR analysis, in all tissues analysed. Spermine oxidase activity resulted higher in Total‐Smox than controls. Considering the important role of this enzyme in muscle physiology, we have focused our study on skeletal muscle and heart of Total‐Smox mice by measuring redox status and oxidative damage. We assessed the redox homeostasis through the analysis of the reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio. Chronic H2O2 production induced by spermine oxidase overexpression leads to a cellular redox state imbalance in both tissues, although they show different redox adaptation. In skeletal muscle, catalase and glutathione S‐transferase activities were significantly increased in Total‐Smox mice compared to controls. In the heart, no differences were found in CAT activity level, while GST activity decreased compared to controls. The skeletal muscle showed a lower oxidative damage than in the heart, evaluated by lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation. Altogether, our findings illustrate that skeletal muscle adapts more efficiently than heart to oxidative stress H2O2‐induced. The Total‐Smox line is a new genetic model useful to deepen our knowledge on the role of spermine oxidase in muscle atrophy and muscular pathological conditions like dystrophy. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption Available. HighlightsThe Total‐SMOX mouse line overexpresses SMOX in all organs.SMOX oxidizes spermine producing spermidine, 3‐aminopropanal and H2O2.SMOX chronical H2O2 production alters the redox state of skeletal muscle and hearth.Skeletal muscle and hearth show different responses to SMOX overexpression.The Total‐SMOX line is a new genetic model useful for muscle physiological study.

Exercise-induced oxidative stress in elderly subjects: the effect of red orange supplementation on the biochemical and cellular response to a single bout of intense physical activity

Abstract Aging is characterized by an impaired capacity to maintain the redox balance both in physiological and pathological situations associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species. Since the extent of this phenomenon may be influenced by an antioxidants-rich diet, we investigated the effect of supplementation with fresh red orange juice (ROJ) on biochemical and cellular biomarkers of oxidative stress in healthy, trained elderly women after a single bout of exhaustive exercise (EE). To this purpose, a sample of 22 females, 15 (69.0 ± 5.1 years) taking the ROJ supplementation and 7 (68.1 ± 2.7 years) as Control group, was constituted. Blood samples were collected immediately before, 30 minutes, and 24 hr after a single bout of EE, at baseline and after 4 weeks. Our results demonstrate that markers of DNA damage or apoptosis were not affected by EE both in Control and ROJ group, and by ROJ, whereas, exercise temporarily affected the redox balance in both groups. Controls didnt change their response to EE after the experimental period, but experimental group after ROJ supplementation had lower EE-induced MDA, consumed less ascorbic acid, and had less activation of the hypoxanthine/xanthine system, i.e., they seemed to be protected from hypoxia/reoxygenation mechanisms.

Acute effects of physical exercise and phosphodiesterase's type 5 inhibition on serum 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases related glucocorticoids metabolites: a pilot study.

Endogenous glucocorticoids (GC) rapidly increase after acute exercise, and the phosphodiesterase’s type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) tadalafil influences this physiological adaptation. No data exist on acute effects of both acute exercise and PDE5i administration on 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSDs)-related GC metabolites. We aimed to investigate the rapid effects of exercise on serum GC metabolites, with and without tadalafil administration. A double blind crossover study was performed in eleven healthy male volunteers. After the volunteers randomly received a short-term administration of placebo or tadalafil (20xa0mg/die for 2xa0days), a maximal exercise test to exhaustion on cycle ergometer was performed. Then, after a 2-week washout period, the volunteers were crossed over. Blood samples were collected before starting exercise and at 5 and 30xa0min of recovery (+5-Rec, +30-Rec). Serum ACTH, corticosterone (Cn), cortisol (F), cortisone (E), tetrahydrocortisol (THF), tetrahydrocortisone (THE), cortols, cortolones and respective ratios were evaluated. Pre-Ex THF was higher after tadalafil. Exercise increased ACTH, Cn, F, E, THE, cortols and cortolones after both placebo and tadalafil, and THF after placebo. The F/E ratio increased at +5-Rec and decreased at +30-Rec after placebo. Compared to placebo, after tadalafil lower ACTH, F and Cn, higher THF/F and THE/E, and not E (at +5-Rec) and F/E modifications were observed. Acute exercise rapidly influences serum GC metabolites concentrations. Tadalafil influences both GC adaptation and 11β-HSDs activity during acute exercise. Additional researches on the effects of both exercise and PDE5i on tissue-specific 11β-HSDs activity at rest and during physiological adaptation are warranted.

Resistance training and redox homeostasis: Correlation with age-associated genomic changes

Regular physical activity is effective as prevention and treatment for different chronic conditions related to the ageing processes. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to a worsening of cellular ageing biomarkers such as telomere length (TL) and/or specific epigenetic changes (e.g. DNA methylation), with increase of the propensity to aging-related diseases and premature death. Extending our previous findings, we aimed to test the hypothesis that 12 weeks of low frequency, moderate intensity, explosive-type resistance training (EMRT) may attenuate age-associated genomic changes. To this aim, TL, global DNA methylation, TRF2, Ku80, SIRT1, SIRT2 and global protein acetylation, as well as other proteins involved in apoptotic pathway (Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3), antioxidant response (TrxR1 and MnSOD) and oxidative damage (myeloperoxidase) were evaluated before and after EMRT in whole blood or peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of elderly subjects. Our findings confirm the potential of EMRT to induce an adaptive change in the antioxidant protein systems at systemic level and suggest a putative role of resistance training in the reduction of global DNA methylation. Moreover, we observed that EMRT counteracts the telomeres’ shortening in a manner that proved to be directly correlated with the amelioration of redox homeostasis and efficacy of training regime, evaluated as improvement of both muscles power/strength and functional parameters.