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Showing papers on "Catalase published in 1989"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Intravenous administration of P EG-SOD and PEG-CAT before ischemia reduced the infarct volume and supports the concept that superoxide and hydrogen peroxide contribute to brain injury following focal cerebral ischemIA.
Abstract: Superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymatically scavenge superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. Conjugation of polyethylene glycol to superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) or catalase (PEG-CAT) prolongs the circulatory half-life of the native enzymes and enhances their intracellular access. We studied the protective effect of these free radical scavengers on ischemic brain injury using a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia, which is suitable for therapeutic trials. Intravenous administration of PEG-SOD (10,000 U/kg) and PEG-CAT (10,000 U/kg) before ischemia reduced the infarct volume (treatment, 139 +/- 9 mm3, means +/- SE, N = 38; placebo, 182 +/- 8 mm3, n = 37, P less than 0.002). This finding supports the concept that superoxide and hydrogen peroxide contribute to brain injury following focal cerebral ischemia.

398 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that growth in a diffusion-limited space, reduction of oxygen concentration to physiological levels and control of toxic oxidation with physiological antioxidants can greatly improve the survival and neuritogenesis of isolated hippocampal neurons in primary culture.

379 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 1989-Blood
TL;DR: A comparison of normal and acatalasemic erythrocytes in the present study indicated that catalase accounts for more than half of the destruction of H2O2 when H 2O2 is generated at a rate comparable to that which leads to hemolysis in G6PD- deficient ery Throcytes.

316 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
C Jeulin, J. C. Soufir1, P Weber1, D Laval-Martin1, R Calvayrac1 
TL;DR: The data suggest a multiglandular function secreted by this organ, and the catalase activities measured in seminal samples from asthenozoospermic, infertile men were found lower than those from normozoos permic subjects.
Abstract: Catalase activity was determined in human semen by measuring the oxygen burst with a Clark electrode, after H2O2 addition. Significant catalase activities (mean +/- SD) were found in migrated, motile spermatozoa (44 +/- 17 nmoles O2/min/10(8) cells) and in seminal plasma of normozoospermic men (129 +/- 59 nmoles O2/min/ml). It has been demonstrated that seminal catalase originated from prostate; however, its activity was not correlated with the usual prostatic markers (such as citric acid and zinc). Our data suggest a multiglandular function secreted by this organ. The catalase activities measured in seminal samples from asthenozoospermic, infertile men were found lower than those from normozoospermic subjects. The understanding of the relative contribution of the different enzyme systems against O2 toxicity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) seem to be a priority area of research to understand disturbances of sperm function.

248 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Resistance and adaptation to phagocyte‐derived oxidant stress are critical aspects of bacterial pathogenesis.
Abstract: During phagocytosis, phagocytic cells generate superoxide and other reactive oxygen species, which are involved in antibacterial activity. However, many bacteria possess antioxidant defenses that may explain their survival in inflammatory foci. These defenses include antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, DNA repair systems, scavenging substrates, and competition with phagocytes for molecular oxygen. These defenses are probably coordinated, and different responses occur with different reactive oxygen species. Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium mutants have allowed the demonstration of a variety of critical genes for enzymatic defense and DNA repair, as well as an oxyR regulon system. In more complex systems, the conditions found in inflammatory foci, such as decreasing glucose and the production of lactate, enhance bacterial catalase production and resistance to hydrogen peroxide. Resistance and adaptation to phagocyte-derived oxidant stress are critical aspects of bacterial pathogenesis.

233 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: DNA sequence analysis demonstrated that hot piperidine-sensitive DNA lesions were produced preferentially at sites of 2 or more adjacent guanosine residues, which appears to be unique among simple chemical systems in mechanisms of oxidative damage in vivo.

228 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that there is not any correlation between the SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities and the peroxidative status of the organs; thus, the age-related increase in the MDA content proposed as a criterion of aging process should be considered with caution.

200 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Both Col‐ and ColV, I‐K94+ strains of Escherichia coli, grown at pH 7–0, failed to grow after relatively short periods of exposure to pH 3·0 or 3·5, and acid resistance of organisms grown from pH 5·0 is not chiefly due to greater resistance to hydrogen peroxide already present in nutrient media.
Abstract: Both Col- and ColV, I-K94+ strains of Escherichia coli, grown at pH 7–0, failed to grow after relatively short periods of exposure to pH 3·0 or 3·5. After growth in exposure medium initially at pH 5·0, both strains were almost unaffected by exposure to such acid pH values. Addition of catalase to nutrient agar only slightly increased plating efficiency after acid treatment and very slightly reduced the difference in survival, after acid treatment, between organisms grown from pH 5·0 and those grown from pH 7·0. Accordingly, acid resistance of organisms grown from pH 5·0 is not chiefly due to greater resistance to hydrogen peroxide already present in nutrient media.

189 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results are consistent with the conclusion that the generation of singlet oxygen, but not hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radical, plays an important role in the inactivation of cultured human cells by UVA and near‐visible radiations.
Abstract: The UVA (320-380 nm) radiation inactivation of mammalian cells is dependent upon the presence of oxygen. In order to examine the intermediates involved, we have irradiated cells in the presence of chemical probes which are able to modify the activity of various oxygen species. We have also examined the possibility that UVA inactivates cultured human fibroblasts via generation of intracellular hydrogen peroxide. An iron scavenger (desferrioxamine) and a hydroxyl radical scavenger (dimethylsulfoxide) protect the cells against hydrogen peroxide. Diethyldithiocarbamate (a superoxide dismutase inhibitor) and aminotriazole (a catalase inhibitor) sensitize the cells to this oxidizing agent. These data support previous reports that hydrogen peroxide inactivates as a result of the iron-catalyzed generation of hydroxyl radical. None of these agents significantly alter the fluence-dependent inactivation of cell populations by radiation at 365 nm. In contrast, the cells are sensitized to radiation at 334, 365 and 405 nm in the presence of deuterium (an enhancer of singlet oxygen lifetime) and are protected against radiation at 365 nm by sodium azide (a quencher of singlet oxygen). These results are consistent with the conclusion that the generation of singlet oxygen, but not hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radical, plays an important role in the inactivation of cultured human cells by UVA and near-visible radiations.

173 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Life-long dietary restriction was shown to increase the expression (i.e. activities, mRNA levels, and nuclear transcription) of superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver tissue from 18-month-old rats.

171 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A possible relationship between ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury, neutrophil infiltration, and the reduction in tissue GSH is suggested, as reflected by a 26-fold increase in tissue MPO activity after 1 h of reperfusion and a concurrent 50% decrease in GSH content.
Abstract: A growing body of experimental data indicates that reactive oxygen metabolites such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals may mediate the microvascular and parenchymal injury produced by reperfusion of ischemic skeletal muscle. One potential source of these reactive oxygen metabolites is the inflammatory neutrophil. To assess neutrophil accumulation in postischemic skeletal muscle, we measured tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in skeletal muscle biopsies taken during control, after 4 h of ischemia, and after 1 h of reperfusion. Tissue levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were measured in the same samples to identify alterations in tissue free radical defense mechanisms due to ischemia-reperfusion. Reperfusion of ischemic skeletal muscle was associated with a dramatic increase in tissue neutrophil content (as reflected by a 26-fold increase over control in tissue MPO activity after 1 h of reperfusion) and a concurrent 50% decrease in GSH content. Tissue CAT and SOD activities were unaffected by ischemia-reperfusion. These results suggest a possible relationship between ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury, neutrophil infiltration, and the reduction in tissue GSH.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Partially impairment of the cutaneous antioxidant defense system by near ultraviolet/visible light, showing that the most susceptible component in skin is catalase, suggests possible pharmacological interventions.
Abstract: Reactive oxygen species are considered to play an important role in cutaneous pathology. Enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants can prevent oxidative damage but may be overcome by strong pro-oxidative stimuli. The acute effect of a single exposure to near ultraviolet (UVA)/visible radiation (greater than 320 nm) on various skin antioxidants was examined in hairless mice immediately after irradiation. Impairment of cutaneous catalase and glutathione reductase activity was observed. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were not significantly influenced. Inhibition of catalase may render skin more susceptible to the damaging effects of hydrogen peroxide and its reaction products such as the hydroxyl radical. Partially diminished glutathione reductase activity is not accompanied by a change in reduced/oxidized glutathione level immediately after irradiation. There was a tendential (not statistically significant) decrease in cutaneous tocopherol, ubiquinol + ubiquinone 9 and ascorbic acid levels, either indicating direct photodestruction or consumption by reaction products of photooxidative stress. This partial impairment of the cutaneous antioxidant defense system by near ultraviolet/visible light, showing that the most susceptible component in skin is catalase, suggests possible pharmacological interventions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results suggest an involvement of polyamine oxidation in the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide possibly utilized by wall isoperoxidases for lignification and wall stiffening in Leguminosae and Gramineae.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Iron release was more efficient under nitrogen than in air, suggesting that the hydroquinone has the major role in the process, and when 6-hydroxydopamine autoxidation was prevented by a combination of superoxide dismutase and catalase, lipid peroxidation is a further requirement for the process.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: All of the anti‐oxidant enzyme activities were lower in general in the 2 transformed cell lines than in the in vitro normal cell line, except Cu‐ZnSOD, which showed little change.
Abstract: Copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX, both Se-dependent and Se-independent), and glutathione reductase (GR) were measured in normal, nitrosoguanidine-transformed and SV40-transformed mouse liver cells in culture, as well as in mouse liver homogenates. Enzyme activities were compared on the basis of 3 different endpoints: per mg protein, per mg DNA, and per 10(6) cells. Except for GR, activity of all the measured anti-oxidant enzymes was much higher in vivo than in vitro. All of the anti-oxidant enzyme activities were lower in general in the 2 transformed cell lines than in the in vitro normal cell line, except Cu-ZnSOD, which showed little change. However, MnSOD was the only enzyme which showed lowered activity in both transformed cell lines, no matter what endpoint was used. This finding is in agreement with previous work showing lowered MnSOD activity in tumor cells.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jul 1989-Genetics
TL;DR: A threshold effect for viability is suggested and an explanation for the general lack of phenotypic effects associated with the known mammalian acatalasemics is offered.
Abstract: Activated oxygen species have been demonstrated to be the important agents in oxygen toxicity by disrupting the structural and functional integrity of cells through lipid peroxidation events, DNA damage and protein inactivation. The biological consequences of free radical damage have long been hypothesized to be a causal agent in many aging-related diseases. Catalase (H2O2:H2O2 oxidoreductase; EC 1.15.1.1) is one of several enzymes involved in the scavenging of oxygen free radicals and free radical derivatives. The structural gene for catalase in Drosophila melanogaster has been localized to region 75D1-76A on chromosome 3L by dosage responses to segmental aneuploidy. This study reports the isolation of a stable deficiency, Df(3L)CatDH104(75C1-2;75F1), that uncovers the catalase locus and the subsequent isolation of six acatalasemic mutants. All catalase mutants are viable under standard culture conditions and recessive lethal mutations within the 75Cl-F1 interval have been shown not to affect catalase activity. Two catalase mutations are amorphic while four are hypomorphic alleles of the Cat+ locus. The lack of intergenic complementation between the six catalase mutations strongly suggests that there is only one functional gene in Drosophila. One acatalesemic mutation was mapped to position 3-47.0 which resides within the catalase dosage sensitive region. While complete loss of catalase activity confers a severe viability effect, residual levels are sufficient to restore viability to wild type levels. These results suggest a threshold effect for viability and offer an explanation for the general lack of phenotypic effects associated with the known mammalian acatalasemics.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: To assess the importance of SOD in defending against gamma-radiation, Escherichia coli with deficient, normal, and super-normal enzyme activities is employed and Surprisingly, the radiation sensitivity of E. coli actually increases as bacterial SOD activity increases.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The increment of lipid peroxide in the hearts of mice treated with adriamycin was examined and it appears that the decrease in the activities of these enzymes induced by ADR in the mouse results from inhibition of enzyme protein biosynthesis
Abstract: The increment of lipid peroxide in the hearts of mice treated with adriamycin (ADR) was examined in relation to the decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) and catalase. The natural activities of these enzymes in mouse heart are lower than those in the liver. The biggest decrease in enzyme activity observed in the heart after ADR administration was that of GSHpx. Therefore, the increment of lipid peroxide was attributable to the decrease in the activities of these enzymes, especially GSHpx. Subsequently, the effects of antioxidants on the decreases in activities of SOD, GSHpx and catalase in the hearts of mice treated with ADR were examined. However, the decrease in the activities of the enzymes were not accompanied with any increment of lipid peroxide. This result suggests that active oxygen radicals produced by ADR through the agent's redox cycling have no effect on the activities of these enzymes. Therefore, it appears that the decrease in the activities of these enzymes induced by ADR in the mouse results from inhibition of enzyme protein biosynthesis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that OFR are cardiac depressant and increase the peripheral vascular resistance besides causing cellular damage, and scavangers of OFR may be beneficial in counteracting the deleterious effects ofOFR on hemodynamic parameters and cellular integrity.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Genetic and biochemical studies demonstrated that Neurospora crassa possesses three catalases encoded by three separate structural genes, and the specific activities of the three enzymes varied in response to superoxide-mediated stress, heat shock, and development.
Abstract: Genetic and biochemical studies demonstrated that Neurospora crassa possesses three catalases encoded by three separate structural genes. The specific activities of the three enzymes varied in response to superoxide-mediated stress, heat shock, and development. The three loci, which we designated cat-1, cat-2, and cat-3, map to the right arms of chromosomes III, VII, and III, respectively. The cat-1-encoded enzyme (designated Cat-1; estimated molecular weight, 315,000; pI 5.2) was the predominant catalase in rapid-growth mycelium, and its activity was substantially increased in paraquat-treated and heat-shocked mycelium. Cat-2 (Mw, 165,000; pI 5.4) was absent from rapid-growth mycelium but present at low levels in conidia and stationary-phase mycelium. It was the predominant catalase in extracts derived from mycelium that had been heat shocked for 2 h. Cat-3 (Mw, 340,000; pI 5.5) was the predominant catalase in extracts from mature conidia.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The results suggest that accelerated mitochondrial oxidative metabolism not accompanied by induction of manganes superoxide dismutase results in oxidative injury in the hypertrophied kidney at an early stage of diabetes and possibly contributes to the development of nephropathy.
Abstract: The effect of short term (2-wk) diabetes induced by streptozotocin and starvation (1-wk) on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the liver, kidney and heart of rats was investigated. The activity of mitochondrial oxidative markers was increased in diabetic liver and kidney, while the activity in tissues of starved rats tended to be decreased. Immunoreactive manganese superoxide dismutase was increased only in diabetic liver and was unchanged or decreased in the rest of the tissues. Glutathione peroxidase activity was increased in tissues of diabetic but not starved rats. The changes in copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and catalase in diabetic rats were similar to those in starved rats. In both groups, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase was decreased in liver, while catalase activity was decreased in liver and kidney, and increased in heart. The lipid peroxide level was increased in diabetic kidney and in the heart of starved rats, and decreased in the rest of the tissues. Insulin treatment in diabetic rats and refeeding in starved rats restored most of the abnormalities toward normal. These results suggest that accelerated mitochondrial oxidative metabolism not accompanied by induction of manganes superoxide dismutase results in oxidative injury in the hypertrophied kidney at an early stage of diabetes and possibly contributes to the development of nephropathy. Peroxidative myocardial damage in starved rat appears to be mediated by a catabolic process.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence for enhanced generation of hydrogen peroxide in glycerol-induced acute renal failure is provided and it is suggested that the enhanced generation in this model of acute kidney failure is not a result of nonspecific response to tissue injury.
Abstract: Aminotriazole-mediated inhibition of catalase has been used in previous studies as a measure of in vivo changes in the hydrogen peroxide generation. Using this method, we found a significantly higher inhibition of renal catalase activity at various time points (30, 60, and 90 min) in glycerol-treated rats (a well-established model for myoglobinuric acute renal failure) compared with rats treated with aminotriazole alone. The greater inhibition in the glycerol-treated group was not due to differences in aminotriazole levels. We confirmed that catalase inactivation by aminotriazole was due to formation of catalase-hydrogen peroxide intermediate (compound I) because catalase inactivation was prevented by ethanol, a competitive substrate for compound I. There were no significant differences in the aminotriazole-induced inhibition of renal cortical catalase activity in control and uranyl nitrate-treated rats, suggesting that there was no enhanced generation of hydrogen peroxide in this model of acute renal failure. Taken together, these data provide evidence for enhanced generation of hydrogen peroxide in glycerol-induced acute renal failure and suggest that the enhanced generation of hydrogen peroxide in the glycerol-induced acute renal failure is not a result of nonspecific response to tissue injury.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that hydrogen peroxide generated during the inflammatory process may play a role in bronchoconstriction and may be mediated by cyclo‐oxygenase products.
Abstract: 1. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (0.1 microM-3 mM) induced variable contractions of guinea-pig isolated trachea which were attenuated by catalase (100 u ml-1) and mannitol (15 mM) suggesting that contractions were induced by H2O2 and/or the hydroxyl anion. 2. Epithelial removal potentiated contractile responses of tracheal preparations to H2O2 with a leftward shift of the concentration-response curve and an increase in the maximal response. 3. Indomethacin (3 microM) inhibited contractions to H2O2 of intact preparations and preparations without epithelium suggesting that contractions may be mediated by cyclo-oxygenase products. Intact preparations (but not preparations without epithelium) contracted in response to high concentrations (greater than 0.1 mM) of H2O2 in the presence of indomethacin suggesting that other excitatory factor(s) released by the epithelium may induce contraction. 4. Preincubation of intact tracheal preparations with H2O2 (1 mM) for 1 h had no effect on responses to histamine or isoprenaline. 5. These results suggest that hydrogen peroxide generated during the inflammatory process may play a role in bronchoconstriction.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is provided for in vivo generation of hydrogen peroxide by rat renal cortex and glomeruli under normal conditions and Aminotriazole-mediated inhibition of catalase has been used in previous studies as a measure of in vivo changes in the hydrogenperoxide generation.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate in vivo generation of hydrogen peroxide by rat renal cortex and glomeruli. Aminotriazole irreversibly inactivates catalase only in the presence of hydro...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In green and etiolated leaves of rye (Secale cereale L. ev. "Halo" as mentioned in this paper ) exposed to strong light at low temperature (0.4°C) catalase was inactivated.
Abstract: In green as well as in etiolated leaves of rye (Secale cereale L. ev. ‘Halo’), exposed to strong light at low temperature (0.4°C) catalase was inactivated. Other heme-containing enzymes (peroxidases) and various enzymes of photosynthetic, photorespiratory or peroxide metabolism were not photoinactivated. After returning plants from a low to a physiological temperature (22°C), catalase activity recovered within 12 h through new synthesis. The leaf contents of H2O2 and organic peroxides were not affected by the photoinactivation of catalse. The content of malondialdehyde generally increased after exposure to a higher light intensity. High-light-induced increases of ascorbate, and particularly of glutathione, were more marked in catalase-deficient than in normal leaves. Photoinactivation of catalase was accompanied by severe inhibition of photosynthesis. Photoinhibition of photosynthesis was not related to the lack of catalase because photosynthesis was not impaired when catalase activity was kept low by growing the plants under non-photorespiratory conditions. Photoinhibition appeared to result from photodamage in primary photochemistry of photosystem II, as indicated by a decrease of the maximal variable fluorescence. Photoinhibition of photosynthesis and of catalase have in common that in both instances proteins are involved that are continuously inactivated in light and, therefore, particularly sensitive to stress conditions that prevent their replacement by repair synthesis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Autoxidation of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) proceeds through a balanced network of: transition metal ions, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, and other species, and the contribution of each to the reaction mechanism varies dramatically depending upon which scavengers are present.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In vivo treatment of spontaneously diabetic NOD mice with the enzyme superoxide dismutase and catalase protects islet tissue from disease recurrence following transplantation into spontaneously diabetic mice, indicating that oxygen metabolites, specially superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are directly involved in the pathogenesis of immunology mediated diabetes.
Abstract: Spontaneous diabetes in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice is a CD4 T cell-dependent process. We have suggested that specific beta cell destruction results from free radical production at the site of islet inflammation; oxygen radicals are produced by activated inflammatory cells. We reported here that in vivo treatment of spontaneously diabetic NOD mice with the enzyme superoxide dismutase (2000 U for seven injections) and catalase (40,000 U for seven injections) protects islet tissue from disease recurrence following transplantation into spontaneously diabetic mice. Similar results were obtained when animals were treated with either enzyme alone. This effect was dose-dependent and little protection was observed when the dose of enzyme was reduced four-fold. These results indicate that oxygen metabolites, specially superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are directly involved in the pathogenesis of immunology mediated diabetes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that PKC membrane translocation and activation may be important for mediating membrane damage and lipid peroxidation after cells are exposed to oxygen-based radicals.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that reactive oxygen metabolites relax the ductus arteriosus and oppose the normal constriction that occurs after birth, which appears to be mediated exclusively through the generation of PGE2.
Abstract: To determine whether oxygen metabolites can cause ductus relaxation, we used rings of fetal ductus obtained from 36 near-term lambs and measured the effects of the oxygen metabolites generated by the combination of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase. The oxygen metabolites produced by hypoxanthine plus xanthine oxidase caused relaxation of the ductus that was inhibited by catalase (hydrogen peroxide scavenger) but not by superoxide dismutase (superoxide anion scavenger). In addition, hypoxanthine plus xanthine oxidase produced a 14-fold increase in prostaglandin (PG) E2 production with only twofold increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (the stable metabolite of PGI2). PGE2 is the most potent relaxant of the ductus arteriosus. The presence of either catalase or indomethacin blocked both the increase in prostaglandin production and the relaxation. We conclude that reactive oxygen metabolites relax the ductus arteriosus and oppose the normal constriction that occurs after birth. However, the vasoactive effects of reactive oxygen metabolites in the ductus appear to be mediated exclusively through the generation of PGE2.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that exogenous partially reduced O2 species can decrease pulmonary vascular reactivity and suggested that endogenous radicals, superoxide radical in particular, might be important in modulating pulmonary vascular tone.
Abstract: It has been postulated that changes in the availability of partially reduced O2 species, such as O2 radicals, could serve as a link between PO2 in the alveolus and pulmonary vascular tone (Herz 11: 127-141, 1986). To assess this hypothesis, the hemodynamic effects of acute changes in the balance between the production of O2 radicals and availability of antioxidant enzymes were studied in the isolated perfused rat lung. Intravascular generation of O2 radicals, by administration of xanthine-xanthine oxidase, decreased the pulmonary vascular pressor response to alveolar hypoxia (-55 +/- 5%) and angiotensin II (-58 +/- 10%, P less than 0.01 for each) in isolated perfused rat lungs without increasing the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio. Decreases in pulmonary vascular reactivity were inhibited by pretreatment of the lung with desferrioxamine or a mixture of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Catalase and superoxide dismutase preserved the hypoxic pressor response whether given in liposomes or in dissolved form. Superoxide dismutase administered free in solution, or combined with catalase in liposomes, increased the normoxic pulmonary arterial pressure and enhanced vascular reactivity to angiotensin II and hypoxia. Lungs treated with antioxidant enzymes in liposomes had 50% higher lung catalase levels than control lungs (P less than 0.05). These findings demonstrate that exogenous partially reduced O2 species can decrease pulmonary vascular reactivity and suggest that endogenous radicals, superoxide radical in particular, might be important in modulating pulmonary vascular tone.