The Relative UV Sensitizer Activity of Purified Advanced Glycation Endproducts

Abstract— The oxidation products of ascorbic acid react with lens proteins to form advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) that are capable of generating reactive oxygen species when irradiated with UVA light. L-Threose, the most active of these oxidation products, was reacted with N -acetyl lysine and six AGE peaks were isolated by RP-HPLC. Each peak exhibited fluorescence and generated superoxide anion and singlet oxygen in response to UV light. Solutions of these AGE peaks (50 μg/mL) generated5–10 nmol/mL of superoxide anion during a 30 min irradiation. This activity was 100-fold less than the superoxide anion generated by kynurenic acid and 400-fold less than riboflavin.
Ultraviolet irradiation generated from 1.2 to 2.7 μmol/mL of singlet oxygen with the purified threose AGE compounds. This activity was similar to that seen with other purified AGE compounds (pentosidine, LM-1 and Ac-FTP) and with kynurenine and 3-OH kynurenine. This considerable singlet oxygen formation, however, was still 40-fold less than that obtained with kynurenic acid and 100-fold less than riboflavin under the same irradiation conditions. In spite of this lower sensitizer efficiency, the purified AGE generated20–60-fold more singlet oxygen on a weight basis than either crude ascorbic acid glycated proteins or a preparation of water-insoluble proteins from aged normal human lenses. On a molar basis, therefore, AGE could account for the sensitizer activity in these protein preparations if they represented less than 1% of the total amino acids.     

ASCORBIC ACID GLYCATION OF LENS PROTEINS PRODUCES UVA SENSITIZERS SIMILAR TO THOSE IN HUMAN LENS

-Soluble calf lens proteins were extensively glycated during a 4 week incubation with ascorbic acid in the presence of oxygen. Amino acid analysis of the dialyzed proteins removed at weekly intervals showed an increasing loss of lysine, arginine and histidine, consistent with the extensive protein cross-linking observed. Irradiation of the dialyzed samples with UVA light (1.0 kJ/cm² total illumination through a 338 nm cutoff filter) caused an increasing loss of tryptophan, an additional loss of histidine and the production of micromolar concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. No alteration in amino acid content and no photolytic effects were seen in proteins incubated without ascorbic acid or in proteins incubated with glucose for 4 weeks. The rate of hydrogen peroxide formation was linear with each glycated sample with a maximum production of 25 nmol/mg protein illuminated. The possibility that the sensitizer activity was due to an ascorbate-induced oxidation of tryptophan was eliminated by the presence of a heavy metal ion chelator during the incubation and by showing equivalent effects with ascorbate-incubated ribonuclease A, which is devoid of tryptophan. The ascorbate-incubated samples displayed increasing absorbance at wavelengths above 300 nm and increasing fluorescence (340/430) as glycation proceeded. The spectra of the 4 week glycated proteins were identical to those obtained with a solubilized water-insoluble fraction from human lens, which is known to have UVA sensitizer activity. The incubation of lens proteins with dehydroascorbic acid or l -threose, but not fructose, produced equivalent glycation, protein crosslinking and sensitizer activity. The relative sensitizer activity of the 4 week glycated sample was quantitatively very similar to that of a water-insoluble fraction from aged human lenses. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the protein-bound brunescence in the lens may be advanced glycation endproducts, which are formed in large part by the oxidation products of ascorbic acid, and that these compounds may contribute significantly to the UVA sensitizer activity present in aged human lenses.     

THE QUENCHING OF SINGLET OXYGEN BY AMINO ACIDS AND PROTEINS

Abstract— The physical quenching of singlet molecular oxygen (¹Δ_g) by amino acids and proteins in D₂O solution has been measured by their inhibition of the rate of singlet oxygen oxidation of the bilirubin anion. Steady-state singlet oxygen concentrations are produced by irradiating the oxygenated solution with the 1–06 μm output of a Nd-YAG laser, which absorbs directly in the electronic transition ¹Δ_g+ 1 v →³Σ_g^-. The rate of quenching by most of the proteins studied is approximated by the sum of the quenching rates of their amino acids histidine, tryptophan and methionine, which implies that these amino acids in the protein structure are all about equally accessible to the singlet oxygen. The quenching constants differ from those obtained by the ruby-laser methylene-blue-photosensitized method of generating singlet oxygen, or from the results of steady-state methylene-blue-photosensitized oxidation, where singlet oxygen is assumed to be the main reactive species. The singlet oxygen quenching rates in D₂O, pD 8, are (10⁷ℒ mol^-1 s^-1): alanine 0–2, methionine 3, tryptophan 9, histidine 17, carbonic anhydrase 85, lysozyme 150, superoxide dismutase 260, aposuperoxide dismutase 250.     

Advanced glycation endproducts induce photocrosslinking and oxidation of bovine lens proteins through type-I mechanism

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) have been suggested as photosensitizers that are capable of mediating eye lens photo-damage during aging. In the present work, we investigate the photo-crosslinking and oxidation of bovine lens proteins sensitized by AGEs, with special regard to low oxygen conditions. A mechanistic study was conducted using different oxygen concentrations and specific additives with the aim either to scavenge or enhance Type-I or Type-II photoprocesses. Quantum yields for Trp decomposition were determined at 5%, 20% and 100% O₂, in the presence of ferricyanide and D₂O to elucidate the mechanism of action of AGEs. Type-I mechanism proved to be the most efficient pathway for AGE-sensitized Trp decomposition at low oxygen concentration. Photocrosslinking of lens proteins and crystallin fractions due to Type-I interaction was observed. The influence of the oxygen concentration and additives was also studied. The results show that both Type-I mechanism and oxygen-mediated reactions contribute to protein crosslinking. Carbonyl group formation due to protein photo-oxidation was detected with Oxyblot technique. The generation of high levels of hydrogen peroxide during the irradiations was detected and attributed mainly to Type-I reactions. The results support that AGEs act preferentially as Type-I sensitizers at the low oxygen concentration found in the lens and are capable of inducing protein crosslinking, oxidation and peroxide formation.     

PHOTOOXIDATION OF EPINEPHRINE SENSITIZED BY METHYLENE BLUE—EVIDENCE FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF SINGLET OXYGEN AND OF SUPEROXIDE

Abstract— The photooxidation of epinephrine, sensitized by methylene blue or by chlorophylls, excited with red light, involves the reduction of two molecules of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide per molecule of epinephrine oxidized to adrenochrome. The initial rates of these reactions are not affected by low concentrations of catalase. In 99 mol % D₂O, rates of methylene blue sensitized photooxidations are accelerated as much as 5.2 times over rates in ordinary water. Azide anion is a more effective inhibitor of this reaction in D₂O than in H₂O. Half maximal inhibitions are obtained by 1.3 mM azide in H₂O and by 0.1 mAf azide in D₂O. Isotope effects and azide sensitivities point to photooxidation of epinephrine in D₂O primarily by a singlet oxygen pathway; in H₂O, non-singlet oxygen pathways become more predominant. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) markedly inhibits rates of the photooxidations in H₂O and in D₂O; about 25% at 10^-9 M SOD, and 50% at 10^-6 M SOD in H₂O. In the photooxidation in H₂O, both by non-singlet and singlet oxygen mechanisms, the amount of superoxide produced is equivalent to the amount of O₂ consumed in the photooxidation of epinephrine; the superoxide thus formed participates in the oxidation of epinephrine.     

PHOTO-INDUCED OXIDATIVE ACTIVATION OF THE ANTITUMOR DRUG 2N-METHYL-9-HYDROXYELLIPTICINIUM IN VITRO

Abstract— The phenolic antitumor drug 2N-methyl-9-hydroxyellipticine (NMHE) has been found to undergo oxidative activation upon irradiation with near-UV light at 365 nm (UVA) in aqueous medium. In the presence of leucine used as biological nucleophile, UVA-induced activation of NMHE results in covalent binding as shown by the generation of the corresponding adduct isobutyl-oxazolopyridocarbazole (IB-OPC). The reaction involves as the initial step the one-electron transfer from the drug to molecular oxygen yielding superoxide anion (O₂^-) whereas the generation of IB-OPC may proceed either through a free radical reaction or a Michael addition reaction. The UVA light-induced production of IB-OPC is markedly increased by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and by the singlet oxygen quencher diazabicyclooctane (DABCO) but not affected by β-carotene. It is concluded that UVA induces the oxidation of NMHE through an oxidasic process which may result in the covalent binding of the drug to biological nucleophiles. This finding leads to further investigation of the photodynamic action of NMHE in tumor cells.     

ACTIVATED OXYGEN: SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN AND SUPEROXIDE ANION

Abstract— Elusive processes associated with molecular oxygen in chemical and biological systems are interpreted in terms of two activated oxygen species, singlet molecular oxygen (¹Σ⁺_g/¹Δ_g) and superoxide anion (X²π_g). The generation and deactivation of singlet oxygen by interaction with organic triplet states are discussed within a comprehensive theoretical framework. Experimental results indicate the anomalous molecular oxygen enhanced luminescence from organic chromophores in polymer matrices results from the deactivation of singlet (¹Δ_g) oxygen by energy transfer to electronically excited states of the chromophore, and three types of oxygen enhanced luminescence have been identified in these systems. Properties of the superoxide anion relevant to its solution chemistry are briefly discussed. Electron transfer theory is used to theoretically examine the generation of singlet oxygen in disproportionation reactions of the superoxide anion, predicting that, depending on the number of water molecules present, the disproportionation reaction is a proficient source of singlet oxygen. A competing quenching process imposes a limit to the steady state concentration of singlet oxygen in most chemical systems. Available experimental results on the quenching of singlet oxygen by superoxide anion are in good agreement with theoretical results obtained via application of electron transfer theory.     

CHEMILUMINESCENCE FROM AUTOXIDIZING 6-HYDROXYDOPAMINE: THE INVOLVEMENT OF ACTIVATED FORMS OF OXYGEN

Abstract— The autoxidation of the catecholamine neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (20 μ M ) gave rise to a chemiluminescence which was greatly stimulated by FeSO₄ (20 μ M ) or by hydrogen peroxide addition (20 μ M to 2 m M ). The luminescence of both 6-hydroxydopamine alone or 6-hydroxydopamine plus hydrogen peroxide was strongly inhibited by catalase and by superoxide dismutase (both at 10 μg/m/); bovine serum albumin at 10 μg/m/ had no inhibitory effect. The luminescence was also strongly inhibited by several potent hydroxyl radical trapping agents and also by low concentrations of the ¹O₂ quencher DABCO (l,4-diazabicyclo-2.2.2.-octane). Chemiluminescence was greatly enhanced in D₂O, a solvent in which ¹O₂ has a prolonged lifetime. These data demonstrate the involvement of hydrogen peroxide, the superoxide radical and the hydroxyl radical in the chemiluminescence. The data are also consistent with some role for ¹O₂.     

THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF THE REACTION RATE CONSTANT OF BILIRUBIN WITH SINGLET OXYGEN IN D2O

Abstract— The chemical reaction rate constant of bilirubin with singlet oxygen in basic aqueous solution has been redetermined to be 3.5 × 10⁸ M^-1 s^-1 by a competitive technique using a 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. Bilirubin also physically quenches a singlet oxygen with a rate constant of 9 × 10⁸ M ^-1 s^-1. The lifetime of singlet oxygen in D₂O solution has been determined to be 35 μ s . The absorption cross-section for the molecular oxygen ³∑_g-→¹δ _g + 1 v electronic transition at 1.06μn in aqueous solution is unexpectedly larger than the gas paase cross-section.     

Near-infrared Light Emission from Nanomolar-level Singlet Molecular Oxygen Generated with an Ultra low Concentration Mixture of Hypochlorite and Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract— We report the detection of a weak near-infrared light emission originating from 8 nM singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂) produced in a mixture of 1 m M hypochlorite (OC1^-) and 8 n M hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The measurements were made with a highly sensitive detection system for ultraweak light emission in the 1.0-1.5 μm wavelength region. The emission intensity exhibited linear dependence for H₂O₂ concentrations in the range of 8-670 n M . The mixture containing a lower concentration (33 μ M ) of OCl^- pseudocontinuously emitted near-infrared light for 5 s. The rate constant for ¹O₂ production obtained from the kinetic analysis agrees with that previously reported. Our results demonstrate the possibility of measuring very low concentrations of ¹O₂ in a OCi-/H₂O² mixture as well as ¹O₂ production in intact living systems.     

Photochemical Reactions and Phototoxicity of Sterols: Novel Self-perpetuating Mechanism for Lipid Photooxidation

Abstract— Sterols are important lipid components that may contribute to phototoxicity. We have found that phototoxic response in earthworms is related to sterols extractable with lipophilic solvents. The photochemically active compounds in worm lipids are 5,7,9(11),22-ergostatetraen-3bT-ol (9-DHE) and 5,7,9(11)-cholestatrien-3bT-ol (9-DDHC), respectively. Human skin lipids are known to contain 9-DHE. We have also found 9-DDHC in human skin, which is reported here for the first time. In the presence of an excess of the corresponding 5,7-dienes (ergosterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol), these photoactive sterols constitute a self-regenerating source of singlet molecular oxygen (₁O₂) during irradiation in vivo or in vitro with UVA bT15-400 nm). The quantum yield for photosensitization of ₁O₂ by 9-DHE was estimated to be 0.09. The ₁O₂ is scavenged by the dienes and the rate constant for ₁O₂ quenching by ergosterol was found to be 1.2 times 10₇ M -₁ s_-1 in methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE). This scavenging ultimately leads to the production of 5,8-endo-peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Photochemically induced superoxide radical was also produced on irradiation of sterol 5,7,9-trienes and trapped with the spin trap 5,5-dimeth-yl-1-pyrroline W-oxide (DMPO). The production of singlet oxygen, peroxides and radicals by the sterols may be significant in the cell damaging and tumor promoting action of UVA light on skin.     

LASER FLASH PHOTOKINETIC STUDIES OF ROSE BENGAL SENSITIZED PHOTODYNAMIC INTERACTIONS OF NUCLEOTIDES AND DNA

Abstract— Laser flash photolysis studies of the production of the triplet state of the xanthene dye, rose bengal (RB), have been carried out. The reactions of this state with oxygen to form singlet oxygen and the superoxide anion radical have been observed and yields measured. Quenching of RB(T₁) by oxygen leads to approximately 75% singlet oxygen and 20% superoxide. The reactivity of these species-RB(T₁), O₂(¹Δ_g) and O₂^-—with four nucleotides and DNA have been determined. Only guanine residues showed any noticeable reaction at neutral pH. At higher pH guanine rate constants increased. The consequences to biological photodynamic processes are discussed.     

SUPPRESSION OF LIPID PHOTOPEROXIDATION BY QUERCETIN AND ITS GLYCOSIDES IN SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS

Abstract— Quercetin, quercitrin and rutin suppressed lipid photoperoxidation in spinach chloroplasts in the presence of 100 μ M carbonylcyanide m -chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) or 100 μ M methyl viologen (MV). Fifty percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation by quercetin was observed between 30 and 50 μ M . Concentrations of quercetin and rutin higher than 100 μ M were required to obtain 50% inhibition. Ouercitrin was more effective than rutin in the suppression of lipid photoperoxidation.
Photooxidation of the flavonols by chloroplasts in the presence of MV was suppressed by superoxide dismutase (SOD) more than 90%, and the rates of the oxidation decreased in order of quercetin, quer citrin and rutin suggesting that the reactivity of the flavonols with O₂-decreased in that order. The photooxidation of the flavonols by CCCP-poisoned chloroplasts was partially suppressed by SOD. Radicals generated in the course of lauroyl peroxide degradation also oxidized the flavonols and the oxidation was insensitive to SOD. In these experiments, oxidation rate of quercetin was faster than those of its glycosides. The results obtained suggest that flavonols can function as antioxidants in chloroplasts by scavenging both O₂-and the radicals formed during lipid peroxidation.     

SOME PREVALENT BIOMOLECULES AS DEFENSES AGAINST SINGLET OXYGEN DAMAGE

Abstract— We have compared the relative abilities of some putative biological protectors to block oxidation of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF)† in illuminated solutions containing the photosensitizer rose bengal and in the separated-surface-sensitizer (S-S-S) system involving pure singlet oxygen (¹ΔA_gO₂). While L-histidine is a well-known quencher of singlet oxygen, free L-histidine is not commonly found in high concentrations in nature. L-Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine), however, is present in the striated muscles of many organisms, most notably mammals, in concentrations up to 40 m M . At neutral pH, carnosine quenched singlet oxygen more effectively than did equimolar histidine, both in solubilized sensitizer studies and in the S-S-S system. In the pure singlet oxygen system, 1 m M carnosine reduced the rate of BHMF oxidation as effectively as 3 m M histidine alone, or a mixture of 3 mM histidine and 3 m M β-alanine. The fungal product L-ergothioneine (2-thiol-L.-histidine betaine) and its synthetic analogue, 2-thiolhistidine, at 1 m M blocked photosensitized BHMF oxidation using solubilized rose bengal, as did urate at 0.5 m M . All three compounds failed to reduce the rate of BHMF oxidation by singlet oxygen in the S-S-S system, however. Homocarnosine (-γ-aminobutyryl-L-histidine) gave levels of protection against BHMF oxidation identical to histidine, but is present in the central nervous system only at micromolar concentrations. Neither 1 m M imidazole nor 5 m M urea reduced BHMF oxidation in either system. We conclude that some prevalent biomolecules may afford protection either by preventing singlet oxygen production (urate, L-ergothioneine) or by intercepting singlet oxygen once formed (L-carnosine). Such protective devices may be of importance in natural systems.     

Oxygen Uptake in the Vitamin B2-sensitized Photo-oxidation of Tyrosine and Tryptophan in the Presence of Uracil: Kinetics and Mechanism

Considering the significance of visible light-promoted reactions in complex biological media, the photo-oxidation of the amino acids (AAs) tyrosine (tyr) and tryptophan (trp) was studied in the presence of the naturally occurring oxidative scavenger uracil (ur). The involved photoprocesses, studied at pH 7 and 9, are driven through the reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet molecular oxygen (O₂(¹Δ_g)), superoxide radical anion (O₂^•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The effect on the effectiveness of the overall photo-oxidation process due to the presence of an added electron-donating substrate such as ur is not straightforwardly predictable. The addition of the pyrimidine compound, a much lesser photo-oxidizable substrate than the AAs themselves, produced different results: (1) antioxidative for tyr at pH 9, decreasing the overall rate of oxygen uptake; (2) synergistic for tyr at pH 7, increasing the oxidation rate more than the corresponding addition value of the respective individual rates and (3) no effect for trp at both pH values. The final result depends on the respective abilities of the substrates as quenchers of both the long-lived riboflavin triplet excited state and the generated ROS and the pH of the medium. An interpretation for the different cases is attempted through a kinetic and mechanistic analysis.     

INVOLVEMENT OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN THE PHOTOTOXICITY MECHANISM FOR A METABOLITE OF PIROXICAM

It has been previously shown that a metabolite of piroxicam but not piroxicam itself causes phototoxicity to cells in vitro after exposure to UVA (320–400 nm) radiation. The phototoxicity mechanism for this metabolite, 2-methyl-4-oxo-2H-l,2-benzothiazine-l,l-dioxide (Compound I), was investigated. In vitro phototoxicity to human mononuclear cells was assayed using 0.5 m M Compound I and UVA radiation. The UVA fluence required for phototoxicity of Compound I was lower by a factor of 2-3 in D₂O buffer compared to H₂O buffer. Superoxide dismutase and mannitol, which remove O₂^- and OH", respectively, do not decrease the phototoxicity. The photodecomposition of Compound I was inhibited by sodium azide, enhanced by human serum albumin and unaffected by mannitol. Stable photoproducts of Compound I were not toxic to the cells. The quantum yield of singlet oxygen based on its emission at 1270 nm was 0.19 and 0.35 for Compound I and s2 ± 10^-3 and 10^-2 for piroxicam in D₂O and C₆H₆, respectively. While the extremely low quantum yield for singlet oxygen from piroxicam appears to account for its lack of phototoxicity, the phototoxicity mechanism for its metabolite, Compound I, most likely does involve singlet oxygen.     

EVIDENCE AGAINST THE PRODUCTION OF SUPEROXIDE BY PHOTOIRRADIATION OF HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE

Abstract Experiments were performed to ascertain whether superoxide anion (O₂⁻) was produced by the photodynamic activation of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD). Three different systems were utilized to detect formation of O₂⁻, oxidation of epinephrine to adrenochrome, reduction of cytochrome c and reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT). The effects on these detectors under identical conditions for HPD + h ν were compared to those obtained with two O₂⁻ generating systems, riboflavin + by and xanthine-xanthine oxidase, and to a singlet oxygen generating system, photoradiation of methylene blue. The results indicated that HPD + hv differed from the two O₂⁻ generating systems in failing to reduce cytochrome c or NET, and that HPD + h ν was similar to the behavior of methylene blue + h ν . In addition, HPD + h ν but not the O₂⁻ generating systems could inhibit mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity. We conclude that the photodynamic activation of HPD does not produce O₂⁻ as a major oxygen radical and that the effects of HPD + h ν on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase are not caused by O₂⁻.     

FLAVIN-SENSITIZED PHOTODYNAMIC MODIFICATION OF MULTISUBUNIT PROTEINS

Abstract— Riboflavin 5'-phosphate (FMN)-sensitized photodynamic modifications of multisubunit alcohol dchydrogenase, bacterial luciferase. L-glutamate dehydrogenase, and catalase all lead to significant formation of crosslinked species. On the contrary, irradiation of monomeric lysozyme, trypsin inhibitor, trypsin, and bovine serum albumin in the presence of FMN yields either no or only trace amounts of polymerized molecules. Photodynamic modifications thus appear to be much more efficient in crosslinking proteins with quaternary structures in their native forms. While no photodegradations of other proteins were found, FMN-sensitized modifications of the nonidentical dimeric (αß) bacterial luciferase resulted in the formation of two degraded fragments as well as two polymerized species. Singlet oxygen is shown to be involved in the photopolymerization of luciferase but it is unclear whether singlet oxygen is the sole species active in initiating the crosslinking reaction(s). FMN also sensitizes effective inactivations of luciferase which can be attributed to actions of singlet oxygen, triplet FMN, H₂O₂. and superoxide anion. Photodynamic inactivation of luciferase proceeds faster than photopolymerization; these processes are thus not coupled.     

ASCORBIC ACID AS A PHOTOOXIDATION INHIBITOR

Abstract— The rate constant for total quenching of singlet oxygen by ascorbic acid has been determined using the inhibition of the bleaching of 9, 10-dimethylanthracene by AA in pyridine. The rate constant was 8.4 × 10^-6 M ^-1 s^-1, as determined photochemically, and 1.06 10^-7 M ^-1 s^-1 as determined in a dark reaction.     

PHOTOGENERATION OF SUPEROXIDE ION and HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FROM TRYPTOPHAN and ITS PHOTOOXIDATION PRODUCTS: THE ROLE OF 3a-HYDROPEROXYPYRROLIDINOINDOLE*

Abstract— Mechanism of the photogeneration of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide ion from tryptophan (Trp) and its photooxidation products was investigated. Near-ultraviolet irradiation of 3a-hydro-peroxypyrrolidinoindole, an intermediate in the photooxidation of Trp, has been shown to generate hydrogen peroxide efficiently under aerobic conditions. Irradiation of N-formylkynurenine in the presence of 3α-hydroxypyrrolidinoindole also produced hydrogen peroxide. The formation of superoxide ion in both reactions has been confirmed, whereas the reaction of Trp with chemically generated singlet oxygen did not produce any detectable amount of superoxide ion.