Electron paramagnetic resonance and spin trapping investigations of the photoreactivity of human lens proteins

Oxidation of cysteine, glutathione and ascorbate by photoexcited proteins from normal and cataractous lenses was investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance in combination with spin trapping. We report that illumination of these proteins in pH 7 buffer with light > 300 nm in the presence of thiols (RSH) and a spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), afforded DMPO/S-cysteine and DMPO/SG adducts, suggesting the formation of the corresponding thiyl radicals. In a nonbuffered aqueous solution, illumination of the proteins and glutathione also produced superoxide detected as a DMPO/O2H adduct. Irradiation of these proteins in the presence of ascorbate generated ascorbate radical. We conclude that chromophores present in the natural normal and cataractous lenses are capable of initiating photooxidative processes involving endogenous thiols and ascorbic acid. This observation may be pertinent to UV-induced development of cataract.     

ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT-INDUCED FREE RADICAL FORMATION IN SKIN: AN ELECTRON PARAMAGNETIC RESONANCE STUDY

It has been suggested that ultraviolet light induces free radical formation in skin, leading to photoaging and cancer. We have demonstrated by electron paramagnetic resonance that the ascorbate free radical is naturally present in unexposed skin at a very low steady state level. When a section of SKH-1 hairless mouse skin in an EPR cavity is exposed to UV light (4,500 J m⁻²−1, Xe lamp, 305 nm cutoff and IR filters), the ascorbate free radical signal intensity increases. These results indicate that UV light increases free radical oxidative stress, consistent with ascorbate's role as the terminal, small-molecule antioxidant. The initial radicals produced by UV light would have very short lifetimes at room temperature; thus, we have applied EPR spin trapping techniques to detect these radicals. Using α-[4-pyridyl 1-oxide]-N- tert -butyl nitrone (POBN), we have for the first time spin trapped a UV light-produced carbon-centered free radical from intact skin. The EPR spectra exhibited hyperfine splittings that are characteristic of POBN/alkyl radicals, a^N= 15.56 G and a^H= 2.70 G, possibly generated from membrane lipids as a result of β-scission of lipid alkoxyl radicals. Iron can act as a catalyst for free radical oxidative reactions; chronic exposure of skin to UV radiation causes increased iron deposition. Using our spin trapping system, we have shown that topical application of the iron-chelator, Desferal, to a section of skin reduces the UV light-induced POBN adduct radical signal. These results provide direct evidence for free radical generation and a role for iron in UV light-induced dermatopathology. We suggest that iron chelators can serve as photoprotective agents by preventing these oxidations.     

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS—X. A SPIN-TRAPPING AND DIRECT ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE STUDY OF THE PHOTOCHEMICAL PATHWAYS OF DAUNOMYCIN AND ADRIAMYCIN

Abstract— Irradiation of daunomycin (or adriamycin) and the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) at 490 nm in the presence or in the absence of air generated the hydroxyl radical adduct (DMPO-OH). The observed DMPO-OH signal was not affected by the addition of hydroxyl radical scavengers (ethanol, formate), suggesting that direct trapping of the hydroxyl radical was not involved. The DMPO-OH signal was insensitive to superoxide dismutase and catalase, which ruled out the possibility of superoxide or H₂O₂ involvement. These findings demonstrate that daunomycin (or adriamycin) does not generate hydroxyl radicals or superoxide radical anions when subjected to 490-nm excitation. However, when daunomycin (or adriamycin) was irradiated at 310 nm DMPO adducts derived from two carbon-centered radicals, superoxide and the hydroxyl radical were detected. The superoxide adduct of DMPO was abolished by the addition of SOD, providing unequivocal evidence for the generation of the superoxide anion radical. The daunomycin semiquinone radical, observed upon 310-nm irradiation of daunomycin in the absence of DMPO, appears to be the precursor of the superoxide radical anion. One of the carbon-centered radicals trapped by DMPO exhibited a unique set of hyperfine parameters and was identified as an acyl radical. This suggests that the known photochemical deacylation of daunomycin occurs via a homolytic cleavage mechanism. The free radicals generated photolytically from adriamycin and daunomycin may be involved in the etiology of the skin ulceration and inflammation caused by these drugs. A knowledge of the dependence of these photogenerated radicals on the wavelength of excitation may be important in the development of adriamycin and daunomycin for photodynamic therapy.     

PHOTOCHEMICAL SENSITIZATION BY AZATHIOPRINE AND ITS METABOLITES. PART 3. A DIRECT EPR AND SPIN-TRAPPING STUDY OF LIGHT-INDUCED FREE RADICALS FROM 6-MERCAPTOPURINE AND ITS OXIDATION PRODUCTS

Abstract Sunlight has been implicated in the high incidence of skin cancer found in patients receiving 6-mercaptopurine (PSH) in the form of its pro-drug azathioprine. In this study we have used EPR spectroscopy in conjunction with the spin-trapping technique to determine whether PSH and its metabolic or photochemical oxidation products generate highly reactive free radicals upon UV irradiation. When an aqueous anaerobic solution (pH 5 or 9) of PSH (pK₂= 7.7) and either 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP) or nitromethane (NM) were irradiated (λ > 300 nm) with a Xe arc lamp, the corresponding purin-6-thiyl (PS^.) radical adduct and the reduced form of the spin trap (MNPIH’or CH₃N0₂) were observed. However, no radical adducts were detected when PSH and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) were irradiated (λ= 320 nrn) in oxygen-free buffer. These findings suggest that PSH does not photoionize but that instead MNP and NM are reduced by direct electron transfer from excited state PSH, ^1,3(PSH)*. In aerobic solution, oxygen can act as an electron acceptor and the O₂*- and PS radicals are formed and trapped by DMPO. 6-Mercaptopurine did photoionize when irradiated with a Nd:YAG laser at 355 nm as evidenced by the appearance of the DMPO/H (e_eq+ H⁺) adduct, which decreased in intensity in the presence of N₂O. ^1,3(6-Mercap-topurine)* oxidized ascorbate, formate and reduced glutathione to the corresponding ascorbyl, CO₂.- or glutathiyl radicals. The photochemical behavior of 6-thioxanthine and 6-thiouric acid was similar to PSH. However, the excited states of these metabolic oxidation products exhibited stronger reducing properties than ^1,3(PSH)*. Photolysis of PSH photoproducts purine-6-sulfonate or purine-6-sulfinate resulted in homolysis of the C-S bond and the appearance of the SO₃′- and SO₂^?_-- radicals, respectively, which were detected by direct EPR. These studies demonstrate that UV irradiation of PSH, its photoproducts and metabolites generates a variety of free radicals that may be involved in the etiology of skin cancer induced by azathioprine.     

Photochemistry of naphthalene diimides: EPR study of free radical formation via photoredox process

Earlier studies have shown that on exposure to UVA, hydroperoxynaphthalene diimide (IA) generates hydroxyl radicals, induces DNA strand scission, and kills cells.Here we employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin trapping to investigate the free radical photochemistry of IA and that of related naphthalene diimides, which are devoid of the hydroperoxyl moiety (N,N'-bis[2-methyl]-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide [IB], N,N'-bis[2-thiomethyl-2-methoxyethyl]-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide [IC]) and therefore are unable to generate hydroxyl radicals. It is shown that on UV irradiation (>300 nm) in air-free methanol or ethanol solutions all these naphthalene diimides undergo one-electron reduction to corresponding anion radicals, positively identified by EPR. With EPR and a spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), we found that the photogeneration of the naphthalene diimide radicals is concomitant with the formation of radicals from the solvents, presumably through electron/hydrogen atom abstraction by photoactivated diimides. Irradiation of IA, IB or IC in the presence of oxygen generates superoxide, which was detected as a DMPO adduct. The high photoreactivity of IB and IC supports the notion that hydroperoxide IA can induce oxidative damage via photoprocesses that are independent of *OH generation. These observations could be pertinent to the application of naphthalene diimides as selective photonucleases, PDT anticancer agents or both.     

Identification of free radicals induced by UV irradiation in collagen water solutions

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method has shown that hydrogen atoms and acetic acid free radicals appear in surrounding acetic acid-water solution of collagen under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. These free radicals interact with the collagen molecule; consequently, seven superfine components of EPR spectrum with the split of aH = 11.3G and g-factor 2.001 appear. It is assumed that this spectrum is related to the free radical occurred on the proline residue in collagen molecule. In order to discover .OH hydroxyl radicals even in minor concentration, spin trap 5.5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) has been applied. During the irradiation of collagen water solution in the presence of spin trap, EPR spectrum of the DMPO/.OH adduct has not been identified, while the above mentioned spectrum has been observed once the hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and FeSO4 were added to the sample. That means that water photolysis does not take place in collagen water-solution due to UV irradiation. It was suggested that occurrence of hydrogen radical is connected with the electron transmission to the hydrogen ion. The possible source of free electrons can be aromatic residues, photo ionization of which takes place in collagen molecule due to UV irradiation.     

A SPIN TRAPPING STUDY OF THE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF 5,5-DIMETHYL-1-PYRROLINE N-OXIDE (DMPO)

The photochemistry of 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline N -oxide (DMPO) has been studied in benzene, cyclohexane and aqueous buffer solutions (pH 7.4) by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and the spin trapping technique. Ultraviolet irradiation of DMPO in aqueous buffer with unfiltered UV radiation from a Xe arc lamp results in photoionization of the spin trap and the generation of the DMPO cation radical, DMPO⁺. The aqueous electron, e_aq⁻, was trapped by DMPO and detected as the DMPO/H adduct. The DMPO⁺- reacted with the water to yield the DMPO/OH adduct. Ultraviolet irradiation of DMPO in nitrogen-saturated benzene gave an unidentified carbon-centered DMPO adduct that was replaced by hydroperoxyl and alkoxyl adducts of DMPO when oxygen was present. Experiments employing ¹⁷O₂ gas indicated that the oxygen in the DMPO alkoxyl adduct was derived from molecular oxygen. However, UV irradiation of DMPO in cyclohexane yielded the cyclohexyl and cyclohexyloxyl adducts of DMPO in nitrogen-saturated and air-saturated solutions, respectively. These observations suggest that in aprotic solvents UV irradiation of DMPO generates a carbon-centered radical (R⁻), derived from the trap itself, which in benzene reacts with oxygen to yield an alkoxyl radical (RO⁻), possibly via a peroxyl radical (ROO⁻) intermediate. In cyclohexane R⁻ abstracts a hydrogen atom from the solvent to yield the cyclohexyl radical in the absence of oxygen and the cyclohexyloxyl radical in the presence of oxygen. These findings indicate that when DMPO is used as a spin trap in studies employing short-wavelength UV radiation (λ < 300 nm) the photochemistry of DMPO cannot be ignored.     

ESR DETECTION OF ENDOGENOUS ASCORBATE FREE RADICAL IN MOUSE SKIN: ENHANCEMENT OF RADICAL PRODUCTION DURING UV IRRADIATION FOLLOWING TOPICAL APPLICATION OF CHLORPROMAZINE

Using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, we observed that UV radiation (330 nm) increased the endogenous ascorbate free radical concentration in hairless mouse (HRS/J) skin. When the skin was topically treated with a chlorpromazine solution prior to illumination, UV irradiation caused the ascorbate free radical concentration to increase even more. This observation suggests that there is an increased UV-induced oxidative stress in the presence of chlorpromazine, probably caused by the production of free radicals from chlorpromazine.     

Relevance of sunscreen application method, visible light and sunlight intensity to free-radical protection: A study of ex vivo human skin

With the continued rise in skin cancers worldwide there is a need for effective skin protection against sunlight damage. It was shown previously that sunscreens, which claimed UVA protection (SPF 20+), provided limited protection against UV-induced ascorbate radicals in human skin. Here the results of an electron spin resonance (ESR) investigation to irradiate ex vivo human skin with solar-simulated light are reported. The ascorbate radical signal in the majority of skin samples was directly proportional to the irradiance over relevant sunlight intensities (0.9-2.9 mW cm(-2)). Radical production (substratum-corneum) by UV (wavelengths < 400 nm) and visible components (> 400 nm) was approximately 67% and 33% respectively. Ascorbate radicals were in steady state concentration at low irradiance (approximately 1 mW cm(-2) equivalent to UK sunlight), but at higher irradiance (approximately 3 mW cm(-2)) decreased with time, suggesting ascorbate depletion. Radical protection by a four star-rated sunscreen (with UVA protection) was optimal when applied as a thin film (40-60% at 2 mg cm(-2)) but less so when rubbed into the skin (37% at 4 mg cm(-2) and no significant protection at 2 mg cm(-2)), possibly due to cream filling crevices, which reduced film thickness. This study validates ESR determinations of the ascorbate radical for quantitative protection measurements. Visible light contribution to radical production, and loss of protection when sunscreen is rubbed into skin, has implications for sunscreen design and use for the prevention of free-radical damage.     

Photophysical and photochemical studies of 2-phenylbenzimidazole and UVB sunscreen 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid

The sunscreen agent 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (PBSA) and its parent 2-phenylbenzimidazole (PBI) cause DNA photodamage via both Type-I and Type-II mechanisms when UVB irradiated. We have studied the photophysical and photochemical properties of these compounds and their ability to photogenerate reactive oxygen species including free radicals. PBI and PBSA exhibit both oxidizing and reducing properties in their excited state. The absorption and fluorescence properties of PBSA depend strongly upon pH, and hence the photochemistry of PBSA was studied in both neutral and alkaline solutions. PBSA showed strong oxidizing properties when UV irradiated in neutral aqueous solution (pH 7.4) in the presence of cysteine, glutathione and azide, as evidenced by the detection of the corresponding S-cysteinyl, glutathiyl and azidyl radicals with the aid of the spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). However, when an aqueous anaerobic solution (pH 10) of PBSA and either nitromethane (NM) or 4-nitrobenzoic acid (4-NBA) were irradiated, the corresponding nitro anion radicals were observed. This finding suggests that both NM and 4-NBA are reduced by direct electron transfer from the excited state PBSA. During UV irradiation of an aerobic solution of PBSA, O2*- and *OH radical were generated and trapped by DMPO. Further, PBI (in ethanol) and PBSA (in ethylene glycol : water 2: 1 mixture) showed low temperature (77 K) phosphorescence (lambdamax = 443, 476 and 509 nm) and also an electron paramagnetic resonance half-field transition (deltaMs = +/-2), which is evidence for a triplet state. This triplet produced singlet oxygen (1O2) with quantum yields 0.07 and 0.04 in MeCN for PBI and PBSA, respectively. These studies demonstrate that UV irradiation of PBSA and PBI generates a variety of free radicals and active oxygen species that may be involved in the photodamage of DNA.     

Phloxine B phototoxicity: a mechanistic study using HaCaT keratinocytes

Phloxine B (PhB) (2',4',5',7'-tetrabromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein; D&C Red No. 28) is a red dye found in drugs, cosmetics and foods; it is also currently being evaluated as a phototoxin for the potential control of fruit flies. Previous studies have shown that PhB is an efficient photosensitizer of damage to cellular membranes; thus, exposure of the skin to the dye and sunlight or artificial light may result in phototoxicity. Therefore, we have studied the phototoxicity of PhB and its structural analogue 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) to HaCaT keratinocytes. Anaerobic visible irradiation (>400 nm) of PhB generated a semiquinone type radical, as detected by direct electron paramagnetic resonance. Aerobic visible irradiation of a reaction mixture containing PhB, the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced) generated a superoxide dismutase-sensitive DMPO/O(2)(.-) adduct. Irradiation of PhB and DCF in D(2)O generated singlet oxygen with quantum yields of 0.59 and 0.06, respectively. PhB was much more phototoxic than DCF when cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay. Visible irradiation of HaCaT keratinocytes in the presence of PhB (5 micro M) resulted in a 90% decrease in cell viability. 3beta-Hydroxy-5alpha-cholest-6-ene-5-hydroperoxide, a singlet oxygen photoproduct of cholesterol, was isolated from HaCaT keratinocytes irradiated in the presence of PhB. Furthermore, PhB phototoxicity was inhibited by histidine and cysteine, quenchers of singlet oxygen. PhB (0.5 microM) and light irradiation also resulted in DNA damage, as measured by the Comet assay. The phototoxicity mechanism of PhB most probably initially involves a Type-II reaction with free radicals playing a minor role. However, secondary oxidative species such as radicals generated as a result of lipid peroxidation may serve to further promote oxidative damage. Our findings suggest that concern is warranted about the use of this dye in cosmetic products, as a food additive and in insecticidal sprays.     

Interactions between Vitamin E Homologues and Ascorbate Free Radicals in Murine Skin Homogenates Irradiated with Ultraviolet Light

The mechanism of oxidation of ascorbic acid in mouse skin homogenates by UV light was investigated by measuring ascorbate free radical formation using electron spin resonance signal formation. Addition of vitamin E (α-tocopherol or α-tocotrienol) had no effect, whereas short-chain homologues (2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-6-hydroxy-chroman-2-carboxylic acid [Trolox] and 2,2,5,7,8-penta-methyl-6-hydroxychromane [PMC]) accelerated ascorbate oxidation. The similar hydrophilicity of ascorbate, Trolox and PMC increased their interaction, thus rapidly depleting ascorbate. When dihydrolipoic acid was added simultaneously with the vitamin E homologues, the accelerated ascorbate oxidation was prevented. This was due to the regeneration of ascorbate and PMC from their free radicals by a recycling mechanism between ascorbate, vitamin E homologues and dihydrolipoic acid. Potentiation of antioxidant recycling may be protective against UV irradiation-induced damage. The rate of ascorbate oxidation in the presence of vitamin E homologues was enhanced by a photosensitizer (riboflavin) but was not influenced by reactive oxygen radical quenchers, superoxide dismutase or 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-iV-ox-ide. These experimental results suggest that the UV irradiation-induced ascorbate oxidation in murine skin homogenates is caused by photoactivated reactions rather than reactive oxygen radical reactions.     

Direct ESR detection and spin trapping of radicals generated by reaction of oxygen radicals with sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membranes

The stability of membranes under the strong oxidizing conditions in fuel cells is one of the major challenges in the development of fuel cells based on proton exchange membranes (PEMs). This study is centered on the determination of the susceptibility to degradation of SPEEK membranes exposed to OH radicals, using both direct ESR and spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO). In order to achieve a complete picture on SPEEK degradation, two types of experiments were performed: 1. UV irradiation at 77 K of SPEEK membranes swollen by aqueous solutions of H₂O₂; 2. UV irradiation of SPEEK membranes swollen by aqueous solutions of H₂O₂ in the presence of DMPO as a spin trap. UV irradiation without oxygen of SPEEK at 77 K in acid or basic form in the presence of H₂O₂/H₂O produced phenoxyl radicals as the predominant radicals detected by direct ESR or spin trapping methods. At pH 4, the oxygen radicals produced phenyl radicals as the predominant species detected by spin trapping methods. The hydroperoxyl radical, as DMPO/OOH adduct, was detected only when the DMPO/OH adduct was absent. The appearance of phenyl and phenoxyl radicals provides the evidence that OH radicals react with the aromatic ring of SPEEK or leading to the scission of its ether bridge.     

EPR Detection of Free Radicals in UV-lrradiated Skin: Mouse Versus Human

Abstract— Ultraviolet radiation produces free radicals in Skh-1 mouse skin, contributing to photoaging and carcinogenesis. If a mouse model is a general indicator of free radical processes in human skin photobiology, then radical production observed in mouse and human skin should be directly comparative. In this work we show that UV radiation (Λ > 300 nm, 14 μW/cm² UVB; 3.5 mW/cm² UVA) increases the ascorbate free radical (Asc^.-) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal in both Skh-1 mouse skin (45%) and human facial skin biopsies (340%). Visible light (Λ > 400 nm; 0.23 mW/cm² UVA) also increased the Asc^.- signal in human skin samples (45%) but did not increase baseline mouse Asc^.-, indicating that human skin is more susceptible to free radical formation and that a chromophore for visible light may be present. Using EPR spin-trapping techniques, UV radiation produced spin adducts consistent with trapping lipid alkyl radicals in mouse skin (α-[4-pyridyl 1-oxide]-N-tert-butyl nitrone/alkyl radical adduct; a^N= 15.56 G and a^H= 2.70 G) and lipid alkoxyl radicals in human skin (5,5-dimethylpyrroline-l-oxide/alkoxyl radical adduct; a^N= 14.54 G and a^H= 16.0 G). Topical application of the iron chelator Desferal to human skin significantly decreases these radicals (±50%), indicating a role for iron in lipid peroxidation; Desferal has previously been shown to decrease radical production in mouse skin. This work supports the use of the Skh-1 mouse as a predictive tool for free radical formation in human skin. These results provide the first direct evidence for UV radiation-induced free radical formation at near physiological temperatures in human skin and suggest that iron chelators may be useful as photoprotective agents.     

Identification of isomeric spin adducts of Leu-Tyr and Tyr-Leu free radicals using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Free radical species are generally short-lived due to their high reactivity and thus direct measurement and identification are often impossible. In this study we used a spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), to trap radical intermediates formed during the oxidation of isomeric dipeptides tyrosine-leucine (Tyr-Leu) and leucine-tyrosine (Leu-Tyr), induced by the hydroxyl radical. To investigate the influence of the amino acid position in the peptide chain on the oxidation and free radical generation, the spin adducts were characterized using LC-MS and MS(n) . We detected carbon and oxygen DMPO adducts and adducts bearing two DMPO, which were analyzed by MS(n) . Both alkoxyl and peroxyl radicals were identified. Radical intermediates were localized in Tyr during oxidation of Tyr-Leu, while radicals were identified in Leu and Tyr during oxidation of Leu-Tyr. DMPO adducts of acyl radical species formed from cleavage of the peptide backbone, promoted by the alkoxyl radical in α carbon of the N-terminal amino acid were observed. The results show that the amino acid position has an influence in the oxidation process, at least on small peptides, and that the α carbon of the N-terminal amino acid is more vulnerable to the attack of the electrophilic hydroxyl radical.     

Electron transfer between a tyrosyl radical and a cysteine residue in hemoproteins: spin trapping analysis

We investigated electron transfer between a tyrosyl radical and cysteine residue in two systems, oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb)/peroxynitrite/5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) and myoglobin (Mb)/hydrogen peroxide/DMPO, using a combination of techniques including ESR, immuno-spin trapping (IST), and ESI/MS. These techniques show that the nitrone spin trap DMPO covalently binds to one or more amino acid radicals in the protein. Treating oxyHb with peroxynitrite and Mb with H2O2 in the presence of a low DMPO concentration yielded secondary Cys-DMPO radical adduct exclusively, whereas in the presence of high DMPO, more of the primary Tyr-DMPO radical adduct was detected. In both systems studied, we found that, at high DMPO concentrations, mainly tyrosyl radicals (Hb-Tyr42/Tyr24 and Mb-Tyr103) are trapped and the secondary electron-transfer reaction does not compete, whereas in the presence of low concentrations of DMPO, the secondary reaction predominates over tyrosyl trapping, and a thiyl radical is formed and then trapped (Hb-Cys93 or Mb-Cys110). With increasing concentrations of DMPO in the reaction medium, primary radicals have an increasing probability of being trapped. MS/MS was used to identify the specific Tyr and Cys residues forming radicals in the myoglobin system. All data obtained from this combination of approaches support the conclusion that the initial site of radical formation is a Tyr, which then abstracts an electron from a cysteine residue to produce a cysteinyl radical. This complex phenomenon of electron transfer from one radical to another has been investigated in proteins by IST, ESR, and MS.     

Detection and characterization by mass spectrometry of radical adducts produced by linoleic acid oxidation

The formation of linoleic acid radical species under the oxidative conditions of the Fenton reaction (using hydrogen peroxide and Fe (II)) was monitored by FAB-MS and ES-MS using the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidine-N-oxide, DMPO. Both the FAB and ES mass spectra were very similar and showed the presence of ions corresponding to carbon- and oxygen centered spin adducts (DMPO/L*, DMPO/LO*, and DMPO/LOO*). Cyclic structures, formed between the DMPO oxygen and the neighboring carbon of the fatty acid, were also observed. Electrospray tandem mass spectrometry of these ions was performed to confirm the proposed structure of these adducts. All MS/MS spectra showed an ion at m/z 114, correspondent to the [DMPO + H]+, and a fragment ion due to loss of DMPO (loss of 113 Da), confirming that they are DMPO adducts. ES-MS/MS spectra of alkoxyl radical adducts (DMPO/LO*) showed an additional ion at m/z 130 [DMPO - O + H]+, while ES MS/MS of peroxyl radical adducts (DMPO/LOO*) showed a fragment ion at m/z 146 [DMPO - OO + H]+, confirming both structures. Other fragment ions were observed, such as alkyl acylium radical ions, formed by cleavage of the alkyl chain after loss of water and the DMPO molecule. The identification of fragment ions observed in the MS/MS spectra of the different DMPO adducts suggests the occurrence of structural isomers containing the DMPO moiety both at C9 and C13. The use of ES tandem mass spectrometry, associated with spin trapping experiments, has been shown to be a valuable tool for the structural characterization of carbon and oxygen-centered spin adducts of lipid radicals.     

An EPR and Optical Spectroscopy Study of the Effect of Laser Radiation on Biological Tissues

The formation of radicals upon UV (248 nm) and IR (1.56 m) laser irradiation of some biological tissues (cartilage, bone tissue, fish scale) and their components (chondroitin sulfate, collagen) was studied by the EPR technique. The radical decay kinetics in bony tissue specimens after their irradiation with UV light were described. By the spin trapping technique, it was shown that radicals were not produced during IR (1.56 m) laser irradiation of cartilaginous tissue. A change in optical absorption spectra and the dynamics of optical density of cartilaginous tissue, fish scale, and a collagen film under exposure to laser radiation (248 nm) in an air, oxygen, and nitrogen atmosphere was studied.     

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS–XII. SPIN TRAPPING STUDY OF THE FREE RADICALS GENERATED DURING THE PHOTOLYSIS OF PHOTO ALLERGENS BITHIONOL and FENTICHLOR

Free radicals were trapped and observed by ESR when photoallergens bithionol and fentichlor were irradiated in the presence of spin traps N- t -butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). In the absence of air, both PBN and DMPO trapped a carbon-centered radical. The carbon-centered radical, which was capable of abstracting a hydrogen atom from cysteine, glutathione, ethanol and formate, was identified as an aryl radical derived from the homolytic cleavage of the carbon-chlorine bond. In the presence of air, both carbon-centered radicals and hydroxyl radicals were trapped by DMPO. Under similar conditions, the yield of the hydroxyl radicals was greater from bithionol than from fentichlor. The presence of the hydroxyl radical was confirmed by kinetic experiments employing hydroxyl radical scavengers (ethanol, formate). Superoxide and H₂O₂ were not involved. Experiments with oxygen-¹⁷O indicated that the hydroxyl radicals came exclusively from dissolved oxygen. The precursor of the hydroxyl radical is postulated to be a peroxy intermediate (ArOO*) derived from the reaction of an aryl radical (Ar*) with molecular oxygen. Both bithionol and fentichlor photoionized only when excited in the UVC (<270 nm) region. Free radicals have long been postulated in the photodechlorination of bithionol and fentichlor and the present study provides supporting evidence for such a mechanism. Aryl and hydroxyl radicals are reactive chemical species which may trigger a series of events that culminate in photoallergy.     

Singlet Oxygen–mediated Hydroxyl Radical Production in the Presence of Phenols: Whether DMPO–·OH Formation Really Indicates Production of ·OH?¶

The reaction of singlet oxygen (1O2) generated by ultraviolet-A (UVA)-visible light (lambda > 330 nm) irradiation of air-saturated solutions of hematoporphyrin with phenolic compounds in the presence of a spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), gave an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum characteristic of the DMPO-hydroxyl radical spin adduct (DMPO-*OH). In contrast, the ESR signal of 5,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidone-N-oxyl, an oxidative product of DMPO, was observed in the absence of phenolic compounds. The ESR signal of DMPO-*OH decreased in the presence of either a *OH scavenger or a quencher of *O2 and under anaerobic conditions, whereas it increased depending on the concentration of DMPO. These results indicate both 1O2- and DMPO-mediated formation of free *OH during the reaction. When DMPO was replaced with 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO), no DEPMPO adduct of oxygen radical species was obtained. This suggests that 1O2, as an oxidizing agent, reacts little with DEPMPO, in which a strong electron-withdrawing phosphoryl group increases the oxidation potential of DEPMPO compared with DMPO. A linear correlation between the amounts of DMPO-*OH generated and the oxidation potentials of phenolic compounds was observed, suggesting that the electron-donating properties of phenolic compounds contribute to the appearance of *OH. These observations indicate that 1O2 reacts first with DMPO, and the resulting DMPO-1O2 intermediate is immediately decomposed/reduced to give *OH. Phenolic compounds would participate in this reaction as electron donors but would not contribute to the direct conversion of 1O2 to *OH. Furthermore, DEPMPO did not cause the spin-trapping agent-mediated generation of *OH like DMPO did.