Changes in antioxidant defense systems induced by thiram in V79 Chinese hamster fibroblasts

E Grosicka-Maciag1, D Kurpios, H Czeczot

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warszawa, Banacha 1, Poland.

Insights

The fungicide thiram induces oxidative damage by affecting antioxidant defense systems, including glutathione (GSH) levels and key enzymes like superoxide dismutases (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Thiram

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Fungicides like thiram can induce oxidative stress, impacting cellular components such as lipids and proteins.
  • Antioxidant defense systems, involving enzymes like superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione peroxidases (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT), play a crucial role in mitigating oxidative damage.
  • Glutathione (GSH) is a key intracellular antioxidant involved in various cellular defense mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of antioxidant defense systems in protecting against thiram-induced oxidative damage in cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells.
  • To analyze the effects of varying glutathione (GSH) levels on cellular responses to thiram exposure.
  • To elucidate the specific enzymatic activities and redox balance alterations induced by thiram.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells were exposed to thiram with normal, depleted (using L-buthionine sulfoximine, L-BSO), and elevated (using N-acetyl cysteine, NAC) glutathione levels.
  • Catalytic activities of SOD1, SOD2, Se-dependent and Se-independent GSH-Px, GR, and CAT were measured.
  • The total glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio (GSH(total)/GSSG) was analyzed to assess the cellular redox state.

Main Results:

  • Thiram treatment increased SOD1, Se-dependent GSH-Px, and GR activities at higher doses, while inhibiting CAT and Se-independent GSH-Px.
  • GSH(total)/GSSG ratio decreased significantly with thiram exposure, indicating oxidative stress.
  • L-BSO pretreatment exacerbated thiram's negative effects on antioxidant enzymes and redox balance, while NAC pretreatment partially restored enzymatic activities and the GSH(total)/GSSG ratio.

Conclusions:

  • Thiram induces oxidative damage in V79 cells, primarily through the production of free radicals, which alters the antioxidant defense system.
  • Glutathione levels significantly modulate the cellular response to thiram-induced oxidative stress.
  • The findings highlight the complex interplay between thiram exposure, antioxidant enzyme activity, and cellular redox homeostasis.

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