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Fetal programming alters reactive oxygen species production in sheep cardiac mitochondria
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Fetal programming alters reactive oxygen species production in sheep cardiac mitochondria

Nicholas H Von Bergen, Stacia L Koppenhafer, Douglas R Spitz, Kenneth A Volk, Sonali S Patel, Robert D Roghair, Fred S Lamb, Jeffrey L Segar and Thomas D Scholz
Clinical science (1979), Vol.116(8), pp.659-668
04/2009
DOI: 10.1042/CS20080474
PMCID: PMC3677965
PMID: 19032144
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3677965View
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Abstract

Exposure to an adverse intrauterine environment is recognized as an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease later in life. Although oxidative stress has been proposed as a mechanism for the fetal programming phenotype, the role of mitochondrial O 2 •− (superoxide radical) production has not been explored. To determine whether mitochondrial ROS (reactive oxygen species) production is altered by in utero programming, pregnant ewes were given a 48-h dexamethasone (dexamethasone-exposed, 0.28 mg· kg −1 of body weight· day −1 ) or saline (control) infusion at 27–28 days gestation (term = 145 days). Intact left ventricular mitochondria and freeze-thaw mitochondrial membranes were studied from offspring at 4-months of age. AmplexRed was used to measure H 2 O 2 production. Activities of the antioxidant enzymes Mn-SOD (manganese superoxide dismutase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase) and catalase were measured. Compared with controls, a significant increase in Complex I H 2 O 2 production was found in intact mitochondria from dexamethasone-exposed animals. The treatment differences in Complex I-driven H 2 O 2 production were not seen in mitochondrial membranes. Consistent changes in H 2 O 2 production from Complex III in programmed animals were not found. Despite the increase in H 2 O 2 production in intact mitochondria from programmed animals, dexamethasone exposure significantly increased mitochondrial catalase activity, whereas Mn-SOD and GPx activities were unchanged. The results of the present study point to an increase in the rate of release of H 2 O 2 from programmed mitochondria despite an increase in catalase activity. Greater mitochondrial H 2 O 2 release into the cell may play a role in the development of adult disease following exposure to an adverse intrauterine environment.
antioxidant ovine myocardium superoxide catalase hydrogen peroxide

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