Cu overload induced-damages in cultured cells. Effect of carnosine and neocuproine

ARNAL NATHALIE; ALANIZ MARIA J. TACCONI DE; MARRA CARLOS ALBERTO

Puerto Madryn

Congreso; XLVI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; 2010

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

Cu overload is dangerous mainly because it can participate in the Häber-Weiss reaction producing ROS. As a consequence of pollution people are exposed to Cu overload under a sub-clinical and sub-symptomatological condition which obviously is very difficult to detect. So, we investigated (i) the possible use of chelator molecules, carnosine (CR) and neocuproine (NC) to prevent Cu overload-induced damages on cellular lipids and proteins tested in HepG2 and A-549 human cells; and (ii) the differential response of these chelators in relation to the protective action and the type of Cu ion involved. Cu treatment enhanced the formation of protein carbonyls, TBARs and nitrate plus nitrites with a concomitant decrease in cell survival estimated by trypan dye exclusion and LDH leakage. Simultaneous treatment with the chelators demonstrated that CR is more efficient than NC in protecting both types of cells from the effect of Cu on both the cell-associated damages and the decrease of cellular viability. This observation is supported by the fact that CR is not only a complexing agent for Cu(II) but also an effective antioxidant that can dismutate O -, scavenge OH. and 2 neutralize TBARs formation. CR should be investigated in order to establish its putative utility as a supplement to prevent Cu associated damages in humans.