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It has previously been shown that oral intake of 300 calories of glucose (75 g), lipid, or protein increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by polymorphonuclear cells (PMNL) and mononuclear cells (MNCs). We investigated the effects of 75 g glucose on proinflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB), in mononuclear cells. To further investigate whether the effects of macronutrient-induced oxidative stress are due to consumption of calories or are nutrient specific, we investigated the effects of acute oral challenge of equicaloric amounts of alcohol (300 calories) on ROS generation and NF-kappaB activation in MNCs and PMNL and compared them with those of glucose and water (control). Sixteen normal healthy adult volunteers were given either vodka (10 subjects), glucose solution (10 subjects), or 300 mL water (7 subjects). Vodka and glucose drinks were equivalent to 300 calories. We measured ROS generation and intranuclear NF-kappaB activation by PMNL cells and MNCs at 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours following ingestion. ROS generation by both MNC and PMNL increased significantly (P

Insulin exerts a vasodilatory effect through the release of nitric oxide (NO) from the endothelium. We have recently demonstrated that insulin also inhibits the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), 2 major proinflammatory mediators, by human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and the proinflammatory mediator, nuclear factor (NF-kappa B), in the nucleus in parallel with an increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) expression. The inhibition of ICAM-1 by insulin is NO dependent. Because tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a ) is proinflammatory and may thus inhibit the action of insulin at the endothelial cell level, we have now investigated whether TNF-a affects (1) insulin receptor content; (2) insulin receptor (IR) autophosphorylation induced by insulin, and (3) e-NOS expression by the endothelial cells. TNF-alpha (1 to 5 ng/mL) caused e-NOS inhibition in a dose-dependent fashion as measured by Western blotting. This inhibition was reduced with insulin addition. TNF-alpha also inhibited tyrosine autophosphorylation of the IR in HAEC induced by insulin and reduced IR beta-subunit protein expression in HAEC. These effects of insulin and TNF-alpha were independent of cell proliferation, as cell counts did not change with insulin or TNF-alpha. Our data demonstrate that TNF-alpha may exert its effect by inhibiting IR autophosphorylation in HAEC and also by reducing IR protein (IRP) expression. Although the inhibition of IR autophosphorylation by TNF-alpha is known to occur at the adipocyte level, the data on the inhibitory effect of TNF-alpha on insulin-induced e-NOS expression and IRP contents are novel.

We have recently demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and mononuclear cells (MNC) is inhibited following the intravenous administration of hydrocortisone. This is associated with a parallel decrease in intranuclear NFkappaB, known to modulate inflammatory responses including ROS generation. We have also shown that the plasma levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokine produced by TH2 cells, are also increased after hydrocortisone administration. In this study, we have investigated the effect of hydrocortisone on p47(phox) subunit, a key component of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, in MNC and the pharmacodynamics of this effect with ROS generation and plasma IL-10 levels. p47(phox) subunit protein levels in MNC showed a progressive decrease after hydrocortisone administration. It reached a nadir at 4 hours and increased thereafter to a baseline level at 24 hours. ROS generation also decreased, reached a nadir between 2 and 4 hours, and returned to a baseline level at 24 hours. IL-10 concentrations increased, peaked at 4 hours, and reverted to the baseline levels at 24 hours. In conclusion, p47(phox) subunit suppression may contribute to the inhibition of ROS generation in MNC after hydrocortisone administration. This suppression occurs in parallel with the suppression of NFkappaB and an increase in IL-10 plasma levels. Therefore, it would appear that the decrease in intranuclear NFkappaB and an increase in IL-10 may cause the inhibitory modulation on p47(phox) subunit and ROS generation by MNC following hydrocortisone and other glucocorticoids.

We have examined the effect of short-term triiodothyronine (T3) administration on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by leukocytes in 9 euthyroid subjects. At a dose of 60 microg/d orally for 7 days, T3 induced a significant increase in ROS generation by mononuclear cells (MNCs) from 183 +/- 102 mV at baseline to 313 +/- 111 mV on the seventh day (P.02), and by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) from 195 +/- 94 mV at baseline to 302 +/- 104 mV on the seventh day (P.02). There was also a significant increase in meta-tyrosine (P.001) and ortho-tyrosine (P.001), known indices of oxidative damage to proteins and amino acids. However, there was no increase in plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), an index of oxidative damage to lipids, and in the level of carbonylated proteins, a less sensitive index to assess protein oxidation. There was no decrease in the level of antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol, vitamin A, beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin. The stimulatory effect on ROS generation may reflect a generalized increase in metabolic activity or may be a specific effect on NADPH oxidase in leukocyte membranes. The absence of a significant change in TBARS, carbonylated proteins, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin A, beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin may reflect the short duration of the increased ROS load.