title: Gender-related response to a tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidation in human neonatal tissue.
abstract: Reports of gender-related differences in the activity of enzymes involved in the metabolism of intracellular antioxidants, led us to verify whether the prostaglandin response to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH) differed according to the sex of infants. Segments of human umbilical veins were perfused in the presence or absence of TBH (0.25 mmol/l, and 1.0 mmol/l). Because TBH is quenched in the cell by glutathione peroxidase, total glutathione concentrations and production of glutathione-dependent prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGF2 alpha) as well as membrane-derived eicosanoids (PGI2 and thromboxane) were measured in the eluate. In veins from boys, TBH induced a sustained response for glutathione only, which was increased (p < 0.05). In female-derived tissue, the hydroperoxide induced a different response according to the dose of TBH. At 0.25 mmol/l, a drop (p < 0.005) in PGF2 alpha was associated with a rise (p < 0.001) in thromboxane. At 1.0 mmol/l, TBH had an opposite effect--there was a rise (p < 0.01) in PGE2 and PGI2. The prostaglandin concentration were not proportional to the oxidative stimulus, suggesting a critical level of TBH at which the oxidative state differs in tissues derived from boys or girls.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Ste-Justine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lavoie
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chessex
mesh_terms: D015237:Dinoprost / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010477:Perfusion; D010545:Peroxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020122:tert-Butylhydroperoxide
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D010545:Peroxides; D011453:Prostaglandins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D020122:tert-Butylhydroperoxide; D015237:Dinoprost; D011464:Epoprostenol; D005978:Glutathione; D015232:Dinoprostone