Peroxynitrite and nitrosoperoxycarbonate, a tightly connected oxidizing-nitrating couple in the reactive nitrogen-oxygen species family: new perspectives for protection from radical-promoted injury by flavonoids.
Peroxynitrite is the product of the reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide radical and is implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of human diseases, being responsible for in-vivo oxidation/nitration events. Nitrosoperoxycarbonate anion, formed by the interaction of peroxynitrite with CO(2)/bicarbonate at physiological concentrations, provides a new interpretation of oxidative/nitrative processes formerly attributed to peroxynitrite. The aim of this review is to summarize the chemistry and biology of peroxynitrite and radical species related to nitrosoperoxycarbonate anion, as well as the information available regarding the molecular mechanisms that determine and regulate radical-promoted injury by the two tightly connected species at physiological concentrations. Interception of carbonate and nitro radicals produced by interaction of peroxynitrite with CO(2)/bicarbonate, as in-vivo prevention of pathological events, creates new perspectives for the evaluation of safe scavengers of oxidative/nitrative stress at the physiological level. In this respect, natural products such as flavonoids hold a preeminent position among the vast array of compounds endowed with such properties.
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Milan, S. Paolo Hospital - Via A. Di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milano, Italy.
Radmila
R
Pavlovic
Enzo
E
Santaniello
D000818:Animals; D002254:Carbonates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009566:Nitrates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D016877:Oxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D030421:Peroxynitrous Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D002254:Carbonates; D005419:Flavonoids; D009566:Nitrates; D016877:Oxidants; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C512272:nitrosoperoxycarbonate; D030421:Peroxynitrous Acid