ROLE OF IRON AND SUPEROXIDE IN MEDIATING HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE INJURY TO CULTURED RAT GASTRIC CELLS

Background: Gastric epithelium is exposed to toxic, reactive oxygen species generated within the lumen. The present study examined the role of cellular iron and superoxide (O2-) in mediating hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced damage to cultured gastric mucosal cells. Methods: H2O2 was generated by glucose oxidase acting on b-d(+)glucose. Cytotoxicity was assessed by 51Cr release from prelabeled cells. Results: Deferoxamine (a chelator of Fe3+) prevented injury induced by H2O2, whether present before or during H2O2 production. In contrast, whereas the presence of phenanthroline (a chelator of Fe2+) during the cytotoxicity assay prevented damage, prior treatment with the agent did not; this suggested that cellular Fe3+ reduced to Fe2+ upon exposure to H2O2 is responsible for damage. Neither extracellular superoxide dismutase nor inhibitors of xanthine oxidase (a possible source of cellular O2- production) protected against H2O2. Further, protection by iron chelators was not associated with modulation of endogenous antioxidants. Conclusions: Deferoxamine and phenanthroline protect cells from H2O2 by chelating stored iron (Fe3+) or reduced iron (Fe2+), respectively. Reduction of cellular Fe3+ appears to be a prerequisite for mediation of damage, but this reduction is independent of extracellular O2- or cellular xanthine oxidase-derived O2-. © 1993.