(188ak) Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protection in Human Pulmonary Cells

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced as byproducts during aerobic respiration are required at low concentrations to provide defense against infectious agents, however, uncontrolled production in response to environmental stressors can lead to oxidative stress, or the imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants. High oxygen concentration in the lung environment combined with inhaled pollutants makes the respiratory system highly susceptible to oxidative stress related injury, including DNA damage, cellular barrier dysfunction, and direct tissue damage. Immunodeficient individuals, specifically infants, are more susceptible to oxidative stress diseases due to reduced antioxidant defense processes and increased oxygen tension when exposed to hyperoxic environments.

The goal of this work was to evaluate human pulmonary cell line A549 for oxidative stress parameters following exposure to antioxidants, oxidants, and particulate matter. Various antioxidants were evaluated for cellular protection against free radical damage from oxidants and particulates. Response parameters included ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione, oxygen consumption, chemokine production, and DNA integrity.