Protective effect of diphenyl diselenide against peroxynitrite-mediated endothelial cell death: A comparison with ebselen

Excess production of superoxide (O2−) and nitric oxide (NO) in blood vessel walls may occur early in atherogenesis leading to the formation of peroxynitrite, a strong oxidant and nitrating agent. This study was designed to determine the effect of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2, a synthetic organoselenium compound, in comparison with ebselen, on peroxynitrite-mediated endothelial damage. Experimental results showed that pre-incubation of BAEC (24 h) with low concentrations of (PhSe)2 (0.5 and 1 μM) protected the cells from peroxynitrite-dependent apoptosis and protein tyrosine nitration. The intracellular levels of GSH were almost completely depleted by peroxynitrite and, although the compounds did not restore its normal levels, (PhSe)2per se significantly increased GSH in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, (PhSe)2, which was about two times more active as a GPx mimic than ebselen, induced a significantly higher increase in both cellular GPx expression and activity. Taking into account the kinetics of the reaction between peroxynitrite and (PhSe)2, our data indicate that (PhSe)2 protects BAEC against peroxynitrite-mediated cell damage not by a direct reaction, but rather by increasing cellular GPx expression as a consequence of enhanced nuclear translocation of Nrf-2, which together with the increase in intracellular GSH, may work catalytically to reduce peroxynitrite to nitrite.