Role of molecular oxygen in the generation of hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals during enzymatic Cr(VI) reduction and its implication to Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping measurements provide evidence for the generation of hydroxyl radicals (*OH) in the reduction of Cr(VI) by glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) in the presence of NADPH as a cofactor. Catalase inhibited the *OH generation, while the addition of H2O2 enhanced it, indicating that the *OH radical generation involves a Fenton-like reaction. The metal chelator, deferoxamine, inhibited the *OH generation with a concomitant generation of a deferoxamine nitroxide radical. EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline also inhibited the *OH generation. Experiments performed under argon atmosphere decreased the yield of the OH formation, showing that molecular oxygen plays a critical role. ESR spin trapping and measurements of fluorescence change of scopoletin in the presence of horseradish peroxidase show that reduction of Cr(VI) by GSSG-R/NADPH generates superoxide anion radicals (O2-) as well as H2O2. It can be concluded that OH radical is generated by the reaction of H2O2 with Cr(V), which is produced by enzymatic one-electron reduction of Cr(VI). H2O2 is produced by the reduction of molecular oxygen via O2- as an intermediate. The *OH radicals generated by these reactions are capable of causing DNA strand breaks, which can be inhibited by catalase, formate, and experiments performed under argon.