EPR Study of KO2 as a Source of Superoxide and •BMPO-OH/OOH Radical That Cleaves Plasmid DNA and Detects Radical Interaction with H2S and Se-Derivatives

antioxidants Article EPR Study of KO2as a Source of Superoxide and •BMPO-OH/OOH Radical That Cleaves Plasmid DNA and Detects Radical Interaction with H2S and Se-Derivatives Anton Misak 1, Vlasta Brezova 2, Miroslav Chovanec 3, Karol Luspai 2, Muhammad Jawad Nasim 4, Marian Grman 1, Lenka Tomasova 1, Claus Jacob 4and Karol Ondrias 1,*   Citation: Misak, A.; Brezova, V.; Chovanec, M.; Luspai, K.; Nasim, M.J.; Grman, M.; Tomasova, L.; Jacob, C.; Ondrias, K. EPR Study of KO2as a Source of Superoxide and •BMPO-OH/OOH Radical That Cleaves Plasmid DNA and Detects Radical Interaction with H2S and Se-Derivatives. Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286. https://doi.org/10.3390/ antiox10081286 Academic Editors: Kenneth R. Olson and Bulent Mutus Received: 25 June 2021 Accepted: 11 August 2021 Published: 13 August 2021 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. 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This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). 1Biomedical Research Center, Department of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, DúbravskáCesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia; [email protected] (A.M.); [email protected] (M.G.); [email protected] (L.T.) 2Institute of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia; [email protected] (V.B.); kar[email protected] (K.L.) 3 Biomedical Research Center, Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, DúbravskáCesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia; miroslav[email protected] 4Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Saarland, D-66123 Saarbruecken, Germany; [email protected] (M.J.N.); [email protected] (C.J.) *Correspondence: kar[email protected] Abstract: Superoxide radical anion (O 2•− ) and its derivatives regulate numerous physiological and pathological processes, which are extensively studied. The aim of our work was to utilize KO 2 as a source of O 2•− and the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (BMPO) technique for the preparation of • BMPO-OOH and/or • BMPOOH radicals in water solution without DMSO. The method distinguishes the interactions of various compounds with • BMPO-OOH and/or • BMPO-OH radicals over time. Here, we show that the addition of a buffered BMPO-HCl mixture to powdered KO 2 formed relatively stable • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH radicals and H 2 O 2 , where the • BMPO-OOH/OH ratio depended on the pH. At a final pH of ~6.5–8.0, the concentration of • BMPO-OOH radicals was ≥ 20 times higher than that of • BMPO-OH, whereas at pH 9.0–10.0, the • BMPO-OH radicals prevailed. The • BMPO-OOH/OH radicals effectively cleaved the plasmid DNA. H 2 S decreased the concentration of • BMPO-OOH/OH radicals, whereas the selenium derivatives 1-methyl-4-(3-(phenylselanyl) propyl) piperazine and 1-methyl-4-(4-(phenylselanyl) butyl) piperazine increased the proportion of • BMPO-OH over the • BMPO-OOH radicals. In conclusion, the presented approach of using KO 2 as a source of O 2•− /H 2 O 2 and EPR spin trap BMPO for the preparation of • BMPO-OOH/OH radicals in a physiological solution could be useful to study the biological effects of radicals and their interactions with compounds. Keywords: KO 2 ; antioxidants; EPR spectra simulation; • BMPO-OOH spin adduct; superoxide; radical; hydrogen sulfide; selenium-derivatives; cleavage DNA 1. Introduction Superoxide anion radical (O 2•− ) is essential for the life of aerobic organisms, regulating numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. When an overproduction of O 2•− occurs and/or the antioxidant defense is deficient, oxidative stress may develop, leading to oxidative damage in many biological systems [ 1 , 2 ]. Therefore, the production, biological interactions, and control of the O 2•− concentration have all been intensively studied both in vivo and in vitro. For experiments involving radical O 2•− reactions, O 2•− can be generated using various methods [ 3 ], e.g., enzymatically by xanthine/xanthine oxidase [ 4 , 5 ], which is a system too complex for some types of O 2•− radical models. It can also be generated by ionizing Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10081286 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/antioxidants Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 2 of 22 radiation or by dissolving superoxide salts in aprotic solvents, e.g., KO 2 in anhydrous DMSO; however, DMSO may not be desirable in some biological experiments [ 3 , 6 ]. On the other hand, KO 2 dissolved in an aqueous solution is a simple source of O 2•− , but its lifetime is in the range of milliseconds [ 7 ]. For these reasons, it would be practical and appropriate to have an easily accessible O 2•− source that could be used in physiological solutions. Therefore, the aim of our work was to examine KO 2 as a suitable source of O 2•− , which can be used to react with cyclic nitrone 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-pyrrolineN-oxide (BMPO), generating superoxide ( • BMPO-OOH) or hydroxyl ( • BMPO-OH) radical adducts for further studies in aqueous systems. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique, using BMPO, is useful to study short-lived O 2•− and hydroxyl (HO • ) radicals [ 4 , 5 , 8 – 15 ]. By trapping O 2•− , BMPO produces relatively stable • BMPO-OOH spin adducts, which can be further studied as a potential model for organic hydroperoxides. A saturated KO 2 solution in DMSO has been used as a source of O 2•− to form • BMPO-OOH. The presence of DMSO is convenient in studies with water-insoluble compounds, but it could be a limitation for biological studies. Exogenously added and endogenously produced hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) influences many physiological and pathologic processes, including oxidative stress, by reacting with reactive oxygen species [ 16 , 17 ]. Organoselenium compounds have been known to serve as multifunctional agents. Such compounds have been shown to provide an excellent anti-cancer activity by serving as pro-oxidants that ultimately alter the redox homeostasis of cancer cells, leading to apoptosis. Many biological activities have been associated with organoselenium compounds, ranging from simple antioxidants and antimicrobials, to rather complicated immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive effects [ 18 ]. As organoselenium compounds have also been known for their interaction with radicals, the compounds RSe-1 and RSe-2 were employed in this study. Therefore, in the present work, a new procedure for the preparation of relative stable • BMPO-OOH/OH adducts from KO 2 as a source of O 2•− without the use of DMSO as a solvent is described. The • BMPO-OOH radical was mostly observed at pH ~6.5–8.0. • BMPO-OOH/OH cleaved plasmid DNA and • BMPO-OOH/ • BMPO-OH total radical concentrations and their proportion were influenced by H 2 Sand selenium-containing organic compounds. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Chemicals, EPR Sample Preparation, and Measurement Na 2 S was purchased from DoJindo (SB01, Munich, Germany), and the other chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Steinheim, Germany). Na 2 S dissociates in the solution and reacts with H + to yield H 2 S, HS − , and traces of S 2− . We used H 2 S to refer the total mixture of H 2 S, HS − , and S 2− . A stock solution of 100 mmol L −1 Na 2 S was prepared in argon-bubbled ultrapure deionized H 2 O, and was stored at − 80 ◦ C for a few days and used immediately after thawing. Two selenium derivatives, 1-methyl-4-(3-(phenylselanyl)propyl)piperazine (RSe-1) and 1-methyl-4-(4-(phenylselanyl)butyl)piperazine (RSe-2), were obtained according to the synthesis routes shown in Scheme 1; Scheme 2. For the compound RSe-1, methyl piperazine was alkylated, employing 1-bromo-3-chloropropane in the presence of anhydrous K2CO3 and acetone as a solvent. The reaction was performed at room temperature (RT) and the progress of the reaction was controlled by thin layer chromatography. The crude product was used for Se-alkylation in absolute ethanol under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature (Scheme 1). For the compound RSe-2, Se-alkylation of 1-bromo-4-chlorobutane was performed under a nitrogen atmosphere and in absolute ethanol at RT. The crude product was then reacted with methyl piperazine in the presence of anhydrous K 2 CO 3 and acetone at 50 ◦ C (Scheme 2) [ 19 ]. The structure and purity of the final compounds were confirmed via spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. The final products were converted into crystalline hydrochloric salts to improve their solubility in water. Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 3 of 22 Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 23 K2CO3 and acetone at 50 °C (Scheme 2) [19]. The structure and purity of the final compounds were confirmed via spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. The final products were converted into crystalline hydrochloric salts to improve their solubility in water. Scheme 1. Synthesis of compound RSe-1. (a)The first step of synthesis involves the alkylation of 1-methylpiperazine with 1-bromo-3-chlropropane to produce 1-(3-chloropropyl)-4-methylpiperazine in the presence of K2CO3 and acetone at room temperature. (b) 1-(3-chloropropyl)-4-methylpiperazine is subsequently reacted with diphenyl diselenide in an inert environment of N2, in the presence of NaBH4 and absolute ethanol at room temperature to obtain RSe-1 as final product. Scheme 2. Synthesis of compound RSe-2. (a)The first step of synthesis involves the Se-alkylation of 1-bromo-4-chlorobutane with diphenyl diselenide in an inert environment of N2, in the presence of NaBH4 and absolute ethanol at room temperature to obtain (4-chlorobutyl)(phenyl)selane. (b) In the second step (4-chlorobutyl)(phenyl)selane is reacted with 1-methylpiperazine in the presence of K2CO3 and acetone at room temperature to obtain RSe-2 as final product. The spin-trapping agent, 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (BMPO, DoJindo B568, Munich, Germany), was dissolved in ultrapure deionized H2O (100 mmol L−1), stored at −80 °C, and used after thawing. For the EPR samples, a buffer consisting of 50 mmol L−1 sodium phosphate and 100 µmol L−1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA; pH 7.4; 37 °C) was used. Powdered KO2 (Sigma-Aldrich 278904, Steinheim, Germany) in amounts of 0.5–1 mg was weighed into tubes just before being used. As the dissolution of KO2 in a phosphate buffer shifts from pH to alkaline values, an adequate volume of 1 mol L−1 HCl was added to the buffer containing BMPO (20 mmol L−1) to get the required final pH after the addition to KO2. Twelve seconds after adding the BMPOcontaining phosphate solution to the powdered KO2, compounds Na2S in H2O and RSe-1 or RSe-2, prepared in the buffer, were added. The pH in the samples was measured by pH indicator paper (Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Germany) with an accuracy of ±0.2. The detailed procedure for the sample preparation for EPR measurement is described in the Supplementary Materials. The sample was transferred to a standard cavity aqueous EPR flat cell (WG 808-Q, Wilmad-LabGlass, Vineland, NJ, USA), and the EPR spectra were measured as described previously [6]. The first EPR spectrum was recorded 100 ± 15 s after the addition of the BMPO solution to powdered KO2. The sets of individual EPR spectra of the BMPO Scheme 1. Synthesis of compound RSe-1. ( a )The first step of synthesis involves the alkylation of 1-methylpiperazine with 1-bromo-3-chlropropane to produce 1-(3-chloropropyl)-4-methylpiperazine in the presence of K 2 CO 3 and acetone at room temperature. ( b ) 1-(3-chloropropyl)-4-methylpiperazine is subsequently reacted with diphenyl diselenide in an inert environment of N2, in the presence of NaBH4and absolute ethanol at room temperature to obtain RSe-1 as final product. Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 23 K2CO3 and acetone at 50 °C (Scheme 2) [19]. The structure and purity of the final compounds were confirmed via spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. The final products were converted into crystalline hydrochloric salts to improve their solubility in water. Scheme 1. Synthesis of compound RSe-1. (a)The first step of synthesis involves the alkylation of 1-methylpiperazine with 1-bromo-3-chlropropane to produce 1-(3-chloropropyl)-4-methylpiperazine in the presence of K2CO3 and acetone at room temperature. (b) 1-(3-chloropropyl)-4-methylpiperazine is subsequently reacted with diphenyl diselenide in an inert environment of N2, in the presence of NaBH4 and absolute ethanol at room temperature to obtain RSe-1 as final product. Scheme 2. Synthesis of compound RSe-2. (a)The first step of synthesis involves the Se-alkylation of 1-bromo-4-chlorobutane with diphenyl diselenide in an inert environment of N2, in the presence of NaBH4 and absolute ethanol at room temperature to obtain (4-chlorobutyl)(phenyl)selane. (b) In the second step (4-chlorobutyl)(phenyl)selane is reacted with 1-methylpiperazine in the presence of K2CO3 and acetone at room temperature to obtain RSe-2 as final product. The spin-trapping agent, 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (BMPO, DoJindo B568, Munich, Germany), was dissolved in ultrapure deionized H2O (100 mmol L−1), stored at −80 °C, and used after thawing. For the EPR samples, a buffer consisting of 50 mmol L−1 sodium phosphate and 100 µmol L−1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA; pH 7.4; 37 °C) was used. Powdered KO2 (Sigma-Aldrich 278904, Steinheim, Germany) in amounts of 0.5–1 mg was weighed into tubes just before being used. As the dissolution of KO2 in a phosphate buffer shifts from pH to alkaline values, an adequate volume of 1 mol L−1 HCl was added to the buffer containing BMPO (20 mmol L−1) to get the required final pH after the addition to KO2. Twelve seconds after adding the BMPOcontaining phosphate solution to the powdered KO2, compounds Na2S in H2O and RSe-1 or RSe-2, prepared in the buffer, were added. The pH in the samples was measured by pH indicator paper (Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Germany) with an accuracy of ±0.2. The detailed procedure for the sample preparation for EPR measurement is described in the Supplementary Materials. The sample was transferred to a standard cavity aqueous EPR flat cell (WG 808-Q, Wilmad-LabGlass, Vineland, NJ, USA), and the EPR spectra were measured as described previously [6]. The first EPR spectrum was recorded 100 ± 15 s after the addition of the BMPO solution to powdered KO2. The sets of individual EPR spectra of the BMPO Scheme 2. Synthesis of compound RSe-2. ( a )The first step of synthesis involves the Se-alkylation of 1-bromo-4-chlorobutane with diphenyl diselenide in an inert environment of N 2 , in the presence of NaBH 4 and absolute ethanol at room temperature to obtain (4-chlorobutyl)(phenyl)selane. ( b ) In the second step (4-chlorobutyl)(phenyl)selane is reacted with 1-methylpiperazine in the presence of K2CO3and acetone at room temperature to obtain RSe-2 as final product. The spin-trapping agent, 5-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (BMPO, DoJindo B568, Munich, Germany), was dissolved in ultrapure deionized H 2 O ( 100 mmol L−1 ), stored at − 80 ◦ C, and used after thawing. For the EPR samples, a buffer consisting of 50 mmol L −1 sodium phosphate and 100 µ mol L −1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA; pH 7.4; 37 ◦ C) was used. Powdered KO 2 (Sigma-Aldrich 278904, Steinheim, Germany) in amounts of 0.5–1 mg was weighed into tubes just before being used. As the dissolution of KO 2 in a phosphate buffer shifts from pH to alkaline values, an adequate volume of 1 mol L −1 HCl was added to the buffer containing BMPO (20 mmol L −1 ) to get the required final pH after the addition to KO 2 . Twelve seconds after adding the BMPO-containing phosphate solution to the powdered KO 2 , compounds Na 2 S in H 2 O and RSe-1 or RSe-2, prepared in the buffer, were added. The pH in the samples was measured by pH indicator paper (Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Germany) with an accuracy of ± 0.2. The detailed procedure for the sample preparation for EPR measurement is described in the Supplementary Materials. The sample was transferred to a standard cavity aqueous EPR flat cell (WG 808-Q, Wilmad-LabGlass, Vineland, NJ, USA), and the EPR spectra were measured as described previously [ 6 ]. The first EPR spectrum was recorded 100 ± 15 s after the addition of the BMPO solution to powdered KO 2 . The sets of individual EPR spectra of the BMPO spin adducts were recorded as 15 or 30 sequential scans of 42 s each, with a total acquisition time of 11 or 22 min, respectively. The Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 4 of 22 EPR spectra of the BMPO spin adducts were measured on a Bruker EMX spectrometer (Rheinstetten, Germany) essentially as in our previous study [ 6 ]. All of the EPR spectra were recorded at 37 ◦ C. The spectra were simulated using the EasySpin program working on the MatLab platform [ 20 ]. The concentration of • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH radicals was evaluated from a double integral of their EPR spectra and compared with the spectra of 20 µ mol L −1 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPOL, Fluka 42777, Munich, Germany), which was used as a reference sample. To compare the potency of the investigated compounds for decreasing the overall trapped radical concentration, a double integral of the total EPR spectra intensity of the BMPO adducts was evaluated. The concentration of H 2 O 2 was measured by a Fluorimetric Hydrogen Peroxide Assay Kit (MAK165, Merck, Bratislava, Slovakia) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The concentrations of KO 2 and the BMPO/KO 2 mixture were diluted 1000 and 2000 times, respectively, before the measurement of H2O2. 2.2. Plasmid DNA (pDNA) Cleavage Assay A pDNA cleavage assay with the use of the pBR322 plasmid (N3033 L, New England BioLabs, Inc., Ipswich, MA, USA) was performed as reported previously, with some modifications [ 6 ]. All of the final samples contained the studied compounds and 0.2 µ g of pDNA in 20 µ L of the sodium phosphate buffer (25 mmol L −1 sodium phosphate, 50 µmol L−1 DTPA; pH 6.5, 7.4, 8.0, or 8.5). The procedure for the sample preparation of the pDNA cleavage assay is described in detail in the Supplementary Materials. Likewise, in the EPR sample preparation, the phosphate buffer was adjusted by HCl to keep the final pH at the required value after being added to powdered KO 2 (20 mmol L −1 ) (see Procedure 5 in Supplementary Materials). In the procedure focused on the KO 2− BMPO interaction, the powdered KO 2 (20 mmol L −1 ) was dissolved by 10 mmol L −1 BMPO in a 45 mmol L −1 phosphate buffer adjusted by HCl, then vortexed for 10 s, and 10 µ L of the mixture was added to a 10 µ L solution of pDNA in a 5 mmol L −1 phosphate buffer (see Procedure 6 in Supplementary Materials). The pH conditions were also standardized in the cleavage assay through the addition of 0.5 mol L −1 NaOH (for pH 6.5) or 0.1/0.125 mol L −1 HCl (for pH 8.0/8.5) to the pDNA solution to reach pH 7.4 for all of the samples (see Procedure 7 in Supplementary Materials). For the preparation of the BMPO/KO 2 mixture, in which, according to EPR experiments, • BMPO-OOH/OH radicals were not formed, powdered KO 2 (20 mmol L −1 ) was dissolved in a 50 mmol L −1 phosphate buffer adjusted by HCl, vortexed for 10 s, and then BMPO (10 mmol L −1 ) was added. As in the previous experiments, 10 µ L of the mixture was added to 10 µ L of the pDNA solution (see Procedure 8 in Supplementary Materials). All of the final samples contained 5 mmol L −1 BMPO and 10 mmol L −1 KO 2 in the sodium phosphate buffer (25 mmol L −1 sodium phosphate, 50 µ mol L −1 DTPA; pH 6.5, 7.4, 8.0 or 8.5). FeCl 2 (150 µ mol L −1 ), as a massive pDNA cleavage inductor, was used as a positive control in the assay. The resulting mixtures were incubated for 30 min at 37 ◦ C. After incubation, the reaction mixtures were subjected to 0.6% agarose gel electrophoresis. The integrated densities of all pBR322 forms in each lane were quantified using Image Studio analysis software (LI-COR Biotechnology, Bad Homburg, Germany) to estimate the pDNA cleavage potency through the relative intensities (I R ) of the nicked form of pDNA (see Figure S2 in Supplementary Materials). 3. Results 3.1. pH-Dependent Composition of •BMPO-Adducts of (BMPO+HCl)-KO2Interaction In the control experiment, a phosphate buffer adjusted with HCl was added to powdered KO 2 (final 40 mmol L −1 KO 2 ) to get a final pH value of 7.4. After 10–13 s, when BMPO (final 20 mmol L −1 ) was added to the KO 2 –buffer solution, the EPR spectra of • BMPO adducts were not observed (for details, see Procedure 1 in Supplementary Materials). However, when BMPO (20 mmol L −1 ) in a phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was added to powdered KO 2 (final 40 mmol L −1 ), EPR spectra, depending on final pH, were observed Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 5 of 22 (Figure 1). After the BMPO-containing phosphate solution (pH 7.4) was added to the powdered KO 2 , the pH increased to ~10–11. Therefore, to study the pH dependence of the radical formation from KO 2 , HCl was added to BMPO in the buffer, which ensured that after the BMPO solution was added to the powdered KO 2 , the final required pH was obtained (for details, see Procedure 2 in Supplementary Materials). The intensity and shapes of the • BMPO adducts spectra depended on the pH. The spectral intensity of • BMPO adducts obtained at pH 9.0 decreased in time (Figure 1a1–a3). In comparison with pH 9.0, the EPR spectral intensity of the • BMPO adducts at pH 7.7 was higher with a different relative abundance of individual species and slow decay of the adducts. The • BMPO adducts were observed for more than 22 min at pH 7.7 (Figure 1b1–c3). A similar effect on the spectra of the • BMPO adducts was also observed at pH 6.5 (Figure 1d1–e3) and pH 2 (Figure 1f1–g3). By comparison, the intensity of the EPR spectra of the • BMPO adducts formed in the mixture of 5 mmol L −1 BMPO and 10 mmol L −1 KO 2 at pH 7.4 was quantitatively lower (Figure 1h1–h3), but similar to that of the higher BMPO–KO 2 concentration (Figure 1b1–e3). The stable nitroxide radical TEMPOL (20 µ mol L −1 ) was used to determine the concentration of the radicals in the samples (Figure 1i1–i3). Using the double integrals of the TEMPOL calibration, the concentration of the total • BMPO adduct radicals was high at pH 6.5–7.8 and low at pH 9.0–11.5, and decreased in time, with a halftime (pH 6.5–7.8) of approximately ~12 min (Figure 2a). As described in detail in Section 3.2, the first recorded spectrum was simulated to obtain the individual components of • BMPO-OOH (sum of conformers 1 and 2) and • BMPO-OH (sum of conformers 1 and 2) at 100 ± 15 s after the sample preparation (Figure 2b). The ratio of the component population significantly depended on the pH; the portions of • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH were ~95% and ~5%, respectively, of the whole concentration within a pH of ~2–8, and ~10% and ~90% within a pH of ~9–11. As H 2 O 2 is produced during the reaction of KO 2 with H 2 O, its concentration was measured in samples containing KO 2 at pH 7.4. H 2 O 2 concentrations of 8.9 ± 1.4 (n= 4) and 10.5 ± 0.7 (n= 4) mmol L −1 were formed after the addition of buffer + HCl or BMPO + HCl to the powdered KO2(final 20/40 BMPO/KO2in mmol L−1), respectively. 3.2. Simulation of EPR Spectra of pH-Dependent BMPO Adducts The shapes of the EPR spectra of the BMPO adducts depended on the pH (Figure 1) and changed over time, indicating a dynamic superposition of signals corresponding to the generation of individual BMPO adducts. Therefore, we analyzed the EPR spectra by simulation, as in [ 6 ]. Two conformers each of • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH adducts were inserted into the spin Hamiltonian calculations of the experimental spectra measured in the pH range of 2–8. However, in the EPR spectra measured in the solutions at pH ≥ 9, two additional low-intensity six-line signals were detected, which were assigned to the BMPO adduct with a carbon-centered radical ( • BMPO-CR) [ 8 ] and • BMPO-CO 2− , most likely originating from the DTPA decomposition in the alkaline solutions. The simulated spectra shown in Figure 3were calculated using the hyperfine coupling constants (hfcc) elucidated from the experimental spectra (Table 1). The comparison of the experimental and simulated spectra shows a good fit when using the hfcc. The detailed simulation analysis of the hfcc of the individual BMPO adducts evaluated from the EPR spectra measured at various pH values revealed only a negligible pH effect on the hfcc. Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 6 of 22 Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 23 Figure 1. Representative pH-dependent EPR spectra of •BMPO adducts after the addition of 20 mmol L–1 BMPO + HCl to powdered KO2 (final 40 mmol L–1 KO2). (a1–i1) Collection of 15 EPR spectra of BMPO adducts arranged back-to-back, each 42 s, with a starting acquisition of 100 ± 15 s after sample preparation. (a2–i2) The first to fifth accumulated spectra and (a3–i3) last five accumulated spectra. HCl was added to BMPO (20 mmol L–1) in a buffer for the final required pH and the solution was added to powdered KO2. (a1–a3) pH 9.0; (b1–b3) pH 7.7 and (c1–c3) continuation; (d1–d3) pH 6.5 and (e1–e3) continuation; (f1–f3) pH 2.0 and (g1–g3) continuation. (h1–h3) •BMPO adducts after the addition of 5 mmol L–1 BMPO + HCl to powdered KO2 (final 10 mM KO2) at pH 7.4. (i1–i3) The EPR spectra of stable radical TEMPOL (20 µmol L–1). Intensities of (a1–h1) time-dependent EPR spectra and (a2–h3) the detailed spectra are approximately comparable. For details of the sample preparation, see Procedure 2 in Supplementary Materials. Figure 1. Representative pH-dependent EPR spectra of • BMPO adducts after the addition of 20 mmol L −1 BMPO + HCl to powdered KO 2 (final 40 mmol L −1 KO 2 ). ( a1 – i1 ) Collection of 15 EPR spectra of BMPO adducts arranged back-to-back, each 42 s, with a starting acquisition of 100 ± 15 s after sample preparation. ( a2 – i2 ) The first to fifth accumulated spectra and ( a3 – i3 ) last five accumulated spectra. HCl was added to BMPO (20 mmol L −1 ) in a buffer for the final required pH and the solution was added to powdered KO 2 . ( a1 – a3 ) pH 9.0; ( b1 – b3 ) pH 7.7 and ( c1 – c3 ) continuation; ( d1 – d3 ) pH 6.5 and ( e1 – e3 ) continuation; ( f1 – f3 ) pH 2.0 and ( g1 – g3 ) continuation. ( h1 – h3 ) • BMPO adducts after the addition of 5 mmol L −1 BMPO + HCl to powdered KO 2 (final 10 mM KO 2 ) at pH 7.4. ( i1 – i3 ) The EPR spectra of stable radical TEMPOL (20 µ mol L −1 ). Intensities of ( a1 – h1 ) time-dependent EPR spectra and ( a2 – h3 ) the detailed spectra are approximately comparable. For details of the sample preparation, see Procedure 2 in Supplementary Materials. Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 7 of 22 Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 23 Figure 2. (a) Time and pH dependencies of the total •BMPO adduct radical concentration of the BMPO + HCl/KO2 (20/40 in mmol L−1) mixture. Each point represents the average of five accumulated subsequent EPR spectra. Time starts after the addition of BMPO + HCl to powdered KO2. (b) pH-dependent normalized integral EPR intensity of individual •BMPO-OOH and •BMPO-OH components elucidated from the simulation of the first experimental EPR spectrum recorded 100 ± 15 s after the addition of BMPO + HCl to powdered KO2. Spectral simulation is described in Section 3.2. Spectral components: •BMPO-OOH (blue) and •BMPO-OH (red). The sum of individual BMPO adducts of the first spectra was normalized to 100%. Each pair (blue and red) of two complementary points represents the individual sample preparation. As described in detail in Section 3.2, the first recorded spectrum was simulated to obtain the individual components of •BMPO-OOH (sum of conformers 1 and 2) and •BMPO-OH (sum of conformers 1 and 2) at 100 ± 15 s after the sample preparation (Figure 2b). The ratio of the component population significantly depended on the pH; the portions of •BMPO-OOH and •BMPO-OH were ~95% and ~5%, respectively, of the whole concentration within a pH of ~2–8, and ~10% and ~90% within a pH of ~9–11. As H2O2 is produced during the reaction of KO2 with H2O, its concentration was measured in samples containing KO2 at pH 7.4. H2O2 concentrations of 8.9 ± 1.4 (n = 4) and 10.5 ± 0.7 (n = 4) mmol L–1 were formed after the addition of buffer + HCl or BMPO + HCl to the powdered KO2 (final 20/40 BMPO/KO2 in mmol L–1), respectively. 3.2. Simulation of EPR Spectra of pH-Dependent BMPO Adducts The shapes of the EPR spectra of the BMPO adducts depended on the pH (Figure 1) and changed over time, indicating a dynamic superposition of signals corresponding to Figure 2. ( a ) Time and pH dependencies of the total • BMPO adduct radical concentration of the BMPO + HCl/KO 2 (20/40 in mmol L −1 ) mixture. Each point represents the average of five accumulated subsequent EPR spectra. Time starts after the addition of BMPO + HCl to powdered KO 2 . ( b ) pH-dependent normalized integral EPR intensity of individual • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH components elucidated from the simulation of the first experimental EPR spectrum recorded 100 ±15 s after the addition of BMPO + HCl to powdered KO 2 . Spectral simulation is described in Section 3.2. Spectral components: • BMPO-OOH (blue) and • BMPO-OH (red). The sum of individual BMPO adducts of the first spectra was normalized to 100%. Each pair (blue and red) of two complementary points represents the individual sample preparation. Table 1. The hfcc of BMPO spin adducts elucidated from simulations of experimental spectra measured in phosphate buffer solutions containing KO 2 . • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH were simulated considering the presence of two conformers. BMPO-Adduct aN, mT aHβ, mT aHγ, mT •BMPO-OH(1) 1.433 ±0.003 1.521 ±0.005 0.074 ±0.004 •BMPO-OH(2) 1.421 ±0.004 1.264 ±0.003 0.065 ±0.002 •BMPO-OOH(1) 1.341 ±0.003 1.198 ±0.004 – •BMPO-OOH(2) 1.340 ±0.001 0.967 ±0.006 – •BMPO-CR 1.515 ±0.008 2.077 ±0.024 – •BMPO-CO2−1.490 ±0.003 1.710 ±0.012 – Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 8 of 22 Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 23 the generation of individual BMPO adducts. Therefore, we analyzed the EPR spectra by simulation, as in [6]. Two conformers each of •BMPO-OOH and •BMPO-OH adducts were inserted into the spin Hamiltonian calculations of the experimental spectra measured in the pH range of 2–8. However, in the EPR spectra measured in the solutions at pH ≥ 9, two additional low-intensity six-line signals were detected, which were assigned to the BMPO adduct with a carbon-centered radical (•BMPO-CR) [8] and •BMPO-CO2–, most likely originating from the DTPA decomposition in the alkaline solutions. The simulated spectra shown in Figure 3 were calculated using the hyperfine coupling constants (hfcc) elucidated from the experimental spectra (Table 1). The comparison of the experimental and simulated spectra shows a good fit when using the hfcc. The detailed simulation analysis of the hfcc of the individual BMPO adducts evaluated from the EPR spectra measured at various pH values revealed only a negligible pH effect on the hfcc. Figure 3. Representative normalized experimental EPR spectra of BMPO adducts along with their simulations using the hfcc summarized in Table 1. Only the experimental spectra of the sixth to tenth accumulated spectra are shown (blue, measured 5.2–8.7 min after sample preparation); the simulated spectra are red. (a) pH 9.0, (b) pH 7.7, (c) continued measurement during 15.7–19.2 min, and (d) pH 6.0. Table 1. The hfcc of BMPO spin adducts elucidated from simulations of experimental spectra measured in phosphate buffer solutions containing KO2. •BMPO-OOH and •BMPO-OH were simulated considering the presence of two conformers. Figure 3. Representative normalized experimental EPR spectra of BMPO adducts along with their simulations using the hfcc summarized in Table 1. Only the experimental spectra of the sixth to tenth accumulated spectra are shown (blue, measured 5.2–8.7 min after sample preparation); the simulated spectra are red. ( a ) pH 9.0, ( b ) pH 7.7, ( c ) continued measurement during 15.7–19.2 min, and ( d ) pH 6.0. 3.3. Comparison of pH-Dependent BMPO Adduct Spectra of BMPO−KO2Interaction For simplicity, the relative concentrations of two conformers, • BMPO-OH(1) and • BMPO-OH(2), were summed and described as • BMPO-OH. Analogously, • BMPO-OOH(1) and • BMPO-OOH(2) were summed and described as • BMPO-OOH. As described in Section 3.1, the pH-dependent formation of individual • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH components elucidated from the simulation of the first experimental EPR spectrum is shown in Figure 2b. The time dependence of the EPR intensity of the simulated components of 1–5, 6–10, and 11–15 accumulated experimental BMPO adduct spectra at different pH values is shown in Figure 4. The sum of individual • BMPO adducts of the accumulated spectra at a given time was normalized to 100%. At pH 11.5, the • BMPO-OH component decreased in time, and • BMPO-CR and • BMPO-CO 2− components were present (Figure 4a). Similarly, mostly • BMPO-OH, as well as a minor abundance of • BMPO-CR, • BMPO-CO 2− , and • BMPO-OOH components, were observed at pH 9.0 (Figure 4b). However, at a lower pH ( ≤ 8.0), the • BMPO-OOH component prevailed over • BMPO-OH (Figure 4c,d,e,g). The relative concentration of • BMPO-OOH decreased and • BMPO-OH increased gradually over time at pH 7.7–8.0 (Figure 4c–e). The relative concentration of • BMPO-OOH in comparison with •BMPO-OH was high at pH 6.0 and relatively stable for over 11 min (Figure 4g,h). Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 9 of 22 Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 23 Figure 4. Comparison of time and pH-dependent normalized integral EPR intensity of individual BMPO adducts elucidated from the simulation of experimental EPR spectra. Spectral components: •BMPO-OOH (blue), •BMPO-OH (red), •BMPO-CR (black), •BMPO-CO2- (green) at (a) pH 11.5 (pH was adjusted by NaOH), (b) pH 9.0, (c) pH 8.0, (d) pH 7.8, and (e) pH 7.7; (f) continued measurement of (e) for the next 11 min; (g) pH 6.0 and (h) continued measurement of (g) for the next 11 min. Each point represents the average of five accumulated subsequent EPR spectra. Time starts after the addition of BMPO + HCl to powdered KO2. The sum of individual BMPO adducts of accumulated spectra was normalized to 100%. For details of the sample preparation, see Procedure 2 in Supplementary Materials. To compare the pH dependence of the total radicals of the •BMPO adduct components, double integral intensities of the simulated spectra were applied (Figure 5). The concentration of trapped radicals of the •BMPO adducts was very low at pH ~9.0–11.5 (Figure 5a,b). However, at pH ~6.0–8.0, the number of trapped radicals increased ~3–10 times, particularly because of the •BMPO-OOH component (Figure 5c–h). The amount of •BMPO-OOH radical components was ~10 times higher in comparison with •BMPO-OH at pH ~6.0–8.0, 3.5 min after the sample preparation (Figure 5c–h). The presence of the •BMPO-OOH component was still ~3 times more abundant in comparison with •BMPOOH after 22 min at pH ~6.0 (Figure 5h). Figure 4. Comparison of time and pH-dependent normalized integral EPR intensity of individual BMPO adducts elucidated from the simulation of experimental EPR spectra. Spectral components: • BMPO-OOH (blue), • BMPO-OH (red), • BMPO-CR (black), • BMPO-CO 2- (green) at ( a ) pH 11.5 (pH was adjusted by NaOH), ( b ) pH 9.0, ( c ) pH 8.0, ( d ) pH 7.8, and ( e ) pH 7.7; ( f ) continued measurement of ( e ) for the next 11 min; ( g ) pH 6.0 and ( h ) continued measurement of ( g ) for the next 11 min. Each point represents the average of five accumulated subsequent EPR spectra. Time starts after the addition of BMPO + HCl to powdered KO 2 . The sum of individual BMPO adducts of accumulated spectra was normalized to 100%. For details of the sample preparation, see Procedure 2 in Supplementary Materials. To compare the pH dependence of the total radicals of the • BMPO adduct components, double integral intensities of the simulated spectra were applied (Figure 5). The concentration of trapped radicals of the • BMPO adducts was very low at pH ~9.0–11.5 (Figure 5a,b). However, at pH ~6.0–8.0, the number of trapped radicals increased ~3–10 times, particularly because of the • BMPO-OOH component (Figure 5c–h). The amount of • BMPO-OOH radical components was ~10 times higher in comparison with • BMPO-OH at pH ~6.0–8.0, 3.5 min after the sample preparation (Figure 5c–h). The presence of the • BMPO-OOH component was still ~3 times more abundant in comparison with • BMPO-OH after 22 min at pH ~6.0 (Figure 5h). Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 16 of 22 Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 17 of 23 Figure 12. Representative normalized experimental EPR spectra of BMPO adducts along with their simulations. Arrangement of experimental and simulated spectra is the same as in Figure 3. EPR spectra at (a) pH 10.3, (b) pH 8.5, (c) pH 7.3, and (d) pH 6.5. Sample preparation: BMPO in the buffer was added to powdered KO2 and vortexed, and 30 s later HCl was added to adjust the final pH of the solution. Figure 12. Representative normalized experimental EPR spectra of BMPO adducts along with their simulations. Arrangement of experimental and simulated spectra is the same as in Figure 3. EPR spectra at ( a ) pH 10.3, ( b ) pH 8.5, ( c ) pH 7.3, and ( d ) pH 6.5. Sample preparation: BMPO in the buffer was added to powdered KO 2 and vortexed, and 30 s later HCl was added to adjust the final pH of the solution. Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 17 of 22 Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 18 of 23 Figure 13. (Left column) Comparison of timeand pH-dependent normalized integral EPR intensity of individual BMPO adducts elucidated from the simulation of the experimental EPR spectra. Spectral components: •BMPO-OOH (blue), •BMPO-OH (red), •BMPO-CR (black), and •BMPO-CO2− (green) at (a) pH 10.3, (b) pH 8.5, and (c) pH 7.3; (d) continued measurement of (c) for another 11 min; (e) pH 6.5. Each point represents the average of five accumulated subsequent EPR spectra. Time starts after the addition of BMPO to powdered KO2. The sum of the individual BMPO adducts of the accumulated spectra was normalized to 100%. (Right column) (f–j) Comparison of timeand pH-dependent absolute integral EPR intensity (total quantity of radicals in r.u.) of individual BMPO adducts of normalized integral EPR intensity shown in the left column. 3.6. pH-Dependent Cleavage of pDNA by BMPO–KO2 Interaction To know whether •BMPO adducts have biological effects, the cleavage of pDNA by •BMPO-OOH/OH was evaluated (Figures 14 and S2). pDNA cleavage was negligible in the control buffers at pH 6.5, 7.4, 8.0, and 8.5, but significantly increased in the presence of FeCl2, which is known to cleave DNA [21,22]. Besides the single-stranded cleavage of the supercoiled pDNA generating the nicked circular form, FeCl2 was notably able to mediate double-stranded cleavage, creating linear form (Figure S2 in Supplementary Materials). The control samples containing BMPO, H2O2, KO2, or the mixture of H2O2 and KO2 did not induce pDNA cleavage. However, when BMPO + HCl was added to powdered KO2, producing •BMPO-OOH/OH, and then applied to pDNA, significant pDNA cleavage was observed at all of the pH values studied. The values were scattered, but the pDNA cleavage potency had a tendency to increase with the increasing pH values. To confirm the involvement of pH in the observed effect, the solution of pDNA in the phosphate Figure 13. (Left column) Comparison of timeand pH-dependent normalized integral EPR intensity of individual BMPO adducts elucidated from the simulation of the experimental EPR spectra. Spectral components: • BMPO-OOH (blue), • BMPO-OH (red), • BMPO-CR (black), and • BMPO-CO 2− (green) at ( a ) pH 10.3, ( b ) pH 8.5, and ( c ) pH 7.3; ( d ) continued measurement of ( c ) for another 11 min; ( e ) pH 6.5. Each point represents the average of five accumulated subsequent EPR spectra. Time starts after the addition of BMPO to powdered KO 2 . The sum of the individual BMPO adducts of the accumulated spectra was normalized to 100%. (Right column) ( f – j ) Comparison of timeand pH-dependent absolute integral EPR intensity (total quantity of radicals in r.u.) of individual BMPO adducts of normalized integral EPR intensity shown in the left column. Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 18 of 22 Antioxidants 2021, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 19 of 23 buffer was adjusted by NaOH or HCl to standardize the pH to 7.4 after the addition of (BMPO + HCl) + KO2 solutions with pH 6.5, 8.0, and 8.5. After the pH was adjusted to 7.4, the effects of the mixtures were still significant, but the pH trend was lost. Based on the EPR measurement of the radical concentration, pDNA was significantly cleaved by •BMPO-OOH/OH at a concentration of ~18 µmol L−1, where the concentration ratio of •BMPO-OOH to •BMPO-OH at the beginning of the experiments was ≥20. Taking into consideration the short lifespan of O2•− in an aqueous solution, we prepared a control sample that, according to the EPR study, did not form radicals, as follows: first, powdered KO2 was dissolved in a phosphate buffer adjusted with HCl to get a 20 mmol L–1 KO2 solution with a corresponding pH, then, 10 s later BMPO (final 10 mmol L–1) was added, and this mixture was applied at 1:1 volume ratio to pDNA solution. In accordance with the EPR data, the mixture prepared in this way had a negligible effect on the pDNA cleavage at all of the pH levels used (Figure 14). Figure 14. Potency of compounds to induce pDNA cleavage at pH 6.5 (green), 7.4 (red), 8.0 (cyan), and 8.5 pH (pink) in a 25 mmol L−1 sodium phosphate buffer and 50 µmol L−1 DTPA at 37 °C. Control without and with 150 µmol L–1 FeCl2; controls with 5 mmol L–1 BMPO, 5 mmol L–1 H2O2, 10 mmol L–1 KO2, and 5 mmol L–1 H2O2 + 10 mmol L–1 KO2. Sample (BMPO + HCL) + KO2: BMPO (final 5 mmol L–1) in a phosphate buffer adjusted by HCl (to get required pH of BMPO/KO2 mixture) was added to powdered KO2 (final 10 mmol L–1), then the mixture was added to the pDNA solution (see Procedure 6 in Supplementary Materials). Sample (BMPO + HCL) + KO2 adjusted to pH 7.4: solutions were prepared as for previous samples with various pH levels, but HCl or NaOH were added to the pDNA solution to standardize the pH to 7.4 (see Procedure 7 in Supplementary Materials). Sample (Buffer + HCl) + KO2 + BMPO: phosphate buffer adjusted by HCl was added to powder KO2 (final 10 mmol L–1), followed by the addition of BMPO (final 5 mmol L–1) 10 s later, and the mixture was applied to the pDNA solution (see Procedure 8 in Supplementary Materials). The final concentration of pDNA was 0.2 µg in 20 µL. IR of nc DNA form represents the relative intensity of the nicked circular pDNA. Data represent values from individual samples. Horizontal black marks indicate means ± SD. 4. Discussion O2•− and its derivatives are involved in radical signaling and, more significantly, in the development of diseases due to oxidative stress-mediated damage of the cellular structures [1,2]. To study the molecular mechanism of its biological actions, it is convenient to have a simple and reproducible source of O2•−. There are several methods to produce O2•− Figure 14. Potency of compounds to induce pDNA cleavage at pH 6.5 (green), 7.4 (red), 8.0 (cyan), and 8.5 pH (pink) in a 25 mmol L −1 sodium phosphate buffer and 50 µ mol L −1 DTPA at 37 ◦ C. Control without and with 150 µ mol L −1 FeCl 2 ; controls with 5 mmol L −1 BMPO, 5 mmol L −1 H 2 O 2 , 10 mmol L −1 KO 2 , and 5 mmol L −1 H 2 O 2 + 10 mmol L −1 KO 2 . Sample (BMPO + HCL) + KO 2 : BMPO (final 5 mmol L −1 ) in a phosphate buffer adjusted by HCl (to get required pH of BMPO/KO 2 mixture) was added to powdered KO 2 (final 10 mmol L −1 ), then the mixture was added to the pDNA solution (see Procedure 6 in Supplementary Materials). Sample (BMPO + HCL) + KO 2 adjusted to pH 7.4: solutions were prepared as for previous samples with various pH levels, but HCl or NaOH were added to the pDNA solution to standardize the pH to 7.4 (see Procedure 7 in Supplementary Materials). Sample (Buffer + HCl) + KO 2 + BMPO: phosphate buffer adjusted by HCl was added to powder KO 2 (final 10 mmol L −1 ), followed by the addition of BMPO (final 5 mmol L −1 ) 10 s later, and the mixture was applied to the pDNA solution (see Procedure 8 in Supplementary Materials). The final concentration of pDNA was 0.2 µ g in 20 µ L. I R of nc DNA form represents the relative intensity of the nicked circular pDNA. Data represent values from individual samples. Horizontal black marks indicate means ±SD. 4. Discussion O 2•− and its derivatives are involved in radical signaling and, more significantly, in the development of diseases due to oxidative stress-mediated damage of the cellular structures [ 1 , 2 ]. To study the molecular mechanism of its biological actions, it is convenient to have a simple and reproducible source of O 2•− . There are several methods to produce O 2•− [ 3 ]; however, some of them are not experimentally simple or are not suitable for biological experiments. Therefore, KO 2 as a source of O 2•− was studied by the EPR spin trapping method without using non-biological components. As in our aqueous experimental system the O 2•− is highly reactive and spontaneously disproportionates within 10 s, this study was limited mostly to monitoring the secondary radicals (spin adducts) • BMPO-OOH/ • BMPO-OH, and did not study the production rates and fate of any primary radicals. Additionally, we are conscious of the pH-dependent reactivity of HO 2− /H 2 O 2 produced in the O 2•− disproportionation in the process of BMPO adduct generation. The dissolution of KO 2 by a phosphate buffer produces O 2•− and H 2 O 2 . O 2•− is known to form • BMPO-OOH or • BMPO-OH radicals, which are detectable by EPR and can be obtained by spectral simulation. From the good fit of the experimental spectra, it is obvious that the hfcc are suitable for spectral simulation. The hfcc values are in the Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 19 of 22 range of data obtained under similar experimental conditions [ 4 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 11 ]. As our method distinguishes concentrations of the time-dependent changes of • BMPO-OOH and • BMPOOH radicals in the same sample, it is appropriate for time-dependent studies of compound interactions with radicals. In • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH nitroxide (aminoxyl) radicals, the unpaired electron is mostly localized on the N-O moiety and the hyperfine interactions with nitrogen and β -hydrogen nuclei dominate the EPR spectra (Table 1). Therefore, • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH can be further studied as potential models of organic hydroperoxide and alcohol, respectively. The dissolution of KO 2 in a water solution (e.g., pH 7.4) produces O 2•− with a short lifetime (<ms) [ 3 , 7 , 23 ]. This was confirmed under our experimental conditions at pH 7.4, in which spin trap BMPO added 10–13 s after the preparation of the buffer/KO 2 solution did not show any • BMPO-adduct spectra. The same result was found when KO 2 in DMSO was added to a pH 7.4 buffered water solution followed by BMPO [6]. Using the spin trap BMPO, we observed that the addition of a water solution to powder KO 2 produced radicals, whose composition and intensity significantly depended on the pH level during the dissolution of KO 2 . As KO 2 is a strong base, the addition of a buffered water solution (50 mmol L −1 phosphate buffer, pH 7.4) to powdered KO 2 (final 40 mmol L−1) increased the pH to 10–11. There are two possible ways to decrease the pH of the mixture to the physiological value of 7.4. When pH was decreased to 6.5–8.5 through the addition of HCl to the prepared BMPO/KO 2 mixture, • BMPO-OH radicals, compared with • BMPO-OOH, were mostly observed at pH ~7.3–10.3 (Figure 13). On the other hand, when the BMPO solution adjusted with HCl was added to the powdered KO 2 to get a final physiological pH of ~6–8, • BMPO-OOH prevailed over • BMPO-OH (Figures 2b, 4and 10) . The • BMPO-OOH/ • BMPO-OH ratio calculated from the first recorded EPR spectrum was ≥ 20 (Figure 2b). As the first spectrum was recorded 100 ± 15 s after the BMPO–HCl solution was mixed with powdered KO 2 , it is very probable that the • BMPO-OOH/OH ratio was even higher immediately after the sample preparation. Based on these data, it can be suggested that KO 2 can be used as a source of O 2•− and • BMPO-OOH, when it is ensured that during the dissolution of KO 2 , the pH is within the range of 6.5–8.0. This can be done by applying acid during the dissolution or by using a strong physiological buffer. However, as a significant amount of H 2 O 2 is produced during the dissolution of KO 2 by an aqueous buffer, its involvement in radical–compound interactions should be also taken into account. It is supposed that the observed hydroxyl adduct, • BMPO-OH, was mostly produced by pHand time-dependent decomposition of • BMPO-OOH, which was formed by trapping O 2•− during KO 2 dissolution. This suggestion is supported by the timeand pH-dependent progressive increase in the relative concentration of • BMPO-OH, which is more stable than • BMPO-OOH, upon a progressive decrease in the • BMPO-OOH relative concentration (Figures 2b and 10). The significant proportion of the • BMPO-OH component in the first recorded spectrum at pH ≥ 9.0 correlated well with published data [ 8 ]. However, the intensity of the • BMPO-OH spectra transiently increased over time in the mixture of BMPO + H 2 O 2 (pH 9.0 and 12.2; Figure S1), suggesting that the BMPO/H 2 O 2 interaction contributed to the • BMPO-OH component. Additionally, the decomposition of H 2 O 2 into reactive oxygen species under alkaline media may promote the production of • BMPO-OH [ 24 – 27 ]. As the present study was focused mainly on the practical preparation of • BMPO-OOH, the mechanism of hydroxyl adduct formation was not studied in more detail. Our previous study described the preparation of the • BMPO-OOH spin adduct as a model for the study of organic hydroperoxide decomposition [ 6 ]. We used 10% DMSO (v/v) to prepare the • BMPO adduct, which is useful for evaluating the antioxidant potency and effects of compounds insoluble in water on • BMPO-OOH. In the present study, • BMPOOOH, as a potential model of hydroperoxide, was prepared without DMSO, and the antioxidant potency of compounds soluble in water, such as H 2 S, RSe-1, and RSe-2, was studied. As in our previous study with H 2 S in a 10% DMSO solvent [ 6 , 22 ], the water Antioxidants 2021,10, 1286 20 of 22 solution of H 2 S changed the • BMPO-OOH/ • BMPO-OH proportion and decreased the overall radical concentrations. RSe-1 and RSe-2 interacted with • BMPO adducts and increased the radical proportion of • BMPO-OH over • BMPO-OOH in a time-dependent manner, even in the case when the total time-dependent • BMPO adducts were similar to the controls. The detailed mechanism of the chemical interactions leading to changes in the concentration and/or ratio of • BMPO-OOH/OH is not known at present and requires further examination. The oxidation of DNA occurs through reactions with reactive oxygen species (ROS), e.g., HO • , O 2•− , singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ), peroxynitrite (ONOO − ), or H 2 O 2 , which are produced during endogenous biological processes [ 28 – 30 ]. Therefore, pDNA was used to test the biological effects of • BMPO adducts. pDNA was significantly cleaved by low • BMPOOOH/ • BMPO-OH concentrations, in which • BMPO-OOH prevailed over • BMPO-OH. BMPO, KO 2 , H 2 O 2 , and KO 2 + H 2 O 2 alone did not cleave pDNA, indicating that they were not involved in the pDNA cleavage effects of • BMPO-OOH/ • BMPO-OH. The mixture prepared for 10 s, which delayed the addition of BMPO to the buffer + HCl + KO 2 solution, which did not form a • BMPO adduct spectral signal, also did not cleave pDNA, confirming that neither the components of the mixture nor their nonradical products were able to cleave pDNA. Altogether, this implies that • BMPO-OOH/OH radicals are responsible for pDNA cleavage. A detailed cascade of the chemical interactions leading to pDNA cleavage by •BMPO-OOH/OH radicals is not known at the present and remains to be elucidated. 5. Conclusions This study utilized KO 2 as a source of O 2•− radical anions and the EPR spin trapping technique with BMPO to monitor the generation of the • BMPO-OOH spin adduct and its conversion to • BMPO-OH in a water solution without DMSO as a potential model for organic hydroperoxides and alcohols. The concentration and relative abundance of • BMPO-OOH and • BMPO-OH elucidated from the EPR spectra strongly depended on the procedure of the sample preparation and the pH value. In the pH range of 6.5–8.0, • BMPO-OOH predominated over • BMPO-OH. Moreover, the method also distinguished the time-dependent concentration changes of both • BMPO adducts in the same sample, so it is appropriate for studies of time-dependent interactions of compounds with radicals. The • BMPO-OOH/OH radicals cleaved the plasmid DNA. H 2 S and selenium-containing derivatives increased the proportion of • BMPO-OH over • BMPO-OOH radicals. This demonstrates that the presented approach can be used to study the biological effects of •BMPO-OOH/OH radicals and the interactions of compounds with •BMPO-OOH/OH. Supplementary Materials: The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/article/ 10.3390/antiox10081286/s1, Procedures for preparation of EPR samples. Figure S1: Timeand pHdependent EPR spectra of • BMPO adducts of the 30 mmol L −1 BMPO in the presence of 1 and 10 mmol L−1H2O2. Figure S2: Representative gels indicating the effects of BMPO − KO 2 interaction on pDNA cleavage at various pH. Author Contributions: Conceptualization, K.O.; formal analysis, A.M., V.B. and K.L.; investigation, A.M., V.B., M.C., K.L., M.G. and K.O.; methodology, A.M., V.B., M.C. and K.O.; project administration, M.C. and K.O.; resources, K.L., M.J.N. and C.J.; supervision, K.O.; validation, V.B., M.C., M.J.N., M.G., L.T. and K.O.; visualization, A.M., V.B., M.C., M.G., L.T. and K.O.; writing—original draft, K.O. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding: This research was funded by the Slovak Research and Development Agency, grant number APVV-19-0154 to K.O. and APVV-17-0384 to M.C., and the Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak Republic, grant number VEGA 1/0064/21 to V.B., 2/0079/19 to M.G., 2/0091/21 to A.M., and 2/0053/19 to M.C. V.B. thanks Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic for funding within the scheme “Excellent research teams”. Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable. 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