An endogenous metabolite of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol, acts as a unique cytoprotective agent against oxidative stress-induced injury

A natural compound contained in olive oil, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (DOPE), is also known as an endogenous metabolite of dopamine. The role of DOPE in oxidative stress-induced cell damage was investigated using differentiated PC12 cells. Superoxide (O2−) and H2O2 induced a dose-dependent leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and decreased cell viability denoted by MTT assay. While O2− -induced cell damage was not affected by DOPE, pretreatment of the cells with DOPE dose-dependently prevented the leakage of LDH induced by H2O2. In these cells, augmented activity of catalase was demonstrated, while the levels of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity remained unchanged. The effect of DOPE was abolished when an inhibitor of catalase 3-amino-l, 2,4-triazole, was included in the medium. DOPE also protected against cell damage induced by H2O2, and Fe2+. In the hydroxyl radical ( OH) assay using p-nitroso-N, N-dimethylaniline (PNDA), oxidation of PNDA by OH generated by the Fenton reaction was significantly attenuated in the presence of DOPE. By an electron spin resonance spin trapping study that represents the direct activity of DOPE to scavenge OH, however, limited scavenging activity was demonstrated for DOPE. Taken together, DOPE may act as a unique cytoprotective compound in nerve tissue subjected to oxidative stress.