Oxidative burst provides the mechanism for specialized phagocytes, such as granulocytes or monocytes, to kill invading microorganisms through generation of superoxide anions. However, the oxidants generated during the burst damage DNA of the phagocytes and neighboring cells. Human blood leukocytes treated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) are considered to represent the experimental model of induction of oxidative burst. We recently reported that DNA damage in PMA-treated leukocytes is assessed by cytometric analysis of the induction of histone H2AX phosphorylation and Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) activation. In the present study we observed that hyaluronic acid (HA) of average molecular weight (MW) 5.4x106 and 2x106 at 0.1% (w/v) concentration significantly attenuated H2AX phosphorylation and ATM activation induced in leukocytes during oxidative burst. HA also reduced the intracellular level of PMA-induced reactive oxidants as measured by the ability of cells to oxidize 2',7'-dihydro-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate. No such effect was seen with HA of 6x104 MW. The data are consistent with earlier observations that HA of high MW protects DNA from oxidative damage induced by endo- or exogenous oxidants. The anti-oxidant effect of HA seen during oxidative burst also explains its anti-inflammatory effect when used to treat arthritic joints.

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