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The gallium-deferoxamine complex: stability with different deferoxamine concentrations and incubation conditions.

Previous studies report that deferoxamine (DFO) binds metallic ions such as Fe3+, In3+ and Ga3+ with very high affinity. This property of DFO has been utilized to label DFO-coupled compounds with radiometals such as 67Ga and 111In. We have studied the effect of low DFO concentrations and of different incubation conditions on the stability of the 67Ga-DFO complex. In our experience high (> 5 microM) DFO concentration appears to be critical in obtaining high radiochemical purity of such complexes.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

Deferoxamine B but not deferoxamine G1 inhibits cytokine production in murine bone marrow macrophages.

The iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) B enhances virulence of Yersinia enterocolitica and modulates cellular immune responses. Since cytokines mediate effector mechanisms in resolution of yersiniae from infected tissues, the impact of DFO B and DFO G1 on cytokine production by murine bone marrow macrophages (BMM) was investigated. BMM were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Salmonella typhimurium or infected with Y. enterocolitica. DFO B inhibited interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA production 4-fold (shown by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). TNF-alpha and IL-6 protein production was reduced 50% by DFO B. In contrast, DFO G1 had no effect on cytokine production. Moreover, cytokine production by Yersinia-infected BMM was decreased by plasmid-encoded Yersinia proteins. Thus, plasmid-cured strains induced higher cytokine responses in BMM than did the wild type strain. These results suggest that DFO B acts in a bimodal fashion in yersiniosis: iron supply to the pathogen and immunosuppression of the host.

Actins↗

Hemodynamic effects of intraatrial administration of deferoxamine or deferoxamine-pentafraction conjugate to conscious dogs.

Deferoxamine (DFX) is a specific Fe3+ chelator that is used to manage iron overload, and is being evaluated as an agent to reduce ischemic organ damage that involves iron-mediated OH formation. However, high intravascular doses cause significant hemodynamic changes that may limit or counteract beneficial effects. We used conscious, closed-chest dogs to test the hypothesis that conjugating DFX to pentafraction, a high molecular weight fraction of pentastarch, could reduce such hemodynamic changes. We infused 50 mg/kg of body weight of native DFX, or an equivalent dose as DFX-pentafraction, intraatrially over 15 min. Within 10 min of starting the infusion. DFX increased heart rate from pre-drug values of 105 +/- 11 (mean +/- SEM; N = 9) to 158 +/- 13 beats/min, and reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic pressure from 131 +/- 3 to 99 +/- 16 mm Hg, LV end-diastolic pressure from 12 +/- 3 to 3 +/- 3 mm Hg, and mean arterial pressure (MABP) from 101 +/- 5 to 74 +/- 13 mm Hg. In two dogs, MABP decreased to less than or equal to 35 mm Hg. These parameters returned to predrug values by 60 min after infusion. All of these changes were statistically significant (p less than 0.05). In contrast, infusing DFX-pentafraction (N = 9) caused no significant cardiac or hemodynamic changes other than a transient and slight (approximately 7%) increase in systolic arterial pressures. This conjugate, which prolongs the plasma half-life and does not alter the iron-chelating activity of native DFX, eliminates many undesirable hemodynamic actions. It may be a useful therapeutic alternative to native DFX in some settings.

Animals↗

Polymer conjugation reduces deferoxamine induced retinopathy in an albino rat model.

PURPOSE: The iron chelating agent deferoxamine mesylate USP (Desferal, Ciba, Summit, NJ) is commonly used in the treatment of acute iron intoxication and chronic iron overload (associated with the transfusion-dependent anemias). When used for prolonged periods of time or in high doses deferoxamine is attended by a range of ocular toxicities. The visual symptoms associated with deferoxamine administration often limit effective iron chelation therapy and can result in permanent vision loss. Deferoxamine has recently been conjugated to certain high molecular weight biocompatible polymers without altering its iron-binding properties. Here the effect of conjugation of deferoxamine to hydroxyethyl starch on retinal toxicity is examined. METHODS: An albino rat model of electroretinographically determined, deferoxamine-induced retinal toxicity has been previously described. We use this model to evaluate and compare both native deferoxamine and hydroxyethyl starch conjugated deferoxamine. RESULTS: Our data show that retinal function, as assessed by the electroretinogram b-wave, is significantly depressed 1 day after a single dose of native deferoxamine, while the b-waves of rats receiving a single dose of hydroxyethyl starch-deferoxamine, are not significantly depressed at any time during the study. In addition, the administered dose of hydroxyethyl starch-deferoxamine resulted in plasma deferoxamine concentrations up to five times greater than those achieved with native deferoxamine. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that hydroxyethyl starch conjugated deferoxamine is associated with less retinal toxicity than native deferoxamine and that it may be a safer alternative for iron chelation therapy.

Animals↗

Deferoxamine toxicity in hepatoma and primary rat cortical brain cultures.

Deferoxamine is commonly used for treatment of iron intoxication. Because the usual dose is unable to chelate sufficient iron before severe injury occurs, "high-dose" deferoxamine treatment has been proposed. However, several authors have reported severe toxicity after deferoxamine therapy. Although the hemodynamic effects are well described, the cellular toxicity of deferoxamine is unknown. Accordingly, we investigated the cellular toxicity of deferoxamine using in vitro techniques in two cell lines. Brain cells were harvested from fetal rats and cultured for 14-21 days before deferoxamine exposure. Using similar techniques, rat hepatoma cells were grown until confluent. Deferoxamine was added to the cultures to achieve final concentrations of 200-800 microg/ml, corresponding to in vivo infusion rates of 15-60 mg/kg/h. Deferoxamine was removed after 3 or 6 days by changing the medium. Subtoxic FeCl3 (500 mg/dl) was concurrently added to identical cultures to determine if deferoxamine potentiated iron toxicity. Cell viability was measured by a colorimetric assay. The addition of deferoxamine (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mg/ml) significantly decreased cell viability in both cell groups. The effect of deferoxamine on primary cortical brain cultures was similar for the three concentrations used, and was similar when examined either 72 h or 6 days later. In contrast, hepatoma cell cultures evidenced a dose- dependent cell loss that increased with the length of exposure. The addition ofsubtoxic amounts of FeCl3 (500 microg/dl) in the presence of deferoxamine was protective in all cultures, and abolished deferoxamine-induced cell loss. Interestingly, the addition of serum albumin significantly reduced the amount of iron present in cells, suggesting its potential use to treat iron toxicity. These results suggest that deferoxamine, in the absence of iron, is toxic to cortical brain and hepatoma cells in vitro.

Animals↗

Deferoxamine posttreatment reduces ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Iron catalyzes the formation of damaging reactive species during cerebral reperfusion. Brain iron concentration is highest at birth, so the brain of the asphyxiated newborn may be at increased risk of iron-dependent injury. We investigated whether the ferric iron chelator deferoxamine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats. Because deferoxamine has concentration-dependent activities other than iron chelation, we measured brain deferoxamine levels and calculated deferoxamine pharmacokinetic parameters. METHODS: We produced hypoxic-ischemic injury to the right cerebral hemisphere of 7-day-old rats by right common carotid artery ligation followed by 2.25 hours of hypoxia in 8% oxygen. At 5 minutes of recovery from hypoxia the rats received 100 mg/kg deferoxamine mesylate or saline subcutaneously. Rats (saline, n = 33; deferoxamine, n = 38) were killed at 42 hours of recovery to assess early acute edema by measurement of hemispheric water content. Other rats (saline, n = 31; deferoxamine, n = 32) were killed at 30 days of age for morphometric determination of right hemisphere atrophy. In still other rats, we measured deferoxamine levels in blood and brain after hypoxia-ischemia. RESULTS: Deferoxamine significantly reduced right hemisphere injury as measured by early water content (P < .01) and later atrophy (P = .019). Deferoxamine brain levels peaked between 100 and 200 mumol/L at 40 to 60 minutes after injection and exceeded serum levels by +/- 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Deferoxamine administered after induction of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia reduces injury in 7-day-old rats. Deferoxamine concentrates in the brain at levels between 100 and 200 mumol/L. At the concentrations achieved, deferoxamine might protect the brain through mechanisms unrelated to its ability to chelate iron.

Animals↗

Deferoxamine reduces early metabolic failure associated with severe cerebral ischemic acidosis in dogs.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Postischemic metabolic injury may be mediated by acidosis and tissue bicarbonate depletion, with consequent-iron mobilization and oxygen radical formation during reperfusion. We have previously shown that reducing intracellular pH to below 5.7 and bicarbonate ion to below 1 to 2 mmol/L during hyperglycemic ischemia produces a profound secondary deterioration of brain ATP and cerebral blood flow during reperfusion. This study tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with free deferoxamine ameliorates metabolic decay and delayed hypoperfusion after global hyperglycemic ischemia. In addition, deferoxamine conjugated to a high-molecular-weight starch was administered to determine the importance of an intravascular site of action. Iron-loaded deferoxamine was used to determine whether the iron chelation properties of deferoxamine are important to postischemic viability as distinguished from the agent's significant radical scavenging potential. METHODS: Cerebral ATP, phosphocreatine, and pH were measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in anesthetized dogs. Tissue bicarbonate concentration was calculated from the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Incomplete cerebral ischemia was produced by intracranial pressure elevation for 30 minutes with plasma glucose at 540 +/- 15 mg/dL. Free deferoxamine, saline vehicle, hydroxyethyl starch-conjugated deferoxamine, hydroxyethyl starch vehicle, and deferoxamine loaded with equimolar ferric chloride were administered intravenously in five groups of dogs. The dose of deferoxamine was 50 mg/kg before ischemia, 50 mg/kg at the onset of reperfusion, and 50 mg/kg over the 180-minute reperfusion period. RESULTS: Ischemic hemispheric blood flow (mean, 6 to 8 mL/min per 100 g), intracellular pH (5.7 to 6.0), and bicarbonate levels (1 to 2 mmol/L) were similar in all groups. During reperfusion, cerebral pH and bicarbonate recovered only in the free-deferoxamine group. Both ATP and phosphocreatine initially increased in all groups, but recovery was sustained only in the free-deferoxamine group. Secondary losses of energy phosphates and cerebral oxygen consumption were observed in all other groups, accompanied by progressive reduction of perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that iron catalyzed oxygen radical production plays an important role in acidosis-mediated mechanisms of ischemic brain injury. The results with free and iron-loaded deferoxamine suggest that iron scavenging is an important, but not necessarily the principal, component of this mechanism. The poor recovery seen with conjugated deferoxamine indicates that the beneficial action of deferoxamine is not localized within the intravascular compartment.

Acidosis↗

Deferoxamine: stimulation of hematin polymerization and antagonism of its inhibition by chloroquine.

The iron chelator deferoxamine enhances the clearance of Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia and may be useful in drug combinations for the treatment of cerebral malaria. However, the deferoxamine-chloroquine drug combination is antagonistic, or at best additive, against P. falciparum in vitro. As chloroquine is thought to exert its antimalarial activity by interacting with hematin released from the proteolytic degradation of hemoglobin in the parasite food vacuole, we hypothesized that deferoxamine might interfere with the ability of chloroquine to inhibit hematin polymerization, since it was reported that deferoxamine interacts with hematin. Therefore, we assessed deferoxamine-hematin binding in more detail and investigated the effect of deferoxamine on hematin polymerization in the presence and absence of chloroquine. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments demonstrated an enthalpy-driven deferoxamine:hematin mu-oxo dimer binding with an association constant of 2.8 x 10(4) M(-1) at pH 6.5, a binding affinity 14-fold lower than that measured for chloroquine. At least two of the three hydroxamic acid functional groups of deferoxamine must be unionized for effective binding. We also discovered that deferoxamine antagonized chloroquine-mediated inhibition of hematin polymerization. Unexpectedly, deferoxamine increased the concentration of soluble forms of hematin and enhanced the rate of hematin polymerization. Deferoxamine also could initiate hematin polymerization. In contrast, chloroquine decreased the concentration of soluble forms of hematin and inhibited hematin polymerization. This work supports the postulate that initiation of hematin polymerization requires a higher concentration of soluble hematin monomer than does the elongation phase of polymerization and provides one possible explanation for the observed antagonism between deferoxamine and chloroquine against parasites in culture.

Animals↗

Inhibition of peroxidase-catalyzed reactions by deferoxamine.

Phagocytes generate superoxide (O2-.) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and their interaction in an iron-catalyzed reaction to form hydroxyl radicals (OH.) (Haber-Weiss reaction) has been proposed. Deferoxamine chelates iron in a catalytically inactive form, and thus inhibition by deferoxamine has been employed as evidence for the involvement of OH. generated by the Haber-Weiss reaction. We report here that deferoxamine also inhibits reactions catalyzed by the peroxidases of phagocytes, i.e., myeloperoxidase (MPO) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO). The reactions inhibited include iodination in the presence and absence of chloride and the oxidation of guaiacol. Iodination by MPO and H2O2 is stimulated by chloride due to the intermediate formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Iodination by reagent HOCl also is inhibited by deferoxamine with the associated consumption of HOCl. Iron saturation of deferoxamine significantly decreased but did not abolish its inhibitory effect on iodination by MPO + H2O2 or HOCl. Deferoxamine did not affect the absorption spectrum of MPO, suggesting that it does not react with or remove the heme iron. The conversion of MPO to Compound II by H2O2 was not seen when H2O2 was added to MPO in the presence of deferoxamine, suggesting either that deferoxamine inhibited the formation of Compound II by acting as an electron donor for MPO Compound I or that deferoxamine immediately reduced the Compound II formed. Iodination by stimulated neutrophils also was inhibited by deferoxamine, suggesting an effect on peroxidase-catalyzed reactions in intact cells. Thus deferoxamine has multiple effects on the formation and activity of phagocyte-derived oxidants and therefore its inhibitory effect on oxidant-dependent damage needs to be interpreted with caution.

Animals↗

Deferoxamine pharmacokinetics.

Despite the clinical use of deferoxamine for more than a quarter of a century, pharmacokinetic studies are few and have not been performed explicitly in patients with sickle cell disorders. Early studies with Intravenous administration to healthy volunteers and patients with transfusional overload showed that although peak concentrations of deferoxamine were similar in both groups, concentrations of ferrioxamine were higher in the latter. In iron-overloaded patients with hereditary hemochromatosis, an intramuscular 10 mg/kg bolus of deferoxamine gave maximal plasma ferrioxamine concentrations exceeding those of deferoxamine, whereas in normal controls the reverse was the case. In more recent studies with homozygous beta-thalassemia, using continuous Intravenous deferoxamine infusion at 50 mg/kg/d, and initial elimination half-life of 0.28/h and steady-state concentration of 7 micromol/L were observed. In these studies, steady-state plasma levels of the predominant deferoxamine metabolite B were usually lower than those of unmetabolized deferoxamine. In a further intravenous infusion study, the proportion of plasma metabolites was higher in those thalassaemia patients with low serum ferritin levels relative to their current mean daily deferoxamine dose, suggesting that high metabolite levels may predict excessive desferrioxamine dosing. This hypothesis is supported by subcutaneous studies in which low doses of slow-release depot deferoxamine resulted in significantly lower proportions of plasma metabolites than with conventional 8-hour infusions at 40 mg/kg. Because serum ferritin is particularly unreliable as a marker of iron overload in sickle cell disorders, measurement of metabolites or the relative proportions of deferoxamine and ferrloxamine may help identify patients at risk of excessive dosing. Because iron overload is likely to become an increasing issue in patients with sickle cell disorders, studies of the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of deferoxamine in this patient group are needed.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Inhibition of skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity by deferoxamine nitroxide free radical.

Deferoxamine is an inhibitor of iron-dependent free radical reactions. Despite the antioxidant roles, prolonged clinical use of the chelator is far from benign, and paradoxically, deferoxamine has been shown to promote lipid peroxidation. The possible toxicity of the drug's metabolites, such as deferoxamine nitroxide free radical, deserves attention. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that deferoxamine nitroxide radicals produced as a result of enzymatic one-electron oxidation of deferoxamine by horseradish peroxidase in the presence of H2O2 are capable of inactivating Ca2+-ATPase of skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum microsomes as a model system with which to explore the effect of the radical on a biological membrane. Ca2+-ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum was depressed by exposure to Fenton's reagent (H2O2/FeSO4); the observed effect was significantly enhanced by deferoxamine. We found that the Fenton reaction produced hydroxyl radical, as determined by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The formation of hydroxyl radical was completely inhibited by deferoxamine; instead, under the same experimental conditions (in the presence of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with or without FeSO4 but without spin trap 5, 5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide), the spectral shape and hyperfine coupling constants of electron spin resonance signals confirmed to be long-lived deferoxamine radical were obtained. Furthermore, exposure of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles to deferoxamine radical formed by horseradish peroxidase via reaction with H2O2 caused an inhibition of the Ca2+-ATPase activity. The findings show that the sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles can act as peroxidases and suggest that deferoxamine enhances the decreased Ca2+-ATPase activity afforded by H2O2/FeSO4 due to formation of its metabolites, possibly deferoxamine nitroxide free radical.

Animals↗

Deferoxamine interferes with adhesive functions of activated human neutrophils.

Deferoxamine is a potent chelator of ferric iron. Past studies have shown that deferoxamine interferes with acute inflammatory tissue injury in a number of animal models. In cell culture, it inhibits neutrophil-medicated killing of endothelial cells. Both the animal model and cell culture data are thought to reflect the capacity of deferoxamine to interfere with the superoxide anion- and and ferric iron-dependent reduction of hydrogen peroxide to the hydroxyl radical (Fenton Reaction). The present study describes a second mechanism by which deferoxamine may interfere with the acute inflammatory response. Here it is shown that deferoxamine has the capacity to inhibit neutrophil adhesion to lung epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells. Adhesion of phorbol ester-stimulated neutrophils to both cell types is reduced by 70-80%. The inhibitory effects are reversible and are overcome when ferric iron is present along with deferoxamine in a 2:1 molar ratio. Concentrations of deferoxamine that prevent neutrophil adhesion also prevent neutrophil-mediated killing of the same target cells. In contrast, deferoxamine does not significantly inhibit activation-induced up-regulation of neutrophil surface adhesion structures (CD11b/CD18) and does not prevent binding of a monoclonal antibody that recognizes beta 2 integrins in the high-affinity state. Release of proteolytic enzymes from activated cells is also not significantly inhibited by deferoxamine. Taken together, these data indicate that deferoxamine modulates neutrophil adhesive functions associated with the activated state. The ability of deferoxamine to interfere with neutrophil binding to target cells may contribute to its anti-inflammatory activity.

Adult↗

Efficacy of intramuscular and intraperitoneal deferoxamine for aluminum chelation.

As intravenous administration of deferoxamine is difficult in home dialysis patients we set out to determine the efficacy of intramuscular (i.m.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) deferoxamine for removal of aluminum. Patients with serum aluminum levels greater than 90 micrograms/liter were studied in a paired fashion with each patient serving as their own control. Serum and peritoneal fluid aluminum were determined using flameless atomic absorption. In hemodialysis patients 2 g of intravenous deferoxamine increased serum aluminum from 124.7 +/- 32.4 to 415 +/- 192.4 micrograms/liter. One g of deferoxamine given intravenously or intramuscularly resulted in 76.8 +/- 35.3% and 70.4 +/- 23.2%, respectively, of the 2 g i.v. response. The rate at which serum aluminum increased following i.v. deferoxamine infusion was biphasic, with an initial rapid phase lasting 139 minutes followed by a much slower phase. The volume of distribution of aluminum following deferoxamine administration was 12.6 +/- 1.61 and the half life (t1/2) for aluminum removal during hemodialysis was 9.0 +/- 2.0 hours. The increase in serum aluminum following deferoxamine was not due to chelation of erythrocyte aluminum as erythrocyte aluminum remained constant over 24 hours. In patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, 2 g intravenous deferoxamine resulted in the removal of 560 +/- 267 micrograms of aluminum over 24 hours while 2 g deferoxamine given intraperitoneally gave 91 +/- 13% of the intravenous response. Aluminum clearance over 48 hours was twice that for 24 hours for both i.v. and i.p. deferoxamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aluminum↗

High-dose iron-chelator therapy during reperfusion with deferoxamine-hydroxyethyl starch conjugate fails to reduce canine infarct size.

Iron catalyzes reactions during ischemia and reperfusion that contribute to myocardial injury. The iron-chelator deferoxamine blocks these reactions, but undesirable side effects limit the clinical potential of deferoxamine to decrease injury. We tested whether intravenous (i.v.) administration of high doses of a well-tolerated deferoxamine-hydroxyethyl starch (DEFHES) iron-chelator during the last 10 min of ischemia and the first 10 min of reperfusion would decrease canine infarct size. Fourteen chloralose-anesthetized mongrel dogs were randomized to therapy in a blinded fashion with deferoxamine conjugate (75 mg/kg deferoxamine) or hydroxyethyl starch (HES) vehicle alone. Nine other untreated dogs served as controls. Infarct size as a percentage of area at risk (MI/RISK) was not reduced by therapy with deferoxamine conjugate. The deferoxamine dose was five times greater than the maximally tolerated dose of free deferoxamine. Arterial deferoxamine concentrations in the deferoxamine-conjugate group were 0.69 +/- 0.09 mM at onset of reperfusion and 1.37 +/- 0.05 mM at 10 min of reperfusion. Area at risk, ischemic collateral blood flow, and heart rate-blood pressure (HR/BP) product were similar in the groups. Chelation of intravascular iron at the time of reperfusion does not reduce myocardial necrosis in an in vivo model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Analysis of Variance↗

No effect of deferoxamine therapy on glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in individuals with NIDDM and elevated serum ferritin.

Deferoxamine has been proposed as a potentially important therapy for individuals with NIDDM and mild elevations in serum ferritin. Previously, iron chelation therapy with intravenous deferoxamine over a 5-13-wk period has been reported to normalize serum ferritin and markedly improve glycemic control. To confirm these results and to study potential beneficial effects of deferoxamine on insulin secretion, 9 individuals with NIDDM and elevated serum ferritin levels were treated twice weekly with deferoxamine infusion, following a previously described protocol. Although 8 of 9 subjects achieved normal or near-normal serum ferritin values after deferoxamine therapy, we found little evidence that it produced beneficial effects on glycemic control. Fasting glucose levels pre- and post-deferoxamine therapy were unchanged (11.6 +/- 1.2 and 11.3 +/- 1.5 mM, respectively, P = 0.80). GHb levels declined slightly after deferoxamine therapy (9.3 +/- 0.7 vs. 8.8 +/- 0.7%, P < 0.05); however, this effect was small and was not associated with elimination of or even substantial reduction in insulin or oral hypoglycemic therapy. Deferoxamine therapy did not significantly alter fasting insulin or C-peptide levels, nor stimulated insulin or C-peptide responses to intravenous arginine or glucose. During follow-up studies 1.5-8 mo after deferoxamine therapy, serum ferritin levels again were elevated in 5 of 8 subjects who showed an initial response. Thus, although deferoxamine therapy reduced serum ferritin levels in our subjects, we were unable to confirm a previous report that this effect was associated with any meaningful improvement in glycemic control or insulin secretion.

Arginine↗

Deferoxamine pretreatment reduces canine infarct size and oxidative injury.

To test whether iron-catalyzed processes contribute to myocardial necrosis during ischemia and reperfusion, we administered the iron chelator, deferoxamine, to chloralose-anesthetized dogs subjected to 90 min of left anterior descending artery occlusion followed by 360 min of reperfusion. Deferoxamine blocks iron-catalyzed hydroxyl radical formation in vitro. Groups of dogs received either pretreatment with deferoxamine or iron-loaded deferoxamine (15 mg/kg over 30 min preocclusion and 2.5 mg/kg/hr during the first 120 min of reperfusion), equal volumes of saline or deferoxamine treatment during reperfusion (15 mg/kg over 30 min beginning at 75 min of occlusion followed by 2.5 mg/kg/hr during the remainder of the first 120 min of reperfusion). Infarct size as a percentage of area at risk was reduced (P less than .05) by deferoxamine pretreatment (29.8 +/- 4.8%, n = 7, +/- S.E.) compared to saline control (46.8 +/- 4.7%, n = 8), deferoxamine reperfusion (50.5 +/- 6.7%, n = 8) or iron-loaded deferoxamine (60.2 +/- 8.6%, n = 3)-treated dogs. Deferoxamine pretreatment also decreased (P less than .05) the release of oxidized glutathione into the coronary sinus during early reperfusion compared to the other groups. There were no differences between groups in area at risk, risk zone blood flow during ischemia or in heart rate-blood pressure product. Deferoxamine did not decrease hydrogen peroxide concentration, neutrophil superoxide anion production or neutrophil adherence in vitro. We conclude that iron-mediated processes, possibly including iron-catalyzed hydroxyl radical formation, contribute to myocardial necrosis during regional ischemia and reperfusion.

Animals↗

Effect of deferoxamine on retinal lipid peroxidation in experimental uveitis.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of deferoxamine, an effective iron chelator, on experimental autoimmune uveitis. Because deferoxamine has been shown to reduce iron-catalyzed hydroxyl radical generation, the in vivo effect was sought in the experimental autoimmune uveitis-mediated retinal lipid peroxidation, which is presumably induced by the inflammatory cell-derived oxygen radicals including hydroxyl radicals. METHODS: The experimental uveitis was induced in Lewis rats by retinal S-antigen. Deferoxamine infusion by osmotic pumps was started 2 days before the onset of the disease and was continued for 7 days. The extent of retinal lipid peroxidation was measured by the production of conjugated dienes, ketodienes, and thiobarbituric acid active substances. The inflammation associated free radical activity was measured by the luminol-amplified chemiluminescence. RESULTS: Levels of conjugated dienes, ketodienes, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were significantly decreased in the deferoxamine-treated animals. With Student's t test, the P values are < 0.025 for conjugated dienes between deferoxamine- and sham-treated animals; < 0.025 for ketodienes between deferoxamine- and sham-treated animals; and < 0.01 for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances between deferoxamine- and sham-treated animals. With in vitro addition of 10 mM deferoxamine, the free radical generation of inflamed retina was suppressed by nearly 40%. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of deferoxamine resulted in reduction of retinal lipid peroxidation. Because photoreceptors contain a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, deferoxamine, in turn, will act to ameliorate the experimental autoimmune uveitis-mediated retinal degeneration.

Animals↗