The effect of a synthetic hexadentate iron chelator (CP130) and desferrioxamine on rabbit kidneys exposed to cold and warm ischaemia

Hypothermia causes a marked injury to rat proximal tubular cells that is aggravated by all currently used preservation solutions

Cold preservation results in cell death via iron-dependent formation of reactive oxygen species, leading to apoptosis during rewarming. We aimed to study cold-induced damage (i.e., injury as a consequence of hypothermia itself and not cold ischemia) in proximal tubular cells (PTC) in various preservation solutions presently applied and to clarify the role of mitochondria in this injury. Primary cultures of rat PTC were incubated at 4 degrees C for 24 h in culture medium, UW, Euro-Collins or HTK solution with and without the iron chelator desferal and rewarmed at 37 degrees C in culture medium. Cell damage, morphology, and apoptosis were studied and mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Cold incubation of PTC in culture medium followed by rewarming caused marked cell damage compared to warm incubation alone (LDH release 39+/-10% vs. 1.6+/-0.3%). Cold-induced damage was aggravated in all preservation solutions (LDH release 85+/-2% for UW; similar in Euro-Collins and HTK). After rewarming, cells showed features suggestive for apoptosis. Desferal prevented cell injury in all solutions (e.g., 8+/-2% for UW). Mitochondrial membrane potential was lost during rewarming and this loss could also be inhibited by desferal. Trifluoperazine, which is known to inhibit mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), was able to prevent cold-induced injury (LDH 85+/-5% vs. 12+/-2%). We conclude that cold-induced injury occurs in PTC and is aggravated by UW, Euro-Collins, and HTK solution. Iron-dependent MPT is suggested to play a role in this damage. Strategies to prevent cold-induced injury should aim at reducing the availability of "free" iron.

Active oxygen species formation in synaptosomes exposed to an aluminum chelator

This study evaluates the potential of two chelators, 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridine-4-one (Hdpp) and 1-n-butyl-2-methyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one (Hnbp), to modulate cerebral rates of free radical production. The fluorometric assay for 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein, which is formed by oxidation of a nonfluorescent precursor (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate), was used to assay reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The chelator Hdpp alone and the aluminum complexes of each chelator, Al (dpp)3 and Al (nbp)3, all inhibited basal rates of generation of ROS within a rat cerebral synaptosomal fraction. In the presence of an iron salt (1 microM FeSO4), a major enhancement of synaptosomal ROS formation was apparent. However, with the addition of an equimolar concentration of Hdpp, Al(dpp)3, or Al(nbp)3, this stimulation was completely abolished. The N-substituted-3-hydroxy-4-pyridinones have been proposed to be of clinical utility for the removal of iron or aluminum from tissues. The clinical potential of this class of chelator may be enhanced by their ability to inhibit iron-related oxidative events.

The potential role of iron chelators in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and related neurological disorders

Neurodegeneration is characterized by a marked accumulation of iron in the affected brain regions. The reason for this is still unknown. In this article we review the available data on the possible involvement of iron and mediated oxidative stress in the aetiology of Parkinson's disease and related disorders. Iron chelators, if they effectively prevent radical formation, have great therapeutic potential against ischaemia/reperfusion, rheumatoid arthritis, and anthracycline toxicity, which are most likely free radical-mediated. The efficacy of the best established chelating drug desferal in neurodegenerative disease is limited due to its high cerebro- and oculotoxicity. New bioactive chelating agents are currently being developed, among them are oxidative stress activatable iron chelators which are most likely less toxic and can flexibly respond to an increase of free radical formation in the cell.