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Antiarthritic gold compounds effectively quench electronically excited singlet oxygen
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 3, 1987
Summary
Certain gold(I) compounds used for rheumatoid arthritis may work by deactivating singlet oxygen, a harmful byproduct of activated immune cells. This research clarifies a potential molecular mechanism behind gold
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gold(I) compounds are clinically used for rheumatoid arthritis, but their molecular mechanism of action remains unclear.
- A proposed mechanism involves protecting cellular components from oxidative damage induced by activated phagocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of singlet oxygen in oxidative damage mediated by activated phagocytes.
- To determine if antiarthritic gold(I) compounds can deactivate singlet oxygen.
Main Methods:
- Studied the oxidation of superoxide ions to electronically excited singlet oxygen.
- Quantified the quenching constants of gold(I) compounds with singlet oxygen.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that superoxide ions can be oxidized to singlet oxygen, which peroxidizes unsaturated fatty acids.
- Showed that antiarthritic gold(I) compounds effectively deactivate singlet oxygen.
Conclusions:
- Gold(I) compounds may exert antiarthritic effects by quenching singlet oxygen, thereby preventing oxidative damage.
- This provides a molecular basis for the therapeutic action of gold compounds in rheumatoid arthritis.