Hemoglobin-based blood substitutes and the hazards of blood radicals

Cell-free hemoglobins, chemically altered or genetically expressed in microbial host systems, have been developed as oxygen-carrying therapeutics. Sitedirected modifications are introduced and serve to stabilize the protein molecules in a tetrameric and/or a polymeric functional form. Animal studies...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Free radical research 2000-01, Vol.33 (4), p.341-348
Main Author: Alayash, Abdu I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Blood Substitutes
Free Radicals
Hemoglobins - adverse effects
Humans
Nitric Oxide - metabolism
Oxidation-Reduction
Recombinant Proteins - adverse effects
Solutions
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Summary:Cell-free hemoglobins, chemically altered or genetically expressed in microbial host systems, have been developed as oxygen-carrying therapeutics. Sitedirected modifications are introduced and serve to stabilize the protein molecules in a tetrameric and/or a polymeric functional form. Animal studies, as well as recent clinical studies, have suggested these proteins probably deliver oxygen to tissues. However, concerns still persist regarding the interference of hemoglobin and its oxidation products with the vascular redox balance, potentially impeding its clinical usefulness. This article reviews our current understanding of heme-mediated toxicities and some of the emerging protective strategies used to overcome hemoglobin side reactions.
ISSN:1071-5762
1029-2470
DOI:10.1080/10715760000300881