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The Sound of Evolution
Deferoxamine
Mechanism of action:
Deferoxamine is an iron chelating agent and belongs to the trihydroxamic acid siderophores. It can bind iron to form a hexadentate octahedral complex. Once iron is bound to deferoxamine, it can no longer participate in the Fenton reaction (Fe2+ + H2O2 → •OH + OH- + Fe3+), thereby reducing free radical formation and oxidative cellular damage. The iron-deferoxamine complex is then primarily excreted by the kidneys in the urine.
Reference(s):
1. Elihu N et al. (1998). Chelation therapy in cardiovascular disease: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, deferoxamine, and dexrazoxane. J Clin Pharmacol.
2. Hershko C et al. (2005). Objectives and mechanism of iron chelation therapy. Ann N Y Acad Sci.
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