The Heart As a Target for Xenobiotic Toxicity: The Cardiac Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Vera Marisa Costa (Author) Other; Felix Carvalho (Author) FFUP; Jose Alberto Duarte (Author) FADEUP; Maria de Lourdes Bastos (Author) FFUP; Fernando Remiao (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Chemical Research in Toxicology

Vol. 26

Pages: 1285-1311

ISSN: 0893-228X

Publisher: American Chemical Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 32 Citations

Scopus - 43 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Chemical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-E45

DOI: 10.1021/tx400130v

Abstract (EN): The heart is a target organ for oxidative stress-related injuries. Because of its very high energetic metabolic demand, the heart has the highest rate of production of reactive oxygen species, namely, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), per gram of tissue. Additionally, the heart has lower levels of antioxidants and total activity of antioxidant enzymes when compared to other organs. Furthermore, drugs that have relevant antioxidant activity and that are used in the treatment of oxidative stress related cardiac diseases demonstrate better clinical cardiac outcomes than other drugs with similar receptor affinity but with no antioxidant activity. Several xenobiotics particularly target the heart and promote toxicity. Anticancer. drugs, like anthracyclines, cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, and more recently tyrosine kinase targeting drugs, are well-known cardiac toxicants whose therapeutic application has been associated to a high prevalence of heart failure. High levels of catecholamines or drugs of abuse, namely, amphetamines, cocaine, and even the consumption of alcohol for long periods of time, are linked to cardiovascular abnormalities. Oxidative stress may be one common link for the cardiac toxicity elicited by these compounds. We aim to revise the mechanisms involved in cardiac lesions caused by the above-mentioned substances specially focusing in oxidative stress related pathways. Oxidative stress biomarkers can be useful in the early recognition of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with these drugs and aid to minimize the setting of cardiac irreversible events.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 27