The effects of dihydroxyfumarate on isolated rabbit papillary muscle function: evidence for an iron dependent non-hydroxyl radical mechanism.

To delineate the active free radical species mediating the toxic effects of autoxidizing dihydroxyfumarate (DHF), isolated rabbit right ventricular papillary muscles were exposed to 4.5 mM DHF in the presence of FeCl3, ADP and bovine albumin. In the absence of free radical scavengers a 47.3 +/- 11.5% (mean +/- standard deviation) depression in contractile force was noted over 60 minutes. Neither the combination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) 3,200 u/cc and catalase (CAT) 2,950 u/cc nor mannitol 0.1 M provided statistically significant protection. Deferoxamine mesylate (DFX) 10 mg/cc (15 mM) did provide significant protection of muscle function both in the presence and absence of SOD and CAT (p less than 0.01). The degree of protection conferred by DFX alone was statistically similar to that of DFX with SOD and CAT. This data suggests the involvement of an iron-oxygen complex not dependent on superoxide or hydrogen peroxide for its formation and not readily scavenged by mannitol. The perferryl ion may be representative of such a species. Alternatively, a reactive complex similar to the 'Crypto-OH' radical proposed by Youngman may be formed by the reaction of DHF with iron and oxygen.