Desferrioxamine B (DFOB) was biotinylated at the pendant amine using solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS) on a matrix used conventionally for metal affinity chromatography. The strength of the DFOB-matrix coordinate bonds was functionally equivalent to a covalent bond which underpinned the veracity of the SPOS format. After washing excess reagents, biotin-DFOB was eluted from the matrix with wa...

Bis-(hydroxyamino)triazines (BHTs) constitute a new, general and highly versatile group of tridentate iron(III) chelating agents exhibiting higher affinity to iron(III) than other tridentate iron(III) chelators and superior iron(III) over iron(II) selectivity compared to desferrioxamine-B (DFO), EDTA as well as other tridentate ligands.

In a group of young patients with thalassaemia and iron overload treated by subcutaneous infusions of desferrioxamine we have found a number of minor alterations in retinal function. The incidence of such changes is not related to drug dosage or to ferritin level but to abnormality of the extended glucose tolerance test.

Delivery of iron to K562 cells by diferric transferrin involves a cycle of binding to surface receptors, internalization into an acidic compartment, transfer of iron to ferritin, and release of apotransferrin from the cell. To evaluate potential feedback effects of iron on this system, we exposed cells to iron chelators and monitored the activity of the transferrin receptor. In the present stud...

A women with beta-thalassemia intermedia, and iron overload following many years' treatment with oral iron, was treated with subcutaneous desferrioxamine. During the course of this treatment she developed tinnitus, which was considered to be a rare complication of the use of this chelating agent. The mechanism of this effect is not understood.

A case of severe cardiac failure due to iron overload in a patient with beta-thalassemia major is reported. The patient was successfully treated with high-dose ambulatory intravenous deferoxamine (desferrioxamine). This type of chelation appears to be a valuable alternative to subcutaneous deferoxamine administration in the presence of severe iron overload.

Siderophore-mediated iron acquisition has been well studied in many bacterial pathogens because it contributes to virulence. In contrast, siderophore-mediated iron acquisition by saprophytic bacteria has received relatively little attention. The independent identification of the des and cch gene clusters that direct production of the tris-hydroxamate ferric iron-chelators desferrioxamine E and ...

Patients with any of the acute porphyrias may suffer from acute attacks. If these patients are treated with certain drugs, such as barbiturates, the likelihood of developing an attack is increased. Patients treated with antidepressants or benzodiazepine-type anxiolytics also could be placed at increased risk of developing porphyric attacks because little is known about the potential for some of...