These radicals are killer of the human cells. It cannot be argued if the lowering of
SOD activity in the presence of anthracycline is associated with all cells, both
normal and tumor; however, it results in a destruction of tumor cells.
5.22 The Case of Generation of Free Radicals in Intact
Tissues
The spectroscopic studies until now reported mainly concern molecular systems,
these being models for the behavior of real systems [15]. The present case looks
instead at the process of radicalization in the tissues of living organisms, as a
consequence of the interaction with different drugs. In particular, considerable
attention has been devoted to the free radical generation in myocardium and to its
possible role as mediator of a variety of spontaneous and drug-induced pathologic
conditions. Due to the difficulty in detecting free radicals, only indirect evidences of
the toxic activity of these radicals have been collected. It became mandatory to find
a method for the direct detection of radicals in tissues.
(a)
(b)
Fig. 5.16 ESR spectra in
aqueous solution at pH 6.5
and −150 °C of a CuCl 2
doxorubicin and b Cu-SOD
doxorubicin always r = 10
[14]
5.21 Chemical Message
107