Allopurinol can act as an electron transfer agent. Is this relevant during reperfusion injury?
The xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol markedly enhances myocardial function and decreases ventricular irritability during myocardial reperfusion. In the present report, we have evaluated the molecular mechanism of allopurinol action. First, allopurinol was shown to be a weak radical scavenger. Second, allopurinol was found to act as an electron transfer agent from ferrous iron to ferric cytochrome c. The results suggest that the beneficial effect of allopurinol might partially result from its facilitated electron transport during reperfusion when the lipid components of the chain can be expected to be disordered.
D000493:Allopurinol; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D004579:Electron Transport; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D005609:Free Radicals; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D005609:Free Radicals; D013481:Superoxides; D000493:Allopurinol