title: Iron enhancement of ascorbate toxicity.
abstract: Iron has been shown to enhance ascorbate-induced damage to both acetylcholine esterase and E. coli B in a manner analogous to previous studies with ascorbate and copper ions. It is suggested that the mechanism of damage entails interaction of iron with biological macromolecules, followed by its reduction by ascorbate. Subsequently, the iron (II) could participate in generating hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide via the Fenton reaction, which in turn, could damage biomolecules in a site-specific and multiple hit fashion. The high abundance of iron in biological systems, especially in certain storage disorders, may indicate an important toxicological role of the combination of iron and ascorbate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Higson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kohen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chevion
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005609:Free Radicals; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D005609:Free Radicals; D007501:Iron; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid