Iron contributes significantly to the formation of
reactive oxygen species via the Fenton reaction. Therefore, we assessed whether a series of
desferrithiocin analogs, both
carboxylic acids and hydroxamates, could (1) either promote or diminish the
iron-mediated oxidation of ascorbate, (2) quench a model radical species,
2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (
ABTS+), and (3) when applied topically, prevent
acetic acid-induced
colitis in rats. Surprisingly, most of the
desferrithiocin analogs inhibited the Fenton reaction to an approximately equivalent degree; however, substantial differences were observed in the capacity of the analogs to scavenge the model radical
cation. Four
carboxylic acid desferrithiocin analogs and their respective N-methylhydroxamates were tested along with
desferrioxamine and
Rowasa, a currently accepted topical therapeutic agent for
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in a rodent model of
acetic acid-induced
colitis. The colonic damage was quantitated by two independent measurements. Although neither radical scavenging nor prevention of Fenton chemistry was a definitive predictor of in vivo efficacy, the overall trend is that
desferrithiocin analogs substituted with an N-methylhydroxamate in the place of the
carboxylic acid are both better
free radical scavengers and more active against
acetic acid-induced
colitis. These results represent an intriguing alternative avenue to the development of improved IBD therapeutic agents.