0000000000860616
AUTHOR
María L. Del Olmo
AZT induces oxidative damage to cardiac mitochondria: Protective effect of vitamins C and E
Abstract AZT (zidovudine) is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication and a major antiretroviral drug used for AIDS treatment. A major limitation in the use of AZT is the occurrence of severe side effects. The aim of this work was to test whether AZT causes oxidative damage to heart mitochondria and whether this can be prevented by supranutritional doses of antioxidant vitamins. An experimental animal model was used in which mice were treated with AZT for 35 days (10 mg/kg/day) in drinking water. Animals treated with antioxidant vitamins were fed the same diet as controls but supplemented with vitamins C (ascorbic acid, 10 g/ kg diet) and E (α-dl-tocopherol, 0.6 g/kg diet) for 65 days before s…
Zidovudine (AZT) causes an oxidation of mitochondrial DNA in mouse liver
Zidovudine (3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine [AZT]) inhibits human immunodeficiency virus replication and delays progression of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. We have recently found that, in muscle, AZT causes oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and other signs of mitochondrial oxidative damage. The aim of this work was to test if AZT causes oxidative damage to liver mtDNA. In our study, an experimental mouse model was used in which mice were administered AZT (10 mg/kg body weight/d) in drinking water. Liver mtDNA of mice treated with AZT had 40% more of the oxidized, mutagenic nucleoside, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroxy-2′deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) than untreated controls. This oxidative…