Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of deferiprone (DFP), 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) or green tea extract (GTE) in enhancing expression of hepatic hepcidin1 (Hamp1) mRNA and relieving iron overload in β-globin knockout thalassemic mice. Methods: The β-globin knockout thalassemic mice were fed with a ferrocene-supplemented diet for 2 months and oral administration of deionized water, DFP (50 mg/kg), CM1 (50 mg/kg), GTE (50 mg epigallocatechin 3-gallate equivalent/kg), GTE along with DFP (50 mg/kg), and GTE along with CM1 (50 mg/kg) every day for 3 months. Levels of hepatic Hamp1 mRNA, plasma non-transferrin bound iron, plasma alanine aminotransferase activity and tissue iron content were determined. Results: All chelation treatments could reduce plasma non-transferrin bound iron concentrations. Additionally, hepatic Hamp1 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in the mice in a GTE + DFP combined treatment, correlating with a decrease in the plasma alanine aminotransferase activity and tissue iron deposition. Conclusions: The GTE + DFP treatment could ameliorate iron overload and liver oxidative damage in non-transfusion dependent β-thalassemic mice, by chelating toxic iron in plasma and tissues, and increasing hepcidin expression to inhibit duodenal iron absorption and iron release from hepatocytes and macrophages in the spleen. There is probably an advantage in giving GTE with DFP when treating patients with iron overload.

Objective: To evaluate the iron-chelating properties and free-radical scavenging activities of 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) treatment in chronic iron-loaded β-thalassemic (BKO) mice. Methods: The BKO mice were fed with a ferrocene-rich diet and were orally administered with CM1 [50 mg/(kg.day)] for 6 months. Blood levels of non-transferrin bound iron, labile plasma iron, ferritin (Ft) and malondialdehyde were determined. Results: The BKO mice were fed with an iron diet for 8 months which resulted in iron overload. Interestingly, the mice showed a decrease in the non-transferrin bound iron, labile plasma iron and malondialdehyde levels, but not the Ft levels after continuous CM1 treatment. Conclusions: CM1 could be an effective oral iron chelator that can reduce iron overload and lipid peroxidation in chronic iron overload β-thalassemic mice.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy and toxicity of a novel orally active bidentate iron chelator, 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) in mice under normal and iron overload conditions. Methods: Wild type C57BL/6 mice were fed with normal and 0.2% (w/w) ferrocene-supplemented (Fe) diets, respectively for 240 d and orally given the CM1 (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for 180 d. Blood iron profiles, hematological indices, liver enzymes and histopathology were determined. Results: CM1 treatment lowered plasma levels of labile plasma iron and non-transferrin bound iron, but not ferritin in the Fe-fed mice. However, the treatment did not impact blood hemoglobin level, white blood cell and platelet numbers in both normal diet and Fe diet-fed mice. Interestingly, CM1 treatment did not markedly elevate plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the normal diet-fed mice but it tended to increase the levels of the liver enzymes slightly in the Fe-fed mice. Hematoxylin and eosin staining result showed no abnormal pathological changes in heart, liver and spleen tissues. Conclusions: It is clear that CM1 would not be toxic to bone marrow and liver cells under normal and iron-overload conditions.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the iron-chelating properties and free-radical scavenging activities of 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) treatment in chronic iron-loaded β-thalassemic (BKO) mice.

METHODSThe BKO mice were fed with a ferrocene-rich diet and were orally administered with CM1 [50 mg/(kg.day)] for 6 months. Blood levels of non-transferrin bound iron, labile plasma iron, ferritin (Ft) and malondialdehyde were determined.

RESULTSThe BKO mice were fed with an iron diet for 8 months which resulted in iron overload. Interestingly, the mice showed a decrease in the non-transferrin bound iron, labile plasma iron and malondialdehyde levels, but not the Ft levels after continuous CM1 treatment.

CONCLUSIONSCM1 could be an effective oral iron chelator that can reduce iron overload and lipid peroxidation in chronic iron overload β-thalassemic mice.