Transition metals in medicine Flashcards
What is medicinal inorganic chemistry?
area of research concerned with metal ions and metal complexes and their clinical applications
- new research area grown from the discovery of the anticancer agent cisplatin
What is a transition metal?
1) elements with an incomplete d subshell or elements that can form a cation with an incomplete d subshell.
2) Elements in groups 3-12 in the Periodic Table
3) Each group of d-block metals is formed by three members and is therefore called a triad
Describe the characteristic properties of D-block elements
1) Nearly all d-block metals are: hard, Malleable, ductile, conduct electricity and heat.
2) Paramagnetism is a phenomenon that is often observed for d-block metal compounds
3) Coordination complexes are typical
Transition metals are used because they interact with biomolecules. Give examples of how this property is used in medicine.
1) DNA deformation
2) Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
3) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
4) Radiopharmaceuticals for Imaging and Therapy
list some of the other uses of Medicinal inorganic chemistry in medicine.
1) chelation therapy
2) essential elements mineral supplements (Cu, Zn, Se)
3) diagnostic agents MRI (e.g. Gd, Mn) x-ray (e.g. Ba, I)
4) enzyme inhibitors
5) radiopharmaceuticals diagnostictherapeutics
6) therapeutic agents (e.g. Li, Pt, Au, Bi)
list the medical use for the following metal based drugs:
1) Li₂CO₃
2) BaSO₄
3) Carboplatin
4) auranofin
5) Bi-subsalicylate
6) In-DTPA
1) Li₂CO₃ - manic depression
2) BaSO₄- GI X-ray contrast enhancment
3) Carboplatin - ovarian cancer treatment
4) Auranofin - artharitis
5) Bi-subsalicylate - stomach ulcer
6) In-DTPA- brain imaging
1) what are Coinage metals?
2) How reactive are they?
3) are they good conductors of heat and electricity?
1) group 11 Also known as “noble metals”.
2) Relatively inert, corrosion-resistant metals.
3) Excellent conductors of electricity and heat
- (copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and gold (Au))
1) outline the properties of copper
2) where is copper used in medicine?
1) Quite soft metal
- Cu is used extensively in electrical wiring and circuitry.
2) In medical context:
- Copper and the human body
- Wilson disease
- Wound healing
1) where do we obtain copper from in our body?
2) where is it absorbed and processed?
3) where is it transported?
4) what does it bind to?
5) how is excessive amounts of copper eliminated?
1) Food sources and drinking water
2) Absorbed (50%) in GI tract & Processed in liver
3) transported to peripheral tissue
4) Binding to glyco-proteines and albumin
5) Excessive copper excreted via bile and faeces
1) what are Cuproenzymes?
2) which form is more dominant in the body: (Cu2⁺) or (Cu+)?
3) give examples of cuproenzymnes
1) Copper–dependant enzymes
2) Cupric (Cu2⁺) dominant form in human body compared to cuprous form (Cu+)
3) Enzyme examples:
- Lysyl oxidase: cross-linking collagen and elastin
- Ceruloplasim: oxidation of ferrous to ferric ion
- Cytochrome c
- Superoxide dismutase
1) what is Wilson Disease?
2) which organs are affected?
3) what is the treatment?
1) genetic disorder in which copper builds up in the body
2) Stored in: Liver –> liver cirrhosis, Brain –> brain damage
3) Treatment options:
- Chelation therapy: BAL, D-penicillamine
- Zinc supplementation
- Liver transplant
explain how copper is involved in wound healing
1) if a wound occurs mast cells will release Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK) which is a tripeptide.
2) GHK binds to Cu2+ and this process is involved in wound healing
3) GHK-Cu(II) complex has two main functions: anti-inflammatory , and an activator for wound healing
- GHK not very stable under physiological conditions
1) outline the properties of Silver (Ag)
2) is it toxic to humans?
3) list the uses of silver in medicine?
1) Quite soft metal with no known biological role in body
2) The anti-bacterial activity has found a variety of applications because its toxicity to human cells is lower than to bacteria- Inhibit growth of microorganisms
3) In medical context:
- Water disinfectant
- Silver nitrate (AgNO3) – wart treatment
- Silver(I) sulfadiazine- antiseptic
1) what form of Ag is used in the treatment of warts and verrucas?
2) what precipitate does it create?
3) what virus causes warts and what is Ag’s MOA?
4) what are the side effects?
1) highly water soluble, Contains 40% silver nitrate
2) readily precipitates as AgCl – black
3) Warts caused by papillomavirus- Treatment based on destruction on of local tissue as silver nitrate destroys tissue
4) chemical burns on surrounding skin, stains skin and fabric
1) silver can be used for wound healing, primarily on second- and third-degree burns. which form of silver is used?
2) what are the benefits of using this form of silver?
3) what are the benefits of using silver in wound healing?
1) active ingredient: silver(I) sulfadiazine
2) highly insoluble so does not precipitate, does not cause hypochloraemia in burns.
3) sulfa derivative topical antibacterial: The cream is kept applied to the burned skin at all times, for the duration of the healing period or until a graft is applied. It prevents the growth of a wide array of bacteria, as well as yeast, on the damaged skin.
