Patients with severe forms of anemia, such as sickle-cell and thalassemia require red cell transfusions. However, since the human body lacks a physiological mechanism to actively excrete excess iron, repeated blood transfusions lead to increased accumulation of iron in major organs of the body lead to iron overload. Deferoxamine(DFO) is most widely used to remove excess iron from the body. Its effectiveness is beset by its short half-life and parenteral method of administration. Toxicity profile of drugs can be improved via conjugation with polymers. We have synthesized different hyperbranched polyglycerol(HPG) based DFO conjugates and fully characterized using NMR, Gel Permeation Chromatography, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity potential of HPG-DFO conjugates was compared with DFO using HUVEC cell lines and conjugates were significantly less cytotoxic than DFO alone. Conjugates were highly effective in preventing the iron mediated haemoglobin oxidation. Based on the initial evaluation, detailed in vivo studies are currently ongoing.

Hyperbranched polyglycerols based iron chelators for iron chelation therapy

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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