Adriamycin‐dependent damage to deoxyribose: a reaction involving iron, hydroxyl and semiquinone free radicals

Adriamycin under partially anaerobic conditions degrades deoxyribose with the release of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive products. This reaction is seen when electrons are transferred to adriamycin by xanthine oxidase or ferredoxin reductase to form the semiquinone free radical. Under the conditions described, damage to deoxyribose was inhibited by hydroxyl radicals scavengers, catalase and iron chelators. When the ratio of iron chelator to iron salt is varied both EDTA and diethylenetriamino penta‐acetic acid (DETAPAC) show stimulatory properties whereas desferrioxamine remains a potent inhibitor of all reaction.