[Potential antioxidative effects of pentoxifylline].

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine derivative with hemorrheologic properties. PTX decreases neutrophil degranulation and tumor necrosis factor production. We investigated the properties of the drug as a hydroxyl radical scavenger. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of PTX to inhibit visible fluoroescence generation in albumin incubated with 50 microM cupric chloride and 880 microM hydrogen peroxide for 3 h at 37 degrees C. PTX inhibited visible fluorescence generation (ex 360, em 454 nm) by 11% at 50 microM, 13% at 100 microM and 22% at 200 microM. In conclusion, PTX inhibited fluorescence generation in proteins induced by copper/hydrogen peroxide and has potential beneficial effects by protecting proteins against oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species.