HEMOGLOBIN AND FREE-RADICALS - IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SAFE BLOOD SUBSTITUTE

The two major concerns in the development of cell-free hemoglobin as a blood substitute (i.e. circulatory retention and oxygen delivery) hav e been resolved successfully by strategic chemical or genetic modifica tion of the protein. However, the redox reactivity of hemoglobin and i ts impact on the physiological processes has not been fully understood , nor has it been subject to control by design. This article reviews c urrent research into heme-mediated toxicities that potentially constit ute serious impediments to the development of a usable blood substitut e.