The Antioxidative Effect of Carboxyfullerenes (C3/D3) on Iron‐Induced Oxidative Injury in CNS

ABSTRACT: Carboxyfullerenes, including two regioisomers C3 and D3, were investigated as antioxidants against iron‐induced oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro . Both C3 and D3 dose‐dependently inhibited autoxidation and iron‐elevated lipid peroxidation in cortical homogenates. The antioxidative property of C3 was compared to Trolox (a water‐soluble analogue of vitamin E) and glutathione. C3 was more effective than glutathione but was less effective than Trolox in inhibiting iron‐induced elevation in lipid peroxidation. In urethane‐anesthetized rats, intranigral infusion of iron degenerated the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, including as elevation in lipid peroxidation in the infused substantia nigra (SN) and reductions in K + ‐evoked dopamine overflow and dopamine content in the ipsilateral striatum 7 days after the infusion. Local application of iron with C3 or D3 prevented iron‐induced oxidative injuries. Our data suggest that carboxyfullerenes have a neuroprotective effect in preventing iron‐induced oxidative injury in CNS.