Enzymatic Antioxidants: Next Phase of Pharmacological Effort to Fight Oxidative Stress?

The focus in the research of antioxidants is notably displaced in favour of research of enzyme derivatives. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is of the particular interest, as it demonstrates in vivo the protective action against development of atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus. The reliable association of coronary artery disease with the decreased level of heparin-released EC-SOD was established in clinical researches. To base and develop antioxidant therapy, various SOD isozymes, catalase (CAT), the methods of experimental gene therapy, combined application of SOD- and CAT-activities are used. Covalent bienzyme SOD - CHS - CAT conjugate (where CHS - chondroitin sulphate) showed in the experimental trials its high efficacy as the antithrombotic agent. Pre-clinical research data approve the reliable option to gain for it the status of drug candidate. The trend to use the components of glycocalyx and extracellular matrix for target delivery of medical substances is evident. Development of new enzyme antioxidants for therapeutical destination is closely connected with becoming and progress of medical biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry, bioeconomy.