| Abstract | Alzheimer's Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting greater than 5 million people in the United States, still lacks a definitive diagnosis and reliable treatment protocol. Oxidative stress and metal ion misregulation have been associated with the molecular markers of the disease. As such, modifications to MRI contrast agent skeletons attempt to maintain metal chelating ability, incorporate or enhance antioxidant properties and increase biocompatibility of the molecule. This was carried out by the conversion of pyclen and cyclen to hydroxypyclen (HP) and lipoic cyclen (LC), respectively. This study investigates compound toxicity in vitro in HEK 293 (Human Embryonic Kidney cells) and HT22 (hippocampal mouse cells). Results showed that HT22 cells tolerated LC at a concentration magnitude greater than cyclen, while HEK 293 cells tolerated LC at almost 3 times greater concentration than cyclen. HT22 cells tolerated HP at a concentration magnitude lower than pyclen. Further studies focused on antioxidant abilities of the ligands using BSO (buthione sulfoximine) as an ROS inducing assault. Experimental implications of these results are discussed. |
