Effects of chemical modifications on hemoglobin’s toxicity towards human cardiac myocytes

This study for the first time investigated the impact of different chemical modifications on the redox activities of HBOCs towards mitochondrial complexes in cardiac myocytes. Higher oxidation ferryl states once formed trigger cellular and subcellular changes in cardiac myocytes. Our findings on the impact of HBOC redox states on mitochondrial function may therefore inform future design of alternative molecular entities to ensure safety and minimize toxicity.