Submitted by Dr. Tamer Fouad, M.D.
cells produce HOCl as a major bactericidal agent. It is generated by
the action of myeloperoxidase on chloride ions in the presence of H2O2.
? HOCl + OH-
This reaction occurs in the
neutrophils phagocytic vacuole after fusion with the myeloperoxidase-containing
Hypochlorous acid can cross
cell membranes and, in the presence of transitional metal ions,
generate hydroxyl radicals (Aruoma,
1994). Highly reactive hydroxyl radicals can be formed from HOCl/OCl-
on reaction with reductants that are one-electron donors. Important
examples include superoxide radicals and ferrous iron:
HOCl + O2?-
? ?OH + Cl- + O2
HOCl + Fe2+
? ?OH + Cl- + Fe3+
HOCl has been shown to be
capable of initiating lipid peroxidation (Panasenko
et al. 1995), combining with H2O2 to
damage DNA and DNA repair processes (VanRensburg
et al. 1992) and altering intracellular free Ca2+ and
pH (Kuroda et al. 1995). It may contribute to tissue damage during
the inflammatory process. This latter event may result from the
activation of collagenases or the inactivation of alpha-1
antiproteinase (Ching et al.
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