Investigating the in vivo effects of copper coordination compounds with thiosemicarbazones on erythrocyte redox balance

Abstract

Thiol-disulfide homeostasis plays a vital role in cellular and systemic functions, regulating biosynthetic reactions, growth, transport, repair, and redox signaling through the dynamic interplay between thiol (-SH) and disulfide (-S-S-) states. This study evaluated the effects of copper coordination compounds with thiosemicarbazones (CCTs) on thiol-disulfide metabolism in 120 rats (Rattus norvegicus Albicans). The animals were divided into 10 groups by sex, with the control group receiving saline and experimental groups (Groups 2–10) administered specific CCTs (10 µg/kg, subcutaneously) for 30 days. CCTs, known for their medicinal potential, particularly as anticancer agents, enhanced antioxidant defenses by increasing total and reduced glutathione (tGSH, rGSH) and decreasing oxidized glutathione (GSSG). These findings underscore the potential of CCTs in modulating redox balance and their promise in therapeutic applications, including cancer treatment.