Reactive oxygen species are byproducts of aerobic metabolism with high reactivity which can damage the cell components, it is a source of oxidative stress. Upon diseases or aging, there is protection against reactive oxygen species, however in certain conditions the control is lost, which result in a large quantity of reactive oxygen species that cells cannot handle so they die, on higher level it causes organ toxicity and failure because of oxidative stress.
Researchers could find an antioxidant component of vitamin B12 called cobinamide which can be used in poisoning and myocardial fibrosis cases. According to Dr. Sameh Ali, head of the tumor biology research program of Hospital 57357, cobinamide was used to treat poisoned fruit flies by combining it with insecticide in the flies food. In normal cases flies would die because of the insecticide, however they survived when combined with cobinamide. On the other hand the effect of cobinamide was tested on diabetic mice, where long term diabetes cause myocardial fibrosis, but it was prevented in mice consuming drinking water containing cobinamide.
The research which was done in cooperation with California University, St. Diego, will enable treatment of poisoning cases resulted from insecticide pollution or gas asphyxia which cause oxidative stress. It will also be used to prevent myocardial fibrosis which is side effect in patients with diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases and aging.
The research was published in PNAS Nexus journal.