Retraction Note to: Glycosaminoglycans reduce oxidative damage induced by copper (Cu +2 ), iron (Fe +2 ) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in human fibroblast cultures

Acid glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) antioxidant activity was assessed in a fibroblast culture system by evaluating reduction of oxidative system-induced damage. Three different methods to induce oxidative stress in human skin fibroblast cultures were used. In the first protocol cells were treated with CuSO 4 plus ascorbate. In the second experiment fibroblasts were exposed to FeSO 4 plus ascorbate. In the third system H 2 O 2 was utilised. The exposition of fibroblasts to each one of the three oxidant systems caused inhibition of cell growth and cell death, increase of lipid peroxidation evaluated by the analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA), decrease of reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and rise of lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH). The treatment with commercial GAGs at different doses showed beneficial effects in all oxidative models. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin-4-sulphate (C4S) exhibited the highest protection. However, the cells exposed to CuSO 4 plus ascorbate and FeSO 4 plus ascorbate were better protected by GAGs compared to those exposed to H 2 O 2 . These outcomes confirm the antioxidant properties of GAGs and further support the hypothesis that these molecules may function as metal chelators. Published in 2004.