Szeto · Antioxidants & redox signaling 2008 · narrative review · n=?

Mitochondria-targeted cytoprotective peptides for ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Cited 270 times in the scientific literature.

Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data

Narrative review summarizing in vitro, cellular, and animal research

PubMed 17999629 · doi:10.1089/ars.2007.1892 · record verified 2026-08-26

What was done

This review summarized preclinical literature on cell-permeable Szeto-Schiller (SS) peptides, examining their localization, biochemical actions in isolated mitochondria and cell cultures, and therapeutic efficacy across animal models of ischemia-reperfusion injury, neurodegeneration, and renal fibrosis.

What was found

The abstract provides qualitative descriptions without numerical data. SS peptides selectively partition to the inner mitochondrial membrane, scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease mitochondrial ROS generation, and inhibit mitochondrial permeability transition. They prevent oxidative stress- and electron transport chain inhibition-induced apoptosis and necrosis, demonstrating cytoprotective efficacy and an absence of apparent toxicity in animal disease models.

Why it matters

Highlights the mechanistic rationale and early preclinical proof-of-concept for peptide-based delivery of antioxidant and cytoprotective agents directly to the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Limits

The abstract describes a narrative review restricted to in vitro and animal models with no human clinical evaluation. Quantitative effect sizes, comparative efficacy across specific peptide variants, and study sample sizes are not reported.

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