Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Streptozotocin Publisher



Baeeri M1 ; Abdollahi M1, 2
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Encyclopedia of Toxicology# Fourth Edition: Volume 1-9 Published:2023


Abstract

Streptozotocin (STZ) is a naturally produced compound derived from the soil bacterium Streptomyces achromogenes. This fungal antibacterial agent is a cytotoxic glucose analog with alkylation properties in chemotherapy. STZ as a nitrourea compound has positive effects on treating metastatic pancreas islets and carcinoid tumors in humans. The diabetogenic feature of STZ was found in 1963, and since that time, it has been used for the induction of diabetes in experimental animal investigations. This agent is categorized as a small molecule with the potential for DNA breakage, chromosomal impairment, and DNA synthesis inhibition. STZ metabolization produces free radicals during genome dysfunction. The precise positive and negative effects of STZ in clinical applications remain to be elucidated by further trials. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.