Although Cr(VI)-containing compounds are well-documented carcinogens, their mechanism of action is still not well understood. Recent studies have suggested that reduction of Cr(VI) to its lower oxidation states and related free-radical reactions play an important role in carcinogenesis. This article summarizes recent studies on (1) the reduction of Cr(VI) by ascorbate, diol- and thiol-containing molecules, certain flavoenzymes, cell organelles, intact cells, and whole animals; (2) free-radical production with emphasis on hydroxy radical generation via Fenton or Haber-Weiss type reactions; and (3) free-radical-induced cellular damage, such as DNA strand breaks, hydroxylation of 2'-deoxyguanosine, and activation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B.

Chitin microcapsules are prepared using a simple desolvation or nonsolvent addition phase separation method with 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) as a reference core. Chitin with a molecular weight about 400,000 is used to prepare different core loaded microcapsules. The drug release rates of chitin microcapsules prepared by simple desolvation or nonsolvent addition method have different release profiles which are related to the rate of phase separation. With respect to the solubility parameter difference (delta delta) value between solvent and nonsolvent, the release rate of 6-MP from microcapsules decreases with increasing delta delta of the preparative system. The chitin beads show poor swelling properties and their release rates are pH-dependent. Sustained release of 6-MP from chitin microcapsules in low pH and neutral medium can be accomplished. To determine if the drug release from the polymer matrix is via a diffusion controlled or by an erosion controlled process, 6-MP release profiles of various chitin microcapsules degraded by lysozyme are investigated. The drug-release patterns of the chitin microcapsules prepared by nonsolvent addition (acetone, n-propanol, n-butanol) and simple desolvation in acetone are not only diffusion but also lysozyme digestion influenced. Whereas, by using water or ethanol as nonsolvent or desolvating agent, release profiles of the microcapsules prepared by nonsolvent addition and the simple desolvation method seem to be little affected by enzyme degradation. These results indicate that chitin might prove useful as a polymer carrier for the sustained release of drugs.