Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing the damage done by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an animal. The invention also provides a method of reducing the concentration of a metal in an animal. These methods comprise administering to the animal an effective amount of a metal-binding compound as further described in the application. The invention further provides a method of reducing the damage done by ROS to a cell, a tissue or an organ that has been removed from an animal. This method comprising contacting the cell, tissue or organ with a solution or medium containing an effective amount of a metal-binding compound of the invention. The invention further provides novel metal-binding compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the metal-binding compounds, and kits comprising a container holding a metal-binding compound of the invention.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for detecting a medical condition wherein a blood or plasma sample is combined with a metal such as cobalt and optically analyzed for an optical distinction that identifies the medical condition. The invention is useful for diagnosing medical conditions such as ischemia. Moreover, the diagnoses of patient samples according to the invention may be enhanced by developing a mathematical model based on signal processing techniques such as principal component analysis on the data obtained in patient studies.