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.