Modification Of Human Low Density Lipoprotein Research Articles

Antrodia salmonea in submerged culture exhibits antioxidant activities in vitro and protects human erythrocytes and low-density lipoproteins from oxidative modification

Antrodia salmonea is well known in Taiwan as a beneficial mushroom. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of whole fermented broth (AS), filtrate (ASF), and mycelia (ASM) of A. salmonea using different antioxidant models. Furthermore, the effect of A. salmonea on AAPH-induced oxidative hemolysis of human erythrocytes and CuSO4-induced oxidative modification of human low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) was examined. We found that the AS, ASF, and ASM possess effective antioxidant activity against various oxidative systems including superoxide anion scavenging, reducing power, metal chelation, and DPPH radical scavenging. Further, AAPH-induced oxidative hemolysis in erythrocytes was prevented by AS, ASF, and ASM. Notably, AS, ASF, and ASM appear to possess powerful antioxidant activities against CuSO4-induced oxidative modification of LDL as assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, cholesterol degradation, and the relative electrophoretic mobility of oxidized LDL. It is noteworthy that AS had comparatively strong antioxidant ability compared to ASF or ASM, which is well correlated with the content of their total polyphenols. Thus, A. salmonea may exert antioxidant properties and offer protection from atherogenesis.

4-Methylcoumarins as antioxidants: Scavenging of peroxyl radicals and inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein oxidation

The antioxidant activity of eight synthetic 4-methylcoumarins was systematically studied. The antioxidant capacity was measured using: (i) a competition kinetic test, to measure the relative capacity to quench peroxyl radical; (ii) the in vitro oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein, initiated by AAPH or catalyzed by copper. In both models, the ortho-OH substitutes were found to be better antioxidant than the meta one. The most efficient antioxidant was the 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin and the corresponding diacetoxy-substituted was unexpectedly a good antioxidant. Finally, the presence of an ethoxycarbonylethyl substituent at the C-3 position increased the antioxidant capacity of both 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin and 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin.

Antrodia Camphoratain Submerged Culture Protects Low Density Lipoproteins Against Oxidative Modification

Antrodia camphorata is well known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we have investigated the antioxidant properties of a fermented culture broth of Antrodia camphorata (FCBA) and the aqueous extracts of mycelia from Antrodia camphorata (AEMA) on the oxidative modification of human low-density lipoproteins (LDL), as induced by either copper sulfate (CuSO(4)) or 2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH). Under such oxidant stress, FCBA and AEMA appear to possess antioxidant properties with respect to oxidation of LDL in a time-and concentration-dependent manner, as assessed by inhibition of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) formation, conjugated diene production, and cholesterol degradation of oxidized LDL. In addition, both FCBA and AEMA exhibited a remarkable ability to rescue the relative electrophoretic mobility and fragmentation of the Apo B moiety of the oxidized LDL. Furthermore, FCBA and AEMA effectively protected the endothelial cells from the damaging effects of the CuSO(4)-oxidized LDL. Our findings suggest that the antioxidant properties of Antrodia camphorata may also provide effective protection from atherosclerosis.

Effect of Essential Oils and Non - Volatile Extracts of Some Aromatic Plants on Cu++ - Induced Oxidative Modification of Human Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Antioxidant phytochemicals have been recently implicated for the lower rates of cardiac disease among people consuming a Mediterranean diet. Essential oils besides giving specific flavors to foods can be used as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidants and anticarcinogenic agents. Combating heart disease is one of the challenging problems of biomedical science today. Towards this goal the activities of dichloromethane extract of ginger “Zingiber officinale Rosscoe; Zingiberraceae” (DCMG) and ethanolic extract of eucalyptus “eucalyptus camaldulensis var brevirostris” fruits (Eth.EF) as well as essential oils of black cumin ‘nigella sativa L.’ and cinnamon bark “cinnamomum zelyanicum” extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), in inhibiting the copper-catalyzed oxidation of LDL. The lag time in the conjugated-diene formation was dose-dependently prolonged by addition of the tested extracts. DCMG significantly prolonged the lag time of conjugated-diene formation more than 280 min, followed by Eth.EF (230 min), black cumin (SFE) (98 min), cinnamon (SFE) (75 min) and vitamin C (134 min) as compared to control (33 min). The total phenolic contents of these plant extracts gave a correlation with antioxidant activity as they could play a role in protecting LDL against oxidation if absorbed by the body. The present study support that the antioxidant activity of the tested extracts is potent as that of the known antioxidant; vitamin C. against LDL oxidation which is the optimal approach to disease control and effectively lowering costs of medical care.

Black rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) pigmented fraction suppresses both reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in chemical and biological model systems.

Anthocyanins, present in fruits and vegetables as natural colorants, have been well characterized to possess bioactive properties. Anthocyanin components extracted from black rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) separated by gel filtration and identified using LC-MS were cyanidin 3-glucoside and peonidin 3-glucoside. A standardized extract of black rice pigmented fraction (BRE) containing known proportions of cyanidin 3-glucoside and peonidin 3-glucoside exhibited marked antioxidant activities and free radical scavenging capacities in a battery of in vitro model systems. Significant (p < 0.05) prevention of supercoiled DNA strand scission induced by reactive oxygen species (specifically, peroxyl radical and hydroxyl radicals) and suppression of the oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein was obtained with BRE. In addition, BRE reduced (p < 0.05) the formation of nitric oxide by suppressing inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, without introducing cell toxicity. The results of this study show that black rice contains anthocyanin pigments with notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for potential use in nutraceutical or functional food formulations.

Antioxidant activity of piperlactam S: prevention of copper-induced LDL peroxidation and amelioration of free radical-induced oxidative stress of endothelial cells.

The protective effects of piperlactam S, an alkaloid isolated from Piper kadsura (Choisy) Ohwi, on lipid peroxidation and free radical-mediated cell injuries were investigated. Piperlactam S (1 to 20 microM) concentration-dependently prevented the copper-catalyzed oxidative modification of human low-density lipoproteins (LDL) measured through (i) the lag period, (ii) the slope of the propagation phase, (iii) the total amount of conjugated dienes formed, and (iv) the electrophoretic mobility of LDL. Fe2+-induced oxidative modification of cell membrane was also significantly attenuated by piperlactam S as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Furthermore, piperlactam S effectively minimized the loss of cell viability induced by Fenton's reagent (H2O2/FeSO4) in cultured endothelial cells and significantly reversed H2O2/FeSO4-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in rat aorta. Since the oxidative modification of LDL plays an important role in the genesis of atherosclerosis, piperlactam S may help to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, not only by protecting LDL and membrane lipids from oxidative modification but also by reducing free radical-induced endothelial injury and/or dysfunction.

Effect of gangliosides on the copper-induced oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins

The role of gangliosides in the copper-induced oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was studied focusing on the early stage of LDL oxidation in which the concentration of conjugated dienes increases only weakly. The changes in the protein and lipid component were followed using fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicate that binding of gangliosides to LDL causes slower destruction of tryptophan fluorescence and suppresses cross-linking between the reactive groups of the protein and the products of lipid peroxidation. The protective role of gangliosides could be assigned to their interference with the lipid–protein interaction in the LDL particle, which might be important for the maintenance of the native plasma antioxidant status in vivo.

Inhibitory effects of Du-zhong ( Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.) against low-density lipoprotein oxidative modification

This study presents the effects of water extracts from leaves, raw cortex, and roasted cortex of Du-zhong ( Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.) on the oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induced by copper ion (Cu 2+). Through determination of the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and conjugated dienes (CD), as well as relative electrophoretic mobility (REM), all extracts of Du-zhong were found to possess inhibitory effects on the oxidative modification of LDL induced by Cu 2+. The leaf extract had the most significant inhibitory effect. The ethyl acetate extract from leaf extract of Du-zhong was separated into six bands by preparative TLC. Band 2 (Rf=0.40), which was most inhibitory against LDL oxidative modification, was analyzed by HPLC; a single, main peak was collected and further examined using NMR and MS. The antioxidant compound thus identified was protocatechuic acid (PCA). At a concentration of 10 μg/ml, PCA showed a stronger inhibitory effect against LDL oxidative modification induced by Cu 2+ than did Du-zhong extracts or ascorbic acid at the same concentration. The results suggest that, in leaf extract of Du-zhong, PCA could be a major source of the inhibitory effect against LDL oxidative modification induced by Cu 2+.

Inhibition of rat lipoprotein oxidation after tetradecylthioacetic acid feeding

We have previously shown that tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA), a sulfur containing saturated fatty acid analogue, inhibits the oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro. The oxidative modification of LDL is believed to be a crucial step in the progression of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of TTA oral administration on the susceptibility of rat lipoprotein to undergo oxidative modification ex vivo. Lipoprotein resistance to copper-induced oxidation was highly improved after TTA administration to rats. Conjugated dienes produced after 150 min of lipoprotein oxidation were dramatically lowered in the TTA treated rats compared to controls. Malondialdehyde and lipid peroxides production by oxidation was highly limited. These effects were independent of any Vitamin E effects. More than 50% relative reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 family, and more than 30% relative increase in 18:1n-9 fatty acid in the triacylglycerol (TAG)-rich lipoprotein were observed. TAG-rich lipoprotein lipids of TTA fed rats were decreased with more than 50% reduction in TAG. The data reported in this paper indicate a potent in vivo antioxidant capability of TTA that beside its hypolipidemic effect might be of importance in relation to the development of atherosclerosis.

Plasma thiols inhibit hemin-dependent oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein

Oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) renders it atherogenic. Previous studies demonstrated that plasma thiols promote oxidation of LDL by free ferric iron (Fe 3+). The current study investigated effects of plasma thiols on oxidation of LDL by hemin, a physiological Fe 3+–protoporphyrin IX complex thought to be capable of initiating LDL oxidation in vivo. In contrast to free Fe 3+ which is incapable of oxidizing LDL in the absence of an exogenous reductant, hemin readily promoted LDL oxidation. During incubation of LDL (0.2 mg of protein/ml) with hemin (10 μM) at 37°C for 6 h, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), a marker of lipid oxidation, increased from 0.3 (±0.1) nmol/mg of LDL protein to a maximal concentration of 45.8 (±5.2) nmol/mg of LDL protein. Under the same experimental conditions, lipid-conjugated dienes, another marker of lipid oxidation, increased from non-detectable to near-maximal levels of 78–187 nmol/mg of LDL protein, and lipoprotein polyunsaturated fatty acyl-containing cholesteryl ester content decreased to 15–36% of that present in native (i.e. unoxidized) LDL. Continued incubation of LDL with hemin for up to 24 h resulted in no further significant alterations in lipoprotein levels of TBARS, lipid-conjugated dienes, and cholesteryl esters. In addition to these chemical modifications indicative of lipoprotein oxidation, agarose gel electrophoretic analysis indicated that exposure of LDL to hemin resulted in conversion of the lipoprotein to an atherogenic form as evidenced by its increased anodic electrophoretic mobility. Addition of physiological concentrations of plasma thiols (either cysteine, homocysteine or reduced glutathione; 1–100 μM, each) inhibited hemin-mediated oxidation of LDL. Thus, whereas the maximal TBARS concentration was achieved following 6 h of incubation of LDL with hemin alone, addition of thiol extended the time required to attain maximal TBARS concentration to ≥12 h. Similar antioxidant effects of thiols on formation of lipid-conjugated dienes, loss of cholesteryl esters, and lipoprotein anodic electrophoretic mobility were also observed. However, all thiols were not equally effective at inhibiting hemin-dependent LDL oxidation. Thus, whereas reduced glutathione was most effective at inhibiting hemin-dependent LDL oxidation, an intermediate effect was observed for homocysteine, and cysteine was least effective. The inhibition of hemin-mediated LDL oxidation by plasma thiols reported here confirms a previous observation that, under certain conditions, thiols can function as antioxidants, but contrasts with the previously documented pro-oxidant effect of the same thiols on oxidation of LDL by free Fe 3+. These contrasting effects of plasma thiols on hemin- and free Fe 3+-mediated LDL oxidation indicate that, in vivo, the ability of thiols to function as either anti- or pro-oxidants during LDL oxidation may, at least in part, be determined by the type of oxidant stress to which the lipoprotein is exposed.

Mode of action of sesame lignans in protecting lowdensity lipoprotein against oxidative damage in vitro

We investigated the antioxidant properties of sesaminol, a major component of sesame oil, on the oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro. Sesaminol inhibited the Cu 2+-induced lipid peroxidation in LDL in a concentration — dependent manner with an IC 50 36.0 ± 10.0 nM. Sesaminol was a more effective scavenger than either α-tocopherol or probucol in reducing the peroxyl radicals derived from 2,2′-a zobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) in aqueous solution. In addition, as determined by the secondary products of lipid peroxidation identified by using immunochemical methods, sesaminol completely inhibited the formation of 4-hydroxy-nonenal (4-HNE)- and malondialdehyde (MDA)-adducts in a concentration-dependent manner. Probucol and α-tocopherol at the same concentration exhibited a lesser inhibitory effect. Our findings suggest that sesaminol is a potentially effective antioxidant that can protect LDL against the oxidation.

Protective effect of fluvastatin sodium (XU-62-320), a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, on oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein in vitro

We investigated the protective effect of fluvastatin sodium on the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induced in vitro by copper ions. The extent of lipid peroxidation was assessed by monitoring the increase of UV absorbance at 234 nm, which is the peak absorbance of a conjugated diene. Fluvastatin sodium (1–30 μM) not only prolonged the lag time of oxidation in the initiation step, but also decreased the rate of oxidation in the propagation step, both concentration dependently. Fluvastatin sodium and α-tocopherol showed an additive effect when both compounds were added before oxidation. However, when the lag time was prolonged initially by α-tocopherol, and fluvastatin sodium and α-tocopherol, were further added into the reaction mixture at the end point of the lag phase, fluvastatin sodium still showed an antioxidative effect, whereas α-tocopherol showed a pro-oxidative effect. Therefore, the antioxidative property of fluvastatin sodium differs from that of α-tocopherol. In this experiment, as neither the double bond-reduced derivative of fluvastatin sodium nor pravastatin sodium showed any protective effect, we concluded that the antioxidative effect of fluvastatin sodium is not a common property of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, but may be derived from its unique chemical structure. Since the oxidative modification of LDL plays an important role in the genesis of atherosclerosis, fluvastatin sodium may help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, not only by reducing plasma LDL levels but also by protecting LDL from oxidative modification.

Oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein by horseradish peroxidase in the absence of hydrogen peroxide

Heme-peroxidases, such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP), are among the most popular catalysts of low density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation. In this model system, a suitable oxidant such as H2O2 is required to generate the hypervalent iron species able to initiate the peroxidative chain. However, we observed that traces of hydroperoxides present in a fresh solution of linoleic acid can promote lipid peroxidation and apo B oxidation, substituting H2O2.Spectral analysis of HRP showed that an hypervalent iron is generated in the presence of H2O2 and peroxidizing linoleic acid. Accordingly, careful reduction of the traces of linoleic acid lipid hydroperoxide prevented formation of the ferryl species in HRP and lipid peroxidation. However, when LDL was oxidized in the presence of HRP, the ferryl form of HRP was not detectable, suggesting a Fenton-like reaction as an alternative mechanism. This was supported by the observation that carbon monoxide, a ligand for the ferrous HRP, completely inhibited peroxidation of LDL.These results are in agreement with previous studies showing that myoglobin ferryl species is not produced in the presence of phospholipid hydroperoxides, and emphasize the relevance of a Fenton-like chemistry in peroxidation of LDL and indirectly, the role of pre-existing lipid hydroperoxides.

Hemoglobin Induced Apolipoprotein B Crosslinking in Low-Density Lipoprotein Peroxidation

Oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to play a major role in the development of atherosclerosis. Free hemin, hemoglobin, myoglobin, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were reported in different studies as promoters of LDL lipid oxidation. Based on our previous finding that hemin induced oxidative crosslinking of the LDL protein, apolipoprotein B (apo B) (Y. I. Miller and N. Shaklai (1994)Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int.34, 1121–1129), we compared the ability of free hemin and the above hemoproteins to induce peroxidative modification of apo B using SDS–PAGE. The levels of the final products of lipid peroxidation were determined as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Hemoglobin and myoglobin were found to be as active as free hemin and all these were much more active than the classic peroxidase HRP. Moreover, the products of oxidized apo B differed: hemoglobin, myoglobin, and hemin induced mostly covalent aggregates, while HRP caused fragmentation of apo B. Hemoglobin reactivity was expressed at low H2O2concentrations even in the absence of molecular oxygen. Desferal, along with other antioxidants, inhibited the hemoglobin-induced LDL oxidation independently of its iron-chelating property. The high peroxidative reactivity of hemoglobin is explained by its ability (unlike HRP) to transfer the oxidative equivalents from the heme active site, through the globin, to LDL. The apo B radicals thus formed are terminated, yielding intermolecular crosslinked protein. It is suggested that small amounts of the highly reactive hemoglobin in plasma, suffice to trigger LDL protein oxidation (along with its lipid oxidation), thereby inflict the atherosclerosis precondition.

The antioxidant effect of spermine NONOate in human low-density lipoprotein.

The nitric oxide (*NO) donor N-[4-[1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-hydroxy-2-nitrosohydrazino]butyl]-1,3- propanediamine, also referred to as Spermine NONOate (SNN), inhibited the copper(II) sulfate-initiated oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as measured by the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, conjugated diene formation, and changes in electrophoretic mobility. The presence of the nitronyl nitroxide 1-oxy-2-[p-(trimethylammoniumyl)phenyl]-4,4,5,5- tetramethylimadazoline 3-oxide, a scavenger of *NO, antagonized the inhibitory activity of SNN. The inhibition of copper-dependent LDL oxidation had a nonlinear dependence on SNN concentration. Low concentrations of SNN ( < 4 microM) were only poorly effective at inhibiting LDL oxidation; however, a dramatic enhancement of inhibition occurred above 4 microM SNN. This behavior was qualitatively different from that of butylated hydroxytoluene, a phenolic chain-breaking antioxidant, which exhibited an approximately linear concentration dependence in this system. Addition of 13[S-(E,Z)]-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, a lipid hydroperoxide, to LDL diminished the antioxidant effect of 4 and 8 microM SNN, but not that of 12 microM SNN. SNN inhibited the depletion of alpha-tocopherol during both copper-dependent and 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)-dependent oxidation of LDL. We propose that a direct reaction is occurring between NO and the lipid peroxyl radical, forming a lipid-nitroso adduct. Formation of this product would not only remove the lipid peroxyl radical, thus preventing chain propagation, but would also prohibit the regeneration of lipid hydroperoxide, thereby stopping further transition metal ion-dependent initiation. The difference in the kinetic behavior between SNN and conventional antioxidants can be explained by this effect.

Involvement of Preexisting Lipid Hydroperoxides in Cu 2+-Stimulated Oxidation of Low-Density Lipoprotein

Oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. LDL oxidizability is believed to be strongly influenced by factors such as (a) content of preexisting lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) and (b) content of endogenous antioxidants such as α-tocopherol and β-carotene. The purpose of this study was to examine the prooxidant role of preexisting LDL-LOOHs, using a recently developed method for ultrasensitive and selective LOOH analysis: high-performance liquid chromatography with mercury drop electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). Exceedingly low detection limits for LDL-LOOHs have been achieved by HPLC-EC, e.g., ∼100 fmol for cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide (CEOOH). This sensitivity has allowed us to monitor LDL-LOOHs at levels that are undetectable by most other methods. Fresh LDL prepared with the utmost care to prevent autoxidation was found to contain small, yet significant amounts of CEOOH, 6-12 pmol/mg protein. Our data suggest that these peroxides could not have arisen during LDL isolation or sample work-up for HPLC-EC. Incubation with GSH and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase resulted in nearly complete reduction of the CEOOH. This LDL was found to be much more resistant to Cu 2+-induced peroxidation than starting material, exhibiting a lag period that was at least six times greater. We have also determined that LDL becomes progressively more susceptible to Cu 2+-induced lipid peroxidation (as evidenced by a shortened lag) when it is preloaded with increasing amounts of photochemically generated LOOHs. Taken together, these results provide strong support for the idea that preexisting LOOHs in LDL are important determinants of its overall oxidizability.

Radical-mediated oxidation of isolated human very-low-density lipoprotein.

Oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has received much attention because of its suggested involvement in the early events of atherogenesis. In contrast, little data exist concerning the oxidation of human very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), although such modification promotes foam cell formation by these lipoproteins. We therefore investigated the radical-mediated oxidation of VLDL by using controlled oxidizing conditions and sensitive and specific methods to assess lipoprotein lipid oxidation and antioxidation. We observed that the ratio of alpha-tocopherol to coenzyme Q10 in VLDL was close to that of LDL, suggesting that these lipoproteins may transport some coenzyme Q10 to extrahepatic tissues, as they do tocopherol. Most of the coenzyme Q10 associated with VLDL was present in its reduced, antioxidant active form, ubiquinol-10. The small amounts of ubiquinol-10 in VLDL provided the lipoprotein lipids with a highly efficient antioxidant protection. Also, the kinetics of radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in VLDL resembled that in LDL and therefore also probably proceeded via the recently described tocopherol-mediated peroxidation mechanism. Oxidation competition experiments using aqueous radicals and physiological concentrations and molar ratios of LDL and VLDL indicated that in contrast to the situation with high-density lipoproteins, lipid peroxidation was initiated and detected simultaneously in the former two lipoprotein particles. However, once initiated, peroxidation propagated at an approximately twofold higher rate in VLDL than LDL. Our studies suggest that radical-mediated lipid (per)oxidation proceeds via similar mechanisms in isolated LDL and VLDL. We conclude that efficient LDL antioxidants are also likely to be effective protective agents for VLDL.

The Effects of Vitamin C and Urate on the Oxidation Kinetics of Human Low-Density Lipoprotein

Oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is believed to play an important role in atherogenesis. Vitamin C (ascorbate) and urate are major water-soluble plasma antioxidants in humans. Urate levels (300-395 microM) in human serum are considerably higher than ascorbate levels (30-50 microM). In this study, we compared the ability of urate to protect human LDL from in vitro oxidation with that of ascorbate. LDL was subjected to in vitro oxidation at 30 degrees C with an O2 saturated solution (0.15 M NaCl/0.25 mM EDTA) and 15 mM of a thermally labile water soluble azo-initiator (ABAP or azobis-2-amidinopropane HCl). In parallel experiments, 50 microM ascorbate or 50 microM urate were present in the oxidation buffer. The consumption of alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, urate or ascorbate and the formation of lipid hydroperoxides were measured as a function of time in the in vitro oxidation system. The rate of lipid hydroperoxide formation was found to be significantly increased after the LDL tocopherols (alpha-plus gamma-tocopherol) were totally consumed, i.e., after the lag phase. Urate (50 microM) was more effective than ascorbate (50 microM) in extending the lag phase. Moreover, urate was consumed more slowly than ascorbate under identical oxidation conditions. Urate was not, however, as effective as ascorbate in preventing the formation of lipid hydroperoxides before the lag phase. An empirical mathematical model was also developed to describe the oxidation kinetics of LDL alpha- and gamma-tocopherol in the presence or absence of urate or ascorbate.

Noninvasive assays for oxidative RNA damage

Oxidative modification of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. LDL oxidizability is believed to be strongly influenced by factors such as (a) content of preexisting lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) and (b) content of endogenous antioxidants such as α-tocopherol and β-carotene. The purpose of this study was to examine the prooxidant role of preexisting LDL-LOOHs, using a recently developed method for ultrasensitive and selective LOOH analysis: high-performance liquid chromatography with mercury drop electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). Exceedingly low detection limits for LDL-LOOHs have been achieved by HPLC-EC, e.g., ∼100 fmol for cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide (CEOOH). This sensitivity has allowed us to monitor LDL-LOOHs at levels that are undetectable by most other methods. Fresh LDL prepared with the utmost care to prevent autoxidation was found to contain small, yet significant amounts of CEOOH, 6-12 pmol/mg protein. Our data suggest that these peroxides could not have arisen during LDL isolation or sample work-up for HPLC-EC. Incubation with GSH and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase resulted in nearly complete reduction of the CEOOH. This LDL was found to be much more resistant to Cu2+-induced peroxidation than starting material, exhibiting a lag period that was at least six times greater. We have also determined that LDL becomes progressively more susceptible to Cu2+-induced lipid peroxidation (as evidenced by a shortened lag) when it is preloaded with increasing amounts of photochemically generated LOOHs. Taken together, these results provide strong support for the idea that preexisting LOOHs in LDL are important determinants of its overall oxidizability.

Modification of human low-density lipoprotein by the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal

The effects of the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal on freshly prepared human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were studied. At a fixed LDL concentration (5.7 mg/ml) the amount of 4-hydroxynonenal incorporated into the LDL increased with increasing aldehyde concentration from 28–30 (0.2 mM) to 140 (1 mM) mol per mol LDL, whereas at a fixed aldehyde concentration (0.2 mM) its incorporation into LDL decreased with increasing LDL concentration from 48 (1 mg LDL/ml) to 26 (12 mg LDL/ml) mol 4-hydroxynonenal bound per mol LDL. Of the total hydroxynonenal taken up 78% was bound to the protein and 21% to the lipid moiety; the remaining 1% was dissolved as free aldehyde in the lipid fraction. Amino acid analysis of the apolipoprotein B revealed that 4-hydroxynonenal attacks mainly the lysine and tyrosine residues and to a lesser extent also serine, histidine and cysteine. Treatment of LDL with 4-hydroxynonenal results in a concentration-dependent increase of the negative charge of the LDL particle as evidenced by its increased electrophoretic mobility. Moreover, 4-hydroxynonenal treatment leads to a partial conversion of the apolipoprotein B-100 into higher molecular weight forms most probably apolipoproteins B-126 and B-151. Compared to malonaldehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal exhibits a much higher capacity to modify LDL and it is therefore believed that this aldehyde is a more likely candidate for being responsible for LDL modification under in vivo lipid peroxidation conditions.