Tocopherol-mediated peroxidation

Bowry, V.W. and Stocker, R. (1993). Tocopherol-mediated peroxidation. The prooxidant effect of vitamin E on the radical-initiated oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115, 6029-6044. 

The mechanism of prooxidant effect of a-tocopherol in aqueous lipid dispersions such as LDLs has been studied [22], This so-called tocopherol-mediated peroxidation is considered in detail in Chapter 25, however, in this chapter we should like to return once more to the question of possible prooxidant activity of vitamin E. The antioxidant effect of a-tocopherol on lipid peroxidation including LDL oxidation is well established in both in vitro and in vivo systems (see, for example, Refs. [3,4] and many other references throughout this book). However, Ingold et al. [22] suggested that despite its undoubted high antioxidant efficiency in homogenous solution a-tocopherol can become a chain transfer agent in aqueous LDL... 

Bowry VW, Mohr D, Cleary J, Stocker R. Prevention of tocopherol-mediated peroxidation in ubiquinol-10-free human low density lipoprotein. J Biol Chem 1995 270 5756-5763. 

Upston JM, Terentis AC, and Stocker R (1999) Tocopherol-mediated peroxidation of lipoproteins implications for vitamin E as a potential antiatherogenic supplement. FASEB Journal 13,977-94. 

These observations on the pro-oxidant behavior of the antioxidant (normally) a-Toc in micelles and lipid membranes provide some insight into the remarkable pro-oxidant activity of a-Toc in low density lipoprotein, LDL, under in vitro conditions. The radical initiated oxidation of LDL is of great interest because it is implicated in heart disease. The tocopherol-mediated peroxidation (TMP) of LDL was reported on in detail by Bowry and Stocker and is also the subject of timely, detailed reviews . This interesting story will not be reviewed again here, but these articles are highly recommended since they provide important insight into the unique behavior of a-Toc. 

Witting, P.K., Westerlund, C. Stocker, R. (1996). A rapid and simple screening test for potential inhibitors of tocopherol-mediated peroxidation of LDL lipids. Journal of Lipid Research, 37, 853-867. 

Following the action of extraordinary stimulants (hypoxic hypoxia, hypoxia + hyperoxia, hypodynamia + hyperthermia), animals demonstrate an accumulation of malonic dialdehyde with a simultaneous fall of antiradical activity of the liver tissue. A preliminary introduction to rats of acetylene amine 3,4,5-tris(morpho-linopropynyl)-l-methylpyrazole 103 and also of tocopherol antioxidant and gutumine antihypoxant averts activation of the lipid peroxidation processes. The inhibition of peroxidation with this agent is mediated by stabilization of ly-zosomal and mitochondrial membranes. Unsaturated amines prevent destruction of the organelle membranes provoked by UV irradiation and incubation at 37°C (pH4.7)(78MIl). 

Extensive studies in vitro from many groups have confirmed that exposure of LDL to a variety of pro-oxidant systems, both cell-free and cell-mediated, results in the formation of lipid hydroperoxides and peroxidation products, fragmentation of apoprotein Bioo, hydrolysis of phospholipids, oxidation of cholesterol and cholesterylesters, formation of oxysterols, preceded by consumption of a-tocopherol and accompanied by consumption of 8-carotene, the minor carotenoids and 7-tocopherol. 

Stohs, S.J., Hassan, M.Q. and Murray, W.J. (1984). Effects of a-tocopherol and retinol acetate on TCDD-mediated changes in lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase activity and survival. Xenobiotica 14, 533-537. 

Probucol, another di-r-butyl phenol, is an anti-atherosclerotic agent that can suppress the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in addition to lowering cholesterol levels. The antioxidant activity of probucol was measured, using EPR, with oxidation of methyl linoleate that was encapsulated in liposomal membranes or dissolved in hexane. Probucol suppressed ffee-radical-mediated oxidation. Its antioxidant activity was 17-fold less than that of tocopherol. This difference was less in liposomes than in hexane solution. Probucol suppressed the oxidation of LDL as efficiently as tocopherol. This work implies that physical factors as well as chemical reactivity are important in determining overall lipid peroxidation inhibition activity (Gotoh et al., 1992). 

Various hydroxyl and amino derivatives of aromatic compounds are oxidized by peroxidases in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, yielding neutral or cation free radicals. Thus the phenacetin metabolites p-phenetidine (4-ethoxyaniline) and acetaminophen (TV-acetyl-p-aminophenol) were oxidized by LPO or HRP into the 4-ethoxyaniline cation radical and neutral V-acetyl-4-aminophenoxyl radical, respectively [198,199]. In both cases free radicals were detected by using fast-flow ESR spectroscopy. Catechols, Dopa methyl ester (dihydrox-yphenylalanine methyl ester), and 6-hydroxy-Dopa (trihydroxyphenylalanine) were oxidized by LPO mainly to o-semiquinone free radicals [200]. Another catechol derivative adrenaline (epinephrine) was oxidized into adrenochrome in the reaction catalyzed by HRP [201], This reaction can proceed in the absence of hydrogen peroxide and accompanied by oxygen consumption. It was proposed that the oxidation of adrenaline was mediated by superoxide. HRP and LPO catalyzed the oxidation of Trolox C (an analog of a-tocopherol) into phenoxyl radical [202]. The formation of phenoxyl radicals was monitored by ESR spectroscopy, and the rate constants for the reaction of Compounds II with Trolox C were determined (Table 22.1). 

The efficiency of vitamin E in the suppression of free radical-mediated damage induced by iron overload has been studied in animals and humans. Galleano and Puntarulo [46] showed that iron overload increased lipid and protein peroxidation in rat liver. Vitamin E supplementation successfully suppressed these effects and led to an increase in a-tocopherol, ubiquinone-9, and ubiquinone-10 contents in liver. Important results were obtained by Roob et al. [47] who found that vitamin E supplementation attenuated lipid peroxidation (measured as plasma MDA and plasma lipid peroxides) in patients on hemodialysis after receiving iron hydroxide sucrose complex intravenously during hemodialysis session. These findings support the proposal that iron overload enhances free radical-mediated damage in humans. 

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