Comparing beta-carotene, vitamin E and nitric oxide as membrane antioxidants

Freya Q Schafer; Hong P Wang; Eric E Kelley; Kate L Cueno; Sean M Martin; Garry R Buettner

doi:10.1515/BC.2002.069

Back

Comparing beta-carotene, vitamin E and nitric oxide as membrane antioxidants

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Comparing beta-carotene, vitamin E and nitric oxide as membrane antioxidants

Freya Q Schafer, Hong P Wang, Eric E Kelley, Kate L Cueno, Sean M Martin and Garry R Buettner

Biological chemistry, Vol.383(3-4), pp.671-681

03/2002

DOI: 10.1515/BC.2002.069

PMID: 12033456

View Online

Abstract

Singlet oxygen initiates lipid peroxidation via a nonfree radical mechanism by reacting directly with unsaturated lipids to form lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs). These LOOHs can initiate free radical chain reactions leading to membrane leakage and cell death. Here we compare the ability and mechanism by which three small-molecule membrane antioxidants (beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and nitric oxide) inhibit lipid peroxidation in membranes. We demonstrate that beta-carotene provides protection against singlet oxygen-mediated lipid peroxidation, but does not slow free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation. Alpha-Tocopherol does not protect cells from singlet oxygen, but does inhibit free radical formation in cell membranes. Nitric oxide provides no direct protection against singlet oxygen exposure, but is an exceptional chain-breaking antioxidant as evident from its ability to blunt oxygen consumption during free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation. These three small-molecule antioxidants appear to have complementary mechanisms for the protection of cell membranes from detrimental oxidations.

Vitamin E - pharmacokinetics

Nitric Oxide - pharmacology

Humans

beta Carotene - pharmacokinetics

Antioxidants - pharmacology

Cell Membrane Permeability - radiation effects

Nitric Oxide - pharmacokinetics

Animals

Biological Transport

Cell Membrane Permeability - physiology

Cell Membrane Permeability - drug effects

Light

K562 Cells

beta Carotene - pharmacology

Dihematoporphyrin Ether

HL-60 Cells

Mice

Tumor Cells, Cultured

Antioxidants - pharmacokinetics

Leukemia L1210

Vitamin E - pharmacology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Comparing beta-carotene, vitamin E and nitric oxide as membrane antioxidants
Creators: Freya Q Schafer - Free Radical and Radiation Biology and ESR Facility, The University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1101, USA
Hong P Wang
Eric E Kelley
Kate L Cueno
Sean M Martin
Garry R Buettner
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Biological chemistry, Vol.383(3-4), pp.671-681
Publisher: Germany
DOI: 10.1515/BC.2002.069
PMID: 12033456
ISSN: 1431-6730
eISSN: 1437-4315
Grant note: CA-84462 / NCI NIH HHS CA-81090 / NCI NIH HHS CA-66081 / NCI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 03/2002
Academic Unit: Radiation Oncology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984046931102771

Metrics

18 Record Views

89 Times Cited - Web of Science