INFLUENCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN-SPACE ON THE BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS

The purpose of this experiment was to study the efficiency of protecti ve substances on the effects of cosmic radiation in space on low densi ty lipoproteins. This environment induced modifications in LDL consist ing of an increase of lipid peroxidation markers (hydroperoxides, thio barbituric acid reactive substances). In contrast, apo B Mras not affe cted by cosmic radiation as shown by the stability of the trinitrobenz enesulfonic acid reactivity and the tryptophan content. Furthermore, o xidation of LDL was partially inhibited by the addition of cysteamine or/and probucol before the spaceflight experiment. The hydroperoxide f ormation was almost completely inhibited by cysteamine. It was conclud ed that antioxidants can exert a protective effect against peroxidativ e stress induced by the space environment.