ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF THE DECARBOXYLATED DIMER OF AMINOETHYLCYSTEINE KETIMINE

The decarboxylated dimer of aminoethylcysteine ketimine has been inves tigated for a possible general protective effect against oxyradical da mage. It has been found that the dimer protects brain microsomes again st lipid peroxidation induced by NADPH in the presence of Fe(III)-ADP chelate or by cumene hydroperoxide. The compound also inhibits lipid p eroxidation stimulated by L-dopa and related compounds in the presence of Fe(III)-ADP complex. Furthermore the dimer is able to protect deox yribose against hydroxyl radical induced degradation. These observatio ns suggest that the dimer is a lipid peroxidation protective agent and a free radical scavenger.