EFFECTS OF TAURINE AND HYPOTAURINE ON LIPID-PEROXIDATION

It has been suggested that hypotaurine might inhibit lipid peroxidatio n in vivo by scavenging the initiator OH. The results presented demons trate that hypotaurine affects other reactions relevant to the initiat ion, propagation and termination phases of lipid peroxidation. Hypotau rine a) decreases Fe2+ autoxidation, either spontaneous or catalyzed b y Fe3+ that may generate perferryl iron; b) decreases Fe2+ oxidation, by cumene hydroperoxide, that forms the alkoxy radical; c) inhibits th e lipid hydroperoxide dependent-lipid peroxidation, favoring the onset of the termination phase. Hypotaurine does not affect the autoxidatio n of Fe2+ bound to phosphatidic acid containing liposomes. Taurine is ineffective in all the experimental systems tested. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.