CHELATING EFFECT OF HUMAN SERUM-PROTEINS ON METAL-CATALYZED ASCORBATERADICAL GENERATION

Purified human serum albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were investiga ted for their metal-chelating activity, using ESR spectroscopy. Both c opper (Cu2+) and iron ions (Fe3+) enhanced the radical intensity of bo th sodium ascorbate and sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate (SEA). Albu min significantly reduced the stimulation effect of copper, but not th at of iron. On the other hand, Ige effectively reduced the radical int ensity of iron, without affecting that of copper. The present study de monstrates the specific chelating action of these serum proteins, sugg esting their possible preventive effects on metal-catalyzed pathogenic diseases.