EFFECT OF RUTIN AND ITS COPPER COMPLEX ON SUPEROXIDE FORMATION AND LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN RAT-LIVER MICROSOMES

Two free radical scavengers, biofla, onoid rutin and the copper-rutin complex Cu(Rut)Cl-2, inhibited lucigenin-amplified chemiluminescence a nd lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes, Cu(Rut)Cl-2 being a 5-9 times more efficient inhibitor than rutin. The enhanced inhibitory ac tivity of Cu(Rut)Cl-2 was due to the presence of the additional supero xide-dismutating center (Cu), as follows from the comparison of its ef fects on microsomal chemiluminescence and cytochrome c reduction by xa nthine oxidase. Similar effects of both inhibitors on superoxide produ ction and lipid peroxidation as well as the elevated activity of Cu(Ru t)Cl-2 indicate an important role of superoxide ion in the initiation of microsomal lipid peroxidation. (C) 1998 Federation of European Bioc hemical Societies.