INHIBITION OF LIPID-PEROXIDATION BY N-ACETYLSEROTONIN AND ITS ROLE INRETINAL PHYSIOLOGY

N-Acetylserotonin (NAS) inhibits the peroxidation of linoleic acid ind uced by a water-soluble initiator, 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) (ABAP ), Lipid peroxidation was detected by the formation of conjugated dien es, monitored spectrophotometrically at 236 nm, N-Acetylserotonin, at concentrations ranging from 200 nM to 20 mu M, reduced the rate of ABA P-initiated lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. Th e results of NAS-inhibited lipid peroxidation are compared to the anti oxidant activities of melatonin, vitamin E, and a water-soluble vitami n E analog, Trolox. Pt is suggested that NAS acts as a physiological a ntioxidant in retinal photoreceptor cells. (C) 1997 Academic Press.