Effects of membrane charges and hydroperoxides on Fe(II)-supported lipid peroxidation in liposomes

The processes in producing a lag phase in Fe²⁺-supported lipid peroxidation in liposomes were investigated. Incorporation of phosphatidylserine (PS) or dicetyl phosphate (DCP) into phosphatidylcholine [PC(A)] liposomes, which have arachidonic acid, produced a marked lag phase in Fe²⁺-supported peroxidation, where PS was more effective than DCP. Phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl [PC(DP)] with a net-neutral charge was still effective in producing a lag phase, though weak. Increasing concentrations of PS, DCP, and PC(DP) prolonged the lag period. Initially after adding Fe²⁺, slight oxygen consumption occurred in PC(A)/PS liposomes including hydroperoxides, followed by a lag phase. An increase in the hydroperoxide resulted in a shortening of the lag period. The initial events of Fe²⁺ oxidation accompanied by oxygen consumption were dependent on the hydroperoxide content, but significant changes in diene conjugation and hydroperoxide levels at this stage were not found. The molar ratios of both dis-appeared Fe²⁺ and consumed O₂ to preformed hydroperoxide in liposomes with or withouttert-butylhydroxytoluene were constant, regardless of the different amounts of lipid hydroper-oxides. The antioxidant completely inhibited the propagation of lipid peroxidation in the lipid phase, following a lag phase. In a model system containing 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, Fe²⁺ were consumed. We suggest that Fe²⁺ retained at a high level on membrane surfaces play a role in producing a lag phase following the terminating behavior of a sequence of free radical reactions initiated by hydroperoxide decompositin, probably by intercepting peroxyl radicals.