The spin trap, alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone, inhibits the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein.

The lipophilic spin trap, N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) inhibits the formation of the oxidatively-modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) by endothelial cells and by cupric ions. The LDL incubated in the presence of PBN with cells or cupric ions was less readily degraded by macrophages than the LDL incubated in the absence of PBN. A lipid-derived radical formed during oxidation of LDL was detected by spin trapping with PBN. It is likely that PBN inhibits the oxidative and biological modification of LDL by scavenging the LDL-lipid-derived radical.