Lipoprotein oxidation and induction of ferroxidase activity in stored human extracellular fluids.

It was observed that during the storage of human extracellular fluids at -20 degrees C the azide-inhibitable ferroxidase activity of caeruloplasmin declined, whilst a new azide-resistant ferroxidase activity (ARFA) developed. The literature suggested that storage-induced ARFA might be due to either a poorly defined enzymatic activity of a low density lipoprotein (LDL) or to lipid peroxides formed within the different lipoprotein fractions. To study this further, the major lipoprotein classes were separated from human serum by density gradient centrifugation. After storage of the lipoprotein fractions, it was found that the LDL fraction had the highest specific activity of ARFA and the highest content of lipid peroxidation products, as assessed by diene conjugates. The ARFA of LDL correlated with its content of diene conjugates and TBA reactive material, which initially suggested that the Fe(II) oxidising activity of peroxidase LDL arose from the reduction of peroxides by Fe(II) in the classical reaction between the metal ion and free radical reduction of lipid peroxides. However, steady state kinetic analysis indicated an enzymic role of LDL in Fe(II) oxidation, with lipid peroxides acting as a substrate for the enzyme. These results indicate that LDL may contain a peroxidase activity, catalysing the oxidation of Fe(II) by lipid peroxides, as well as a ferrous oxidase activity where O2 is the oxidising substrate.