Phosphatidylcholine peroxidation induced by Cu(II) and some Cu(II) complexes.

We established that Cu(II) and its complexes with aspirin, indomethacin and cimetidine produced lipid peroxidation in phosphatidylcholine suspension. Ionic copper was found to have the most pronounced effect, while the effect of the complexes depends on the ligand. Neither of the ligands exerted a prooxidative effect. NADH sharply increased the effects of Cu(II) and its complexes. In contrast, in the presence of ascorbate the prooxidative effect of Cu(II) and its complexes decreased. Cu(II) and its complexes strongly inhibited ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation. Using antioxidant substances, enzymes and copper-chelating agents, we attempted to explain the observed effects of Cu(II) and its complexes.