Effects of taurine and hypotaurine on lipid peroxidation.

It has been suggested that hypotaurine might inhibit lipid peroxidation in vivo by scavenging the initiator OH. The results presented demonstrate that hypotaurine affects other reactions relevant to the initiation, propagation and termination phases of lipid peroxidation. Hypotaurine a) decreases Fe2+ autoxidation, either spontaneous or catalyzed by Fe3+, that may generate perferryl iron; b) decreases Fe2+ oxidation, by cumene hydroperoxide, that forms the alkoxy radical; c) inhibits the lipid hydroperoxide dependent lipid peroxidation, favoring the onset of the termination phase. Hypotaurine does not affect the autoxidation of Fe2+ bound to phosphatidic acid containing liposomes. Taurine is ineffective in all the experimental systems tested.