The mechanism of interaction of carnosine with superoxide radicals in water solutions.

The antiradical activity and the radiation stability of carnosine in water solutions was studied by the pulse radiolysis technique with spectrophotometric registration of absorbance. The transient spectra were recorded in the range 245-670 nm during 2 x 10(-6)-20 s after the pulse using a flow system for continuous change and saturation of the samples by different gases. Also, the spectra of the stable products of radiolysis were studied. The results obtained give evidence that carnosine in water solutions in the presence of oxygen behaves like a multifunctional antioxidant. Even at low concentrations, dipeptide forms a charge-transfer complex (Car ... O2-., lambda max = 265 nm) with the superoxide radical which changes the reactivity of O2-.. The absorbance band of the complex was shifted towards lower energy as compared to superoxide radical lambda max = 255 nm). The interaction of carnosine with OH-radicals proceeding at very high rate and resulting in the formation of a stable product suggested another type of dipeptide activity. The kinetic mechanism of the interaction of carnosine with products of radiolysis of water in aerobic conditions is discussed.