The effect of cornea proteoglycans on liposome peroxidation.

Proteoglycans (PGs) from bovine cornea showed a protective effect on liposome peroxidation induced by Fe2+. Both chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate-containing PG (CS,DS-PG) and keratan sulfate-containing PG (KS-PG) inhibited thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance formation when incubated with liposomes and Fe2+, CS,DS-PG being more effective than KS-PG. The native structure of PGs contributed markedly to antioxidant activity. Papain digestion of core protein reduced the protective effect of CS,DS-PG, whereas it abolished completely that of KS-PG. Apparently only hexuronate-containing glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains may exert a significant antioxidant activity and this was confirmed using standard GAGs. Quasielastic laser light scattering was used to evaluate the structural consequence of peroxidative damage induced by Fenton reagent on liposomes. After exposure to the free-radical-generating system, a bimodal distribution of liposomes was observed, probably depending on the loss of native structure and fragmentation. Both CS,DS-PG and KS-PG prevented liposome breakdown. Again, free KS chains were ineffective against liposome damage, whereas DS and CS maintained the normal distribution of liposome size. These data support the hypothesis that PGs may represent part of the antioxidant mechanisms of organisms and suggest that modifications of PG content and/or composition might affect tissue sensitivity to oxidative stress.