Role of alpha-tocopheroxyl radical in the initiation of lipid peroxidation in human low-density lipoprotein exposed to horse radish peroxidase.

Heme-containing (per)oxidases including horse radish peroxidase (HRP)/H2O2 have been shown to oxidatively modify isolated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro and oxidized LDL is implicated in the early events leading to atherosclerosis. The role of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOH) in the oxidation of LDL by HRP/H2O2 is unclear, although alpha-tocopheroxyl radical (alpha-TO.), which is formed during this process, can act as a chain transfer agent of lipid peroxidation in LDL. By combining HPLC and EPR spectroscopy, we hereby show that during HRP/H2O2-induced oxidation of human LDL: (i) the accumulation of cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxides and hydroxides (CE-O(O)H) occurs concomitantly with the formation of alpha-TO. and consumption of alpha-TOH in the absence of other detectable organic (g approximately 2) radicals; (ii) the rates of alpha-TO. formation and subsequent decay reflect the rates of both alpha-TOH consumption and CE-O(O)H accumulation; (iii) CE-O(O)H accumulation is directly dependent on the level of endogenous alpha-TOH, and vitamin E supplementation results in increased lipid oxidizability; (iv) the inhibition of HRP activity by catalase plus urate results in a persistent alpha-TO. signal, the decay (t1/2 approximately 20 min) of which is accompanied by continued accumulation of CE-O(O)H, with complete cessation of lipid peroxidation upon loss of the chromanoxyl signal. These results demonstrate a direct correlation between alpha-TOH/alpha-TO. and the extent of HRP/H2O2-induced LDL lipid peroxidation, and that this type of oxidative modification can occur in the absence of g approximately 2 radicals other than alpha-TO.. Together, the results support a role for tocopherol-mediated peroxidation but not the involvement of a protein radical in the initiation of LDL lipid peroxidation induced by HRP/H2O2.