Kinetics of lipid radical formation in lipoproteins from β-thalassemia: Implication of cholesteryl esters and α-tocopherol

Vascular complications in beta-thalassemia are associated with oxidative modification of lipoproteins under high oxidative stress. The lipid components of lipoproteins are oxidized via lipid peroxidation and produce lipid radicals (L center dot) as the key initial intermediates. Modification of lipid components, therefore, might result in alterations in the rate and products of lipid peroxidation. In this study, the kinetics of L center dot formation during the 2,2' - Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)- and hemin-induced oxidation of low-density and high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) from beta-thalassemia patients and healthy volunteers were investigated using a specific and sensitive fluorescence probe for L center dot Kinetic parameters, including initial lag time, propagation rate and total L center dot production, were calculated by monitoring a fluorescence-active NBD-Pen-L center dot adduct. Oxidation of thalassemia lipoproteins exhibited a significantly shorter lag time but a slower propagation rate of L center dot formation when compared with healthy lipoproteins. LDL showed higher resistance to oxidation during the initiation phase but higher L center dot formation than HDL. Our results indicated that the levels of a-tocopherol determined the initial lag time, whereas the levels of core lipids and cholesteryl esters, especially cholesteryl linoleate (CL), determined the propagation rate and total L center dot production. The difference in potency of AAPH and hemin supported that hemin preferentially targeted core lipids. Moreover, analysis of 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid cholesteryl ester (13-HODE-CE)/CE ratio indicated that thalassemia lipoproteins have higher susceptibility to oxidation than healthy lipoproteins. In conclusion, our findings suggested that CL and alpha-tocopherol were implicated in the susceptibility of lipoproteins to lipid peroxidation in physiological and pathological conditions of beta-thalassemia.

Automated summary

This study suggests that vascular complications in patients with beta-thalassemia are associated with oxidative modification of lipoproteins. The modification of lipid components may alter lipid peroxidation rate and products. Core lipids and cholesteryl esters levels determine the rate and total production of L center dot. Overall, lipoproteins in beta-thalassemia patients are more susceptible to lipid peroxidation.