Protection of beta-thalassaemic erythrocytes from oxidative stress by propionyl carnitine.
Susceptibility to oxidative stress is increased in erythrocytes of patients with beta-thalassaemia due to the free alpha-chain pool and to the excess of iron. We have investigated the effect of L-propionylcarnitine concentrations on oxidative stress determined by lactoperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-iodide and by xanthine oxidase-acetaldehyde on erythrocytes of patients with beta-thalassaemia (major and intermedia). L-propionyl carnitine protects the erythrocytes from oxidative stress as measured by cell lysis. The protection is concentration-dependent. L-propionyl carnitine also stabilizes the cell membranes in which a latent peroxidative damage has been produced. These data suggest that L-propionyl carnitine may prove beneficial in protecting in vivo patients in which peroxidative damage of cell structure is increased as in the case of beta-thalassaemic patients.
Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Pisa, Italy.
L
L
Palmieri
F
F
Ronca
S
S
Malengo
A
A
Bertelli
D000328:Adult; D002331:Carnitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
C003223:propionylcarnitine; D002331:Carnitine