L -propionyl-carnitine as superoxide scavenger, antioxidant, and DNA cleavage protector.
L-Propionylcarnitine, a propionyl ester of L-carnitine, increases the intracellular pool of L-carnitine. It exhibits a high affinity for the enzyme carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT) and, thus, is readily converted into propionyl-coenzyme A and free carnitine. It has been reported that L-propionylcarnitine possesses a protective action against heart ischemia-reperfusion injury; however, the antioxidant mechanism is not yet clear. L-Propionylcarnitine might reduce the hydroxyl radical production in the Fenton system, by chelating the iron required for the generation of hydroxyl radicals. To obtain a better insight into the antiradical mechanism of L-propionylcarnitine, the present research analyzed the superoxide scavenging capacity of L-propionylcarnitine and its effect on linoleic acid peroxidation. In addition, the effect of L-propionylcarnitine against DNA cleavage was estimated using pBR322 plasmid. We found that L-propionylcarnitine showed a dose-dependent free-radical scavenging activity. In fact, it was able to scavenge superoxide anion, to inhibit the lipoperoxidation of linoleic acid, and to protect pBR322 DNA from cleavage induced by H2O2 UV-photolysis.
Institute of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Italy. Chimbio@mbox.Unict.It
A
A
Vanella
A
A
Russo
R
R
Acquaviva
A
A
Campisi
C
C
Di Giacomo
V
V
Sorrenti
M L
ML
Barcellona
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D013481:Superoxides; C003223:propionylcarnitine; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002331:Carnitine