title: Effects of glucose and alpha-tocopherol on low-density lipoprotein oxidation and glycation.
abstract: Glycation of blood proteins is considered to be a major contributor to hyperglycemic complications in diabetes mellitus patients. In this study, we demonstrate the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and glycation in vitro. Native LDL isolated from healthy subjects was exposed to various concentrations of glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) with or without alpha-tocopherol enrichment for 7 days in sealed vacuum ampoules. The degree of glycation, copper-induced lag time, content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and alpha-tocopherol levels in LDL were then assessed. LDL lag time was significantly reduced with high levels of glucose and MDA. Alpha-tocopherol enrichment dramatically inhibited the oxidation of LDL in the lag-time assay. However, the length of incubation time was inversely related to the LDL lag time. Longer incubation time resulted in shorter LDL lag time, with or without alpha-tocopherol enrichment. The level of TBARS associated with LDL oxidation was highest in native, MDA-supplemented, and high-glucose samples. The alpha-tocopherol levels were inversely related to glucose levels and incubation times. In conclusion, high-glucose concentrations heightened the oxidative susceptibility of LDL. Alpha-tocopherol enrichment reduced this trend and prevented LDL from undergoing architectural modification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Rong-Hong
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Hui-Fang
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mei-Yun
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Shih-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006031:Glycosylation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D005947:Glucose