Modeling the interaction of peroxynitrite with low-density lipoproteins. I. Plasma levels of peroxynitrite.

Peroxynitrite is a strong candidate for the material responsible for the initiation of peroxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) which is considered the first step in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Recent advances in the understanding of peroxynitrite chemistry allow the construction of a kinetic model that can be used to understand the factors controlling levels in plasma. These results indicate that the carbon dioxide catalysed decomposition of peroxynitrite produces large quantities of reactive species, but the rapid decomposition of this intermediate, ONOOCO(-)(2), may limit its availability to attack LDLs at points distant from the site of production. In this case, peroxynitrite itself may be of greater quantitative importance in LDL peroxidation. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.