Peroxyl radical scavenging by beta-carotene in lipid bilayers. Effect of oxygen partial pressure.

The effect of the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) on the antioxidant reactions of all-trans-beta, beta-carotene (BC) was investigated in a soybean phosphatidylcholine liposome system. Peroxyl radicals generated by thermolysis of azo-bis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) at 37 degrees C initiated lipid peroxidation. BC inhibited lipid peroxidation, which was monitored by conjugated diene formation, by up to 70% versus control at 160 and 15 torr O2. In contrast, at 760 torr O2 the maximum inhibition was approximately 40% versus control and inhibition was less reproducible. Peroxyl radicals oxidized BC to 5,6-epoxy-beta,beta-carotene and several unidentified polar products. The rates of both product formation and BC consumption were significantly higher at 160 torr than at 15 torr O2. However, at 160 and 760 torr O2, the rates of product formation and BC depletion were similar. In liposomes without azo-bis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), BC depletion at 160 torr was only 64% that at 760 torr O2. These results suggest that both radical trapping and autoxidation reactions consume BC and that the latter are accelerated by high pO2. Autoxidation consumes BC without scavenging peroxyl radicals and may attenuate BC antioxidant activity, especially at high pO2. The similarity in its antioxidant effects at 15 and 160 torr O2 suggests that BC could provide antioxidant protection to any tissue within the normal physiologic range of pO2.