Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein by thiol compounds leads to its recognition by the acetyl LDL receptor.

Reduced glutathione and other compounds with free -SH groups promoted the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the absence of cells in Ham's F-10 medium. In contrast, compounds in which the thiol groups were oxidized or blocked were ineffective in oxidizing LDL. Thiol-induced modification of LDL did not occur in media lacking in redox metals. It is suggested that thiols react with redox metal, generating thiol- and oxygen-derived free radicals that promote modification of LDL.