Effect of peroxyl radicals on lecithin/cholesterol acyltransferase activity in human plasma.

The objective of this study was to determine whether subjecting human plasma to oxidant stress reduces the activity of lecithin/cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT, EC 2.3.1.43). Plasma was incubated for 4 h with 2.25-45 mM of 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)HCl (AAPH), a source of peroxyl radicals. A time- and concentration-dependent reduction of LCAT activity occurred, relative to control samples incubated in the absence of AAPH. Reduction of LCAT activity was disproportionate to elevation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the plasma. Added ascorbate was able to significantly prevent reduction of LCAT activity, but this effect was unrelated to blockage of TBARS formation by the antioxidant. The results suggest that LCAT activity can be down-modulated by oxidant stress, but not necessarily by lipid peroxidation.