Aldehydes from metal ion- and lipoxygenase-induced lipid peroxidation: detection by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy.

The modification of lipoproteins by reactive aldehydes formed via lipid peroxidation is thought to be a key process in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We show that 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy can readily be used to detect a variety of different aldehydes resulting from peroxidation of liposomes induced by Fenton's reagent or lipoxygenase, and aldehydes arising from copper-induced reactions of low-density lipoprotein. There is a clear contrast between the major aldehydic products arising from metal-ion- and lipoxygenase-induced reactions.