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The protective role of carotenoids against 7-keto-cholesterol formation in solution

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Abstract

The antioxidant activity of β-carotene and oxygenated carotenoids lutein, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin was investigated during spontaneous and peroxyl-radical-induced cholesterol oxidation. Cholesterol oxidation, measured as generation of 7-keto-cholesterol (7-KC), was evaluated in a heterogeneous solution with cholesterol, AAPH, and carotenoids solubilized in tetrahydrofuran and in water, and in a homogeneous solution of chlorobenzene, with AIBN as a prooxidant. The formation of 7-KC was dependent on temperature and on cholesterol and prooxidant concentrations. All the carotenoids tested, exhibited significant antioxidant activity by inhibiting spontaneous, AAPH- and AIBN-induced formation of 7-KC, although the overall order of efficacy of these compounds was astaxanthin > canthaxanthin > lutein = β-carotene. The finding that carotenoids exert protective effects on spontaneous and free radical-induced cholesterol oxidation may have important beneficial effects on human health, by limiting the formation of atheroma and by inhibiting cholesterol oxidation in food processing or storage.

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Abbreviations

AAPH:

2,2′-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride

AIBN:

2,2′-Azobis-isobutyronitrile

COPs:

Cholesterol oxidation products

7-KC:

7-Keto-cholesterol

THF:

Tetrahydrofuran

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by MIUR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of General Pathology, Catholic University School of Medicine, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Paola Palozza

  2. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Calabria, 87030 , Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy

    Eugenio Barone & Nevio Picci

  3. Institute of Pharmacology, Catholic University School of Medicine, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Cesare Mancuso

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  1. Paola Palozza
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  2. Eugenio Barone
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  3. Cesare Mancuso
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  4. Nevio Picci
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Correspondence to Paola Palozza.

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Palozza, P., Barone, E., Mancuso, C. et al. The protective role of carotenoids against 7-keto-cholesterol formation in solution. Mol Cell Biochem 309, 61–68 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9643-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9643-y

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