α‐Tocopherol mediated peroxidation in the copper (II) and met myoglobininduced oxidation of human low density lipoprotein: The influence of lipid hydroperoxides

Abstract
The principal antioxidant in human LDL, α‐tocopherol, is converted to the α‐tocopheroxyl radical after reaction with peroxyl radicals or Cu2+, and, if it does not terminate with peroxyl radicals, could initiate lipid peroxidation; a phenomenon called ‘tocopherol mediated peroxidation’. Only in the presence of Cu2+ and low levels of lipid hydroperoxides was an α‐tocopherol dependent decrease in the resistance of LDL to oxidation detected. This suggests that tocopherol mediated peroxidation will probably not contribute significantly as a pro‐oxidant process in those individuals most at risk of developing atherosclerosis through an oxidative mechanism.

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