Action of nitric oxide as an antioxidant against oxidation of soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomal membranes.

To elucidate the protective role of nitric oxide (NO) against lipid peroxidation, the effect of NO donor on the formation of lipid hydroperoxide and consumption of alpha-tocopherol in the oxidation of soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomal membranes was studied. The oxidation was induced by either aqueous or lipophilic peroxyl radicals generated by the hydrophilic or lipophilic azo compound, respectively. It was found that NO acted as a potent antioxidant by scavenging peroxyl radicals rapidly. It was also found that NO was capable of penetrating multilamellar membranes to scavenge lipid peroxyl radicals and spare alpha-tocopherol.