It was found that glucose in the range of concentrations 12.5-100 mM stimulated Cu(2+)-mediated free radical peroxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from human blood plasma. Considering the kinetic parameters of LDL peroxidation we proposed that intensification of this process may be caused by formation of free radical intermediates of glucose auto-oxidation. Addition of SOD to the medium inhibited LDL oxidation, indicating the formation of superoxide anion-radicals under autoxidation of glucose. Similarly, SOD inhibited free radical peroxidation of liposomes from egg lecithin in the presence of glucose that confirms the generation of superoxide radicals under co-oxidation of unsaturated lipids and glucose. Normalization of glucose level in the blood of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during therapy was accompanied by a significant decrease in LDL oxidation in vivo (the decrease in primary and secondary lipoperoxidation products). The formation of superoxide anion-radicals was observed during interaction of aminoacid L-lysine with a product of glucose oxidative metabolism-methylglyoxal, but not with a product of lipoperoxidation malonyldialdehyde. In accordance with the foregoing the administration of sugar-lowering drug metformin, which binds and utilizes methylglyoxal, caused a stronger inhibition of LDL peroxidation in the blood of patients with diabetes mellitus, probably due to decrease in methylglyoxal-dependent generation of superoxide anion-radicals. Based on the results we set out the hypothesis about autocatalytic mechanism of free radical reactions involving natural dicarbonyls and suppose the common molecular mechanism of vascular wall injury in atherosclerosis and diabetes.

In this study, we show that low density lipoproteins (LDL) from human blood plasma which was oxidized by animal C-15 lipoxygenase is taken up by cultivated human macrophages with the same effectiveness as with non-oxidized (native) LDL. At the same time malonyldialdehyde-modified LDL is captured by cultivated macrophages very actively. Based on differences in catabolism of LDL with various levels of primary and secondary products of free-radical oxidation, it was offered to discriminate between the oxidized LDL itself (lipohydroperoxide-rich LDL) and the LDL that was chemically modified by free-radical oxidation secondary products of aldehyde nature. In this respect, aldehyde-modified but not oxidized (lipohydroperoxide-containing) LDL is atherogenic.

It is likely that metformin antagonizes the aldehyde-induced inhibition of erythrocyte Cu,Zn-SOD in diabetic patients more effectively than sulfonylurea drugs.

MDA-modified LDL estimation has a diagnostic accuracy and may be used as an independent biochemical marker for atherosclerosis.

The EPR signal recorded in reaction medium containing L-lysine and methylglyoxal is supposed to come from the anion radical (semidione) of methylglyoxal and cation radical of methylglyoxal dialkylimine. These free-radical intermediates might be formed as a result of electron transfer from dialkylimine to methylglyoxal. The EPR signal was observed in a nitrogen atmosphere, whereas only trace amounts of free radicals were registered under aerobic conditions. It has been established that the decay of methylglyoxal anion radical on aeration of the medium is inhibited by superoxide dismutase. Using the methods of EPR spectroscopy and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence, it has been shown that nonenzymatic generation of free radicals including superoxide anion radical takes place during the interaction of L-lysine with methylglyoxal--an intermediate of carbonyl stress--at different (including physiological) pH values. In the course of analogous reaction of L-lysine with malondialdehyde (the secondary product of the free radical derived oxidation of lipids), the formation of organic free radicals or superoxide radical was not observed.