Antioxidant Properties of Aminoethylcysteine Ketimine Decarboxylated Dimer: A Review

Abstract

Aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer is a natural sulfur-containing compound detected in human plasma and urine, in mammalian brain and in many common edible vegetables. Over the past decade many studies have been undertaken to identify its metabolic role. Attention has been focused on its antioxidant properties and on its reactivity against oxygen and nitrogen reactive species. These properties have been studied in different model systems starting from plasma lipoproteins to specific cellular lines. All these studies report that aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer is able to interact both with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, peroxynitrite and its derivatives). Its antioxidant activity is similar to that of Vitamin E while higher than other hydrophilic antioxidants, such as trolox and N-acetylcysteine.

Comment on Absorption of Aminoethyl Cysteine Ketimine Decarboxylated Dimer in Mice: Effect on Plasma Antioxidant Potential

“…6 work has suggested that AECK-DD is generated from serine and cysteine by the action of cystathionine β-synthase. 7,8 Our findings of increased brain AECK-DD in rats treated with high doses of cysteamine is consistent with this hypothesis. 7 Moreover, mice deficient in transporters for cysteamine have less cerebral AECK-DD than control littermates.…”

“…However, there appears to be considerable species variability because, in the same study, AECK-DD was detectable in mouse brain at a content of ∼1 nmol/g wet weight (∼1.2 μmol/L) . Previous work has suggested that AECK-DD is generated from serine and cysteine by the action of cystathionine β-synthase. , Our findings of increased brain AECK-DD in rats treated with high doses of cysteamine is consistent with this hypothesis . Moreover, mice deficient in transporters for cysteamine have less cerebral AECK-DD than control littermates …”

Aggression is associated with aerobic glycolysis in the honey bee brain1

“…Furthermore, we detected evidence of oxidative stress in the aggressive brain, i.e. a significant increase in the marker nitrotyrosine (P < 0.01; t(34) = 3.56) and decreases in the antioxidants taurine and glutathione (Macone et al 2011) (P < 0.09; t(23.8) = −1.74; Fig. S2).…”

Stable isotope gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry determination of aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer in biological samples

“…AECK-DD has been reported to be an anti-oxidant at μM-concentrations and it has been suggested that this compound may be active in vivo [12–16]. Given this suggestion, and the considerable interest in the scientific and lay communities regarding natural anti-oxidants as possible therapeutic agents and as research tools, we were interested in developing a highly sensitive analytical approach for the measurement of AECK-DD.…”