Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/linoleic acid mixed unilamellar vesicles as model membranes for studies on novel free-radical scavengers

Large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) are generally accepted to be a suitable model for peroxidation studies. In the present report, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/linoleic acid-mixed LUVs were employed as model membranes to verify the inhibitory effect of tocopherol (an efficient representative antioxidant) against 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)-hydrochloride-induced peroxidation (evaluated by monitoring conjugated diene accumulation). In this model, the appropriate experimental conditions (particularly, liposome composition and peroxidation temperature) were selected following characterization of bilayer physical state, and not only by evaluation of peroxidation rate. Thus, the experiments described provide a routine screening procedure that would be appropriate for assessing the activity profile of novel free-radical scavengers. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.