Peroxidation Kinetics involving the Complexes of Cytochrome c and Cardiolipin in the Presence of Lipid Antioxidants

Abstract

This paper represents a theoretical description of the kinetics, taking into account the mechanism of antiradical activity of the antioxidant. Based on the analysis of this problem, a kinetic model is formulated that includes two pathways in which the reactions characteristic of the lipid peroxidation process take place. The enzymatic pathway includes reactions involving the complex of cytochrome c and cardiolipin, and the non-enzymatic pathway is reactions involving the free lipid radicals. A system of differential equations describing the kinetics of the lipid peroxidation process is constructed both with and without the inhibiting effect of the antioxidant. Relying on the existing theoretical and experimental data, the considered kinetic model of the lipid peroxidation process can be used to study and compare the antiradical activity of various antioxidants, in particular vitamin E (α-tocopherol) and some of its homologues with the shortened side chains.