Effect of Polar Radiation Degradation Products of β-Carotene and Vitamin A on Rat Liver Lysosomes

Abstract

A polar radiation degradation product (RDP) isolated from β-carotene exposed to gamma rays (1 Mrad) exhibited labilizing action on rat liver lysosomes. This was observed to be concentration dependent as revealed by the proportionate increase in the free activities of acid ribonuclease and aryl sulphatase. When polar products obtained from irradiated vitamin A and β-carotene were compared with respect to their lysosome disrupting properties, it was found that the products of vitamin A accomplished the release of enzymes more readily than the compound derived from β-carotene. The observed differences in the extent of lysosome labilization, Rf value and absorption maximum suggested that the RDP derived from β-carotene is different from its vitamin A counterparts.