Autoxidation of Phosphatidylethanolamine Induced by Copper (II) Ions in Aqueous Dispersions

Abstract

The kinetics of the aerobic oxidation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) induced by copper (II) ions was studied in Tween 20 micelles at 37°C. The kinetic order with respect to concentrations of PE hydroperoxides was 0.3, indicating the oxidation to be initiated by decomposition of the hydroperoxides catalyzed by copper (II) ions. The copper (II) ion-induced oxidation of PE+phosphatidylcholine (PC) in Tween 20 micelles was carried out, and the oxidation rate was noted to increase with the PE/PC mole ratio, possibly due to formation of a PE-copper (II) ion complex.