Lipid-derived peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals in polyunsaturated phospholipids (LOO•/LO•)

Lipid-derived peroxyl (LOO•) and alkoxyl (LO•) radicals are highly reactive chemical intermediates generated during the autoxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) within cellular phospholipids (Conrad & Pratt, 2019). These radicals are the primary drivers of the lipid peroxidation chain reaction, where a single initiation event can lead to the destruction of numerous lipid molecules, compromising membrane integrity and function (Yin et al., 2011). In recent years, these radicals have been identified as the executioners of ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent regulated cell death linked to various pathologies (Stockwell et al., 2017). Therapeutic strategies focus on radical-trapping antioxidants (RTAs) like Ferrostatin-1 or Vitamin E, which neutralize these radicals to halt the propagation of oxidative damage (Zilka et al., 2017). Targeting these species is particularly relevant in treating neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and certain types of cancer where ferroptosis plays a critical role (Dixon et al., 2012). Understanding the kinetics and localization of these radicals is crucial for developing targeted therapies that can mitigate oxidative stress without disrupting essential redox signaling (Conrad & Pratt, 2019).

Other names

Lipid peroxyl radicalsLipid alkoxyl radicalsPhospholipid peroxyl radicalsPUFA-derived radicalsLipid hydroperoxide-derived radicals

Radical-trapping antioxidant (RTA) activity and chain-breaking inhibition of lipid peroxidation