Protection by quercetin and quercetin 3-O-β-glueuronide of peroxynitrite-induced antioxidant consumption in human plasma low-density lipoprotein

Effect of quercetin and its conjugated metabolite quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronide (Q3GA), on peroxynitrite-induced consumption of lipophilic antioxidants in human plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was measured to estimate the role of dietary flavonoids in the defense system against oxidative modification of LDL based on the reaction of nitric oxide and superoxide anion. Synthesized peroxynitrite-induced consumption of endogenous lycopene beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol was effectively suppressed by adding quercetin aglycone into LDL solution. Q3GA also inhibited the consumption of these antioxidants effectively. These results indicate that dietary quercetin is capable of inhibiting peroxynitrite-induced oxidative modification of LDL in association with lipophilic antioxidants present within this lipoprotein particle.