Neutral liposomes containing crown ether-lipids as potential DNA vectors.

Three crown ether derivatives, 1,2-O-dioleoyl-3-O-{2-[(12-crown-4)methoxy]ethyl}-sn-glycerol (12C4L), 1,2-O-dioleoyl-3-O-{2-[(15-crown-5)methoxy]ethyl}-sn-glycerol (15C5L) and 2,3-naphtho-15-crown-5 (NAP5), have been incorporated into 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatydilcholine (POPC) liposomes. The size of the crown ether and the lipophilic moiety of 12C4L, 15C5L and NAP5 influence the stability and the properties of the extruded POPC liposomes determined at 25°C in buffered aqueous solution at pH7.4.

Nitrones for understanding and ameliorating the oxidative stress associated with aging.

Oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the carbon-centred radicals arising from them is important to the process of aging, and age-related diseases are generally caused, exacerbated or mediated by oxidative stress. Nitrones can act as spin traps to detect, identify, quantify and locate the radicals responsible using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR or ESR) spectroscopy, and a new carnitine-derived nitrone, CarnDOD-7C, designed to accumulate in mitochondria is reported. Nitrones also have potential as therapeutic antioxidants, e.

Effect of acylethanolamides on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activity.

N-acylethanolamides (NAEs) are hydrophobic molecules synthesized in many tissues. An increase in the plasma levels of NAEs has been observed in human diseases. Previous studies have suggested that NAEs could exert a protective effect against oxidative stress.

Radical trapping properties of 3-aryl-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-4-oxides.

A series of 3-aryl-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-4-oxides was prepared, and their ability to trap free radicals was investigated by EPR spectroscopy. In organic solvents, these compounds were able to efficiently scavenge all carbon- and oxygen-centered radicals tested, giving very persistent aminoxyls, except with superoxide anion whose spin adducts were unstable. The main feature of these nitrones as spin traps lies in the possibility to recognize the initial radical trapped.