Oxidative degradation of polyunsaturated lipid membranes: Structural changes, mechanistic insights and flavonoid protection

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Authors

SADZAK Anja ERAKOVIC Mihael KRIECHBAUM Manfred MRAVLJAK Janez PŘIBYL Jan MALTAR-STRMECKI Nadica SEGOTA Suzana

Year of publication 2026
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
MU Faculty or unit

Central European Institute of Technology

Citation
web https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021979726000718?DGCID=STMJ_220042_AUTH_SERV_PPUB&lid=jua9g5tkojjo&utm_campaign=STMJ_220042_AUTH_SERV_PPUB&utm_content=07bab9e4-c31e-408b-afa5-1c9ca0f269ca&utm_medium=email&utm_source=braze&utm_term=07ba
Doi https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2026.139894
Keywords Antioxidant; Flavonoids; Lipid peroxidation; Polyunsaturated fatty acid
Description Lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) within biological membranes represents a critical pathway in oxidative degradation, affecting membrane integrity and promoting radical-mediated damage. Despite extensive research on lipid peroxidation, the mechanistic pathways and antioxidant protection of PUFAs remain poorly characterized. In this study, we investigate peroxidation in liposomal bilayers composed of docosahexaenoic acid, one of the essential PUFAs in human brain cellular membranes using controlled in vitro conditions to simulate oxidative stress. By initiating oxidative stress under controlled conditions, the distinct reactivity profiles and propagation kinetics of PUFA peroxidation were elucidated. Simultaneously, membrane structural changes were monitored by atomic force microscopy (AFM), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The protective effects of selected flavonoids were investigated both in terms of their ability to inhibit product formation and their influence on the membrane integrity. Our findings uncover previously unreported antioxidant behavior in PUFA-rich lipid bilayers and establish a multifaceted framework for understanding lipid peroxidation and its mitigation, offering new insights for the rational design of lipid-targeted antioxidants.
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