Characterization of radical adducts formed during photochemical spin trapping in liposomes

There exists an urgent need to monitor radical reactions in biological membranes. With the exception of a few studies in model and natural membranes, most biological spin trapping reactions have been confined to homogeneous media. In the present work we have devised a methodology by which spin trapping reactions can be investigated in liposomes composed of a fully-saturated phospholipid, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine. Using photochemical spin trapping, we have detected and characterized the formation and partitioning of spin adducts in liposomes. Benzophenone (a lipid-soluble photosensitizer) and benzoyl peroxide (a lipid-soluble radical initiator) have been used to generate free radicals from hydrogen donors during photolysis in liposomes. Both water-soluble and lipid-soluble spin traps have been used to trap the radicals.