Autofluorescence of low-density lipoproteins modified as a result of autooxidation.

Autooxidation of low-density lipoproteins during incubation at 37 degrees C was accompanied by accumulation of LPO products, decrease in UV autofluorescence (FUV), and increase in autofluorescence in the visible band (FVIS). The degree of low-density lipoprotein modification was estimated by calculating the FVIS/FUV ratio. A positive correlation was revealed between this ratio and concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive LPO products (r=0.76, p<0.001). Autooxidation of low-density lipoproteins increased availability of tryptophanyls for fluorescence quenchers and inductive resonance energy transfer from tryptophanyls to adducts formed in the reaction of apoprotein and LPO products. These changes probably play a role in the decrease in FUV.