Title: The influence of copper ions on antioxidant activity: preliminary study

Authors: Luigi Campanella, Maria Costanza, Marcelo Enrique Conti

Addresses: Dipartimento di Chimica, Universita di Roma 'La Sapienza', Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Chimica, Universita di Roma 'La Sapienza', Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy. ' SPES – Development Studies Research Centre Universita di Roma 'La Sapienza', Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161, Rome, Italy

Abstract: The influence of copper on the antioxidant activity of endogenous and exogenous radical scavenging systems has been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The results indicate that though this metal may increase antioxidant activity, this is sometimes combined with pro-oxidant activity, especially in the case of exogenous antioxidants, so that the final effect may not be as positive as expected, with the risk of toxic secondary effects.

Keywords: exogenous antioxidants; copper ions; cyclic voltammetry; radicals; toxic effects; secondary effects.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2007.014638

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2007 Vol.1 No.2, pp.328 - 340

Published online: 21 Jul 2007 *

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