Biomimetic Thiyl Radical Chemistry by gamma-Irradiation of Micelles and Vesicles Containing Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Different types of lipid aggregations, such as micelles and liposomes, can be used as biomimetic models. The uses of -irradiation as a valid methodology for simulating the biological generation of thiyl radicals in these models are summarized and, in particular, thiyl radical catalyzed cistrans isomerization of unsaturated lipids is underlined. The efficiency of antioxidants against lipid isomerization assayed by biomimetic models and the importance of trans lipids as novel biomarkers of radical stress are also described.