Figure 6. Dicarbonyl scavengers protect HDL functionality.

Under oxidative conditions, lipid peroxidation generates lipid dicarbonyls that react with HDL proteins to render HDL dysfunctional. Dicarbonyl scavengers can intercept these lipid dicarbonyls because the primary amines of these scavengers is even more reactive with dicarbonyls than the lysyl residues of proteins are reactive with the dicarbonyls. Thus, these scavengers protect HDL proteins from modification and thereby prevent HDL dysfunction. Shown are the atheroprotective functions of HDL that dicarbonyl scavengers can protect against dysfunction including EC (endothelial cell) activation and survival.