Interaction of Glyoxal and Methylglyoxal with Biogenic Amines

Glyoxal and methylglyoxal interact with biogenic amines and form biologically active free radicals. Electron spin resonance absorption of the radical at room temperature is characterized by a signal at g equals 2.004 with peak-to-peak width of 29 G. An optical absorption at 400 nm with molar absorptivity of 23,000 accompanies the formation of the radical. The dry powdered preparation of the same reaction, which is considered to be the seconardy product, gives an electron spin resonance signal much narrower and 1/200 in intensity compared with the one in solution. Similarly the 400 nm absorption intensity is 1/8 that of the primary product. Possible biological significance of the primary and the secondary product, in relation to muscular dystrophy and photophosphorylation, is discussed.