Lipid peroxidation in malignant tumors of human kidneys

The intensity of ascorbate-dependent free radical oxidation of endogenous lipids in malignant tumor tissue of human kidneys was studied. The LPO induction period was markedly increased in renal-cell carcinoma and malignant mesenchymal tumors compared to normal renal cortex. The content of alpha-tocopherol in cancer tissue lipids was considerably (7-fold) increased compared to that in normal renal cortex, which explains high antioxidant activity of these carcinomas. A less pronounced increase in the content of alpha -tocopherol in lipids of malignant mesenchymal tumors compared to the cortex (2-fold) can also contribute to their LPO resistance.