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Lipid peroxidation: a possible mechanism of trichloroethylene-induced nephrotoxicity

C Cojocel1, W Beuter, W Müller

  • 1Hoechest AG, Frankfurt/Main, F.R.G.

Toxicology
|April 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Trichloroethylene (TCE) causes kidney damage by increasing lipid peroxidation under low oxygen conditions. This study shows that reduced glutathione depletion exacerbates TCE-induced nephrotoxicity, highlighting the role of oxidative stress in hypoxic environments.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Environmental Health
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a common environmental pollutant.
  • TCE exposure can lead to kidney damage (nephrotoxicity).
  • The role of oxidative stress, specifically lipid peroxidation, in TCE-induced nephrotoxicity is not fully understood, especially under varying oxygen concentrations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of lipid peroxidation in trichloroethylene (TCE)-induced nephrotoxicity in mice.
  • To examine the influence of different oxygen concentrations on TCE-induced kidney damage.
  • To assess the relationship between glutathione levels and TCE-induced oxidative stress.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were administered varying doses of TCE (125-1000 mg/kg).
  • Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in kidney and liver tissue.
  • Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring ethane exhalation and malondialdehyde (MDA) generation.
  • Kidney function was evaluated by measuring blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and p-aminohippurate (PAH) accumulation.
  • Mice were exposed to different oxygen concentrations (10%, 15%, 20%, 100%).
  • Some mice were pretreated with L-buthionine-S-R-sulfoximine (BSO) to deplete GSH.

Main Results:

  • TCE significantly depleted kidney GSH levels but not liver GSH.
  • Lipid peroxidation (ethane exhalation and MDA) and kidney damage (increased BUN, decreased PAH accumulation) were observed in a dose-dependent manner under hypoxic (10% oxygen) conditions.
  • BSO pretreatment enhanced TCE-induced lipid peroxidation.
  • MDA levels in the kidney cortex and ethane exhalation increased with BSO pretreatment.
  • TCE-induced nephrotoxicity was more pronounced under hypoxic conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Lipid peroxidation plays a significant role in trichloroethylene (TCE)-induced nephrotoxicity, particularly under hypoxic conditions.
  • Reduced glutathione depletion exacerbates TCE-induced oxidative stress and kidney damage.
  • These findings suggest that oxidative stress mechanisms are critical in the development of TCE nephrotoxicity in low-oxygen environments.

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