Effects of Gramoxone-induced reactive oxygen radicals on eicosanoid synthesis of mouse lung

1. Studies were made to prove that a shift in the eicosanoid metabolism plays a role in the lung-damaging action of paraquat, the active ingredient of Gramoxone, in mice. 2. An attempt was made to inhibit the eicosanoid metabolism with acetylsalicylic acid (Aspisol). Among others, it was found that the metabolic effect impaired by paraquat is influenced in a favourable direction by Aspisol treatment, including the % of survival, the lipid peroxidation values and the superoxide dismutase activity in the lung. 3. At the same time, as a prostacyclin synthesis activator, paraquat participates in the efforts of the organism to eliminate the toxic material, but it later weakens the defence mechanisms by enhancing thromboxane A2 synthesis, and it initiates pulmonary fibrosis, which cannot then be averted with Aspisol.