Lipid peroxidation in lung of rats exposed to hyperoxic, hypoxic and ischemic effects

Rat experiments were undertaken to describe the range of the endogenous lipid peroxidation (measured by formation of malondialdehyde [MDA] in lung tissue) and to analyze the effects of hyperoxic, hypoxic and ischemic influences. The acute hyperoxia caused a moderate increase in lipid peroxidation. The MDA formation in lungs of rats was perceptibly higher in low oxygen environment, while the highest values were found in ischemic lungs. The cytotoxic metabolites cause unfavourable influences on the lung structure (perivascular, interstitial and alveolar edema, destroyed epithelial lining with disintegration of lamellar membranes of the type II-pneumocytes). The findings suggest that potential danger of the oxygen free radicals is an increased lipid peroxidation of lung tissue causing alveolocapillary destruction and extensive exudation with pathologic dwindling of lung function.