Lipid peroxidation and lysosomal enzymes in D-galactosamine hepatitis and its protection by vitamin E

Role of lipid peroxidation on lysosomal instability in liver tissue was investiaged in an experimental model of D-galactosamine hepatitis in rats fed on vitamin E (V.E) deficient diet. Administration of D-galactisamine to V.E deficient rats resulted in a sudden increase of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT), lipid peroxide value, as well as beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase activity examined as markers of lysosomal enzymes, when compared with control rats fed on V.E supplemented diet. Lipid peroxide in the liver tissue also showed significant increase in V.E deficient rats. In contrast, beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase in the liver tissue were found to decrease in V.E deficient rats by the administration of D-galactosamine, indicating that the enzymes in the lysosome were entirely released outside the liver cells as a result of cell destruction. It is concluded that the increase of lipid peroxide causes the instability of lysosomal membranes and releases various kinds of hydrolytic enzymes to lead further to cell damage. V.E might act on inhibiting lipid peroxidation to stabilize lysosomal membranes.