Peroxidative status of isolated hepatocytes from adjuvant arthritic rats

Bleb-like protrusions frequently appear in the plasma membrane of the hepatocytes freshly isolated from adjuvant arthritic rats by the collagenase-perfusion method. These hepatocytes show reduced overall synthesis of phospholipids and triglycerides, decreased percentages of arachidonic acid present in the plasma membrane, microsomal membrane and bile canalicular membrane, decreased levels of soluble thiol compounds, and increased lipid peroxidation. The content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in liver tissue homogenate and the level of lipid peroxides in blood are significantly higher in adjuvant arthritic rats than in normal controls. These observations suggest that inflammation might cause enhanced membrane fragility and altered membrane-bound enzyme function in rat hepatocytes, probably due to an increasing tendency to lipid peroxidation.