[Lipid peroxidation in children with Duchenne's hereditary myopathy]

Eighteen patients aged 4 to 13 years with Duchenne's progressive muscular dystrophy were examined for the content of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products (lowest volatile hydrocarbons) in the exhaled air. The level of LPO products was found to exceed normal 4-fold as compared to the control group including healthy children of the same age. The maximal increase was detected at the early stages of the disease with a rapid progressive degeneration. The role of LPO in the pathogenesis of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and possible applications of free radical oxidation inhibitors as new effective medicinal tools are discussed.