Ferrous ion-stimulated alkane expiration in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride

Rats which were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with FeCl2 X 4H2O expired ethane which increased with increasing doses of iron. The same amount of ethane was expired by animals exposed to 20% or 100% oxygen. The mobilization by FeCl2 of stored ethane from the body was excluded. Propane expiration was also stimulated by FeCl2 treatment, whereas n-pentane expiration could not be detected. Rats which were treated i.p. with 500 mg CCl4/kg expired ethane, propane, and n-pentane, the amounts being higher in the presence of 20% than in the presence of 100% oxygen. The treatment of rats with FeCl2 30 min after giving CCl4 resulted in a 2-5-fold increase in ethane, propane and n-pentane expiration, the total amounts depending on the oxygen concentration in the respired air (higher under 20% and lower under 100% oxygen). This increase was due to a minor extent to FeCl2-initiated alkane formation. Therefore, we suggest that in vivo Fe2+, besides its ability to initiate lipid peroxidation, influences the CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation process. The possible relevance for CCl4 toxicity is discussed.