ETHANOL-INDUCED CELL-DEATH BY LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN PC12 CELLS

Free radical generation is hypothesized to be the cause of alcohol-ind uced tissue injury. Using fluorescent cis-parinaric acid and TEARS, li pid peroxidation was shown to be increased in the presence of trace am ounts of free ferrous ion in PC12 cells. This increase in lipid peroxi dation was enhanced by ethanol in a dose dependent manner and also cor related with loss of cell viability, as measured by increased release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Resveratrol, a potent antioxidant, had a protective effect against lipid peroxidation and cell death. These findings strongly suggest that ethanol-induced tissue injury end cell death is a free radical mediated process, and may be important in alco hol-related premature aging and other degenerative diseases.