EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF HYDRALAZINE ON LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND ATHEROGENESIS

We studied the possible effects of hydralazine on lipid peroxidation a nd atherogenesis in sixteen male rabbits given a 2% cholesterol diet. Of these, eight were given intramuscular injections of hydralazine 1.2 5 mg kg(-1) body weight twice daily for 10 weeks while the remaining e ight served as controls. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene wer e significantly higher in the hydralazine group compared to the contro l group (P<0.05). The Sudan IV positive intimal lesion, aortic tissue cholesterol, diene and MDA content were also significantly higher in t he hydralazine group (P<0.05). The increase in lipid peroxidation and atherogenesis suggest hydralazine as a possible oxidant.