DETECTION OF 4-HYDROXYNONENAL (HNE) AS A PHYSIOLOGICAL COMPONENT IN HUMAN PLASMA

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE) is a major aldehydic product formed by peroxida tion of omega 6-unsaturated fatty acids and is regarded as a specific marker of lipid peroxidation. In this paper we demonstrate that there is a physiological steady-state concentration of HNE in human venous b lood plasma. For the quantitative determination of HNE a modified vers ion of an existing, but tedious and time-consuming HPLC method was dev eloped. The extraction of aldehydic hydrazones from plasma was perform ed using an Extrelut(R) column and the separation step by thin-layer c hromatography was replaced by column chromatography on silica gel. The concentration of HNE in human blood plasma was in the same range as t he concentration that was found to inhibit the proliferation of cells of the peripheral tissues, i.e., endothelial cells and fibroblasts in vitro. In an experiment with reduced peripheral blood flow a temporary significant increase of HNE was observed during reperfusion. It was c oncluded that lipid peroxidation occurs in peripheral tissues of human s following temporary congestion of venous blood flow.