LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND HOMOCYSTEINE INDUCED TOXICITY

Homocysteine induced toxicity has been examined in cultures of human u mbilical vein endothelial cells. The toxic effects of the amino acid a lone and the amino acid plus Cu2+ could be prevented by catalase and d ecreased by desferal, when either was present in the culture medium. W hen desferal was allowed to accumulate intracellularly, no significant protection from homocysteine induced toxicity was observed. Even thou gh lipid peroxidation accompanied the toxicity induced by homocysteine and homocysteine plus Cu2+, inhibition of lipid peroxidation in eithe r case had no effect on cell viability. The significance of these resu lts is discussed.