ABSENCE OF IN-VIVO LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN CDCL2-TREATED RATS AS MEASURED BY EXHALED PENTANE

We have used a new sensitive and non-invasive method, measuring exhale d pentane production, to evaluate in vivo lipid peroxidation (LP) in r ats treated i.p. with CdCl2. Pentane, a by-product of LP, was measured 2, 6, 12, 24, 72 h and 8, 15, 22 days after treatment. No increase in pentane production was detected at these time periods for cadmium (Cd ) doses reported to increase malondialdehyde (MDA) in major organs suc h as liver and lungs. This suggests that Cd cannot induce LP in vivo, but a prooxidant state which fragilized the tissues. Cd could also cau se changes either in the production or in the metabolism of LP by-prod ucts (e.g. pentane).