INHERITED ENHANCEMENT OF HYDROXYL RADICAL GENERATION AND LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN THE S-STRAIN RATS RESULTS IN DNA REARRANGEMENTS, DEGENERATIVE DISEASES, AND PREMATURE AGING

Previously by selection and inbreeding of Wistar rats susceptible or r esistant to the cataractogenic effect of galactose the S and R rat str ains differing in the intensity of hexose transport into the animal ce lls were developed. High level of OH-radical generation and enhanced l ipid peroxidation are revealed in the liver and myocardium of the S ra ts in contrast to the R rats. Data are obtained supporting the view th at enhanced generation of OH-radicals within the S rat tissues is due to oxidation and autooxidation of the abundant amounts of monosacchari des intensely accumulating in the rat cells. In spite of continuous in breeding for more than 40 generations and a high rate of homozygosity, numerous DNA rearrangements are revealed in the S rat genomes. Fragili ty of the S rat cell membranes is detected. Cataracts and other lens l esions, emphysema, tumors, cardiomyopathy-like changes in the myocardi um, scoliosis, brain disfunctions are characteristic of the S rats, as well as low fertility and short life-span indica- tive of premature a ging. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.