EFFECT OF DIABETES, INSULIN, AND GLUCOSE-LOAD ON LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN THE RAT

Lipid peroxidative activity in rats made diabetic with streptozocin an d rats made acutely hyperglycemic by intraperitoneal dextrose administ ration was determined by measurement of exhaled ethane during exposure in vivo to ethane-free air (EFA). Diabetic rats demonstrated increase d ethane in the expired breath while breathing EFA (5.82 +/- 0.56 pmol /min/100 g) compared with control rats (4.02 +/- 0.23 pmol/min/100 g). Insulin treatment of diabetic rats attenuated the ethane produced (4. 88 +/- 0.23 pmol/min/100 g). Acute hyperglycemia increased exhaled eth ane to levels higher than those seen in diabetic rats (9.87 +/- 0.98 p mol/min/100 g). Saline injected intraperitoneally to control rats prod uced ethane levels similar to those of untreated nondiabetic controls (4.11 +/- 0.52 pmol/min/100 g). Chronic uncontrolled hyperglycemia and acute hyperglycemia are associated with increased in vivo ethane prod uction. Copyright (C) 1994 by W.B. Saunders Company