ADRIAMYCIN-INDUCED LIPID-PEROXIDATION OF ERYTHROCYTE-MEMBRANES IN THEPRESENCE OF FERRITIN AND THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF CERULOPLASMIN

When erythrocyte membranes were incubated with adriamycin (ADM) in the presence of ferritin, lipid peroxidation occurred with release of iro n from the ferritin. In the presence of apoferritin, ADM did not cause lipid peroxidation. Deferoxamine inhibited the ADM-induced lipid pero xidation in the presence of ferritin. These results indicate that lipi d peroxidation depends upon the release of iron from ferritin. Even wh en the iron content in ferritin was very low, ADM could induce lipid p eroxidation. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and hydroxyl radical scave ngers did not substantially affect lipid peroxidation, indicating that the peroxidation reaction was independent of superoxide, H2O2 and hyd roxyl radicals. Ceruloplasmin, a ferroxidase, markedly inhibited lipid peroxidation but did not affect the release of iron from ferritin. AD M-Fe3+-binding erythrocyte membranes were readily formed during the in cubation of erythrocyte membranes with ADM in the presence of ferritin , and deferoxamine removed iron from the ADM-Fe3+-binding membranes, i ndicating that the iron moiety of the ADM-Fe3+ complex is exposed at t he membrane surface. These results may suggest that the peroxidation r eaction occurs in a site-specific manner.