Effect of vitamin E derivative (U83836E) on membranes of rat liver cells after methanol intoxication

Methanol oxidation in vivo to formaldehyde and next to formate, which takes place mainly in the liver, is accompanied by free radicals generation. The goal of this paper is to describe the effect of vitamin E derivative (U838 36E) on rat liver cell membranes during methanol intoxication (3.0 g/kg bod y weight). This study has been concerned with measurement of lipid peroxida tion and surface charge density of liver cells and activity of lysosomal en zyme - cathepsin B - in cytosol of liver cells and the blood serum. An ultr astructural study of liver cells has also been conducted. It has been prove n that methanol administration causes an increase in lipid peroxidation pro ducts (by 33%) as well as in surface charge density (by 64%) of the liver c ells. This might have resulted from the membrane liver cell damage visible in the electron microscope and in leak of cathepsin B into cytosol (increas e in activity by 28%) as well as the leak of cathepsin B from cytosol into the blood (increase in serum activity by 27%). Administration of U83836E to rats intoxicated with methanol partially prevented the above changes. Obta ined results suggest that U83836E acts as an effective antioxidant in metha nol intoxication.