Lipid peroxidation in hepatic microsomal membranes isolated from mice in health and in experimental leishmaniasis

Abstract

Normal hepatic microsomal membranes when exposed in vitro to different free radicals, cause membrane damage by lipid peroxidation which could be monitored by the analysis of malonaldehyde formation and measurement of membrane microviscosity. Lipid peroxidation in vivo, when examined in hepatic microsomal membranes in experimental Leishmaniasis, reveals a direct relationship between membrane microviscosity and the extent of lipid peroxidation. Scavengers of free radicals and peroxides such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) for O₂^-, mannitol for (OH.) and catalase for H₂O₂ in modest amounts were used for preventing the membrane damage caused by lipid peroxidation.