The effects of La(III) on the peroxidation of membrane lipids in wheat seedling leaves under osmotic stress.

The physiological effects of the rare earth ion La3+ on the peroxidation of membrane lipids in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling leaves under osmotic stress were determined. With the passage of time under osmotic stress, the inhibition ability of lanthanum ions to the relative membrane permeability and concentration of malondialdehyde, superoxide radicals, and hydrogen peroxide caused by osmotic stress increased substantially, but no changes were noted in ferrous and relative water content. It indicated that lanthanum ions could not retain the water content because of osmotic stress. However, La3+ appears to decrease the production of *OH by reducing the content of O2*- and H2O2 of Haber-Weiss and Fenton reactions, which efficiently alleviated peroxidation of membrane lipids under osmotic stress and, to some degree, protected the membrane from injury of free radicals. Thus, La3+ increased the tolerance ability of plant to osmotic stress, which could assure the function of membrane normal temporally after stressed.