Effect of L-dopa, oxyferriscorbone and ferrous iron on in vivo lipid peroxidation.

We report here on an in vivo model of lipid peroxidation, which consists in measuring the amount of ethane present in the exhaled air after the oral administration of linolenic acid to rats. This model was used to study the effect of L-dopa, oxyferriscorbone (OFS), a ferri-ferro-complex, and ferrous iron, this latter alone or associated with ascorbic acid, on lipid peroxidation. Intravenous or oral administration of L-dopa did not influence the amount of ethane produced by an oral dose of 1.25 ml/kg of linolenic acid. Intravenous injection of OFS (50 mg/kg) as well as the co-injection of FeSO4, 7H2O (15 mg/kg) and ascorbic acid (15 mg/kg) were found to decrease the amount of ethane produced by 1.25 ml/kg of linolenic acid given orally, whereas the same dose of ferrous sulfate alone was ineffective. The possible causes which might underlie the absence of effects of L-dopa and ferrous iron and the partial inhibition of lipid peroxidation by OFS and ferrous ions associated with ascorbic acid are discussed.