Evidence for lipid peroxidation by paraquat in the perfused rat lung.

In order to evaluate the effect of paraquat on oxidative radical reactions in the lung, we studied MDA production and chemiluminescence (spontaneous and tBuOOH-induced) in the isolated rat lung. After 2 hr of perfusion with 3.0 mM paraquat, MDA content in lung homogenates was 16 +/- 7 nmol/gm dry weight higher than in control lungs (mean +/- S.E., n = 7, p less than 0.05 by paired test); during 30 min of perfusion, malondialdehyde efflux was 33 +/- 15 nmol/gm dry weight higher than in control perfusates (n = 6, p less than 0.05). Spontaneous chemiluminescence was not augmented by 2 hr of perfusion with concentrations of paraquat ranging from 0.75 to 6.0 mM. On the other hand, tBuOOH-induced chemiluminescence was 17% +/- 3 higher immediately after the addition of hydroperoxide and reached a 16% +/- 6 higher plateau for the paraquat-perfused lungs than for control lungs (n = 10, p less than 0.05). Spectral analysis of the light emitted during induced chemiluminescence demonstrated peak intensity between 630 and 730 nm for both control and paraquat-treated lungs. Increased MDA production and increased induced chemiluminescence indicate that perfusion with paraquat enhances lipid peroxidation in the isolated rat lung.