Lead-catalyzed peroxidation of essential unsaturated fatty acid.

In the present study, the reaction mixtures (lead compounds with essential unsaturated fatty acids) were preincubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h prior to the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) by HPLC. The metal-catalyzed reactions were also compared in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a free radical scavenger. Our results showed that according to the difference in the number of double bonds of essential unsaturated fatty acids, the kinds of lead compounds, and the concentrations of lead compounds, the extent of lipid peroxidation was different. The addition of BHT to the reaction mixtures significantly reduced the production of MDA (P < 0.01). These in vitro studies support prior in vivo reports that the important mechanism of the acute toxic effects of the lead compounds is owing at least in part, to metal-catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids.