Halogenated hydrocarbon and hydroperoxide-induced peroxidation in rat tissue slices

Tissue slices were used to compare relative peroxidation capacity of bromotrichloromethane (BrCCl₃) and t-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) by measurement of both peroxidation products and biochemical indices of damage. In liver and testes slices, BHP increased thiobarbituric acid reactive-substances (TBARS) and total aldehydes, measured as cyclohexanedione-reactive substances (CHDRS), to a greater extent than did an equimolar amount of BrCCl₃. GSH was decreased more by BHP than by BrCCl₃. Neither compound released lactate dehydrogenase or glutamic-pyruvicf transaminase from liver slices. Treatment of rats with cynamide, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, increased the total CHDRS in liver slices and medium after incubation with BHP or BrCCl₃. HPLC of the CHDRS showed hexanal and propanal increased to the greatest extent. The hydroperoxide, BHP, which does not require metabolism to an active species, was a better initiator of peroxidation than the halogenated hydrocarbon, BrCCl₃, which must be metabolized to a radical species before it can initiate peroxidation.