[Formation of active forms of oxygen by rat peritoneal macrophages under the effect of cytotoxic dust].

The velocity of superoxide radicals (O2) production by rat peritoneal macrophages, phagocyting the dust particles (quartz and crocidolite-asbestos was measured by using the method of cytochrome c reduction. Generation of hydroxyl radicals (HO) by cells and intensity of lipid peroxidation in the membranes of phagocytes were also investigated. It was found, that under the action of quartz the cells form mainly O2, and under the action of crocidolite--O2 and HO(.). The differences observed were caused by catalytic properties of the surface of asbestos fiber, where the reaction of HO. formation from O2 takes place. The quartz particles increased the concentration of malondialdehyde in macrophages by 53% as compared with control; and lipid peroxidation intensity in the presence of crocidolite-asbestos fibers increased fourfold. The role of hydroxyl radicals in initiating of lipid peroxidation, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of asbestos is discussed.