Histological detection of lipid peroxidation following infusion of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and ADP-iron complex in perfused rat livers.

Lipid peroxidation was assessed histologically and biochemically in hemoglobin-free perfused rat livers using two different types of stimulators. The Schiff reaction of fuchsin with cellular aldehydes was used as a histological index for lipid peroxidation. t-Butyl hydroperoxide (BHP, 0.8 mM) infusion caused a rapid and sustained release of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) into the effluent perfusate for up to 60 min, which was accompanied by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage after 30 min. The Schiff positive foci were initially restricted to periportal zones and spread with time to whole areas, accompanied by periportal necrosis. Coinfusion of diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine suppressed the TBARS release, with negative fuchsin staining, but the LDH leakage was unaffected. Under retrograde perfusion, BHP produced pericentral staining and necrosis. With 2.5 mM ADP-100 microM Fe3+, little TBARS was released up to 60 min, even though the hepatic TBARS levels increased considerably by this time. By 90 min, marked TBARS release occurred, but LDH leakage remained low. Irrespective of the direction of perfusion, pericentral hepatocytes became Schiff positive after 30 min. The fuchsin staining method may be useful for detecting peroxidized zones of the liver lobules.