Lipid peroxidation of the erythrocyte membrane caused by stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of ferritin.

Lipid peroxidation of erythrocyte membrane was caused by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the presence of ferritin. PMN themselves were not peroxidized. A lag period was observed before the start of the peroxidation reaction. In contrast, ferritin iron was continuously released by PMA-stimulated PMN, suggesting that accumulation of free iron in the reaction system was important for proceeding of the peroxidation reaction. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, hydroxyl radical scavengers and an iron chelator, diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid, inhibited the lipid peroxidation, indicating that the lipid peroxidation is initiated by a hydroxyl radical generated from the interaction of H2O2 with ferrous iron released from ferritin.