Induction of lipid peroxidation in tissues of thallous malonate-treated hamster.

Thallous malonate was administered orally to hamsters in a single dose of 10 mg Tl/kg or 50 mg Tl/kg body weight. After 1 day and 3 days the levels of lipid peroxidation and non-protein sulfhydryls (NPSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in tissues were measured. At a thallium dose of 10 mg/kg, increases in lipid peroxidation were already apparent in the kidney after 1 day. On the other hand, a marked increase in lipid peroxidation with decrease in NPSH content and GSH-Px activity in the kidney and liver were found 3 days after administration of the 50 mg Tl/kg dose, and renal and liver damage also developed. These results suggested that thallous malonate-induced tissue damage may be associated with the development of peroxidative processes caused by depression of GSH and inhibition of the GSH-Px activity-linked defensive system.