Peroxidation of brain lipids following cyanide intoxication in mice.

Lipid peroxidation of brain lipids as determined by the conjugated diene method was observed in mice following administration of sublethal doses of potassium cyanide (KCN). Conjugated diene production was dose- and time-dependent; 10 mg/kg KCN produced detectable levels of conjugated dienes at 30 min post cyanide, whereas, 15 mg/kg produced marked levels of conjugated dienes over a 10-60-min period after KCN. Pretreatment of mice with either diltiazem (600 micrograms/kg, i.v.) or allopurinol (25 mg/kg, i.v.) blocked the generation of conjugated dienes. These results suggest lipid peroxidation of neuronal membranes play a role in cyanide intoxication and this action is related to altered regulation of neuronal calcium homeostasis and activation of xanthine oxidase.