Lipid peroxidation in human paraquat poisoning.

The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in tissues in paraquat poisoning was compared between humans and rats. Lung MDA increased in humans, but not in rats despite of development of histological change of the lung. On the other hand, liver MDA increased both in humans and in rats. These findings suggest that lipid peroxidation may not be primary mechanism of paraquat toxicity.