Peroxidation of liver lipids in the pathogenesis of the ethanol-induced fatty liver.

Administration of an acutely intoxicating dose of ethanol produced significant increases in the concentration of liver triglyceride and enhanced the peroxidation of liver lipids in rats. Adipose triglyceride and lipid peroxide concentrations were unaltered. Coenzyme Q(4), an effective antioxidant, significantly inhibited accumulation of liver triglyceride following ethanol intoxication and prevented the peroxidation of liver lipids. These results, which demonstrate the selective ability of ethanol to induce peroxidation of liver lipids, together with the effectiveness of antioxidants, support the previously proposed hypothesis that peroxidation of liver lipids following ethanol intoxication is a factor in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced liver injury.