Alteration of hepatic lipidperoxide levels during cataract formation caused by glucocorticoids in developing chick embryos.

The level of hepatic lipidperoxides in chick embryos was determined during cataract formation resulting from glucocorticoid treatment. When 15 day old chick embryos were administered 0.25 mumol of hydrocortisone acetate their hepatic lipidperoxide level, determined by thio-barbituric acid, increased after a lag time of 20 hr and reached approximately 8-fold of control at 48 hr after the treatment. These studies indicate that the peroxidation of lipid in tissues should be considered in elucidating mechanisms of action or adverse effects of glucocorticoids.