Effects of exhaust pollutant sulfur dioxide on lipid metabolism of guinea pig organs.

Abstract

Guinea pigs were exposed to exhaust pollutant sulfur dioxide (10 ppm) one hour daily for 30 days and the effect was studied on the lipid profiles of the liver, heart, lung and kidney. The liver exhibited depletion of phospholipids, cholesterol and C/P ratio, but ganglioside contents diminished. Elevated levels of cholesterol, C/P ratio, total lipids and phospholipids were discernible in the heart, and interestingly ganglioside concentration decreased. On the other hand, the lung showed increased concentration of cholesterol, total lipids, C/P ratio, and gangliosides, however, phospholipid values decreased. Moreover, in the kidney, contents of all the lipid investigated were diminished. The rate of malonaldialde-hyde formation enhanced significantly in the lung and the heart. However, the liver and kidney exhibited decreased lipid peroxidation. Results revealed SO2-intoxication enhanced lipid peroxidation in the heart and the lung by modification of lipids, however, in the liver and the kidney endogeneous lipid peroxidation was diminished. Other lipid fractions exhibited correlative findings.