Effect of vitamin E derivative [U83836E] on membranes of rat liver cells after methanol intoxication

Methanol oxidation in vivo to formaldehyde and next to formate, which takes place mainly in the liver, is accompanied by free radicals generation. The goal of this paper is to desribe the effect of vitamin E derivative (U83836E) on rat liver cell membranes during methanol intoxication (3.0 g/kg body weight). This study has been concerned with measurement of lipid peroxidation and surface charge density of liver cells and activity of lysosomal enzyme - cathepsin B - in cytosol of liver cells and the blood serum. An ultrastructural study of liver cells has also been conducted. It has been proven that methanol administration causes an increase in lipid peroxidation products (by 33%) as well as in surface charge density (by 64%) of the liver cells. This might have resulted from the membrane liver cell damage visible in the electron microscope and in leak of cathepsin B into cytosol (increase in activity by 28%) as well as the leak of cathepsin B from cytosol into the blood (increase in serum activity by 27%). Administration of U83836E to rats intoxicated with methanol partially prevented the above changes. Obtained results suggest that U83836E acts as an effective antioxidant in methanol intoxication.