Ethane evolution: a new index of lipid peroxidation.

Homogenates of mouse liver and brain at 37 degrees C spontaneously formed lipid peroxides and simultaneously evolved ethane. alpha-Tocopherol, a lipid antioxidant, blocked ethane formation. When mice were injected with carbon tetrachloride (a liquid prooxidant for liver), the animals produced ethane. Ethane evolution in vivo was stimulated by prior administration of phenobarbital and it was diminished by prior injection of alpha-tocopherol. These data suggest that ethane production may be a useful index of lipid peroxidation in tissue homogenates and in intact animals.