Quantitative evaluation of ethane and n-pentane as indicators of lipid peroxidation in vivo.

The use of exhalation of ethane and n-pentane in experimental animals as parameters of lipid peroxidation led to an examination of pharmacokinetics of both compounds in rats. When rats were exposed, in a closed desiccator jar chamber, to a wide range of ethane concentrations, linear elimination pharmacokinetics were observed. n-Pentane, when concentrations higher than 100 ppm were applied, displayed saturation kinetics. These were formally explained by action of two competing metabolizing pathways or enzymes. Application of preexisting models could describe exhalation of both ethane and n-pentane by untreated control rats. Stimulation of lipid peroxidation by ferrous ions or by carbon tetra…