Biochemical Importance of Lipid Peroxides

The review deals with the peroxides of unsaturated lipids; the process involving their formation is described and the catalytic action of lipoxidase and haematin compounds is illustrated. The modifying effects of various metals and their chelate complexes are discussed. The mechanism of their decomposition with formation of carbonyl, hydroxy-, epoxy-, and polymeric compounds is described.
The effect of these peroxides on haematin compounds protein thiols, enzymes, and vitamins of various types has been investigated. Various pathological changes induced by the introduction of polyunsaturated lipids and the toxicity of various oils and fats in food after heating in air have been examined. A study has been made of the damage caused by the formation of unsaturated lipid peroxides in various parts of the living cell, such as mitochondria, microsomes, lysosomes, and nuclei and of the toxicity of various types of lipid peroxides injected into living organisms. The appearance of lipid peroxides during photosynthesis and their involvement in the formation of cutin are described.
The bibliography includes 359 references.