Changes in Lung Proteins Based on Oxygen Toxity and Vitamin E Deficiency

Abstract

Quantitative and qualitative changes in lung proteins after exposure to 100% oxygen for 40 hours were examined in the vitamin E deficient rats, as an indicator of severity of tissue damage. 1. A decrease in SH groups was observed in the lungs of oxygen exposure groups. It was more marked in the sediment fractions than in the supernatant fractions of the lung homogenates, especially in the vitamin E deficient group. 2. An increase in lung protein content was observed only in the supernatant fractions of lungs after exposure to oxygen. It was more marked in the vitamin E deficient group than in the supplemented group. 3. Hemoglobin content in the supernatant fractions of lungs paralleled with changes in protein content. 4. On the basis of eledtrophoretic analysis, changes in lung protein content resulted from increase in serum proteins and hemolysate proteins in the supernatant fractions, apart from lung tissue protein itself. 5. A decrease in DNA content was observed in the lung tissues after exposure to oxygen. It was more marked in the vitamin E deficient group than in the supplemented group.