Influence of Ca2+ on microsomal lipid peroxidation.

Lipid peroxidation in microsomes prepared from liver of mice was initiated by NADPH, ascorbic acid and ferrous ions. The presence of Ca2+ modulated the lipid peroxidation in all these three systems. The mode and magnitude depend on the system and concentration of cofactors used for initiation of lipid peroxidation. In ascorbate system, Ca2+ enhanced the lipid peroxidation up to 30 microM concentration of ascorbic acid and beyond 30 microM concentration it inhibited. Ca2+ increased NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation at all concentrations. Depending on concentration of Fe2+, lipid peroxidation was either decreased or increased in presence of Ca2+. It suggested that the in vitro findings may be cautiously extrapolated to the animal systems. In absence of cofactors, Ca2+ enhanced lipid peroxidation. EGTA inhibited Ca2+-enhanced lipid peroxidation. However in presence of ionophore A23187, Ca2+ potentiated lipid peroxidation. Since Ca2+ has a closed-shell electronic state and lacks electronic transitions, it may not participate directly in lipid peroxidation process. The effect of Ca2+ on lipid peroxidation may be through some biochemical processes or its interactions with membranes leading to various changes in their characteristics.