(6) Malondialdehyde (MDA)
In free radical-mediated hepatic damage, free radicals attack polyunsaturated fatty acids, resulting
in the formation of lipid radicals. The lipid radicals readily react with molecular oxygen to produce peroxy radicals thus initiating lipid peroxidation. This is considered as the major factor involved in the breakdown and turnover of biomembranes. An e l eva t ed l eve l of l ipid pe roxida t ion i s observed in CCl4 intoxication. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation implies hepato-protection. The chief secondary product of the lipid peroxidation reaction is malondialdehyde (MDA). This reacts with thiobarbituric acid to form a chromogenic adduct with two molecules of TBA, which is pink in color and can be measured at 532 nm [36, 37].