Lipid peroxidation and oxidation of lignoceric acid in kidneys from thioridazine treated rats.

We have investigated lipid peroxidation and oxidation of lignoceric acid in response to oral thioridazine administration, to better understand the effects of phenothiazines, which are one of the more commonly used therapeutic agents. Measurements at different time intervals showed that levels of lipid peroxides in rat kidney were markedly decreased after thioridazine feeding, however, the oxidation of lignoceric acid was found to be elevated immediately after the start of thioridazine treatment. These biochemical changes were noted to be associated with mitochondrial proliferation and lipid accumulation in renal epithelial cells. The observed renal biochemical and morphological changes following thioridazine feeding return to the normal levels after two weeks of withdrawal of the drug. This study suggests that phenothiazines could be beneficial in reducing cellular injury by reducing the levels of lipid peroxides during pathological conditions like ischemia.