Effects of hydrostatic pressure on malondialdehyde (MDA) determination in brain from yellow freshwater eels

: Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in a tissue can be an indicator of lipoperoxidation and thus of membrane alteration. MDA concentrations have been measured in the brain of yellow freshwater eels (Anguilla anguilla) submitted to 1.51 or 101 ATA of hydrostatic pressure. Exposure to pressure was performed for 6 h at constant water temperature and in normoxic conditions. The results thus obtained show a significant increase (P < 0.05 or better) of MDA brain concentrations at 51 ATA (+ 124%) and 101 ATA (+ 290%). These results mean that hydrostatic pressure is able to activate lipoperoxidation and can alter membrane functions together with the decrease in membrane fluidity it induces. Such a membrane alteration can explain, at least in part, the excitation periods which are observed during and after animal compression.