trans,trans-2,4-Decadienal: cytotoxicity and effect on glutathione level in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells

The effects of trans,trans-2,4-decadienal (DDE), an isomer of a lipid peroxidation product were investigated on the human erythroleukemia cell line (HEL TIB 180). DDE strongly inhibits cell growth and affects cell viability without any differentiating effects. DDE treatment of HEL cells leads to a marked variation of the cellular glutathione level (GSH) and is involved in the beginning of DNA fragmentation.