Effect of the aging process on the gender and phenobarbital dependent expression of glutathione S-transferase subunits in brown Norway rat liver

The effect of age, gender and phenobarbital treatment on the hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase subunit composition was studied in Brown Norway rats. Affinity chromatography followed by reversed phase HPLC was used in order to separate the various glutathione S-transferase subunits. Corresponding steady-state mRNA levels were measured by Northern Blot analysis using cDNA clones hybridizing to mRNA encoding glutathione S-transferase subunits 1/2, 3/4 and 7, respectively. In all the age groups studied (15, 25, 53, 99, 112 and 136 weeks) the total amount of glutathione S-transferase protein was in untreated rats significantly higher in males (132 micrograms/mg cytosolic protein) than in females (91 micrograms/mg cytosolic protein) and significant gender dependent differences in the subunit composition were demonstrated. Aging seemed to be of minor importance in untreated as well as in phenobarbital treated rats. Under control conditions, the subunit composition of male rats between 15 and 136 weeks old consisted of 28, 12, 11 and 49% of subunits 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively and of female animals of the same age groups of 38, 26, 7 and 30%, respectively. In all the age groups studied phenobarbital administration (45 mg/kg body weight, i.p., once a day for 7 days) doubled total glutathione S-transferase protein in both genders and affected the subunit composition in a significant way, emphasizing the already existing differences between genders. Subunits 1, 2 and 3, especially, were increased in male rats in comparison to females resulting in the observation that levels of glutathione S-transferase subunits studied became higher in males than in their female counterparts. The HPLC results were confirmed by steady-state mRNA analysis. In untreated rats, higher levels of mRNA encoding glutathione S-transferase subunits 1/2 and 3/4 were present in male than in female livers. Phenobarbital treatment increased mRNA levels in both genders. Subunit 7 was never detected. These effects were demonstrated in both young and old rats.     

Effects of model traumatic injury on hepatic drug metabolism in the rat. VI. Major detoxification/toxification pathways

A previously validated small mammal trauma model, hindlimb ischemia secondary to infrarenal aortic ligation in the rat, was utilized to investigate the effects of traumatic injury on two of the major hepatic enzymes of detoxification, glutathione S-transferase and epoxide hydrolase. Hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity toward a variety of substrates showed a 26-34% decrease at 24 hr after model injury. Hepatic microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity toward 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane was diminished by 53% after model trauma. Both enzymatic activities toward styrene oxide were similarly depressed. The toxicological sequelae of these derangements were illustrated by administering a dose of styrene oxide (300 mg/kg, ip) which was below the threshold dose (350 mg/kg, ip) necessary to produce hepatotoxicity in control animals. Model trauma dramatically enhanced the hepatotoxic effects of the subthreshold dose, as well as the covalent binding of labeled styrene oxide to liver proteins. These findings indicate that traumatic injury renders the animal more susceptible to agents which are detoxified by glutathione S-transferase and epoxide hydrolase. Conversely, model trauma provided almost complete protection from the hepatotoxic effects of a standard dose (200 mg/kg, ip) of bromobenzene. This protection appeared to derive from a post-traumatic alteration of cytochrome P-450 subpopulations that decreased the formation of the potentially toxic 3,4-epoxide metabolite, despite an increase in the cytochrome P-448-mediated generation of the nontoxic 2,3-epoxide. For bromobenzene, the change in cytochrome P-450-mediated activation appeared quantitatively more significant in overall toxicity than the post-traumatic depression of detoxification pathways described above, leading to decreased toxicity in vivo. For other compounds, the combination of post-traumatic influences on cytochrome P-450/P-448 activity and epoxide hydrolase/glutathione S-transferase activities could lead to markedly enhanced toxicity.     

双环醇对大鼠黄曲霉毒素B1代谢和肝毒性的影响

目的:研究抗肝炎新药双环醇对大鼠黄曲霉毒素B_1(AFB_1)代谢和肝毒性的影响.方法:大鼠灌胃双环醇300 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1),连服三日后腹腔注射黄曲霉毒素B_1 1.5 mg·kg~(-1).给黄曲霉毒素B_1 16小时后观察双环醇对黄曲霉毒素B_1引起肝损伤的防护作用以及对体外代谢的影响.结果:双环醇(300 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1),连服三日)可明显降低黄曲霉毒素B_1引起的大鼠血清转氨酶和肝脏MDA的升高,增加低毒代谢产物AFQ_1的生成.双环醇还可增加大鼠肝脏细胞色素P450总量和胞浆谷胱甘肽含量,诱导P450 CYP2B1介导的7-戊氧基香豆素脱烃酶和谷胱甘肽疏基转移酶的活性.此外,双环醇对P450 CYP3A介导的红霉素脱甲基酶和 P450 CYP1A介导的7-乙氧基香豆素脱烃酶也有诱导作用.结论:双环醇可通过增加大鼠肝脏对AFB_1代谢的解毒功能起到肝保护作用.     

Papaverine, an opium alkaloid influences hepatic and pulmonary glutathione S-transferase activity and glutathione content in rats.

The present study evaluates the effect of oral administration of papaverine at differential dosing regimens (100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw) on the hepatic and pulmonary glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and glutathione content (GSH) in male Wistar rats. Papaverine treatment caused a pronounced increase in GST activity and GSH content at the higher dosing level in the rat liver and lung. We conclude that papaverine, can possibly act as a chemopreventive agent against chemical carcinogenesis.     

Possible regulation mechanism of microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity in rat liver

After rats were injected with the reduced glutathione (GSH) depletor phorone (diisopropylidene acetone, 250 mg/kg, i.p.), there was a significant increase in microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity in the liver. The maximum activity was observed 24 hr after injection and was about 2-fold that of the control activity. Diethylmaleate (500 mg/kg, i.p.) had the same effect. Twenty-four hours after phorone injection (250 mg/kg, i.p.), the concentrations of GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the liver were increased about 2-fold. Under the same conditions, the level of mixed disulfides with microsomal proteins (GSS-protein) was also increased. Further, the activity of microsomal glutathione S-transferases was increased by the in vitro addition of disulfide compounds such as GSSG, cystine and homocystine, and the activity increased by GSSG was reduced to control levels by incubating with the corresponding sulfhydryl compounds such as GSH, cysteine and homocysteine respectively. Thus, microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity appears to be regulated by the formation and/or cleavage of a mixed disulfide bond between the sulfhydryl group present in the enzyme and GSSG. Therefore, the increase of microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity after phorone injection may be due to the formation of a mixed disulfide bond between the sulfhydryl group in the enzyme and GSSG.     

Effects of glycerol-induced acute renal failure on tissue glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in the rat

The activities of tissue glutathione (reduced and oxidized) and glutathione-dependent enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GSH S-transferase), glutathione reductase (GSSG reductase) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined for control and uremic rats. Acute renal failure (ARF) was produced by glycerol-water injection. Cytosolic and microsomal GSH S-transferase activity in the kidney was decreased by 38% and 15%, respectively. Hepatic microsomal GSH S-transferase was also decreased by 40% in uremic rats. GSH-Px activity was decreased by 51% in the cytosolic fraction and 33% in the microsomal fraction in the kidney, but was not affected in the liver and whole blood. GSSG reductase activity was also decreased by 48% in the cytosolic fraction in the kidney of uremic rats. In whole blood, however, GSSG reductase activity was increased by 12-fold (0.66 +/- 0.12 mumol NADPH oxidized/min/ml blood in the control; 8.03 +/- 3.29 mumol NADPH oxidized/min/ml blood in uremia). Although the total glutathione concentrations were not significantly affected, the GSSG/GSH ratio, which is an indication of oxidative stress, was significantly increased in the liver and whole blood of uremic rats. In addition to the decreases in hepatic and renal GSH S-transferase activities, which is important in drug disposition, ARF caused decreases in GSSG reductase and GSH-Px activity, which are essential for the protection against lipid peroxidation.     

Plasma glutathione S-transferase in carbon tetrachloride treated rats and its association to hepatic cytosolic isozymes

The effect of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment on plasma and liver cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities was investigated in rats. CCl4 was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg. The elevation of plasma GST activity paralleled the increase of plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity after the administration of CCl4. Liver cytosolic GST activities were significantly decreased by CCl4 treatment. To establish the relationship of plasma GST with liver cytosolic isozymes, Western blot analysis using antibodies against cytosolic GST 1-2 and 3-4 was performed. The Western blots showed the existence of GST 1-2 and 3-4 in plasma at 24 hr after CCl4 treatment. The data thus strongly suggest that cytosolic GSTs are lost from the liver to plasma as a consequence of liver damage. The Western blot analysis of plasma GST may be useful for monitoring liver damage.     

Changes in hepatic glutathione concentration modify cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity

Cd has a strong affinity for sulfhydryl groups and is hepatotoxic. Thus, to further understand the mechanism of Cd-induced liver injury, the effect of increased and decreased hepatic glutathione (GSH) concentration on Cd-induced liver injury was examined. Liver GSH was lowered by pretreating rats with phorone (250 mg/kg, ip) or diethyl maleate (0.85 mg/kg, ip) 2 hr prior to challenge with various doses of Cd. Ten hours after Cd (1) 40–80% of the rats pretreated with phorone or diethyl maleate and challenged with 1.0–2.0 mgCd/kg died whereas no mortality was observed in the control group; (2) plasma enzyme activities of alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) were markedly increased in phorone and diethyl maleate-pretreated rats challenged with Cd (0.7–2.0 mg/kg) versus control rats; and (3) moderate changes in liver histology were observed in corn oil pretreated and Cd challenged rats, while prior depletion of GSH potentiated histopathologic changes in liver produced by Cd alone. Another group of rats received cysteine (1.9 g/kg, po) 3 hr prior to injection of a lethal dose of Cd. Cysteine pretreatment increased liver GSH levels by 22% 3 hr after administration and attenuated Cd-induced liver injury as evidenced by marked decreases in plasma ALT, AST, and SDH activities. Pathological changes in liver were also reduced. These data indicate that liver reduced GSH concentration is important in modulating Cd-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Chloroform-induced alteration of glutathione S-transferase activity

The effect of chloroform treatment on the hepatic glutathione S-transferases was studied in phenobarbital-treated rats. The apparent isozymic composition of glutathione S-transferases in hepatic cytosol was changed after chloroform treatment. Glutathione S-transferases AA, A, B, C, and D + E were observed in hepatic cytosol from untreated rats; in contrast, the catalytic activity associated with basic glutathione S-transferases, such as AA, A, B, and C, decreased with time after chloroform treatment. Glutathione S-transferase B was not detectable 2 hr after chloroform treatment, and glutathione S-transferases AA and C were scarcely detectable after 5 hr. Twenty-four hours after chloroform treatment, glutathione S-transferases A and C were clearly detectable as was D + E and a small amount of B. Hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity was decreased by chloroform treatment, and reached a minimum at 5 hr after treatment. Corresponding to the decrease of hepatic cytosol glutathione S-transferase activity, serum glutathione S-transferase activity was elevated maximally 5 hr after chloroform treatment and returned to almost normal by 24 hr. Treatment of rats with SKF 525-A or cysteine inhibited the chloroform-induced elevation of serum glutathione S-transferase activity. The chromatographic properties of the glutathione S-transferases present in serum were similar to glutathione S-transferase D + E. Furthermore, after incubation of partially purified cytosolic glutathione S-transferases with chloroform in the presence of hepatic microsomes and NADPH, only transferase D + E was detected. The addition of bilirubin to partially purified cytosolic glutathione S-transferase decreased the basic character of glutathione S-transferases B and C. In conclusion, chloroform caused a release of hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases into serum. Both the active metabolite of chloroform, which was produced by the microsomal cytochrome P-450 system, and bilirubin, which was increased by chloroform treatment, played roles in altering the properties of the glutathione S-transferases.     

The detoxication of aflatoxin B1 with glutathione in the rat

1. The deactivation of aflatoxin B1 by glutathione (GSH) has been investigated in rat. Binding of metabolites of aflatoxin B1 to [3H]glutathione in vitro with rat liver microsomes is insignificant. Incubation with rat liver 10 000 g supernatant results in increased binding. Under identical conditions, benzo(a)pyrene metabolites are bound to [3H]glutathione much more than is aflatoxin B1. 2. Pre-treatment of rats with aflatoxin 1 (2 mg/kg) caused depletion in GSH of rat liver with a minimum at 6 h but returning to above normal at 24 h. GSH S-transferase activity was marginally increased at 6 h also and returned to normal at 24 h. 3. Kidney GSH was not significantly decreased, but kidney GSH S-transferase activity showed a sudden increase in 6 h, returning to almost normal at 24 h. 4. Pre-treatment with benzo(a)pyrene (2 mg/kg) caused greater depletion of hepatic GSH than occurred with aflatoxin B1 but did not show any effect on kidney GSH. 5. Hepatic and kidney GSH S-transferase in benzo(a)pyrene-treated rats showed greatest activity at 2 h followed by a gradual fall through 24 h. 6. GSH was therefore a less efficient nucleophile for aflatoxin B1 metabolites than for benzo(a)pyrene metabolites.     

Halothane: inhibition and activation of rat hepatic glutathione S-transferases

Multiple halothane anesthesias (1.25 MAC for 1 hr on 3 alternate days) of male Long-Evans rats initially decreased by up to 30% and subsequently increased to up to 185% liver cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 3,4-dichloro-1-nitrobenzene and trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one and glutathione peroxidase activity. Halothane rapidly and reversibly activated hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases and purified isoenzyme 1-2 but not isoenzymes 1-1 and 3-3. At high concentrations of halothane (ca. 22 mM), maximal activation was ca. 25%. Halothane, enflurane, isoflurane and methoxyflurane, but not the halothane metabolite 1-chloro-2,2-difluoroethylene, inhibited a mixture of liver cytosolic glutathione S-transferases with time (ca. 30% inhibition/15 min). The inhibition exhibited pseudo-first order kinetics (kobs = 0.13 min-1) and an I50 for halothane of greater than or equal to 15 mM. Halothane inhibited glutathione S-transferases 3-3, 3-4, and 4-4 by 50-60%, but did not affect isoenzymes 1-1 and 1-2. The ability of halothane to diminish hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity in vivo may in part reflect the time-dependent inhibition of glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes containing the 3- and 4-subunits.     

Isozyme selective arylation of cytosolic glutathione S-transferase by [14C]bromobenzene metabolites

[14C]Bromobenzene was incubated with NADPH-fortified liver homogenates from phenobarbital-treated rats, after which the glutathione S-transferases were isolated from the incubation mixture. Glutathione S-transferase activity, with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as the substrate, in the homogenate was unchanged after incubation with bromobenzene. Radioactivity derived from the [14C]bromobenzene remained associated with the cytosolic glutathione S-transferases after DE52 and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. Further purification of the cytosolic glutathione S-transferase by CM52 and hydroxylapatite chromatography showed that bromobenzene metabolites were bound to fractions containing glutathione S-transferase subunits 4, 5, and 1. The primary site of arylation appeared to be subunit 1, as indicated by autoradiography and hydroxylapatite chromatography. [14C]Bromobenzene metabolites were not bound to microsomal glutathione S-transferases. These data show that hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases, especially glutathione S-transferases 4-4/5-5, 3-4, and 1-1 may act as trapping or scavenger proteins for reactive metabolites and that this effect is not associated with a loss of catalytic activity.     

Ciprofloxacin-induced glutathione redox status alterations in rat tissues

The possible oxidative stress inducing effect of a fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotic, ciprofloxacin (CPFX), was investigated in rats measuring glutathione redox status. For this purpose, the drug was administered to rats as two different single doses (100 and 150 mg/kg, ip) or a repeated dose (500 mg/kg/d, ig, for 5d). Then, total and oxidized glutathione levels were determined in hepatic and cerebral tissues of the rats by an enzymatic cycling assay, and the glutathione redox status was calculated. The possible protective effects of vitamin E or allopurinol against CPFX-induced alterations on glutathione system have also been examined. Following both routes of administration of CPFX, the total glutathione content of the liver, but not of brain decreased significantly. The oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the brain increased after single or repeated dose treatments, but only with repeated doses of CPFX in the liver. CPFX induced dose-dependent alterations in the glutathione redox status in both tissues. With single doses the effect was more pronounced in cerebral tissue, and with repeated ig doses it was significant in both tissues. Pretreatment of rats with vitamin E or allopurinol before the administration of CPFX provided marked protection against glutathione redox status alterations in both tissues. Our results, thus, indicate that CPFX treatment introduces an oxidative stress in cerebral and hepatic tissues of rat.     

Impairment of sulfobromophthalein biliary excretion and inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activity induced by perhexiline maleate in rats

The effect of the antianginal agent perhexiline maleate (160 mg/kg i.g., daily for 4 days) on the biliary excretion of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) and BSP-glutathione and the hepatic activity of glutathione S-transferases was investigated in Wistar rats. Perhexiline maleate caused a significant reduction in the maximal biliary excretion of BSP (-28%). The decrease corresponded to a lowered excretion of the conjugated dye whereas the excretion of the parent compound did not change significantly. Administration of the drug caused no effect on the maximal biliary excretion of infused BSP-glutathione. Liver glutathione concentrations were similar in control and treated rats. Perhexiline maleate significantly reduced liver glutathione S-transferase activities toward BSP (-25%), 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene (DCNB) (-21%) and 1-chloro-3,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) (-27%). Kinetic studies of the enzyme in liver cytosol showed that perhexiline maleate induced an uncompetitive inhibition for the BSP substrate with a reduced Vmax and Km. The results indicate that the reduction in glutathione S-transferase activity plays an important role as a factor determining the impairment in the hepatobiliary transport of BSP caused by perhexiline maleate.     

Alteration of hepatic glutathione S-transferases and release into serum after treatment with bromobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, or N-nitrosodimethylamine

The effects of bromobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, and N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMN) on hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity were studied in untreated and in phenobarbital- or ethanol-treated rats. In phenobarbital-treated rats, the isozymic composition of the hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases was changed after giving hepatotoxic chemicals; glutathione S-transferases 2-2(AA), 3-3(A), 1-2(B), 3-4(C), and 4-4 + 5-5(D + E) were present in cytosol from control rats, but only glutathione S-transferases cochromatographing with transferases 4-4 + 5-5(D + E) were detected in rats given carbon tetrachloride or bromobenzene. A marked decrease in hepatic and an increase in serum glutathione S-transferase activity were also observed after carbon tetrachloride or bromobenzene treatment, but little change was seen after giving DMN. On the contrary, in untreated or ethanol-treated rats, DMN administration decreased hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity and caused an elevation in serum glutathione S-transferase activity. The isozymic composition of the hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases after giving DMN to untreated rats was also altered, but the alteration was much less than that observed after giving carbon tetrachloride or bromobenzene to phenobarbital-treated rats. The elevation in serum glutathione S-transferase activity was accompanied by an increase in both serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase activity and serum bilirubin concentrations. Thus, hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity was altered and released into serum after giving hepatotoxic chemicals, and the alteration in glutathione S-transferase activity was dependent on treatment with phenobarbital or ethanol.     

Endrin-induced depletion of glutathione and inhibition of glutathione peroxidase activity in rats

1. Recent studies have shown that endrin induces lipid peroxidation and may produce toxicity through an oxidative stress. We have therefore examined the effect of endrin administration to rats on glutathione content and the activities of glutathione metabolizing enzymes. 2. The oral administration of endrin resulted in dose- and time-dependent decreases in hepatic and renal glutathione content with maximum depletion (90%) occurring in liver at approximately 24 hr post-treatment. 3. Decreases in glutathione content were also observed in lung, brain, spleen and heart. 4. Endrin (4 mg/kg) decreased selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in liver and kidney by 64 and 50%, respectively, while small increases were observed in the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase. 5. The toxicity of endrin may be at least in part related to oxidative tissue damage associated with depletion of glutathione and inhibition of glutathione peroxidase activity.     

Oxidative damage and changes in the glutathione redox system in erythrocytes from rats treated with hexachlorocyclohexane.

The concentration of reduced glutathione in the erythrocytes of rats was significantly decreased 24-72 hr after the rats were treated with 300 mg commercial hexachlorocyclohexane/kg body weight (one-third of the LD50), given ip. The activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were also significantly decreased 24 hr after treatment but there was no change in glutathione peroxidase activity. The results suggest that hexachlorocyclohexane produces significant changes in the glutathione redox system of rat erythrocytes leading to oxidative membrane damage.     

Differential induction of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase, microsomal epoxide hydrolase, and glutathione S-transferase activities

Three major enzyme systems have been shown to metabolize epoxidized xenobiotics in vertebrate tissues, and this study demonstrates that these enzyme systems can be differentially induced. The cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity was routinely monitored with trans-beta-ethylstyrene oxide, the microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity with benzo(a)pyrene, 4,5-oxide, and the glutathione S-transferase activity with 2,4-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene. Commonly used inducers of microsomal mixed-function oxidase, microsomal epoxide hydrolase, and cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activities failed to cause significant induction of the cytosolic epoxide hydrolase while leading to the expected induction of the other epoxide metabolizing enzymes. The compounds tested by ip injection into male Swiss-Webster mice included phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, Aroclor 1254, trans- and cis-stilbene oxides, pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile, chalcone, and 4-bromochalcone. To determine if there were strain, sex, or species differences, the enzymes were monitored in male C57BL/6 mice, female Swiss-Webster mice, and male Sprague-Dawley rats following ip injection of phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, and/or pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile. The time dependence of enzyme induction was followed in Sprague-Dawley rats following trans-stilbene oxide administration. Male Swiss-Webster mice were additionally exposed to dietary alpha-naphthoflavone and 2(3)-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole while male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol. In no case was significant induction of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity observed. Dietary di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, 2-ethyl-l-hexanol, and clofibrate proved to be potent inducers of the cytosolic epoxide hydrolase in male Swiss-Webster mice while probucol (a nonperoxisome proliferating hypolipidemic drug) failed to cause significant induction. Data from isoelectric focusing experiments and other data are consistent with the epoxide hydrolase activities induced by 2-ethyl-l-hexanol and clofibrate being due to the same protein that is present in control animals. The lack of induction of the cytosolic epoxide hydrolase by a variety of compounds which were selected to demonstrate induction of other xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, may indicate that the cytosolic epoxide hydrolase has a constitutive role whereas its induction by clofibrate could be related to some of the pharmacological and/or carcinogenic actions of this drug.     

Nuclear and nucleolar glutathione reductase, peroxidase, and transferase activities in livers of male and female Fischer-344 rats.

The present studies were to test the hypotheses that glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities are expressed in nuclei and nucleoli of rat liver cells, and that differences in activities of these enzymes would correlate with the greater resistance of female than of male Fischer-344 rats to hepatic necrosis in vivo, mediated by reactive oxygen species generated by redox-cycling metabolism of diquat. Adult male and female Fischer-344 rats were treated with comparably hepatotoxic doses of diquat (0.1 or 0.2 mmol/kg, respectively), or equal volumes of saline, ip. Six hours later, the livers were harvested, and purified nuclei and nucleoli were isolated by differential centrifugation. Nuclear GR activities in male and female rats were 12 and 15 mU/mg protein, and nucleolar activities were 30 and 51 mU/mg protein, respectively, p < 0.05. Some differences between male and female rats in nuclear and nucleolar activities of GPXs and GSTs were observed, as were some differences in the respective diquat-treated animals, but implications of these differences for susceptibility to diquat-induced oxidant stress effects are not apparent. Nuclear GR, GPX, and GST probably contribute to antioxidant defense mechanisms, but the functions served by localization of GR and GPX in nucleoli are less evident.