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PubMed1995

Decreased levels of total and reduced glutathione in CD4+ lymphocytes in common variable immunodeficiency are associated with activation of the tumor necrosis factor system: possible immunopathogenic role of oxidative stress.

We have previously shown chronic immune activation and enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species in common variable immunodeficiency (CVI). In the present study, we examined levels of glutathione, the dominant intracellular thiol, that play an important protective role against oxidative and inflammatory stress in plasma and in monocytes and lymphocyte subsets in 20 CVI patients and in 16 healthy controls. CD4+ lymphocytes from CVI patients had significantly lower levels of both total and reduced glutathione as well as a lower ratio of reduced to total glutathione compared with healthy controls. This decrease in glutathione levels in CD4+ lymphocytes was most pronounced in the CD45RA+ subset. Plasma levels of total glutathione were also significantly decreased in CVI. In contrast, monocytes from CVI patients exhibited increased levels of both total and reduced glutathione compared with blood donor monocytes. CVI patients had significantly raised serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and TNF alpha concentration was strongly associated with glutathione depletion in CD4+ lymphocytes. Furthermore, the lowest levels of both total and reduced glutathione were found in a subgroup of CVI patients characterized by persistent immune activation in vivo, decreased numbers of CD4+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and splenomegaly. Finally, supplementation of cell cultures with glutathione-monoethyl ester did significantly enhance interleukin-2 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in CVI patients. These glutathione abnormalities in CVI indicate increased oxidative stress, particularly in CD4+ lymphocytes, and intracellular depletion of reduced glutathione of the demonstrated magnitude may have profound implications for CD4+ lymphocyte function and the immunodeficiency in CVI.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Rates of glutathione synthesis in lung subcompartments of mice and monkeys: possible role in species and site selective injury.

Injury to pulmonary epithelial cells from chemicals that undergo P450-dependent metabolic activation and from gases such as ozone is highly focal. These studies examined the rates of glutathione resynthesis in pulmonary subcompartments (trachea, minor daughter/respiratory bronchiole and parenchyma) of mice and monkeys to determine whether differences in glutathione synthesis are partly responsible for wide regional/species variations in susceptibility of the lung to insult. Glutathione levels remained unchanged in lung subcompartments incubated for up to 4 hr in Waymouth's medium. Glutathione levels decreased less than 30% in 4-hr incubations of monkey airways in medium devoid of sulfur amino acids although in mouse airways decreases of 40 to 60% were observed. Diethyl maleate depleted glutathione in lung subcompartments in vitro by varying amounts depending on the species and subcompartment examined. Airways incubated in the presence of cysteine but not methionine or glutathione regenerated glutathione rapidly after diethyl maleate depletion. The rates of regeneration differed significantly with species and airway level. In all airways of the monkey, glutathione levels returned to the initial level within 2 to 4 hr after addition of cysteine containing medium although in mice recovery of glutathione required only 1 (minor daughter and parenchyma) or 2 hr (trachea) incubation with cysteine supplemented medium. These studies show striking species and airway level differences in the rates of glutathione resynthesis and suggest that focal injury to respiratory epithelium may, in part, be mediated by regional differences in the ability to supply glutathione for protection against electrophiles and reactive oxygen species.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Glucose-derived Amadori compounds of glutathione.

Under the chromatographic conditions used in these studies we observed time- and concentration-dependent formation of N-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl glutathione as the major glycation product formed in the mixtures of GSH with glucose. N-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl glutathione had a characteristic positively charged ion with m/z=470 Th in its LC-MS spectra. Mixtures of glutathione disulfide and glucose generated two compounds: N-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl GSSG (m/z=775 Th) as major adduct and bis di-N, N'-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl GSSG (m/z=937 Th) as the minor one. All three compounds showed a resonance signal at 55.2 ppm in the 13C-NMR spectra as C1 methylene group of deoxyfructosyl, which represents direct evidence that they are Amadori compounds. All three compounds purified from GSSG/Glc or GSH/Glc mixtures also showed LC-MS/MS fragmentation patterns identical to those of the synthetically synthesized N-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl glutathione, N-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl GSSG and bis di-N, N'-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl GSSG. N-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl glutathione was shown to be a poor substrate for glutathione peroxidase (6.7% of the enzyme's original specific activity) and glutathione-S-transferase (25.7% of the original enzyme's specific activity). Glutathione reductase failed to recycle the disulfide bond within the structure of di-substituted bis di-N, N'-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl GSSG. It showed only 1% of the original enzyme's specific activity, but retained its ability to reduce the disulfide bond within the structure of N-1-Deoxy-fructos-1-yl GSSG by 57% of its original specific activity. Since the GSH concentration in diabetic lens is significantly decreased and the glucose concentration can increase 10-fold and higher, the formation of Amadori products of the different forms of glutathione with this monosaccharide may be favored under these conditions and could contribute to a lowering of glutathione levels and an increase of oxidative stress observed in diabetic lens.

Fructose↗

PubMed1997

Glutathione peroxidase and catalase modulate the genotoxicity of arsenite.

The X-ray hypersensitive Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, xrs-5, are also more sensitive to sodium arsenite in terms of cell growth and micronucleus induction than CHO-K1 cells. Since reactive oxygen species are suggested to be involved in arsenic toxicity, we have measured antioxidant mechanisms in xrs-5 as well as CHO-K1 cells. There were no apparent differences in the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and the levels of glutathione between xrs-5 and CHO-K1 cells. However, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were 5.4- and 5.8-fold lower, respectively, in xrs-5 cells. The addition of catalase or glutathione peroxidase to cultures reduced the arsenite-induced micronuclei in xrs-5 cells. Whereas, simultaneous treatment with mercaptosuccinate, an inhibitor of glutathione peroxidase, and 3-aminotriazole, an inhibitor of catalase, synergistically increased the arsenite-induced micronuclei. These results suggest that both catalase and glutathione peroxidase are involved in defense against arsenite genotoxicity. The xrs-6 cells, another line of x-ray hypersensitive CHO cells, which had 1.6-fold higher catalase activity and 2.5-fold higher glutathione peroxidase activity than xrs-5 cells, were also more sensitive than CHO-K1 cells but were less sensitive than xrs-5 cells to cell growth inhibition of arsenite. Moreover, a 1.6-fold increase of glutathione peroxidase activity by selenite adaptation effectively removed the arsenite-induced micronuclei in CHO-K1 cells. These results suggest that glutathione peroxidase is more important than catalase in defending against arsenite toxicity. Our results also suggest that increasing the intracellular antioxidant level may have preventive or therapeutic effects in arsenic poisoning.

Amitrole↗

PubMed1997

Glutathione systems and anoxia tolerance in turtles.

Effects of anoxic submergence (20 h at 5 degrees C) and subsequent 24 h aerobic recovery on glutathione levels and the activities of glutathione-related enzymes were examined in six tissues of Trachemys scripta elegans. Anoxia exposure resulted in tissue-specific changes in enzyme maximal activities, the most dramatic being suppression of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTPase) activity in anoxic kidney to only 2% of control. Anoxia exposure also caused significant decreases in activities of liver and heart glutathione-S-transferase (GST) (by 25 and 42%), heart glutathione reductase (GR) (by 67%), liver gamma-GTPase (by 71%), and red muscle glutaredoxin (GRN) (by 56%). By contrast, anoxia exposure increased the activities of GR in liver and red muscle (by 52 and 80%), glutathione synthetase (GS) in white muscle (by 300%), and GRN in white muscle (by 400%). During aerobic recovery after anoxia, GST activity decreased in red muscle, kidney, and brain (by 72, 56, and 39%); GR decreased in liver and red muscle (by 52 and 80%); and GRN fell in red muscle (by 56%). Other activities rose during recovery: GR in heart (by 64%), GS in heart and brain (by 200%), and gamma-GTPase in brain (by 63%). Tissue pools of total glutathione were high in comparison with other ectotherms. Levels decreased during anoxia in four organs to 49-67% of control values. During aerobic recovery the reduced glutathione-to-oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) increased in heart, kidney, and brain, indicating that oxidative stress did not occur in these organs. Rather than maintaining high levels of glutathione in tissues to prevent oxidative stress during aerobic recovery, turtles sustain high GSH/GSSG by regulating the activities of glutathione-using enzymes.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2003

Glutathione--functions and metabolism in the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

When present as a trophozoite in human erythrocytes, the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum exhibits an intense glutathione metabolism. Glutathione plays a role not only in antioxidative defense and in maintaining the reducing environment of the cytosol. Many of the known glutathione-dependent processes are directly related to the specific lifestyle of the parasite. Reduced glutathione (GSH) supports rapid cell growth by providing electrons for deoxyribonucleotide synthesis and it takes part in detoxifying heme, a product of hemoglobin digestion. Free radicals generated in the parasite can be scavenged in reaction sequences involving the thiyl radical GS* as well as the thiolate GS-. As a substrate of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione is conjugated to non-degradable compounds including antimalarial drugs. Furthermore, it is the coenzyme of the glyoxalase system which detoxifies methylglyoxal, a byproduct of the intense glycolysis taking place in the trophozoite. Proteins involved in GSH-dependent processes include glutathione reductase, glutaredoxins, glyoxalase I and II, glutathione S-transferases, and thioredoxins. These proteins, as well as the ATP-dependent enzymes of glutathione synthesis, are studied as factors in the pathophysiology of malaria but also as potential drug targets. Methylene blue, an inhibitor of the structurally known P. falciparum glutathione reductase, appears to be a promising antimalarial medication when given in combination with chloroquine.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1983

Effects of riboflavin and selenium deficiencies on glutathione and its relating enzyme activities with respect to lipid peroxide content of rat livers.

Weanling male rats were fed a riboflavin- or selenium-deficient diet for 5 weeks, and the glutathione content and its relating enzyme activities in the livers were examined. The glutathione content and glutathione reductase activity were decreased by deficiency of riboflavin, but not by that of selenium. Glutathione peroxidase activity was increased by addition of selenium to the diet, but without its addition, the activity was higher in the riboflavin-deficient rats than in the riboflavin-sufficient rats, in spite of the increase of lipid peroxides in the former rats. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was decreased significantly by riboflavin deficiency. In another experiment, riboflavin was intraperitoneally injected into rats fed the diet to which neither riboflavin nor selenium had been added. The glutathione content and activities of glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase returned to the control level of riboflavin-sufficient rats in 24 h, the lipid peroxide level in 48 h, and the glutathione peroxidase activity, being higher than that in the control rats, in 72 h after the injection, respectively. These findings indicate that the increase of lipid peroxides in the livers of riboflavin-deficient rats is caused by the decrease in the glutathione content as well as glutathione reductase activity rather than by that in the selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Glutathione metabolism in lenses of dogs and rabbits: activities of five enzymes.

Several biochemical parameters were examined in clear dog and rabbit lenses as functions of age, and in posterior subcapsular cataracts in the Alaskan malamute. Tabulated data include soluble protein, reduced sulfhydryl content of soluble protein, reduced glutathione, water, and activity of five enzymes of glutathione metabolism. The enzymes include the glutathione biosynthesis system consisting of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione synthetase, as well as glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase. Each enzyme, acting last in a sequential reaction of either two or three reactions, was in excess activity over the preceding enzyme(s) in every case but one. In the exception, the ratio of glutathione reductase to glutathione peroxidase activity was about 1:600 and 1:155 in the dog and rabbit lens, respectively.

Aging↗

PubMed2000

Role of small heat shock protein HSP25 in radioresistance and glutathione-redox cycle.

Expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) has been shown to protect mammalian cells exposed to a variety of stress stimuli. Among various HSPs, small HSPs from diverse species were shown to protect cells against oxidative stress. Here, we show that the overexpression of the mouse small hsp gene, hsp25, provides protection against ionizing radiation. Our results demonstrate that the radiation survival of the L929 cells stably transfected with hsp25 was enhanced compared with that of the parental or vector transfected control, L25#1 cells. Our results also demonstrate that the radiation-induced apoptosis was reduced in HSP25 overexpressors. A detailed analysis of glutathione composition of those clones that overexpressed HSP25 revealed the increases of the glutathione pool, which primarily resulted from the increase of reduced glutathione. Our data suggest that higher content of GSH in HSP25 overexpressors was because of a faster reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to GSH rather than an increased de novo synthesis of GSH. The activities of glutathione reductase (GRd) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were greater in HSP25 overexpressors but the activity of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase was similar between the transfectants and the control cells. Consistent with our view, a steady state ratio of the GSH/GSSG was greater in the transfectants in comparison with the control L25#1 cells. A difference in the relative ratio became more significant after exposure to the ionizing radiation. To our knowledge, this study provides the first experimental evidence in support of the hypothesis that small HSP plays a key role in radioresistance by modulating the metabolism of glutathione. Based on the results obtained from the current investigation, we propose that HSP25 helps facilitate the glutathione-redox cycle and therefore, enhances glutathione utilization and maintains the cellular glutathione pool in favor of the reduced states.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

S-thiolation of individual human neutrophil proteins including actin by stimulation of the respiratory burst: evidence against a role for glutathione disulfide.

Protein S-thiolation, a reversible modification of protein sulfhydryls resulting in formation of mixed-disulfides, was studied in human neutrophils stimulated with phorbol diester to produce superoxide anion. Rapid S-thiolation of several proteins was examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Glutathione was identified as the primary protein-bound thio by HPLC chromatography, contributing considerably more than 85% of the total. Minor amounts of homocysteine and/or cysteine were also detected as protein-bound thiols. During the first 30 min after stimulation, 10% of the cellular glutathione became protein bound (2 nmol/mg of protein). There was no increase in glutathione disulfide suggesting that S-thiolation of the proteins did not occur by thiol/disulfide exchange. Approximately 10 mol% of one heavily modified band (29 kDa) was S-thiolated after 30 min. A second major band of 42 kDa was identified as actin. It contained 1/10th of the total protein-bound glutathione and approximately 5 mol% was S-thiolated after 30 min. These experiments identify a subset of S-thiolated neutrophil proteins, including actin, whose modification is related to the phorbol diester stimulation of superoxide anion production in human neutrophils. Ten percent of the total glutathione pool became protein-bound without an appreciable change in non-bound concentration of glutathione or glutathione disulfide. These results suggest that glutathione was synthesized during initial phases of the respiratory burst, compensating for the amount of glutathione that became protein-bound. Since there was no significant increase in glutathione disulfide, it was probably not important in the observed protein S-thiolation.

Actins↗

PubMed1989

A therapeutic trial with N-acetylcysteine in subjects with hereditary glutathione synthetase deficiency (5-oxoprolinuria).

In a therapeutic trial, the effect of short-term low-dosage N-acetylcysteine supplementation on glutathione metabolism was investigated in two patients with hereditary glutathione deficiency (5-oxoprolinuria). Clinical and neurophysiological examinations of the patients indicated progressive neurological damage. The pretreatment concentrations of total and free glutathione in leukocytes were 15-20% of normal, whereas the corresponding gamma-glutamylcysteine levels were increased. In plasma, the glutathione concentrations were similarly decreased, but no gamma-glutamylcysteine was detected. Total glutathione in erythrocytes was markedly decreased. Low urinary excretion of cysteinylglycine, cyst(e)ine, taurine, N-acetylcysteine, mercaptolactate and mercaptoacetate and reduced leukocyte taurine levels constituted additional evidence of decreased intracellular availability of cysteine, i.e. glutathione. Oral supplementation with N-acetylcysteine (5 mg/kg x 3/day) had no effect on acid-base balance, erythrocyte glutathione levels or 5-oxoproline concentrations in plasma and urine. In leukocytes, the glutathione concentrations were increased by 20-30%, whereas the gamma-glutamylcysteine levels were essentially unaltered. In parallel, the urinary excretion of cysteinylglycine was increased and the leukocyte levels and urinary outputs of sulphur amino acids were restored. No side-effects of the treatment were noted. The results indicate that N-acetylcysteine may be of value in increasing the low intracellular glutathione concentrations and cysteine availability in patients with hereditary glutathione synthetase deficiency.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed2007

The glutathione antioxidant system is enhanced in growth hormone transgenic coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).

Insertion of a growth hormone (GH) transgene in coho salmon results in accelerated growth, and increased feeding and metabolic rates. Whether other physiological systems within the fish are adjusted to this accelerated growth has not been well explored. We examined the effects of a GH transgene and feeding level on the antioxidant glutathione and its associated enzymes in various tissues of coho salmon. When transgenic and control salmon were fed to satiation, transgenic fish had increased tissue glutathione, increased hepatic glutathione reductase activity, decreased hepatic activity of the glutathione synthesis enzyme gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and increased intestinal activity of the glutathione catabolic enzyme gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. However, these differences were mostly abolished by ration restriction and fasting, indicating that upregulation of the glutathione antioxidant system was due to accelerated growth, and not to intrinsic effects of the transgene. Increased food intake and ability to digest potential dietary glutathione, and not increased activity of glutathione synthesis enzymes, likely contributed to the higher levels of glutathione in transgenic fish. Components of the glutathione antioxidant system are likely upregulated to combat potentially higher reactive oxygen species production from increased metabolic rates in GH transgenic salmon.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Protective effects of glutathione against lipid peroxidation in chronically iron-loaded mice.

To elucidate the protective effects of glutathione against iron-induced peroxidative injury, changes in the hepatic glutathione metabolism were studied in chronically iron-loaded mice. When the diets of the mice were supplemented with carbonyl iron, iron deposition occurred primarily in the parenchymal cells of the liver. In addition, expiratory ethane production was elevated, suggesting an enhancement in lipid peroxidation. In iron-loaded mice, the total hepatic glutathione contents were higher (6.21 +/- 0.53 mumol/g wet wt.) than in control mice (4.61 +/- 0.31 mumol/g wet wt.), primarily due to an increase in the reduced glutathione contents. The value of oxidized glutathione was also higher (98.5 +/- 8.1 nmol/g wet wt.) than in the controls (60.8 +/- 9.5 nmol/g wet wt.), and the ratio of oxidized glutathione to total glutathione increased. The excretion rate of glutathione from the hepatocytes in iron-loaded mice also increased. These observations suggest that chronic iron-loading of mice stimulates lipid peroxidation and oxidation of glutathione and that peroxidized molecules may be catabolized using reduced glutathione.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Differing response of the glutathione system to fasting in neonatal and adult guinea pigs.

Adult, term neonatal and 3 day preterm neonatal guinea pigs were fasted for 48 hr, and the glutathione concentrations of the liver and lung assessed. In adult animals, glutathione concentration decreased by 43% in the liver and 29% in the lung with respect to fed controls. The decrease in liver glutathione was associated with a 75% reduction in the hepatic activity of tau-glutamyltranspeptidase (tau GGT). Conversely, both liver and lung glutathione levels in preterm pups remained unchanged following 48 hr food restriction. Likewise, hepatic tau GGT, glutathione reductase (GRed) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were unchanged by fasting in preterm pups. Fasting increased pulmonary GPx activity by 27% in these pups. In fasted, term animals, substantial increases in both lung (65%) and liver (80%) glutathione concentrations were observed, with concomitant increases in GPx and GRed activities. Hepatic tau GGT activity was significantly reduced (57%) in term pups. These results may suggest that the neonatal guinea pig can maintain tissue glutathione status during periods of nutrient stress, through an increased capacity for recycling oxidized glutathione and a decrease in turnover of the tripeptide. Guinea pig neonates are therefore able to resist starvation-induced decreases in tissue glutathione levels seen in adult rodents. If this is a general neonatal response it may have important clinical implications in the treatment of preterm babies.

Aging↗

PubMed1983

Enhancement of lipid peroxidation in rat liver on acute exposure to styrene and acrylamide a consequence of glutathione depletion.

Lipid peroxidation, glutathione level and activity of glutathione-S-transferase were studied in liver and brain of rats 4 and 3 h after a single i.p. administration of 0, 25, 75, 100 mg/kg acrylamide or 0, 50, 100, 200, 600 mg/kg styrene, respectively. In liver both acrylamide and styrene caused an increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in glutathione contents and activity of glutathione-S-transferase in a dose dependent manner, while in brain only acrylamide produced a decrease in glutathione content. The decrease in glutathione content was not always associated with increase of lipid peroxidation. The enhancement of lipid peroxidation occurred only when glutathione contents were depleted to certain critical levels. No effect of acrylamide or styrene was seen on lipid peroxidation under in vitro conditions. The addition of glutathione in the incubation mixture significantly inhibited the rate of lipid peroxidation of liver homogenates of acrylamide and styrene treated animals. The results suggest that enhancement of lipid peroxidation in liver on exposure to acrylamide or styrene is a consequence of depletion of glutathione to certain critical levels. The inhibition of glutathione-S-transferase activity by acrylamide and styrene suggests that detoxication of these neurotoxic compounds could be suppressed following acute exposure.

Acrylamide↗

PubMed1987

Glutathione metabolism in normal and cystinotic fibroblasts.

Intracellular concentrations of glutathione and activities of the enzymes gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, glutathione synthetase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were measured in confluent cultured human fibroblasts cell lines from 14 normal cell lines and four cystinotic cell lines. gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase had a wide range of variability while the glutathione synthetic enzymes, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione synthetase, had narrower variations and also exhibited no apparent relationship to glutathione content. No differences in the activities of these enzymes were found between normal and cystinotic cells in confluent cell cultures. The activities of the above enzymes and the cell number and content of glutathione, cystine, DNA, and total protein in two normal and two cystinotic fibroblast cell lines were measured during growth. The following growth-dependency patterns were observed: (1) gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity increased markedly in lag and early log phases in both normal and cystinotic cells and decreased rapidly to low confluent levels thereafter. (2) gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase showed the same wide range of activity noted at confluency but activities decreased in the log phase of growth, a pattern also seen in cystinotic cells. (3) Glutathione synthetase activity remained relatively constant during growth of normal cells but exhibited a peak of activity during lag and early growth of cystinotic cells. (4) Comparative glutathione levels of normal and cystinotic cells were not significantly different and exhibited similar fluctuations with time. (5) The cystine content of normal and cystinotic cells unexpectedly rose to high levels in the lag phase, then decreased to 0.1 nmol 1/2 cystine/mg protein in normal cells and to 0.3 to 1.2 nmol 1/2 cystine/mg protein in cystinotic cells during the log phase. As confluency was approached, normal cell cystine remained at low levels while cystinotic cell cystine rose to characteristically high levels of 50- to 100-fold greater than normal cells at late confluency. These studies extend our understanding of the regulation of glutathione and cystine content in cultured fibroblasts and suggest that glutathione content is closely controlled throughout the cell cycle in the face of varying activities of its anabolic and catabolic enzymes.

Cell Division↗

PubMed1987

Irreversible inhibition of the human placental NADP-linked 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase/9-ketoprostaglandin reductase by glutathione thiosulfonate.

Oxidation of glutathione disulfide by a mixture of performic and hydrochloric acids leads to the formation of several compounds that are stronger inhibitors than glutathione disulfide of the placental enzyme that possess both NADP-linked 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase and 9-ketoprostaglandin reductase activities. The only one of these inhibitors that has been identified is glutathione thiosulfonate. The others are unstable and may include glutathione sulfinyl sulfone and glutathione disulfone. Since the enzyme appears to have a glutathione binding site in close proximity to its active site and glutathione thiosulfonate reacts with free sulfhydryl groups, the effects of this thiosulfonate on the enzyme were examined in more detail. Glutathione thiosulfonate and methyl methanethiosulfonate cause a time-dependent irreversible inhibition of both the hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase and the ketoprostaglandin reductase activities, presumably by reacting with a free sulfhydryl at the prostaglandin binding site. Experiments with PGA1-glutathione show that this sulfhydryl is not necessary for the catalytic activity of the enzyme as long as the substrate can bind at the glutathione site.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1994

Decreased biliary glutathione content is responsible for the decline in bile salt-independent flow induced by ethinyl estradiol in rats.

Glutathione appears to be a major osmotic factor in the generation of bile salt-independent flow (BSIF). This study was designed to investigate its importance in the pathology of 17-alpha-ethinyl estradiol (EE)-induced cholestasis. Five-day EE treatment at the dose level of 5 mg/kg/day significantly decreased bile flow (57% of controls) and biliary glutathione secretion. Evaluation of the contribution of bile salt dependent flow (BSDF), glutathione dependent flow (GSDF) and the bile flow generated independently of both bile salts and glutathione (BS-GSIF) revealed that EE decreased all portions of the flow (63, 44 and 52% of control values, respectively). At 4 and 20 h after a single administration of the same EE dose, a significant diminution of bile flow was noted (decreases of 17 and 29%, respectively) in association with a significant fall in biliary glutathione content. Under these conditions, BSDF and BS-GSIF were not modified (98 and 112% of control BSDF values, respectively; 96 and 99% of control BS-GSIF values, respectively) while GSDF was decreased markedly, representing 65 and 50% of control values. Biliary glutathione secretion was diminished without modification of liver and blood glutathione concentration or redox status following single EE dose whereas, after 5 days of EE treatment, a significant increase in liver glutathione was observed, suggesting that EE may interfere with the glutathione secretory process. This study demonstrates that EE rapidly alters biliary glutathione content, leading to a marked decline in GSDF. This reduction may explain the decrease in BSIF produced by EE at the outset of cholestasis.

Analysis of Variance↗