Reduced glutathione regeneration by erythrocytes of leadintoxicated rabbits

ABSTRACT

An experimental model of Iead intoxication was conducted in rabbits by dissolving lead acetate [5 g/1] in the drinking distilled water. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione was converted to the oxidized form by mixing with t-butyl hydroperoxide at 37°C and the amounts of reduced glutathione regenerated by erythrocytes were recorded at various incubation intervals. Reduced glutathione regeneration was higher in lead intoxicated than in control rabbits. The direct assay of glutathione reductase, the enzyme governing the conversion of oxidized to reduced glutathione, revealed that this enzyme activity is higher in lead-intoxicated than in control rabbits. This finding is confirmed by an in vitro experiment. It appears that these changes may be part of a control mechanism to compensate for the decreased erythrocyte glutathione concentration caused by lead