Glutathione uptake after intraperitoneal administration and glutathione radiopharmacology after rectal administration, in mice.

Glutathione is a biologic aminothiol radioprotector. Hydrolysis of exogenous glutathione takes place in the extracellular compartment and leads to two metabolites: gamma-glutamylcysteine and glycine. In healthy mice, after an intraperitoneal administration of glutathione, all organs absorb the gamma-glutamylcysteine and the glycine with variable kinetics according to their enzymatic equipment. The rectal administration of glutathione in mice previously irradiated at the pelvic region, increases the availability of glutathione in the rectum and in other organs at a distant from the irradiation site. This contribution could be used to protect the rectum and the uterus during therapeutic irradiation.