LIVER LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND GLUTATHIONE-RELATED DEFENSE ENZYME-SYSTEMS IN MICE TREATED WITH PARACETAMOL

Glutathione levels were found to be decreased while lipid peroxide lev els were increased in total liver homogenates 6 h following paracetamo l treatment (500 mg kg(-1) i.p.). Furthermore, it has been determined that cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was decreased and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity remained unchanged. On th e other hand, a decrease in liver microsomal lipid peroxide levels and an increase in GST and GSH-Px activity has been observed. We conclude d that decreased lipid peroxide levels in microsomes could be a conseq uence of increased GSH-Px and GST enzyme activities. In this way, thes e glutathione-related defence enzyme systems may play an important rol e in protecting microsomes from lipid peroxidation.