GLUTATHIONE CONSUMPTION AND INACTIVATION OF GLUTATHIONE-RELATED ENZYMES IN LIVER, ERYTHROCYTES AND SERUM OF RATS AFTER METHANOL INTOXICATION

The primary metabolic fate of methanol is oxidation to formaldehyde an d then to formate. These processes are accompanied by formation of sup eroxide anion and further hydrogen peroxide. Glutathione plays a uniqu e role in the cellular defence system against xenobiotics. The glutath ione (GSH) content and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) activities were measured in liver, erythrocytes an d serum of rats. Rats were intoxicated with 3.0 and 6.0 g methanol/kg body wt. and measurements taken after 6, 12 and 24 h and 2, 5 and 7 da ys of intoxication. The decrease in GSH content and in GSH-related enz yme activity was observed during the whole time-course of the intoxica tion. The most significant changes were observed in the erythrocytes. The results obtained show that the protection against oxidative damage due to methanol intoxication in rats seems to be less efficient than in control rats.