CHANGES MARKERS OF OXIDATIVE STATUS IN BRAIN, LIVER AND KIDNEY OF YOUNG AND AGED RATS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO AROMATIC WHITE SPIRIT

Levels of glutathione and activity of glutamine synthetase were assaye d in organs of rats following inhalation of a heterogeneous solvent mi xture containing both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. This mixtur e was administered for 3 weeks (6 h daily) at two levels in the inhale d air (400 and 800 ppm) to young adult (5-month-old) and aged (14-mont h-old) rats. Depression of levels of glutamine synthetase in the P2 fr action of kidney was observed, which was more severe in aged than youn g adult rats. Glutamine synthetase is a cytosolic enzyme especially su sceptible to oxidative damage. A parallel depression of this enzyme wa s also seen in the corresponding hepatic fractions. However, levels of glutamine synthetase in the hippocampus were elevated by this exposur e. Glutathione levels were depressed in P2 fractions of livers of expo sed rats, and also in the corresponding renal fraction. Glutathione co ncentration was unchanged in cerebral fractions. Overall results were interpreted to imply that pro-oxidant events were elevated in kidney a nd liver following prolonged inhalation of the solvent mixture. The ch anges found in brain tissue did not reveal evidence of oxidative stres s but, however, suggested that glial activation was taking place.