THE INFLUENCE OF ASCORBIC-ACID ON THE HEPATIC CYTOCHROME-P-450, AND GLUTATHIONE IN GUINEA-PIGS EXPOSED TO 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOL

Chlorophenols, mainly used as biocides, are compounds with a wide spec trum of toxic effects including teratogenic and carcinogenic actions. In this study, the effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, li ver ascorbic acid (AA) and glutathione (GSH) content were studied in g uinea-pigs with a low (2 mg/day/animal) or a high (50 mg/day/animal) a scorbic acid intake. The high AA intake significantly increased liver AA and GSH levels. There was a clear-cut correlation between liver AA and GSH levels. Administration of 2,4-DCP significantly decreased cyto chrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity in hepatic micr osomes isolated from guinea-pigs with the low AA intake. Such a reduct ion was not observed in intoxicated guinea-pigs with the high AA intak e. The results suggest that AA can play a protective role In 2,4-DCP t oxicity.