TURNOVER OF HEPATIC GLUTATHIONE AFTER ACUTE LINDANE INTOXICATION

The administration of lindane (60 mg/kg) to fed rats diminished the co ntent of hepatic glutathione (GSH) 4 h after treatment, which was reco vered at 24 h. At these experimental times, the activities of glutathi one peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferases and gamma-glutamyltransferase in the liver of lindane-treated rats and con trol animals were comparable. Liver GSH turnover, measured after a pul se of [S-35]cysteine, was enhanced by 69% (P < 0.05) in lindane-treate d rats 24 h after intoxication compared to controls, with a 63% (P < 0 .05) increase in the estimated rate of GSH synthesis. It is concluded that lindane enhances GSH synthesis in rat liver 24 h after treatment as a consequence of the decrement in its content observed at early tim es of intoxication (4 h), thus allowing the recovery of the normal lev el of hepatic GSH.