Rise in plasma oxidized glutathione by experimental hypoglycemia

Changes in plasma glutathione were investigated under hypoglycemic status. Twelve rabbits were randomly divided into hypoglycemic group (n=6) and sali ne-injected control group (n=6). Hypoglycemia was induced by intravenous in jection of insulin as 10 U/kg and recovered by intravenous glucose injectio n after 60 minutes. In the control group, saline was intravenously injected in stead of insulin. Plasma levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) rose sig nificantly (p<0.01) and remarkably decrease in plasma GSH/GSSG ratio (p<0.0 5) accompanying increase in serum enzymes in the hypoglycemic group. These results suggest that hypoglycemia might cause change in plasma GSSG which i s related to increase of serum enzymes by hypoglycemia. (C) 1999 Tohoku Uni versity Medical Press.