PERTURBATION OF GLUTATHIONE STATUS AND GENERATION OF OXIDATIVE STRESSIN MOUSE SKIN FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF CONTACT ALLERGENIC SESQUITERPENE LACTONES AND ISOTHIOCYANATES

1. The sensitizing or non-sensitizing status of selected sesquiterpene lactones and isothiocyanates was confirmed in mouse by open epicutane ous application.2. Glutathione status of mouse skin was determined 12 h after lactone/isothiocyanate application; glutathione S-transferase activity also was determined 12h after lactone application. 3. NAD(P)H utilization by rat liver microsomal preparations exposed to the sesqu iterpene lactones and isothiocyanates was measured. 4. A correlation w as observed between sensitizing status and the ability to perturb glut athione status, to induce glutathione S-transferase activity, and to s timulate NAD(P)H utilization. 5. It was concluded that sensitizing ses quiterpene lactones and isothiocyanates could induce oxidative stress in mouse skin, possibly as a result of their reductive metabolism.