Influence of glutathione metabolising enzymes in rats with Gram-negative sepsis

Objective: To evaluate the role of glutathione metabolising enzymes in rats with Gram-negative sepsis. Setting: University hospital, Sweden. Animals: 61 male Sprague Dawley rats. Interventions: Animals were divided into two groups, one of which was given tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BI-IA), a powerful inducer of glutathione met abolising enzymes. A gelatine capsule containing bacteria and adjuvant subs tances was placed in the abdomen. In one group it contained only adjuvant s ubstances, and the controls underwent sham laparotomy. Main outcome measures: Activities of glutathione metabolising enzymes, and histological effect on pulmonary tissue. Results: Activities of glutathione metabolising enzymes were reduced in lun g tissue after the induction of sepsis. Pre-treatment with BHA increased en zyme activity and reduced the histological changes. Conclusion: Glutathione metabolising enzymes may have a role in sepsis, and pre-treatment with BHA seems to prevent histological changes in pulmonary tissue in septic rats.