Effects of copper, cadmium and nickel on liver and kidney glutathione redox cycle of rats (Rattus sp.).

1. Glutathione redox cycle alterations induced by acute treatment of nickel, cadmium and copper, have been investigated in liver and kidney of adult male rats. 2. In liver, nickel treatment decreased GSH and GSSG levels, followed by a significant rebound in GSH content. Copper produced drastic reduction in the GSH/GSSG ratio, while cadmium treatment altered GSSG concentrations. 3. In kidney, the glutathione redox cycle remained unaltered after cadmium or nickel exposure, whereas copper caused similar changes to those observed in liver. 4. Hepatic glucose-6-P dehydrogenase and GSSG-reductase activities decreased after copper or nickel injection. GSH-S-transferase activity was altered in various ways, depending on the organ and the metal.