Counteraction by glutathione and selenium of the prooxidant effect of alloxan in erythrocytes in vitro.

Alloxan produces reactive oxygen species which cause injury to the insulin-producing beta-cells of the pancreas. The action of alloxan in the production of free radicals was studied in vitro using rat erythrocytes. Alloxan increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the erythrocytes. Treatment with glutathione (GSH) and/or selenium along with alloxan was able to decrease LPO and increase the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the erythrocytes. The results suggest that GSH and selenium both counteract the prooxidant effect of alloxan in rat erythrocytes.