Endrin-induced depletion of glutathione and inhibition of glutathione peroxidase activity in rats.

1. Recent studies have shown that endrin induces lipid peroxidation and may produce toxicity through an oxidative stress. We have therefore examined the effect of endrin administration to rats on glutathione content and the activities of glutathione metabolizing enzymes. 2. The oral administration of endrin resulted in dose- and time-dependent decreases in hepatic and renal glutathione content with maximum depletion (90%) occurring in liver at approximately 24 hr post-treatment. 3. Decreases in glutathione content were also observed in lung, brain, spleen and heart. 4. Endrin (4 mg/kg) decreased selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in liver and kidney by 64 and 50%, respectively, while small increases were observed in the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase. 5. The toxicity of endrin may be at least in part related to oxidative tissue damage associated with depletion of glutathione and inhibition of glutathione peroxidase activity.