Effect of nickel chloride on hepatic lipid peroxidation and glutathione concentration in mice.

Intraperitoneal administration of nickel chloride enhanced hepatic lipid peroxidation (HLP) in 6-wk-old and 8-12-wk-old male CBA-mice but not in 3-wk-old mice. Nickel chloride administration depleted hepatic GSH in 8-12-wk-old mice but not in the younger age groups. After 300 mumol NiCl2/kg mortality occurred among 8-12-wk-old mice but not among the younger mice. Stimulation of GSH synthesis by administration of L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate reduced nickel chloride induced mortality and HLP. Reduction of GSH synthesis by administration of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) did not, however, enhance the toxicity of nickel chloride. This might be owing to chelation of the Ni(II)-ion by BSO. The results demonstrate age dependency and a protective effect of enhanced GSH synthesis in nickel chloride stimulated HLP.