Enzymes involved in glutathione metabolism in rat liver and blood after carbon tetrachloride intoxication.

Some glutathione-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver cytosol, blood plasma and urine of rats administered carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were investigated. After CCl4 at different doses (0.3, 1.2, 2.5 ml/kg at 24, 12 and 3 or 6 h, respectively) liver glutathione reductase (GR), glyoxalase I (GLY-I) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) significantly decreased, while thioltransferase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) did not change their activity. At the times under investigation the glutathione level significantly increased in the liver and the above-mentioned enzymes in plasma, thus evidencing a liver injury. The GR, GPX and GST assayed in urine within 72 h after CCl4 administration showed a maximum of activity at 35-48 h.