Depletion of glutathione content and inhibition of glutathione-S-transferase and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of rat brain following exposure to styrene.

Dose dependent effects of styrene on cellular glutathione content and activity of cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase and microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase of rat brain was investigated. A significant inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and glutathione-S-transferase activity followed by depletion of glutathione content, was observed only at higher doses (450 and 900 mg/kg). Results suggest that exposure of styrene to rats can affect the biotransformation capacity of brain dependent on glutathione content and the activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and glutathione-S-transferase.