Increased glutathione-S-transferase activity in antioxidant-deficient rats.

Rats fed a diet deficient in vitamin E and selenium show an increased activity of glutathione-S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) in all tissues tested, with the possible exception of the retina. Glutathione-S-transferases are detoxifying enzymes that are induced by a variety of electrophilic drugs or toxins. Therefore, the induction of glutathione-S-transferase in vitamine E- and selenium-deficient rats indicates that substrates for the enzyme probably increase in vivo with dietary antioxidant deficiency. These substrates are likely to be lipid peroxides and/or other lipid peroxidation products.