Effect of acetaminophen on glutathione levels in rat testis and lung.

Glutathione (GSH) levels in rat testis and lung after oral administration (3 g/kg) of acetaminophen (APAP) were studied. At the administered dose APAP is present in each organ and influences the GSH levels. APAP value of 114 micrograms/g was obtained in testis at 6 hr (peak time); in the lung the Cmax was 92 mu/g at 8 hr and this value lasted several hours longer than that in testis. GSH levels are also affected differently in the organs studied after APAP administration; the lungs seem to be the primary organ undergoing the depleting action of APAP. This process could not only cause toxicity, but also predispose those organs to the action of toxic compounds responsible for specific pathologies.