Alteration of glutathione, glutathione S-transferase and lipid peroxidation in mouse skin and extracutaneous tissues after topical application of gasoline.

The skin is the major environmental interface of the human body and is repeatedly exposed to a broad array of exogenous chemicals potentially capable of causing toxicity. In the present study we have applied 3, 6 or 12 ml leaded gasoline/kg body weight to the skin of adult male Swiss mice for 7 consecutive days and then sacrificed the animals on 8th day after an overnight fast. Glutathione (GSH) concentration, lipid peroxidation and other GSH-dependent enzyme activities were measured in skin, liver, brain and blood tissues of the mice. Topical application of 12 ml/kg gasoline caused a significant increase in water consumption by the animals, although, their body weight and food consumption was not significantly affected. A 40-60% decrease in blood concentration of glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol was also observed after the treatment. The hemoglobin concentration, GSH content, lipid peroxidation and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity of erythrocytes were not significantly affected by the gasoline treatment. However, a decrease in GSH concentration (16-21%), lipid peroxidation (30-60%) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity (30-40%) was observed in skin, liver and brain after gasoline application. Western blot analysis of tissues using antibodies against GST isoenzymes demonstrated an alteration in the expression of various GST isoenzymes after gasoline treatment. Our results suggest that topical exposure of gasoline causes some deleterious effects on skin and extracutaneous tissues.