Open AccessA Correlation between Glutathione Levels and Cellular Damage in Isolated Hepatocytes
Author(s) -
HÖGBERG Johan,
KRISTOFERSON Annika
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1977.tb11368.x
Subject(s) - glutathione , cumene hydroperoxide , incubation , chemistry , biochemistry , toxicity , albumin , amino acid , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , enzyme , organic chemistry , catalysis
To obtain high levels of glutathione in isolated hepatocytes an isolation procedure shorter than 16 min was used. This procedure gave a moderately high yield of viable cells (200–300 × 10 6 cells/ 10 g liver) with 44 ± 3 nmol of glutathione/10 6 cells. Incubation in Krebs‐Henseleit solution containing 2% albumin resulted in a continuous loss of reduced glutathione from the cells, while incubation in a medium containing amino acids and horse serum resulted in increased levels, suggesting active synthesis for 5 h. A short and apparently harmless depletion of reduced glutathione was induced by diethylmaleate or cumene hydroperoxide. A depletion of reduced glutathione lasting more than 1 h was accompanied by an increased cellular leakage. The depletion was induced by either diethylmaleate plus paracetamol or diethylmaleate alone in higher concentrations. A common mechanism for these toxic responses is suggested.