[Effect of SO2 inhalation on the levels of GSH and GSH/GSSG in 9 organs of mice].

By spectrophotometric method, the level of non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and the ratio of GSH/GSSG were examined in nine organs of mice of both sexes after exposed to sulphur dioxide (SO2) at several concentrations. The results showed that: (1) at 22 mg/m3 of SO2 inhalation concentration, there were no significant difference between the experimental and control mice for the GSH levels and GSH/GSSG ratio in all of tested organs; (2) at 64 mg/m3, the GSH levels were significantly decreased in lungs, kidney, brain, stomach and testicle of the male mice in the experimental group, while the GSH levels and GSH/GSSG ratios in the tested organs of the female mice had no marked changes in the comparison with those in the control group; (3) 148 mg/m3 of SO2 inhalation led to decrease of both the GSH levels and GSH/GSSG ratios, in that the GSH levels were significantly lowered in liver, lung, kidney, heart, brain, stomach, small intestine and testicle of the male mice and in liver, lung, kidney, small intestine of the female mice, and the GSH/GSSG ratios were in liver, kidney, small intestine and testicle of the male mice and in liver, lung, kidney, brain, stomach, small intestine of the female mice. It indicated that SO2 above certain concentration could make effects not only on respiratory organ, but also on other organs, and the susceptibility of the male and the female mice to SO2 was different. The decline of the GSH level and GSH/GSSH ratio suggests that the toxic effect of SO2 is associated with its lowering the levels of antioxidants and weakening the defense system and antioxidation in organisms.