[Relationship between GSH depletion and "in vitro" lipoperoxidative processes in liver of rats intoxicated with paracetamol (author's transl)].

The time-course of reduced glutathione depletion in total liver homogenates from rats intoxicated with a single toxic dose of paracetamol (2000 mg/kg,os) was determined in parallel with the rate of production of TBA-reacting compounds. In addition, liver damage, as assayed by evaluation of leakage into blood stream of alanine-amino transferase and of the concentration of total hepatic lipids and triglycerides, was analysed. Our data indicate that at 4 and 6 hours after paracetamol giving GSH content of liver tissue appears reduced to about 27 and 38% of the control values, respectively. In the latter phases (8 and 24 hours) the concentration of GSH gradually tends to regain the values as estimated in untreated rats. At the same time the production of TBA-reacting substances is markedly increased. In spite of these biochemical disturbances not signs of both liver necrosis and hepatocellular degeneration was found. In fact, only at 24 hours after hepatotoxin a slight increase (P 0.05) of serum activity of alanine-amino transferase and of triglyceride content in the liver was revealed. The relationship between the hepatic GSH depletion and the increased production of TBA-reacting substances is discussed.