Glutathione ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipoxygenase ; metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Xenobiotics ; metabolism

The effect of selenium on the tissue sulfhydryl group content and lipid peroxide-destorying enzyme system in the liver, kidney and testis of rat treated with mercury was investigated. The male rats were injected s.c. with HgCl2 (10 micromoles/kg BW) and orally received Na2SeO3 (13 micromoles/kg BW) simultaneously. After 3 days, liver, kidney and testis were removed and analyzed. Mercury decreased the total sulfhydryl group content in the kidney by 25% and the total glutathione content in the kidney and testis by 50% and 36%, respectively, with no changes in other tissues. There was 12% increase in the total sulfhydryl group but not in the total glutathione content in kidney by a simul-taneous treatment of Se and Hg. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were decreased by 63% in the liver and 69% in the kidney, and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) activity was increased in the tests by 16% by the Hg treatment with no changes in Other tissues. Hg had no effect upon glutathione-S-transferase activities in all organs examined. Simultaneous Se treatment increased GSH-Rd activity in the kidney by 23% and GSH-Px activities in liver and kidney by 24% and 21%, respectively, compared to the Hg-treated group. These data indicate that the alleviation of Hg toxicity by Se treatment is well correlated with the protein sulfhydryl group content and GSH-Px activity.
Animal ; Glutathione/metabolism* ; Glutathione Peroxidase/analysis ; Glutathione Reductase/analysis ; Male ; Mercury/toxicity* ; Rats ; Selenium/pharmacology* ; Sulfhydryl Compounds/analysis*

Glutathione (L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine), one of the major non-protein thiol compounds, is widely distributed in living cells and plays an important role in maintaining the normal redox environment of cells as an antioxidant. In the production of glutathione by fermentation, temperature is one of the most important environmental factors that affect the yield and the productivity of glutathione. Here the effect of temperature, varied from 24 degrees C to 32 degrees C, on the batch fermentation of glutathione in a 7 L stirred fermenter by Candida utilis WSH 02-08 was investigated. It was found that cell growth was hastened along with the increase of temperature. The maximum dry cell weight was achieved approximately 16 g/L under various temperatures, as soon as the glucose was exhausted. The effect of temperature on glutathione production was different from that on cell growth: the lower the temperature, the higher the glutathione production, i.e. the maximum glutathione concentration at 32 degrees C (235 mg/L) was only 75% and 64% of that at 30 degrees C and 26 degrees C, respectively. The maximum average specific growth rate (0.13 h(-1)) was achieved at 30 degrees C while the maximum glutathione concentration (366 mg x L(-1)) and the maximum intracellular glutathione content (2.3%) were obtained at 26 degrees C. Therefore, the optimum temperatures for cell growth and glutathione production are quite different in the batch fermentation. A modified Logistic equation was successfully applied to estimate the kinetics of cell growth. The maximum specific growth rate and the substrate inhibition constant, calculated from this equation, were both increased along with the temperature. In addition, the glutathione fermentation by C. utilis WSH 02-08 under various temperatures was proven to be a partial growth-associated process by estimating the process with the Luedeking-Piret equation. Based on the estimated parameon the estimated parameters, the effect of temperature on the kinetics of cell growth was further studied. An equation, dX / dt = [0.0224(T + 1.7)]2 X(1-X/Xmax) / 1 + S/ {8.26 x 10(6) x exp [-31477/R/(T+273)]}, was developed and applied to interlink the relationship between biomass concentration and temperature as well as substrate concentration in the batch glutathione fermentation. The experiment results showed that this model could predict the growth pattern very well.
Candida ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; physiology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Kinetics ; Temperature

AIMTo explore a role of G6PD in replenishment of intracellular GSH during oxidative stress.

METHODSIn vitro Raji cell was cultured, intracellular GSH levels and G6PD, GR, GPX activities were determined at different time points after PMS treatment when G6PD activity was inhibited or not by DHEA.

RESULTSIntracellular GR, GPX, G6PD activities elevated significantly combined with GSH level decreased dramatically before 30 minutes, replenished gradually after 30 minutes and restore normal levels about 6 h after PMS treatment when G6PD was not inhibited. No change in GR and significant increase in GPX activity were shown following depleted GSH after PMS treatment when G6PD was inhibited by DHEA.

CONCLUSIONG6PD contributes to replenish intracellular GSH and is a critical factor regulating GSH levels during oxidative stress.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Receptors, Peptide ; metabolism

Riboflavin is a constituent of coenzyme, FMN, FAD and its content varies according to the physiological and nutritional status. However, the measurement of its content is so disputable that a new technique to determine its content has been developed, done by determination of glutathione reductase activity in red blood cell hemolysate. With this technique, the effect of various anesthetic agents (ether, halothane, tetracaine) upon riboflavin metabolism has been studied by the authors. In conclusion, the effects of anesthetics upon riboflavin metabolism are insignificant.
Anesthetics ; Erythrocytes* ; Flavin Mononucleotide ; Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide ; Glutathione Reductase ; Glutathione* ; Halothane ; Metabolism ; Nutritional Status ; Riboflavin

Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; Glutathione Disulfide ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxidation-Reduction

The induction of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (QR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione (GSH) levels in hepa1c1c7 cells (murine hepatoma) by waxy brown rice cultured with Phellinus igniarius to induce anticarcinogenic enzymes were measured. In addition, the inhibition of polyamines metabolism was tested with the growth of Acanthamoeba castellanii. The result shows that QR, GST activities, and GSH levels of experimental animals were increased much more by feeding the methanol extract of waxy brown rice cultured with Phellinus igniarius than those of the rats received the ethanol of uncultured brown rice. The growth of A. castellanii was inhibited mostly at 40 mg/3 ml concentration of methanol extract of waxy brown rice cultured with P. igniarius. The results suggested that waxy brown rice cultured with P. igniarius possess chemopreventive activity by inducing anticarcinogenic enzymes and inhibiting polyamine metabolism.
Acanthamoeba castellanii ; Animals ; Chemoprevention ; Ethanol ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Transferase ; Metabolism ; Methanol ; Polyamines ; Rats

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced under oxidative stress, such as high oxygen concentration and during the metabolic consumption of oxygen molecules. Male reproductive tissues appear to be continuously exposed to ROS produced by active metabolism. In addition, spermatozoa must pass through a high oxygen environment during the mating process. Thus, to maintain viable reproductive ability, a protective mechanism against oxidative stress is of importance. Here, we overview our current understanding of the cooperative function of antioxidative and redox systems that are involved in male fertility. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase are major enzymes that scavenge harmful ROS in male reproductive organs. In turn, glutathione and thioredoxin systems constitute the main redox systems that repair oxidized and damaged molecules and also play a role in regulating a variety of cellular functions. While glutathione functions as an antioxidant by donating electrons to glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin donates electrons to peroxiredoxin as a counterpart of glutathione peroxidase. In addition, aldo-keto reductases, which detoxify carbonyl compounds produced by oxidative stress, are present at high levels in the epithelia of the genital tract and Sertoli cells of the testis. Since these systems are involved in cross-talk, a comprehensive understanding will be required to maintain the physiological functions of male reproductive system.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Genitalia, Male ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; biosynthesis ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Thioredoxins ; metabolism

Acetaminophen (APAP) known as paracetamol is the main ingredient in Tylenol, which has analgesic and anti-pyretic properties. Inappropriate use of APAP causes major morbidity and mortality secondary to hepatic failure. Overdose of APAP depletes the hepatic glutathione (GSH) rapidly, and the metabolic intermediate leads to hepatocellular death. This article reviews the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity and provides an overview of current research studies. Pharmacokinetics including metabolism (activation and detoxification), subsequent transport (efflux)-facilitating excretion, and some other aspects related to toxicity are discussed. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-regulated gene battery plays a critical role in the multiple steps associated with the mitigation of APAP toxicity. The role of Nrf2 as a protective target is described, and potential natural products inhibiting APAP toxicity are outlined. This review provides an update on the mechanism of APAP toxicity and highlights the beneficial role of Nrf2 and specific natural products in hepatoprotection.
Acetaminophen* ; Biological Agents ; Glutathione ; Liver Failure ; Metabolism ; Mortality ; Pharmacokinetics

The physiological roles of the glutathione(GSH)/glutathione peroxidase(GPx) system in protecting microbial cells against oxidative stress were reviewed. In eukaryotic model microbe Saccharomyces cerevisiae,this system is obligatory in maintaining the redox balance and defending the oxidative stress. However, the GSH/GPx system only conditionally exists in prokaryotes. Namely,for those prokaryote bacteria containing glutathione reductase and GPx, e.g. Haemophilus influenzae and Lactococcus lactis, by taking up GSH, they might develop a conditional GSH-dependent GPx reduction system, which conferred cells a stronger resistance against oxidative challenge.
Glutathione ; metabolism ; physiology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; physiology ; Glutathione Reductase ; physiology ; Haemophilus influenzae ; physiology ; Lactococcus lactis ; physiology ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; enzymology ; physiology