Effect of glutathione on alterations of liver DNA structure and metabolic activities induced in vivo by 2-acetylaminofluorene.

The effect on liver tissue of glutathione administration to rats treated for 7-14 days with 2-acetylaminofluorene was investigated. The DNA damage induced by the hepatotoxic agent and evaluated by the alkaline elution technique was significantly reduced by glutathione. Furthermore, GSH administration maintained liver GSH level, prevented the increase in alkaline phosphatase and reduced the decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase activity. GSH did not significantly influence the increase in gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase and glutathione-S-transferase activities.