[Features of inter-organ glutathione metabolism in rats provided with different amounts of protein and methionine].

The total glutathione content was studied in the liver, kidneys and erythrocytes of rats given semisynthetic rations containing protein with 5, 10 and 15% of calorific value, as well as protein with 18% of calorific value supplemented with 0.125-0.425% of L-methionine. The total glutathione content in the liver directly depended on the protein content in the ration, while that in the kidneys did not vary with the protein level. The glutathione concentration in erythrocytes was significantly reduced with the rise of the protein quota in the ration. The addition of L-methionine to the ration also produced a reverse effect on the glutathione content in the liver and erythrocytes. However, the growth of the glutathione concentration in the liver and its lowering in the erythrocytes were recorded only after the addition of 0.125 and 0.225% of methionine. The rise of the methionine added up to 0.325 and 0.425% produced no effect on the glutathione concentration in the liver and erythrocytes, at the same time the glutathione concentration and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity in the kidneys rose. It has been concluded that the methionine level in the ration, at which the glutathione content in the liver and erythrocytes is stabilized, can serve as a criterion of an adequately balanced ration for animals (with respect to methionine) with the use of casein as a protein source.