Regulation of brain and hepatic glutathione-S-transferase by sex hormones in rats.

Our results indicate that sex hormones play an important role in the regulation of brain and hepatic GST protein during maturity. The conjugating factor GSH does not appear to be under the influence of sex hormones. These observations are of great significance in view of the possibility of continued exposure to neurotoxic chemicals like DDT and Kepone which can cause significant alterations in levels of sex hormones. A reduced GSH activity could lead to a retarded biotransformation of electrophiles and thus to an enhanced toxicity.