Effects of liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride on glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in rat gastric mucosa.

The present study investigated the relationship between the concentration of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) and GSH-dependent enzyme activities in the gastric mucosa during acute liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Transient decreases in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was observed (p < 0.01). GSH concentration also decreased (p < 0.01) but then transiently increased (p < 0.05). Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities in rats killed 6, 12, and 24 hr after exposure to CCl4 were all higher than in the control group (p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between GSH concentration and GST activity (p < 0.05) and between GSH concentration and GSH-Px activity (p < 0.01). However, there was no correlation between GSH concentration and GGT activity. The gastric mucosa, as judged by light microscopy, was slightly more damaged in the rats exposed to CCl4 than in the control group. From the observed abnormalities of GSH and GSH-dependent enzymes in the gastric mucosa of the rats exposed to CCl4, changes in GSH content and GSH-related enzymes in gastric mucosa may be important in gastric protection during acute liver injury.