Effect of allopurinol on the concentration of endogenous glutathione in hepatocytes after an hour of normothermic liver ischemia.

OBJECTIVE

To find out whether oxygen free radical liberated by activation of xanthine oxidase change the tissue concentration of glutathione.

DESIGN

Controlled study.

MATERIAL

42 male Wistar rats.

INTERVENTION

Laparotomy, induction of ischemia, and reperfusion. 27 rats were treated with allopurinol (to inhibit xanthine oxidase) and the remaining 15 acted as controls.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Concentrations of reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione, and total glutathione in hepatocytes, blood, and bile.

RESULTS

Concentration of reduced and total glutathione in hepatocytes decreased significantly during reperfusion and oxidized glutathione was unchanged in all groups. Total glutathione in peripheral venous blood was reduced by half during the period of ischemia and increased gradually during reperfusion whereas the concentration of total glutathione in bile decreased appreciable during reperfusion. Production of bile improved significantly during reperfusion in the group treated with allopurinol compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Xanthine oxidase may not be the main source of production of oxygen free radicals as allopurinol did not affect the hepatic concentration of glutathione during reperfusion.