title: Cellular defense mechanisms against toxic substances.
abstract: Recent studies of cellular defense mechanisms against toxic substances are reviewed with particular emphasis on the critical functions of reduced glutathione. Studies of the metabolism of paracetamol and of the redox active quinone menadione in isolated rat hepatocytes, are summarized in order to illustrate how multiple defense mechanisms are involved in the protection of the cell against the toxicity of these agents. Cytotoxicity with both agents occurs only after the cellular defense mechanisms have become exhausted.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005965:Glucuronates / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005965:Glucuronates; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D005978:Glutathione; D010100:Oxygen