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.


METHODS
Controlled study.


METHODS
42 male Wistar rats.


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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Karwinski
W
W
Department of Surgery, Haukeland Hospital, University of Bergen, Norway.
Ulvik
R
R
Farstad
M
M
Svardal
A
A
Berge
R
R
Søreide
O
O
D000493:Allopurinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005609:Free Radicals; D005978:Glutathione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide; D007511:Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015424:Reperfusion; D013997:Time Factors
D005609:Free Radicals; D000493:Allopurinol; D005978:Glutathione; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide