EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF REDUCED GLUTATHIONE AGAINST ACUTE POISONING BY PARAQUAT

Objective To study the therapeutic effect of reduced glutathione(GSH) against acute poisoning by paraquat. Methods SD rats were given(i.p.) GSH at different time after administration of paraquat(PQ, 250mg/kg)by oral.8h,24h,48h, 72h later, the level of MDA, and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH Px) in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) of the rats were detected respectively. Results The level of MDA of the PQ group significantly increased both in plasma and BALF( P 0.01) compared with control group, SOD in plasma was decreased than control group ( P 0.01), GSH Px showed some increase 48h later after poisoning. The activities of SOD and GSH Px in BALF were all decreased, but SOD showed some increase 48h later. Compare GSH treated group with PQ poisoning group, the MDA level decreased both in plasma and BALF,the SOD and GSH Px activities were increased too.The administration of GSH at different time after poisoning showed a little difference in MDA level and the activities of SOD and GSH Px.The pathological changes in lungs of PQ poisoned rats mainly showed congestion, leukocytes infiltration, and thickness of alveoli and local hemorrhage. After administration of GSH, congestion and hemorrhage of alveoli got some improvement. Conclusion Administration of GSH could improve the lipid peroxidation damage caused by acute poisoning of paraquat.