Glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2; GSSG-R), glutathione peroxidase (EC. 1.11.1.9; GSHpx) and glutathione transferase (EC 2.5.1.18; GST) enzymatic activities and glutathione status were investigated in 11-day embryos and the yolk sac, placenta and perinatal liver in rats. It is observed that: (a) levels of GSSG differ between the embryo (lower) and yolk sac (higher); (b) GSH concentrations increased significantly in fetal livers with respect to the days of gestation; in contrast, GSSG hepatic concentrations showed a significant rise with respect to time only during lactation; (c) the specific enzymatic activity of both GSHpx and GSSG-R were higher in the visceral yolk sac than in the embryo; (d) hepatic GSSG-R activity increased significantly during gestation. In addition, hepatic GSHpx and GST activities showed statistically significant increases over the period studied.
Respiratory toxicity of copper was tested in Wistar rats by spraying copper sulfate (330 g/l spray) for daily periods of 1 hr in a self-contained chamber for up to 10 days. The respiratory toxicity was compared with that from intraperitoneal administration of 1 mg Cu/mg body weight and with adequate control rats. Analysis of tissue Cu and Zn was done in lung, liver, kidney, and plasma by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Similar organ and subcellular distribution of both elements were found between the two treated groups, and only statistically significant higher levels of Cu were found in plasma and liver. After exposure, Cu and Zn were basically associated with a low-molecular-weight component, which eluted as metallothionein in the postmicrosomal fractions.
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