THE CONTENT OF REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN KIDNEY, LIVER AND SPLEEN OF MICE AFTER STREPTOZOTOCIN INJECTION

Abstract

Streptozotocin is an antibiotic with a cytostatic effect, which is used to induce experimental diabetes in experimental animals. Intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin causes damage to liver, kidney pancreatic beta cells and inhibits the secretion of insulin. Toxic effect of streptozotocin is also associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Reduced glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants. The aim of work was to estimate the concentration of reduced glutathione in kidney, liver and spleen of mice after streptozotocin injection. The research was conducted on Swiss mice 12 weeks old, weight 26 g. Animals were fed with standard diet and grown in 12/12 light/dark photoperiod. The animals were segregated into four experimental and four control group. Each group consisted of 5 animals. Total number of animals was n=40 of experimental groups were injected itraperitoneally with streptozotocin in dose of 65 mg/kg. Mice of control group were injected with physiological saline. The measurements were performed 48, 72 hours and 8, 16 days after streptozotocin injection. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s “t†test. It was observed that the level of reduced glutathione was decreased in all experimental groups compared to the control groups in all examined organs and intervals. The largest decrease was recorded in the liver. Our results indicate negative effect of streptozotocin on the level of reduced glutathione which may lead to imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant reactions.