RAT SPLENOCYTE THIOL DISULFIDE STATUS AND GLUTATHIONE RELATED ENZYME-ACTIVITIES DURING POSTNATAL ONTOGENY

Significant changes in the glutathione redox state and glutathione-metabolizing enzyme activities in splenocytes during postnatal development and aging of male Wistar rats were observed. The reduced glutathione (GSH) level increases at up to six months of age and decreases between 6 and 24 months of life. The oxidized glutathione (GSSG) rapidly increases after birth until 6 months of postnatal life and remains unchanged between 6 and 24 months. Thus a higher GSSG/GSH ratio and age-related shift in the redox potential were found in splenocytes from 24 month-old rats. The decline in reduced glutathione level is accompanied with similar changes in glutathione-related enzyme activities. Glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities increase during the period of maturation, reach maximum activities at 6 months of postnatal life and decrease thereafter.