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Protective effect of oxidized glutathione in acute sulfide poisoning

1966; Elsevier BV; Volume: 9; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0041-008x(66)90115-3

1096-0333

Roger P. Smith, Roy A. Abbanat,

Eicosanoids and Hypertension Pharmacology

Pretreatment of mice with oxidized glutathione (GSSG) protects them against a subsequent lethal challenge with sodium sulfide. This protective effect is additive to that imparted by methemoglobin as previously reported. The conclusion is reached that the protective actions of oxidized glutathione and of methemoglobin are similar, namely, a trapping of free sulfide thereby preventing it from reaching vital enzymatic sites. Evidence is presented to show that the mechanism of this reaction is based on a scission of the disulfide bridge of glutathione by the hydrosulfide anion. Oxygen, however, is required for the ultimate irreversible detoxication of sulfide. In contrast to the slow disulfide-bond cleavage by cyanide, the reaction of sulfide with some disulfide bridges is rapid enough to be of biological importance. Attempts to alter blood GSH:GSSG ratios in mice without producing methemoglobin were unsuccessful; however, the possibility remains that the reaction of sulfide with oxidized glutathione or other endogenous disulfide bridges constitutes an important natural detoxication process.