Effects of reduced glutathione and cold exposure on the levels of protein in some organs of the mouse

Park, B H; Suh, S J; Lee, D I; Kim, Y K

Abstract

In an attempt to observe the possible radioprotective actions of single or combined application of reducedglutathione(GSH) and cold exposure in mammales, the albino mouse was subjected to GSH injection, cold exposure at-1+0.2C and whole-body X-irradiation with 900R either singularly or in comination, or the X-irradiation followingthe cold exposure and/or GSH injection. The level of protein of the liver, brain and heart was measured at onehour after each application, and the results were compared with the control, i.e., non-irradiated and non-coldexposed normal animal. Protein was measured by the method described byr Lowry et al., using Folin-Ciocalteauphenol reagent. The results thus obtained are summarized as follow: 1) the level of protein in the liver, brainand heart of the normal mouse was 101.13, 62.75 and 87.08 mg/gm wet wt., respectively. 2) The protein levels ofall the organs studied were elevated by the X-irradiation, but decreased protein levels were observed when GSH wasgiven. 3) In the group where the cold exposure was applied, and the X-irradiation was combined with the coldexposure, the protein levels of the organs were similar to the normal value or slightly decreased. 4) When GSH,X-irradiation and cold-exposure were combined, the protein levels of all the organs studied were decreasedcomparing with the normal.