The formation of mercapturic acids. 1. Formation of mercapturic acid and the levels of glutathione in tissues

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Abstract
The possibility that glutathione may be involved in the formation of mercapturic acids in vivo was examined. The levels of glutathione in the liver fell when mercapturic acid precursors were given to rats; this fall was roughly commensurate with the amount of mercapturic acid formed. No decrease in the glutathione levels in blood, kidney and intestine were observed in rats given mercapturic acid precursors. There was no significant change in rabbit blood under the same conditions. The injection of glutathione into the caudal vein of the rat did not affect the rate of excretion of mercapturic acid. Values are given for the amounts of mercapturic acid excreted by rats given various mercapturic acid precursors. Turnover rates for liver glutathione calculated from the maximum rates of excretion of mercapturic acids and the levels of liver glutathione before and after administration of precursors are in agreement with those reported by other workers. Butyl chloral hydrate, which is not a mercapturic acid precursor, caused no fall in the level of glutathione in liver but a pronounced fall in the level in blood.