The effect of diet on the glutathione content of the liver

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Abstract
On a diet low in protein, rats showed an immediate and marked reduction in the liver glutathione content which reached a constant level corresponding to 20-30% of the normal value after about 14 days. This fall was prevented and normal level restored by the admn. of cystine or methionine without a corresponding increase of the intake of other amino-acids. Other organs were not greatly affected. Increased intake of cystine or methionine to a high level produced no marked effect on the glutathione content of the liver as measured by a colorimetric or manometric method, but a considerable increase was indicated by the iodometric method. Starvation appeared to affect the glutathione content of the liver to a lesser extent than protein deficiency. Similar results were obtained with diets in which N was supplied in the form of pure amino-acids. The glutathione content of the liver depends solely on the intake of cystine or methionine. The bearing of these results on the dietary production of hepatic necrosis is discussed.