[Glutathione defense system in various brain structures during starvation]

Distribution of glutathione reductase (GR) and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GP) activity and the content of selenium in the cytosolic fraction of the brain stem, hypothalamus and different cortical areas of the rat cerebrum in norm and under starvation was investigated. It was shown that GR activity in all investigated structures was approximately identical, but GP activity in various cortical areas was 1.5-2.0 times higher, than that in the mesencephalon and myeloencepalon. During 2-3 days of starvation GR activity changed insignificantly, whereas GP activity varied within wide limits. Under prolonged starvation a significant decrease in the content of selenium and GP activity was observed. The correlation of these changes was more expressed in the hypothalamus. It was assumed that glutathione and enzymes of its metabolism were involved in the regulatory system of redox processes in the nervous tissues in the primary period of starvation.