Protective effect of zinc in the hepatotoxicity of bromobenzene and acetaminophen

Mice of the Balb'c strain were administered bromobenzene (BB) or acetaminophen (AA) i.p., in single doses of 400 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. In the blood activity of SGOT and SGPT as well as SDH was determined. In the liver the level of metallothionein (MT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) was measured. The level of MT as well as GSH (determined as non-protein SH groups) showed a significant increase following administration of zinc alone. Joint action of zinc and either BB or AA resulted in a decrease of GSH which was less pronounced than expected for each of the xenobiotics alone. The protective effect of zinc reflected in the reduction of the increase of SGPT and SGOT activity was apparent shortly (4 h) after administration of AA. A day after injection of AA alone the activity of enzymes was lower and the rate of decline followed the sequence SGPT greater than SGOT greater than SDH. For BB, both the toxic effect and the protective influence of zinc were apparent 24 h following administration. At 4 h in a group receiving BB alone no changes of the indicatory enzymes in blood were noted.