Modification of lethal, hypothermic and hyperphagic effects of sodium selenite by reduced glutathione in mice

The effects of co-administration of reduced glutathione (GSH) on the lethality of sodium selenite (SS) and on SS-induced hypothermia and hyperphagia were examined in adult male ICR mice. Tissue GSH levels after s.c. injection were also determined. In the plasma, GSH concentration was significantly elevated up to 2 h after injection of 2 mmol/kg of GSH. Little change was observed in liver, and erythrocyte levels, the lethality of SS was enhanced by a similar dose of GSH. This enhancement, however, was observed only when SS was injected during the period when plasma GSH was elevated. These results suggest that the interaction between GSH and SS in plasma was the major contributor to the enhancement of SS toxicity. Hypothermia induced by SS was also enhanced by a 60-fold dose of GSH but not by a 6-fold dose of GSH. With respect to hyperphagia, GSH suppressed the effect of SS, probably because of depressing effect of co-administration of SS an GSH.