Effect of haemorrhage on hepatic glutathione concentration: an experimental study in the pig

Depletion in the hepatic concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) may potentiate liver injury resulting from toxic metabolites. Patients who have had severe haemorrhage frequently develop hepatic dysfunction and we have shown that the hepatic GSH level is decreased in these patients. The present study has examined the time-course effect of a 30% haemorrhage on the hepatic GSH level by sequential biopsies of the liver. Acute and chronic experiments were performed and, in both, the hepatic concentration of GSH fell during the first 6 h after haemorrhage; this fall was followed by a significant rebound elevation at 24 h. In the chronic haemorrhage experiment the hepatic GSH level was normal at 1 week after haemorrhage. Thus, the susceptibility of the liver to toxic metabolite injury after haemorrhage persists for less than 24 h in this experimental model and haemorrhage appears to have no long term effect on the hepatic GSH concentration.