Effects of diethyl maleate on protein synthesis in isolated hepatocytes

Diethyl maleate is commonly used in toxicological and drug metabolism research using isolated adult rat hepatocytes. At the highest concentrations used the effect of diethyl maleate is, however, not limited to glutathione depletion. In these conditions it inhibits protein synthesis and it impairs the "L" system for amino acid transport. It has, however, no effect on the cytochrome P-450 content or its dependent aldrin monooxygenase. The present report shows that a concentration of diethyl maleate as low as 0.2 mM is sufficient to deplete glutathione without affecting glycogen and protein synthesis, transport of amino acid or monooxygenase activity in isolated adult rat hepatocytes.