Enhancement of renal and hepatic glutathione metabolism by dimethylthiourea
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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Preparation of DMMTAV and DMDTAV Using DMAV for Environmental Applications: Synthesis, Purification, and Confirmation
Published on: March 9, 2018
L S Milner1, S H Wei, M T Houser
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-2165.
Abstract:
Dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a free radical scavenger, was administered to rats to study its effect on renal and hepatic glutathione metabolism, since it is a potential sulfhydryl donor. Six hours following DMTU, renal GSH content was significantly (P < 0.05) increased (10%), and was increased further after 24 h (28%) (P < 0.001). Hepatic GSH content was also significantly (P < 0.001) elevated at 6 and 24 h (5 and 33%, respectively). Seven days of daily DMTU therapy significantly (P < 0.001) increased renal and hepatic GSH content by 36 and 54%, respectively, which was associated with a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the renal activities of glutathione peroxidase (GP) by 38%, glutathione transferase (GT) by 92%, and glutathione reductase (GR) by 19% (P < 0.05). Significantly increased activities of hepatic GP by 84% (P < 0.01) and GT by 101% (P < 0.001) also occurred in DMTU-treated rats after 7 days of continuous therapy. From these data, we conclude that DMTU stimulates renal and hepatic GSH metabolism, which may be important in mediating DMTU's protective effect against free radical-induced tissue injury.
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