Glutathione suppresses increase of serum creatine kinase in experimental hypoglycemia

Inhibitory effects of reduced glutathione (GSH) on serum enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were investigated in the hypoglycemic rabbits. Hypoglycemia lasting for 60 min was induced by intravenous injection of insulin (10 U/kg) and then recovered by intravenous glucose injection. Serum levels of ALT, AST, LDH and CK increased significantly (p < 0.05) at 6 h after the induction of hypoglycemia. Plasma GSH, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and total glutathione (TGSH) began to increase significantly (p < 0.05) at 1 h after the insulin injection, and GSSG/TGSH ratio rose significantly (p < 0.05) at 6 h after the induction of hypoglycemia. GSSG contents and GSSG/TGSH ratio in quadriceps significantly increased during hypoglycemia. Administration of GSH significantly decreased plasma GSSG levels, GSSG/TGSH ratio (p < 0.05) and suppressed the rise of serum enzymes induced by hypoglycemia. These results suggest that GSH administration may play a preventive role for increases of serum enzymes by experimental hypoglycemia.