Effect of Glutathione on Lipogenesis in Liver Slices from Rats Fed on Low Casein Diet

Abstract

To study the mechanism of fatty infiltration in the liver due to added sulfur-containing amino acids to low casein diet, the effect of sulfur-containing amino acids and glutathione (GSH) on the incorporation of acetate-l-14C into lipid fractions were studied in liver slices from rats fed on 8% casein diet (Basal diet) with or without added methionine (Met). The liver acetyl Co A carboxylase activities of rats on basal diet with or without added Met were similar. Addition of Met, cystine or cysteine to the incubation medium had little effect on lipogenesis of slices. On addition of GSH to liver slices from rats fed on basal diet, lipid formation increased appreciably. On the other hand, addition of GSH to liver slices from rats fed on Met supplemented diet showed no accelerative effect on lipogenesis. Addition of GSH to the incubation medium of liver slices from rats fed on basal diet tended to reduce the incorporation of acetate into the phospholipid fraction and to increase into the fatty acid fraction of liver slices. The content of liver GSH was lower in rats on basal diet than in those on Met supplemented diet. The higher GSH level in rats on Met supplemented diet may be one factor causing fatty infiltration in the liver of these animals.