Lens glutathione depletion of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and oxidative stress

Abstract

Rat lenses in which all the glutathione has been conjugated with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene remain apparently transparent for extended periods of time (up to 24 hours), but are more susceptible to oxidative damage by oxidants such as superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide. Reduced glutathione has an additional role of detoxification of xenobiotics to form the corresponding mercapturic acids and protection of lens by conjugating the xenobiotics which could be transported out of the lens. The GSH-xenobiotic conjugate transport system is probably shared by GSSG.