A negative correlation between oxygen uptake and glutathione oxidation in rat liver homogenates

Abstract

GSH added to rat liver homogenates inhibited respiration and increased GSSG formation approximately proportionally to the amount of GSH added; the effect was increased by added magnesium chloride. Added NADPH and citrate decreased GSSG formation and increased respiration; 6·0mm-nicotinamide prevented GSSG formation and increased respiration. There was a negative correlation between GSSG formation and oxygen uptake. It is suggested that the decrease in oxygen uptake is mainly due to GSSG concentration and also that in vivo a GSH–GSSG steady state occurs.