Thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid toxicity and glutathione levels in variouis organs of the rat

Thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TC)(a precursor of intracellular cysteine) was administered to rats at 50 mg/kg and at 400 mg/kg by an i.p. route and at 800 mg/kg per os, and the levels of glutathione (GSH) in gastric mucosa, gastric wall and liver were determined. GSH levels in the eyes were measured after oral administration of TC. No changes in GSH levels were observed at 50 mg/kg from 1 to 48 h. An initial increase of liver GSH levels was followed by a decrease (up to 12h) at 400mg/kg i.p. After oral administration of 800 mg/kg an initial increase of GSH levels in the liver and gastric mucosa was followed by a decrease (up to 24 h);the GSH levels in the gastric wall showed a persistent decrease. No significant changes were seen in the GSH levels of the eyes.