Effect of Ciclosporin on Rat Liver and Kidney Glutathione Content

Abstract

The effect of ciclosporin (CS) on hepatic and renal glutathione was investigated in 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200–250 g each. CS (120 µg/kg/day, i.p.) treatment caused a significant decrease in both hepatic and renal glutathione content. The rat hepatic glutathione levels decreased by 16 % within 1 h of a single CS treatment and continued decreasing to 50% following chronic treatment with CS for 7 days. Renal glutathione content decreased only marginally (3%) within 1 h of CS treatment. However, it decreased by 17% within 24 h and continued to decrease during the 7 days of chronic treatment. This decrease in the content of both hepatic and renal glutathione may contribute to the toxicity observed during treatment with CS.