Study of the effects of BaCl2 on the level of glutathione in plasma and cytosolic fraction in whole blood

Barium has important role in the field of medical sciences, but it has been found in various studies that barium can cause numerous toxic effects. Studies have proven the strong affinity of the metalloelements for the sulfhydryl group (SH), present in reduced glutathione (GSH) and other biological molecules. In this context, the study about the possible interaction of BaCl2 with glutathione in whole blood components was of interest, as an indication about the extent of barium toxicity and the role of glutathione in the conjugation and detoxification of the metalloelement barium. The concentration dependent and time dependent effect of BaCl2 on the level of GSH in plasma and Cytosolic Fraction in whole blood was investigated, following Ellman’s method. It was found that BaCl2 causes a decrease in the GSH level, which is more pronounced with increasing concentration of BaCl2 and with time incubation as well. The observed effect GSH concentration may be presumably due to production of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) or then due to Barium- Glutathione (GS-Ba-SG) conjugate formation.