Glutathione depletion in lung cells by low-molecular-weight aldehydes

摘要: Use of oxygenates in gasoline the United States may increase atmospheric levels aldehydes. To assist health assessments inhalation exposure to aldehydes, we studied glutathione (GSH) depletion by low-molecular-weight n-alkanals and 2-alkenals, ubiquitous air pollutants, adult rat lung (ARL) cells laser cytometry. For each homologous series, effective aldehyde concentration that depleted GSH 50% (EC50) ARL correlates with published values for median lethal dose chemicals Hammett/Taft electronic parameters, sigma* sigma(+)p 2-alkenals. n-Alkanals (EC50, 110-400 mmol/L) were 1000 times less depleting than 2-alkenals 2-180 micromol/L), which acrolein was most potent. Ability deplete follows second-order rate constant adduct formation. chain length. Within a series structure-activity relationships are useful predicting toxicity aldehydes vitro vivo.