Toxicity of low levels of methylglyoxal: depletion of blood glutathione and adverse effect on glucose tolerance in mice

Methylglyoxal, a metabolic by-product of glycolysis is also formed during food processing and has serious toxicological effects when in excess. In this study, ddY mice were exposed to low levels of methylglyoxal (1% v/v) via drinking water while in utero continuing until 2 months of age when investigations on blood GSH status and selected GSH dependent functions in the blood, and glucose tolerance were carried out. The results showed that GSH content was significantly decreased in the blood of methylglyoxal exposed mice when compared with controls (mean, 0.756 mmol/l vs. 1.090 mmol/l, p < 0.001). The data showed significant (p < 0.001) decreases in blood GSH-S-transferase activity and red blood cell (rbc) capacity to refract oxidative stress. Impaired glucose tolerance was 5.3 times more prevalent in the methylglyoxal exposed mice when compared with the controls. The results indicate that chronic intake of methylglyoxal, at levels that could be attained in food, is toxic by depletion of blood GSH and could have adverse effect on some GSH dependent functions in vivo. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.