AFLATOXIN AND GLUTATHIONE IN DOMESTIC-FOWL (GALLUS-DOMESTICUS) .1. GLUTATHIONE ELEVATION AND ATTENUATION BY HIGH DIETARY METHIONINE

1. Changes in hepatic and renal glutathione (GSH) and plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) following single or daily oral doses of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, 2 mg/kg BW) or corn oil vehicle (1 ml/kg BW) were determined in male chickens (14-21-day-old). 2. Plasma AST and hepatic GSH increased 2 and 8 hr, respectively, following a single AFB1 dose. 3. Hepatic GSH continued to increase through 5 daily doses of AFB1, but there were no differences in AST levels on days 1-5. Feeding a diet containing 150% of NRC requirement for methionine attenuated the AFB1-induced increase in hepatic GSH. Renal GSH was unaffected by AFB1 or dietary treatment.