STRESS-INDUCED CHANGES IN ERYTHROCYTES. I. EFFECT OF PARACETAMOL AND ITS PRO-DRUG PROPACETAMOL ON GLUTATHIONE CONTENT IN RAT ERYTHROCYTES UNDER COLD/RESTRAINED STRESS

It is well known that stress lies in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. Erythrocytes (Er) are very sensitive to oxidative stress expressed with increased hemolysis. This phenomenon is due to reduced antioxidant defense reflecting mainly in diminished intracellular glutathione content. Paracetamol is one of the widely used analgesics-antipyretics. Its pro-drug propacetamol is water-soluble, injectable form of paracetamol recently introduced into the clinical practice for pain relief in the postoperative period. In our study we used the cold/restrained stress (CRS) experimental model to investigate the effects of paracetamol and propacetamol on the glutathione antioxidant system in rat Er. The test drugs were applied in equivalent doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body mass, respectively, 1 hour before the CRS. After the stress period (4 hours, 4°C) blood was taken and glutathione content in Er-lysates was estimated. The results showed a reduced glutathione content in the CRS group. Pretreatment with paracetamol diminished this parameter by 34 %, while the administration of propacetamol decreased the glutathione concentration in Er more stronger - by 64 %. Our results suggested that CRS had induced dysbalance in Er glutathione antioxidant system which was aggravated by paracetamol and propacetamol.