Relationship between hepatic levels of glutathione and sulphobromophthalein retention in hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Sulphobromophthalein (BSP) retention and liver glutathione levels were studied in uncomplicated hyperthyroid patients. BSP retention was increased in 52.5% of the subjects at admission (n = 40) and in 28% of the cases after 3 months of propylthiouracil treatment (300-400 mg/day) (n = 25). Hepatic levels of glutathione were measured in six patients and significant inversed power correlation with BSP retention was observed (r = 0.968, P < 0.001). These data support the contention that the alteration of the BSP retention observed in hyperthyroidism could be due to a decreased availability of hepatic glutathione for conjugation.