Glutathion content, rate of apoptosis, and brown adipose tissue mass in rats exposed to different ambient temperatures

Abstract

1. Amount of glutathione (GSH) in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) of cold-adapted (5 +/- 1 degreesC), and 1, 3 and 7 days re-adapted (22 +/- 1 degreesC) rats were examined. 2. The higher amount of GSH was found in the IBAT of cold-adapted rats compared to control animals (22 +/- 1 degreesC). 3. After 1 and 7 days of re-adaptation, the level of GSH was still significantly higher compared to control group. 4. On the third day of re-adaptation, the quantity of GSH in the tissue was significantly lower compared to the cold-adapted group. 5. In cold-adapted animals, intensity of apoptosis in IBAT was lower, whereas in re-adapted animals (3rd and 7th day) it was higher than in control group. 6. This study indicates that GSH depletion is associated with an enhanced apoptosis in MAT during re-adaptation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.