Glutathione S-transferase activity in the rat skin in relation to melanin

Abstract

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is widely investigated in normal physiological and pathological processes in the skin. In this work, the changes in the GST activity in the skin of two different rat strains (Dark August (DA), with melanin, and Wistar without melanin) during life span (3 and 15 days, and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 months) were investigated. In the skin of Wistar rat strain no changes in the GST activity were observed. The activity of GST in the 15-day-old DA rats was significantly increased in comparison to 3-day-old DA rats. This elevated activity remains at the same level unit at the end of examined period. Starting from day 15 of life higher skin GST activity in DA comparing with Wistar rats was detected. Our results suggest that change of GST activity correlates with the presence of the melanin in the skin. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.