Effect of the sulfonylurea glyburide on glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rat hepatocytes

1. The effect of glyburide treatment on glutathione peroxidase activity and glutathione levels of non-insulin diabetic rats has been studied. 2. Hepatic glutathione and glutathione peroxidase concentrations were significantly reduced in diabetic animals. 3. Glyburide treatment of diabetic rats for 4 weeks corrected the changes on the glutathione levels observed in diabetic liver. 4. High blood glucose levels of untreated diabetic rats were decreased following glyburide treatment as well. 5. Administration of glyburide to diabetic rats reversed the diabetes-induced changes suggesting that glyburide may directly increase liver glutathione concentrations.