Abstract

In this study the role of glutathione (GSH) in sulfur mustard-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, in human skin fibroblast cell line (HF2FF) was evaluated. Sulfur mustard-induced superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide formation were evaluated by determination of superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in cell lysate. The cytotoxicity of sulfur mustard was estimated by lactate dehydrogenase leakage. The intracellular GSH content was modulated by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a GSH precursor, and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific GSH synthesis inhibitor. It was found that sulfur mustard exposure led to a dose-and time-dependent decrease in GSH content in HF2FF cells. NAC increased intracellular GSH level and protected the cells against sulfur mustard-induced reactive oxygen species formation and lactate dehydrogenase leakage. In contrast, buthionine sulfoximine pretreatment depleted cellular GSH and enhanced the susceptibility of HF2FF to the cytotoxic effects of sulfur mustard. These results indicated that GSH plays a critical role in protecting HF2FF cell line against sulfur mustar-induced cell injury, most probably through its antioxidant activity.