Abstract
Total soluble thiols (TST) were analysed in the peripheral blood lymphocytes and sera of rats treated with the antibiotics gentamycin, cefazolin and chloramphenicol, as well as the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine. TST levels were significantly higher in the lymphocytes and sera of rats treated with gentamycin or cyclosporine as compared with a control group. Erythrocyte fragility increased significantly by variable degrees following all drug treatments. It is suggested that the mechanism behind the raised TST levels in the lymphocytes and plasma of rats treated with gentamycin or cyclosporine might be centred on an imbalance between hydrogen peroxide producing and scavenging systems.