*3.2. GSH Levels*

Figure 2 shows the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the GSH/GSSG ratio. The levels of GSH and the GSH/GSSG ratio were 35% and 70% lower, respectively, in the brain of arthritic animals. The level of GSSG was not modified by arthritis, but it was slightly increased in rats treated with 75 and 150 mg/kg MeJA and ibuprofen (not shown). Treatment of arthritic rats with 300 mg/kg MeJA,

but not with ibuprofen, increased the level of GSH to a value close to the control one. In consequence, an almost similar increase in the GSH/GSSG ratio was also found at the 300 mg/kg dose, although a decreasing tendency was apparent at lower doses.

**Figure 2.** Effects of the MeJA treatment on (**a**) glutathione (GSH) levels and (**b**) GSH/ oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratios. Symbols are those defined in Figure 1. Data are the means ± standard errors of the means of five animals for each experimental condition. Statistical analysis: ANOVA one-way with Newman–Keuls post-hoc testing. \**p* < 0.05, different from the controls (C); #*p* < 0.05, different from non-treated arthritic rats (A).
