Glutathione defense system as a function of age

In order to determine the effects of age on the glutathione defense system against peroxides. Twenty four normal subjects are selected. Glutathione [GSH] in blood and erythrocytes, glutathione transferase [GST], glutathione reductase [GSR], total and selenium dependent glutathione peroxides [GSH-Px] and lipid peroxidation [MDA content] were measured. The results showed no sex difference in the parameters measured. GSH levels increased with age till age 20-30 then start to decrease. GSR and GSH-Px showed a similar pa tern of change at the old age groups. GST and MDA content were also increased with age. These results showed that GSH and its metabolism enzymes may serve as useful markers of biological aging

Glutathione and its metabolizing enzymes in chronic renal failure patients pre and post dialysis

Uremic toxin retained in the blood of chronic renal failure patients could affect the glutathione defense system against peroxides. Twenty uremic patients who are maintained on regular hemodialysis are selected and twenty four reference subjects saved as a control. The following parameters are measured in whole blood and erythrocyte pre and post-dialysis: glutathione levels [GSH], glutathione Stransferase [GST] glutathione reeductase [GSR], total and selenium glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX] and lipid peroxidation [MDA]. The results showed severe depletion of glutathione, inhibition of GSH-Px and GSR, rise in GST and MDA contents. Dialysis could not completely revert these changes. Therefore uremia may impair the defense mechanism against free radical mediated injury