Glutathione, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase in human erythrocytes and lymphocytes as a function of sex.

We review the role of glutathione (GSH) and its metabolizing enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GSR) in drug metabolism and in the elimination of foreign compounds. Levels of GSH and the activity of these enzymes may be greatly influenced by drugs and other substances in the body. We therefore determined GSH levels and the activities of GST and GSR in human erythrocytes and lymphocytes in males and females in three age groups. There was no significant difference between males and females in the three age groups in respect of GSH levels and GST and GSR activities. GSH levels in erythrocytes were higher than those in lymphocytes when expressed per mg protein, but lower than those in lymphocytes when expressed per 10(6) cells. The activities of both GST and GSR were found to be higher in lymphocytes than in erythrocytes.

Changes in glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase as a function of cell concentration and age.

The activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GSR) in mouse lymphocytes as a function of cell concentration and age were determined. Lymphocytes from 2-, 9- and 24-month-old mice were isolated and the activity of GST was determined spectrophotometrically using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as the substrate. Lymphocyte concentrations of 0.44, 0.75 and 0.55 X 10(6) cells/ml were found to be optimal for assaying GST in 2-, 9- and 24-month-old mice, respectively. Determination of GSR activity was based on NADPH reduction of oxidized glutathione and cell concentrations of 0.29, 0.30 and 0.22 X 10(6) cells/ml were chosen for assaying the enzyme activity for the three age groups, respectively. Glutathione levels and GSR activity of mice lymphocytes were higher in 2- and 24-month-old mice as compared to 9-month-old animals. However, GST activity of mouse lymphocytes was low in 2- and 9-month-old mice and increased significantly in 24-month-old animals.

Changes in glutathione and its metabolizing enzymes in human erythrocytes and lymphocytes with age.

The levels of glutathione (GSH) and the activities of glutathione S-transferases (GST) and glutathione reductase (GSR) in human erythrocytes and lymphocytes were determined in three age groups (5-12, 25-40, 65-83 years). The levels of GSH in lymphocytes increased with age, however, its levels in erythrocytes reached a maximum in the middle age group. The activity of GST in erythrocytes and lymphocytes changed as a function of age in a pattern similar to the changes found for GSH levels. GSR activity increased from young to middle age in both erythrocytes and lymphocytes, but decreased again in the old age group.

Glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities in erythrocytes and lymphocytes in chronic renal disease.

Erythrocyte and lymphocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities have been investigated in uremic patients pre- and post-dialysis and normal subjects of the same age span. GSH levels and GST activities in erythrocytes and lymphocytes and GR activity in lymphocytes from uremic patients were higher as compared to the corresponding controls. Dialysis resulted in a 17% decrease in GSH levels in erythrocytes. Hemodialysis did not significantly alter erythrocyte GST and GR activities. Hemodialysis produced a 50% decrease in lymphocyte GST activity and a 32% decrease in lymphocyte GR activity. Elevated levels of GSH and increased activities of GST and GR in blood cells of uremic patients may be associated with a compensatory protective mechanism against accumulating toxic wastes in uremic plasma.