Effects of obstructive jaundice on the antioxidative capacity of human red blood cells

Transient haemolysis and shortened erythrocyte lifespan are reported in association with extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction. An increase in lipid peroxidation has been noted as evidence of oxidative damage in red cells due to cholestasis. The influence of surgical relief on the antioxidative capacity of the erythrocyte is less well defined. The ability of erythrocytes to regenerate the antioxidative capacity after side-to-side choledo-choduodenostomy was assessed by measuring the two principal antioxidant enzymes, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the glutathione (GSH) content in the red blood cells (RBC) taken from patients with obstructive jaundice. A comparison of patients and healthy volunteers revealed a consistent decrease in enzyme activities (pSOD = 0.01, pCAT = 0.0002) and glutathione concentrations (PGSH = 0.0000) in cholestatic patients. Statistical analysis proved a clear correlation between the surgical relief of common bile duct obstruction and restored antioxidative capacity of red cells. These observations suggest that the red cells from patients with multiple common bile duct stones almost completely regenerated their antioxidative capacity four weeks after side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy.