Glutathione-S-epoxide transferase in human hair follicles

A fluorometric assay for determination of glutathione-S-epoxide transferase (GSH-T) activity in freshly isolated human hair follicles or cultured cells is described. With this assay, basal levels of the enzyme in hair follicles have been compared between smokers and non-smokers. No significant difference between both groups could be detected. GSH-T was not elevated after treatment of cultured hair follicle keratinocytes with benz[a]anthracene or clotrimazole. The same result was obtained with cultured skin fibroblasts from Ah-responsive and Ah-non-responsive mice. The possible significance of basal GSH-T levels for assessment of the risk of individuals for the carcinogenic action of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is discussed.