[Effect of BCNU on glutathione metabolism in human blood cells]

BCNU (1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea) at therapeutical doses inhibits almost completely glutathione reductase of the patients' red cells and paltelets. Red cell glutathione reduction is diminished simultaneously. These changes are fully reversible in red cells and platelets derived in the following days after application of BCNU. Clinical signs of red cell perturbation after BCNU treatment have not been demonstrated. In vitro incubation of normal red cells with BCNU produces the same changes as i.v. injection of BCNU to the patients, but no reversibility is seen.