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Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
[Reduced erythrocyte glutathione and urinary thioethers in children undergoing treatment with paracetamol]
M L Bernal Ruiz1, B Sinues Porta, J Lanuza Giménez
1Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza.
Insights
Therapeutic paracetamol doses in children increased erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. A positive association was found between GSH and urinary thioethers (UT), indicating electrophile exposure.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Pharmacology
Context:
- Paracetamol is a common analgesic and antipyretic used in children.
- Erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) and urinary thioethers (UT) are biomarkers for oxidative stress and electrophile exposure.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effect of therapeutic paracetamol doses on GSH and UT levels in children.
- To determine the association between GSH and UT concentrations following paracetamol treatment.
Summary:
- Forty children were studied, with blood and urine samples collected before and after paracetamol treatment.
- Paracetamol treatment led to a significant elevation in GSH levels across the study group.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between GSH and UT levels.
Impact:
- This study suggests that paracetamol, at therapeutic doses, can influence endogenous antioxidant systems in children.
- Findings highlight a potential relationship between paracetamol exposure and markers of electrophile metabolism.
Abstract:
In the present study the objective was to evaluate whether therapeutic doses of paracetamol in children has an impact on the concentrations of erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) and urinary thioethers (UT), used as indicators of internal exposure to electrophiles, as well as to establish the association between the two parameters. The population sample consisted of 40 children. From each patient, two blood and two urine samples were taken. Sample A was obtained one week after completing treatment and sample B was taken two hours after taking the last dose of paracetamol. The total group was divided into three subgroups according to age: subgroup I from 9 to 8 months, subgroup II from 19 to 72 months and subgroup III from 73 to 132 months. The concentrations of GSH and UT have been determined in blood and urine, respectively. The results demonstrate that after treatment with paracetamol for a period of days (3.57 +/- 0.86) an elevation in GSH was produced in the total group (Z = -2.40, p < 0.05). A significant and positive association (r = 0.52) existed between the GSH and UT values. No correlation was observed either between plasma levels, or the duration of treatment and the effects observed on GSH and UT.
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