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Blood glutathione concentrations in a large-scale human study
J P Richie1, L Skowronski, P Abraham
1Division of Nutrional Carcinogenesis, American Health Foundation, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. Richie@NYMC.EDU
Clinical Chemistry
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Researchers developed a new assay to measure blood glutathione (GSH) and found significant variation in GSH levels among adults. Smokers had higher GSH concentrations, and younger women showed distinct GSH/hemoglobin ratios.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Blood glutathione (GSH) levels exhibit unknown variability in human subjects.
- Accurate and efficient methods are needed to quantify GSH in large populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a rapid assay for measuring whole blood GSH concentrations.
- To determine the variation and establish normal values of blood GSH in free-living adults.
Main Methods:
- Development of a sensitive and precise assay for GSH quantification.
- Application of the assay to screen 715 free-living adults.
- Statistical analysis to identify factors influencing GSH levels, including smoking and age/sex.
Main Results:
- The validated assay demonstrated high sensitivity (limit < 5 pmol) and precision (interassay variation 2.3%, sampling variation 3.6%).
- A threefold range of blood GSH concentrations was observed in 715 adults, with a mean of 1.02 mmol/L and a CV of 17%.
- Smokers exhibited 8-10% higher GSH concentrations than nonsmokers (P < 0.001). Women under 55 had higher GSH/hemoglobin ratios than older subjects (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The developed method is validated for large-scale human studies on blood GSH.
- Significant variability exists in adult blood GSH concentrations, influenced by factors like smoking and age/sex.
- This study provides crucial data on normal blood GSH values and their variations in adults.