RECYCLING OF GLUTATHIONE DURING OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ERYTHROCYTES OF THE NEWBORN

The ability of erythrocytes from newborn babies and adults to maintain reduced glutathione levels during oxidative stress was studied. In vitro incubation of erythrocytes with H2O2, with or without inactivation of catalase, caused a rapid depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) and concomitant accumulation of oxidized glutathione followed by recovery of GSH and fall of oxidized glutathione to initial values in all subjects. Inactivation of catalase resulted in a 50% loss of intracellular glutathione (p < 0.005), a larger maximum GSH depletion (p < 0.05), and a longer GSH recovery time (p < 0.005). Erythrocytes from newborn babies showed a smaller maximum GSH depletion (p < 0.05) and a shorter GSH recovery time (p < 0.005) compared with those from adults. These differences between the newborn and adult groups persisted after inactivation of catalase. An increase in maximum GSH depletion and GSH recovery time (p < 0.005) was observed when a lower hematocrit was used for these GSH recovery studies. Effective glutathione recycling in erythrocytes may protect immature tissues of the newborn baby from peroxidative damage.