title: Glutathione increases interleukin-2 production in human lymphocytes.
abstract: It is known that glutathione (GSH) has an immunological effect on several features of the immune system. The present study investigated the effects of GSH on interleukin-2 (IL-2) production from normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The results showed that both exogenous GSH and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) significantly increased intracellular GSH levels after PBL were incubated with both agents. IL-2 production from PBL was markedly increased at the presence of exogenous GSH (0.5-8 mmol/l) or 2-ME (12.5-50 mumol/l) which corresponded to 1.57-2.82 nmol/10(6) cells and 1.41 - 1.80 nmol/10(6) cells of intracellular concentrations of GSH, respectively. However, IL-2 production seemed to reach a steady level when exogenous GSH concentrations in cell culture were between 2 and 8 mmol/l. The findings also showed that there was a positive correlation between the IL-2 concentrations and intracellular GSH levels. This study indicated that both exogenous GSH and 2-ME were able to elevate intracellular GSH levels and the increased intracellular GSH could increase IL-2 production in vitro. It is suggested that GSH may exert its effects on the immune system via the regulation of IL-2 synthesis.
authors: University of Glasgow, Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary, U.K.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Chen
authors: S H
authors: SH
authors: Wang
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Converse
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D005978:Glutathione