Alveolar fluid glutathione decreases in asymptomatic HIV-seropositive subjects over time.
BACKGROUND
Initial investigations demonstrated a deficiency of glutathione (GSH) in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of HIV-seropositive patients. In a recent study, our laboratory was unable to document such a deficiency. The current study was performed in an attempt to reconcile those disparate findings.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if ELF GSH decreases over time in asymptomatic HIV-seropositive subjects.


METHODS
Prospective, longitudinal study.


METHODS
Major university medical center.


METHODS
Thirty-three asymptomatic HIV-seropositive volunteers.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
BAL was performed on 33 asymptomatic HIV-seropositive subjects at baseline, 6 months later, and 12 months later. The volume of ELF and the concentration of GSH and oxidized GSH were determined. The concentration of total GSH in ELF was 689.0+/-100.4 microM. This significantly decreased when measured 6 and 12 months later (355.9+/-41.7 microM, and 397.9+/-52.7 microM, respectively, p=0.01, compared with baseline, both comparisons). Significant decreases were also noted in the HIV-seropositive subjects who smoked cigarettes (baseline--762.6+/-142.4 microM; 6 months--373.7+/-45.9 microM; 12 months--459.3+/-73.8 microM, p<0.03, for baseline vs 6 months, and baseline vs 12 months). In nonsmoking HIV-seropositive subjects, there was a decrease in ELF GSH over time, but it did not reach statistical significance (baseline--589.1+/-138.2 microM; 6 months--335.3+/-74.1 microM; 12 months--345.8+/-74.0 microM, p>0.1, all comparisons). The percentage of total GSH in the oxidized form was similar at all three time points (baseline--3.8+/-0.5%; 6 months--3.1+/-0.5%; 12 months--3.9+/-0.9%, p>0.1, all comparisons).


CONCLUSIONS
The current study demonstrates that the GSH level in ELF is significantly decreased in HIV-seropositive subjects 6 and 12 months after the initial determination.
Pacht
E R
ER
Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, USA. pacht.1@osu.edu
Diaz
P
P
Clanton
T
T
Hart
J
J
Gadek
J E
JE
D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis* / Q000172:deficiency; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D014797:Vital Capacity
D005978:Glutathione