Sequential postnatal changes in erythrocyte glutathione and sulfhydryl content: a possible adaptational response to the extrauterine environment.
Glutathione is a key factor in intracellular antioxidant defense mechanisms. We postulated that it might modulate the adaptational response of the fetus to a higher oxygen environment after birth. Therefore, we determined total glutathione (GSH + GSSG) and non-protein sulfhydryl (-SH) content in cord blood RBC hemolysates, and sequential values in blood from the same infants for up to 72 h after birth. We noted a consistent rapid decline in total glutathione content by 24 h in both term (-18%) and preterm (-24%) infants, with subsequent stabilization of levels in term infants. However, erythrocyte (-SH) content (measured only in term babies) remained stable and unchanged from levels in cord blood, indicating the presence of (-SH) in one or more other moieties in addition to GSH. We speculate on the possibility of a role for GSH as a (-SH) donor in modulating postnatal fetal adaptation.
Jean-Baptiste
Dominique
D
Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11212-3198, USA. djeanbap@brookdale.edu
Rudolph
Nathan
N
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001724:Birth Weight; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000097:blood*
D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D005978:Glutathione