DIFFERENCES IN THIOL STATUS OF CULTURED NORMAL HUMAN-CELLS

The thiol status of several human normal cells, including human bronch ial epithelial cells and fibroblasts, oral fibroblasts and skin fibrob lasts, has been investigated. Reduced glutathione (GSH) has been confi rmed as the most abundant thiol. The other low molecular weight thiols were in the following order: cysteine> cystine> oxidised glutathione. Differences were detected also in protein sulfhydryl groups. Bronchia l epithelial cells had the highest level of GSH. The lowest content wa s in oral fibroblast. The data show differences in the content of thio ls groups between human normal cells in culture. Due to the role of th iols in pathophysiological processes these differences should be consi dered in order to interpret correctly results obtained in in vitro stu dies.