PLASMA GLUTATHIONE-PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY AS AN INDEX OF RENAL-FUNCTION

The kidney is a major source of the plasma enzyme glutathione peroxida se. We measured plasma glutathione peroxidase activity in 130 patients affected with different renal diseases at various stages, and compare d it with the following indices of kidney function: serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and urinary excretion of alpha(1)-microglobulin, beta(2)-microglobulin, albumin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. P lasma glutathione peroxidase activity appeared significantly reduced i n most of the renal diseases considered, and showed a significant corr elation with most of the renal function indices. Linear discriminant a nalysis showed that the set of indices composed of plasma glutathione peroxidase activity, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance allowed the best classification of renal diseases. During treatment with the nephrotoxic aminoglycoside, tobramycin, plasma glutathione peroxidase activity showed an early and progressive decrease. We suggest the meas urement of plasma glutathione peroxidase activity as an adjunctive ind ex for the assessment of kidney alterations.