EVALUATION OF REFERENCE VALUES FOR ERYTHROCYTE GLUTATHIONE

The analytical, intra-individual and inter-individual variations as we ll as the best storage conditions were determined for erythrocyte glut athione, and the reference values were established. A total of 396 app arently healthy people, 206 male and 190 female, were randomly selecte d from villages and cities of the southern part of Turkey. The distrib ution was Gaussian and no significant difference was observed between the male and the female subjects. The mean (standard deviation) of the population investigated for glutathione was 6.9 (1.0) mu mol/gHb. The analytical, intra-individual and inter-individual variations were ass essed in 20 apparently healthy subjects and were found to be 4.63%, 13 .67% and 11.16%, respectively. Whole blood stored at -70 degrees C for up to 10 days was shown to be the best storage condition for erythroc yte glutathione determination. The results of the index of individuali ty showed that glutathione reference values could be used for diagnost ic purposes. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science B.V.