GENDER-RELATED RESPONSE TO A TERT-BUTYL HYDROPEROXIDE-INDUCED OXIDATION IN HUMAN NEONATAL TISSUE

Reports of gender-related differences in the activity of enzymes invol ved in the metabolism of intracellular antioxidants, led us to verify whether the prostaglandin response to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH) d ifferred according to the sex of infants. Segments of human umbilical veins were perfused in the presence or absence of TBH (0.25 mmol/l, an d 1.0 mmol/l). Because TBH is quenched in the cell by glutathione pero xidase, total glutathione concentrations and the production of glutath ione-dependent prostaglandins (PGE(2) and PCF2 alpha) as well as membr ane-derived eicosanoids (PGI(2) and thromboxane) were measured in the eluate. In veins from boys, TBH induced a sustained response for gluta thione only, which was increased (p < 0.05). In female-derived tissue, the hydroperoxide induced a different response according to the dose ofTBH. At 0.25 mmol/l, a drop (p < 0.005) in PGF(2) alpha was associat ed with a rise (p < 0.001) in thromboxane. At 1.0 mmol/l, TBH had an o pposite effect-there was a rise (p < 0.01) in PGE(2) and PGI(2). The p rostaglandin concentrations were not proportional to the oxidative sti mulus, suggesting a critical level of TBH at which the oxidative state differes in tissues derived from boys or girls.