GLUTATHIONE INCREASES INTERLEUKIN-2 PRODUCTION IN HUMAN-LYMPHOCYTES

It is known that glutathione (GSH) has an immunological effect on seve ral features of the immune system. The present study investigated the effects of GSH on interleukin-2 (IL-2) production from normal human pe ripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The results showed that both exogeno us GSH and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) significantly increased intracellu lar GSH levels after PBL were incubated with both agents. IL-2 product ion from PBL was markedly increased at the presence of exogenous GSH ( 0.5-8 mmol/l) or 2-ME (12.5-50 mu mol/l) which corresponded to 1.57-2. 82 nmol/10(6) cells and 1.41-1.80 nmol/10(6) cells of intracellular co ncentrations of GSH, respectively. However, IL-2 production seemed to reach a steady level when exogenous GSH concentrations in cell culture were between 2 and 8 mmol/l. The findings also showed that there was a positive correlation between the IL-2 concentrations and intracellul ar GSH levels. This study indicated that both exogenous GSH and 2-ME w ere able to elevate intracellular GSH levels and the increased intrace llular GSH could increase IL-2 production in vitro. It is suggested th at GSH may exert its effects on the immune system via the regulation o f IL-2 synthesis.