EFFECT OF S-ADENOSYL-L-METHIONINE ADMINISTRATION ON RED-BLOOD-CELL CYSTEINE AND GLUTATHIONE LEVELS IN ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT LIVER-DISEASE

We measured glutathione and cysteine concentrations in erythrocytes of chronic alcohol misusers with (20 subjects) and without liver cirrhos is (20 subjects). glutathione levels were decreased, whereas those of cysteine were increased in all patients. Parenteral treatment with S-a denosyl-methionine (SAME); (2 g daily in 250 ml 0.15 M NaCl for 15 day s) corrected the erythrocyte thiol alterations. We conclude that paren teral treatment with SAME affects the metabolism of SH compounds in er ythrocytes of alcoholic patients.