RED-BLOOD-CELL GLUTATHIONE AND PLASMA SULFHYDRYLS IN CHRONIC LUNG-DISEASE OF THE NEWBORN

We compared the postnatal changes (days 1-28) in red blood cell glutat hione and plasma sulfhydryl content in preterm babies developing chron ic lung disease (CLD, n = 13) to those in babies with respiratory dist ress syndrome (RDS, n = 13) and control babies (n = 21). There were no initial differences in these measurements between the three groups. H owever, on day 28 in CLD and RDS the red blood cell glutathione was de creased compared to the control babies (p < 0.05). In CLD, there was a significant correlation between reduced/oxidized glutathione and (i) maximal FiO(2) (r = -0.69, p ( 0.05) and (ii) minimal a/A ratio (r = 0.73, p < 0.005). On day 28, although the plasma sulfhydryl level did not differ between the groups, the sulfhydryl/total protein ratio was decreased in CLD (p < 0.05). The late decrease in both glutathione and sulfhydryl/total protein ratio in babies with CLD suggests that oxida tive stress is still ongoing at 28 days after birth and that the antio xidant capacity of their blood is still diminished at this time.