Lymphocyte glutathione levels in acute leukemia

The current interest in the clinical significance of the glutathione estima tion in leukemia is due to its widespread effect on the cell constituent an d cell function of the hematopoietic system. It helps and protects the cell s against free radicals and reactive oxygen products. The present study was conducted to estimate glutathione levels in lymphocytes of 20 patients wit h acute leukemia before and after chemotherapy to observe the relation of g lutathione level to response to chemotherapy. Twenty age and sex matched he althy volunteers served as control. In acute myeloid leukemia, the levels w ere almost double than that of controls (P<0.001). In acute lymphoid leukem ia they were 2.5 times of the control. Lymphocyte glutathione levels was hi gher in active phase of disease than in remission. Lymphocyte glutathione l evel could act as a marker of leukemic activity and may help to predict ons et of relapse. But, it is not only the determinant of response to chemother apy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.