GENDER AND MATURATION AFFECT GLUTATHIONE STATUS IN HUMAN NEONATAL TISSUES

Gender and maturation affect glutathione status in human neonatal tiss ues. The objective was to verify if human tissues derived from baby gi rls had a greater ability then tissues derived from males to stimulate the glutathione-reductase: when faced with an oxidative challenge. In vitro, the effect of a calibrated oxidative challenge was studied in endothelial cells. In vivo, the effect of a clinically relevant oxidat ive challenge was studied in cells from tracheal aspirates derived fro m oxygen-dependent newborn infants. In endothelial cells, the oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide had a stimulating effect on GSSG-R activity in cells derived from females. The peroxide produced a time, concentrati on and gender-dependent cytotoxicity, with female-derived cells exhibi ting a better viability. In vivo, the intracellular total glutathione content was higher in female-derived cells and in cells from more matu re babies; postnatal age and gestational age had a positive effect on the activity of GSSG-R. Oxygen (FiO(2) greater than or equal to 0.3) w as associated with a lower activity of GSSG-R in boys, early in life. Considering that glutathione is a central element in the antioxidant d efense, these results suggest that specific tissues derived from the b aby girl are potentially better protected against an oxidative stress than those derived from the boy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.