Erythrocytic glutathione and plasma cysteine status of human immunodeficient patients

Both deficient and normal blood levels of glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (C ys) have been reported in HIV patients, a discrepancy that has been attribu ted to different methodologies. The goal of this study was to apply our ana lytical method to this problem. Blood samples from HIV patients and healthy subjects were collected, immediately stabilized, and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography with dual electrochemical detection. The results showed that the erythrocytic GSH levels were the same in healthy s ubjects and in HIV patients regardless of their CD4 lymphocyte level. Only those with the lowest CD4 level plus opportunistic infections had subnormal GSH concentrations (P < 0.001). GSH plus glutathione disulfide (GSSG) leve ls also were normal in patients. However, the Cys contents were higher in p atients than in controls (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrated that HIV p atients have normal erythrocytic GSH concentrations and supranormal Cys lev els.