Plasma total glutathione concentrations in healthy pediatric and adult subjects

Glutathione, as a free radical scavenger, plays an important role in protec ting cells against oxidative damage. Since aging is associated with decreas ed plasma glutathione levels, we investigated plasma concentrations of tota l glutathione (including the reduced and oxidized forms, tGSH = GSH + GSSG) and total cysteine in 129 healthy pediatric and adult subjects. Plasma tGS H concentrations were significantly lower in infants than in adults. There were no significant differences in plasma tGSH concentrations between the c hildren and adult group. No significant differences in plasma total cystein e concentrations were found between any pediatric and adult group. We concl ude that lower plasma tGSH levels in pediatric subjects may reflect greater oxidative stress during the neonatal and infant period. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.