Plasma glutathione level in paracetamol daily abuser patients. Changes in plasma cysteine and thiol groups after reduced glutathione administration

Since plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) seems to reflect liver GSH content, we have assessed plasma GSH in patients using paracetamol daily. In these patients a significant lower plasma GSH concentration was found with respect to controls. After the i.v. administration of GSH free plasma cysteine was 12 fold higher than in basal condition and all the pattern of plasma thiol groups was modified. This work suggests that the possible protective effect of GSH administration is due to the availability of plasma thiol compounds that enter the cell rather than GSH itself.