Skip to main content
eScholarship
Open Access Publications from the University of California

UC Irvine

UC Irvine Previously Published Works bannerUC Irvine

Glutathione reductase in the red blood cells.

Abstract

Glutathione reductase plays an important role in protecting hemoglobin, red cell enzymes, and biological cell membranes against oxidative damage by increasing the level of reduced glutathone (GSSGR) in the process of aerobic glycolysis. The enzyme deficiency may result in mild to moderately severe hemolytic anemia upon exposure to certain drugs or chemicals. However, hereditary deficiency of the enzyme is extremely rare. Recent studies on glutathione reductase in the red cell have shown more insight in the understanding of red cell metabolism and interactions with other enzymes, especially glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD). Glutathione reducatase in serum may be a source of error in any clinical laboratory test in which an enzyme activity is determined indirectly by measuring the change in reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) absorbance. Glutathione reductase levels are reduced in banked blood when citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) is used as a preservative. Reviewed is the role of glutathione reductase in the metabolism of the red cell and its clinical implication and usefulness.

Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.

Main Content
For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file to your device.
Current View