Blood Glutathione Levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

The SH groups of glutathione play a direct part in electron carriage in cellular respiration. The authors found a raised cell content of glutathione in chronic anemia. On the other hand, the glutathione level was considerably depressed in individuals with a recent blood loss. They found no relationship between the glutathione level and either the activity, duration of disease, sex or age in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Any variations in the GSH levels in rheumatoid arthritis appeared to be associated with the accompanying anemia. They conclude that the anemia of rheumatoid arthritis is of hematopoietic origin rather than due to hydremia. No consistent changes in GSH were produced by treatment with cortisone and ACTH.