Glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in human bronchoal veolar lavage: a possible early marker for the detection of lung cancer

Abstract

The levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes, GST pi, B ₁,B₂andμa were measured, by radioimmunoassay, in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a series of patients presenting with neoplastic (n=12) and non-neoplastic lung diseases (n=10). Lavage fluid was obtained from the suspected abnormal area of lung and a presumed normal area of lung at the time of bronchoscopy. Concentrations of GST B₁ and GST B₂ were found to be significantly raised (P1, and B₂ than GST pi in lavage fluid, were confirmed by a one-step purification of GST from lung lavage, using affinity chromatography, followed by their identification using SDS-polyacrylamide gel. We conclude that measurement of GST B₁, or GST B₂ in lung lavage fluid could be a useful aid in the diagnosis of lung malignancy.