Effect of a duodenal infusion of methionine on erythrocyte reduced glutathione of sheep

Abstract

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is synthesized within blood erythrocytes from the constituent nonessential amino acids, glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. The concentration of GSH in. erythrocytes can therefore be affected by the permeability of erythrocyte membranes to certain of these amino acids and their availability within the erythrocyte (Young, Ellory & Tucker, 1976; Smith, 1977). Alterations in the activity of the two enzymes responsible for GSH synthesis, γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase and glutathione synthetase can likewise influence GSH concentration (Smith, Lee & Mia, 1973; Blume, Paniker & Beutler, 1974; Wellneret al.1974; Board, Morris & Peter, 1976).