The Application of Capillary Electrophoresis in the Determination of Glutathione in Healthy Women's Blood

The purpose of this work was to compare glutathione status in the blood of women taking oral contraceptives, female smokers and preg- nant women using both the capillary electrophoresis (CE) and alloxan methods. The studies were performed on the whole blood prepared by deproteinization by 25% metaphosphoric acid. The reduced gluta- thione (GSH) was measured by alloxan and CE methods. Oxidized glu- tathione (GSSG) was measured by CE and the GSH/GSSG ratio was calculated. In pregnant women (Group A), women taking oral contra- ceptives (Group B) and female smokers (Group C), lower concentra- tions of GSH were observed compared with the control group (Group D) as measured by CE and alloxan methods, suggesting the presence of oxidative stress. The level of GSSG in Group C was higher than in Group D, indicating glutathione oxidation. In Groups A and B, reduced levels of GSSG were observed, which indicates that other processes be- sides oxidation affect glutathione status. In Groups A and C, a lower GSH/GSSG ratio was observed than in Group D, while in Group B no statistical change was observed. In conclusion, the advantage of CE is the possibility of measuring GSSG, which could allow for a more ac- curate interpretation of the status of GSH in the human body. Oxidation of glutathione in female smokers was indicated, while in pregnant women and women taking oral contraceptives processes other than ox- idation can be associated with a decrease in glutathione levels.