Platelet levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, zinc and malondialdehyde in uremic patients.

Platelet-reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and zinc content as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) formation were studied in 24 healthy volunteers as controls and 25 patients with chronic renal failure. Uremic patients had a significantly lower GSH and SOD content as well as an abnormal MDA formation in platelets. Their plasma zinc levels were sharply below the normal value, but the platelet zinc content was similar to normal controls. The decrease in the platelet GSH level was closely related to plasma zinc in uremic patients. We also found that the platelet zinc levels were positively correlated to the platelet GSH content in normal controls and uremic patients, but not to the platelet SOD level. The results suggest that uremic toxins may influence the content of platelet GSH and SOD, as well as inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. The decreases in platelet GSH may partially be related to the low plasma zinc level.