Decrease in the antioxidant capacity of red blood cells in children with celiac disease.

The erythrocyte glutathione metabolism of 11 children with acute celiac disease (CD), 11 children under gluten free diet with CD and 5 children with cow's milk allergy was compared to that of 11 children with nutritive iron deficiency and to 22 healthy children as controls. Erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) content of celiac children was elevated and the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) level was significantly decreased as compared to normal controls. Erythrocyte GSSG/GSH ratio in acute CD differed also from the one in iron deficiency. In vitro oxidative load of acetylphenylhydrazine proved the impaired glutathione stability of the erythrocytes in acute CD and cow's milk allergy. A parallel rise of methemoglobin and hemichrome level of blood cells was seen. Further on, the selenium content of the red blood cells of CD patients decreased. All alterations of the erythrocyte tended to normalize during the dietetic period. These data suggest a reduced protective capacity of erythrocytes in CD and in cow's milk allergy in childhood against oxidizing stresses.