Glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase activities in the human artery, vein and heart.

The continuous exposure to blood components, including prooxidants, makes the blood vessel wall susceptible to oxidative stress and free radical mediated reactions (Henning and Chow, 1988; Stamm et al., 1989; Halliwell and Gutteridge, 1984). Free radicals can be produced extracellularly via the respiratory bursts of activated neutrophils, or intracellularly, via oxidation of hypoxanthine by xanthine oxidase (Henning and Chow, 1988; Stamm et al., 1989; Rubanyi, 1988). Microsomal enzymes such as lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase may also be a source of reactive species of oxygen (Henning and Chow, 1988; Stamm et al., 1989; Rubanyi, 1988; Mason et al., 1980). It has been proposed that free radicals are involved in the initiation and progression of various cardiovascular diseases including arteriosclerosis (Henning and Chow, 1988; Stamm et al., 1989; Yagi, 1988; Jürgens et al., 1987). Thus the adequacy of the defence systems against free radicals is critical for the susceptibility of blood vessel wall to oxidative damage. Among the enzymatic systems capable of protecting the cell against oxidative injury, selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-px), glutatione reductase (GSSG-rx) and glutathione transferase (GST) play a crucial role (Flohe' et al., 1976; Mannervik and Danielson, 1988). Using glutathione (GSH) as a cofactor, Se-GSH-px reduces H2O2 to water and organic hydroperoxides to the corresponding alcohols (Flohe' et al., 1976). This reaction leads to conversion of GSH into its oxidized form (GSSG). In the presence of NADPH, GSSG-rx is able to reduce the oxidized glutathione.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)