Glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in the rhesus monkey lens as a function of age.

The activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase were determined in lenses from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) as a function of age. The ages ranged from 137 day old embryos to a 34 year old. Glutathione peroxidase activity (units/g lens) occurred at a very low level in lenses of fetuses and neonates, but increased dramatically with age, peaking in the adult of about 12 to 20 years of age and declining thereafter. Glutathione reductase activity (units/g lens) decreased throughout juvenile life, leveling off when adulthood was reached (at least 6 years of age). Glutathione-S-transferase activity showed considerable age-related variation. Calculations show that glutathione reductase is rate-limiting in the glutathione redox pathway.