Dröge W, Hack V, Breitkreutz R, Holm E, Shubinsky G, Schmid E, Galter D
Division of Immunochemistry, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany.
Biofactors. 1998;8(1-2):97-102. doi: 10.1002/biof.5520080117.
Abnormally low plasma cystine levels have been found in the late asymptomatic stage of HIV infection and several other diseases associated with progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass. The phenomenon is commonly associated with a low NK cell activity, skeletal muscle wasting or muscle fatigue and increased rates of urea production. In its extreme form, the negative nitrogen balance leads to overt cachexia and is associated with severe debilitation and psychological stress. The low NK cell activity is in most cases not life-threatening but may be disasterous in HIV infection, because it may compromise the initially stable balance between immune system and virus and trigger disease progression. This review summarizes briefly (i) the role of cysteine in the physiological regulation of body cell mass and the development of skeletal muscle wasting, and (ii) the role of glutathione in the immune system.
在HIV感染的晚期无症状阶段以及其他几种与骨骼肌质量逐渐丧失相关的疾病中，发现血浆胱氨酸水平异常降低。这种现象通常与自然杀伤细胞（NK细胞）活性降低、骨骼肌消瘦或肌肉疲劳以及尿素生成率增加有关。在其极端形式下，负氮平衡会导致明显的恶病质，并伴有严重的身体虚弱和心理压力。大多数情况下，NK细胞活性降低不会危及生命，但在HIV感染中可能是灾难性的，因为它可能破坏免疫系统与病毒之间最初稳定的平衡并引发疾病进展。本综述简要总结了：（i）半胱氨酸在身体细胞质量的生理调节和骨骼肌消瘦发展中的作用，以及（ii）谷胱甘肽在免疫系统中的作用。
