Glutathione homeostasis is disturbed in CD4-positive lymphocytes of HIV-seropositive individuals

Background Numerous in vitro tests have suggested that a disturbed cellular glutathione homeostasis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods Using validated high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, glutathione concentrations were determined in plasma and in cytosol of CD4+ lymphocytes and CD14+ cells of HIV‐seropositive individuals and healthy control subjects. We measured concentrations of total glutathione, which is the sum of reduced (GSH) and oxidised (GSSG) glutathione and mixed disulphides of which there are two fractions: soluble mixed disulphides (GSSR) and protein bound glutathione (ProSSG). Also, non‐protein‐bound glutathione was measured, which is the sum of GSH, GSSG and GSSR. Thirty‐five healthy control subjects and 35 HIV‐infected individuals participated in the study. Results We found that in CD4+ lymphocytes from HIV‐seropositive individuals, total glutathione levels were significantly higher than in healthy control subjects, whereas the fraction of non‐protein‐bound glutathione was not different. This can only be explained by an increase in the protein‐bound fraction of glutathione indicating the presence of oxidative stress in CD4+ lymphocytes of HIV‐seropositive individuals. Glutathione measurements of cytosol of CD14+ cells and plasma were, however, not compatible with significant increased oxidation. Glutathione precursors (cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutamylcysteine and homocysteine) and products of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances) were also measured in plasma and did not differ between healthy control subjects and HIV‐seropositive individuals. Conclusion We conclude that the glutathione homeostasis is disturbed in CD4+ lymphocytes of HIV‐seropositive individuals. The glutathione redox dysbalance in CD4+ lymphocytes could be important in the pathogenesis of HIV infection and have implications for therapy.