Quantification of plasma reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione and plasma total glutathione in healthy cats.

Glutathione is an important intracellular tripeptide with multiple functions. Abnormal glutathione metabolism is thought to play an important role in various diseases of cats. However, no data regarding concentration of plasma glutathione are available for domestic cats. This study discusses the development of a rapid, simple high pressure liquid chromatography method for measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSH) and total glutathione (GSHt) in plasma, for the purpose of establishing baseline data for future studies. The mean concentrations of GSH, GSSH and GSHt were 4.51+/-1 microM; 19.44+/-3.79 microM (expressed as GSH equivalent) and 23.59+/-3.89 microM, respectively. This is the first report of plasma glutathione concentrations in this species.