Accelerating Effect of Glutathione on Hydroxylation of Phenylalanine by Stimulated Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Abstract

Sulfhydryl compounds significantly accelerated the hydroxylation of phenylalanine by stimulated polymorphounclear leukocytes. The reduced form of glutathione (G-SH) was most effective. The hydroxylation reaction in the presence of G-SH was largely prevented by superoxide dismutase and hydroxyl radical scavengers. The results suggest that a much faster production of hydroxyl radical may occur in a reaction mixture containing both G-SH and stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes than in that containing stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes alone.