Redox status in erythrocyte of Northeast Indians suffering from chronic liver disease (CLD)

Abstract

Chronic liver disease is a hepato-necrotic disease persisting for more than six months. The objective of the study was to assess the redox process in chronic liver disease (CLD). The Redox process has been recognized as a significant regulatory system in various biological processes like cell proliferation, signal transduction and gene expression etc. Glutathione plays a crucial role by acting as a regulatory molecule in the immune system. Here a study has been conducted on 57 indoor patients suffering from CLD and 57 healthy controls to observe the redox potential in the erythrocyte by estimating reduced glutathione and L-cysteine levels. Liver cirrhosis causes a decreased level of glutathione in plasma and hepatic cells due to impaired uptake of L-Cysteine by RBC. Therefore we conclude that L-cysteine uptake by RBC is impaired in CLD which causes the vicious circle of oxidative stress. Keywords: CLD, Redox process, Liver cirrhosis, Reduced glutathione, L-cysteine, RBC.