AUTOMATIC KINETIC METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN BLOOD

A simple kinetic method is reported for the determination of reduced glutathione (GSH) by the continuous addition of reagent technique that is suitable for routine analyses in blood samples. The method is based on the oxidation reaction between GSH and copper(II) in a weakly acidic medium in the presence of neocuproin to form the coloured copper(I)-neocuproin complex, the rate of formation of which is monitored spectrophotometrically. Two kinetic methodologies were tested for the determination of GSH. The calibration graph was linear over a wide range, 1.6 x 10(-6)-1.6 x 10(-4) M (R.S.D. almost-equal-to 2%), and the method is fairly selective and offers several advantanges over the classical 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) method for the routine determination of GSH in blood samples, namely ease of automation, faster sample throughout and no need for a blank.