The Sulfhydryl Content of Normal and Abnormal Human Sera.

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Abstract
A quantitative amperometric technique was adapted to the detn. of SH groups in serum proteins. The SH expressed as mg. of cysteine found in 100 ml. of normal serum was 6.53 [plus or minus] 0.24 in males and 6.36 [plus or minus] 0.25 for females. When SH was calculated per g. of N, the values were 5.46 [plus or minus][plus or minus] 0.27 and 5.36 [plus or minus] 0.30, respectively. 80% of the SH was in the albumin component after Pillemer fractionation. The value of 0.68 mole available cysteine per ml. albumin is 17% of Brand''s detn. but agrees with 0.66 mole from Hughes'' data. Sera from patients with cancer, leukemia, arthritic infections, various degenerative and metabolic diseases, show low sulfhydryl content of the serum as well as in the albumin and globulin components. A qualitative difference in addition to a quantitative reduction is present. This alteration in SH is not characteristic enough to permit differentiation among the neoplastic, metabolic or infectious diseases. Detn. of SH may aid in studying mechanism of action of chemo-therapeutic agents.