Lowered platelet glutathione peroxidase activity in patients with intrinsic asthma

Abstract
Platelet glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and serum selenium (Se) levels were determined in 20 patients with intrinsic asthma. Nine of the patients had NSAID-intolerance. The mean value of GSH-Px activity in the patients was 47.0±7.1 U/1011 platelets, which is significantly lower than that of 56.4±12 U/1011 platelets in the controls (P < 0.01). There was also a tendency towards lowered Se levels in the patients compared with controls. The results are discussed in view of the protective role of GSH-Px against oxidative stress and the tentative regulatory function of GSH-Px in arachidonic acid metabolism.