Effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine administration on red blood cell cysteine and glutathione levels in alcoholic patients with and without liver disease

Alcohol Alcohol. 1994 Sep;29(5):597-604.

Abstract

We measured glutathione and cysteine concentrations in erythrocytes of chronic alcohol misusers with (20 subjects) and without liver cirrhosis (20 subjects). Glutathione levels were decreased, whereas those of cysteine were increased in all patients. Parenteral treatment with S-adenosylmethionine (SAME); (2 g daily in 250 ml 0.15 M NaCl for 15 days) corrected the erythrocyte thiol alterations. We conclude that parenteral treatment with SAME affects the metabolism of SH compounds in erythrocytes of alcoholic patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / blood
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation*
  • Cysteine / blood*
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects*
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Glutathione / blood*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / blood
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / rehabilitation*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • S-Adenosylmethionine
  • Glutathione
  • Cysteine