Effect of glutathoine on the dynamic changes of GSH levels and GSH-Px/LPO ratio in liver cirrhosis patients with massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Objective: To study the effects of glutathoine on the dynamic changes of GSH levels and GSH-Px/LPO ratio in liver cirrhosis patients with massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Methods: After the patients were treated with glutathoine (1.2-1.6g·d^-1, iv.) for 3-4 weeks, the glutathoine (GSH) level in blood, the glutathoine peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px) activity and the lipid peroxide (LPO) level in plasma were determined. Meanwhile, the clinical significance of glutathoine therapy on the patients was observed. Results: The GSH levels and GSH-Px/LPO ratio in all patients were decreased significantly after bleeding stopped. The lowest points of GSH levels and GSH-Px/LPO ratio were observed at 72h after bleeding stopped. But the Se-GSH-Px/LPO ratio in the patients treated with glutathoine was higher than that of controls (P<0.01), and the recovery changes were observed earlier at 2w after bloodless. A better prognosis correlated with Child-Pugh degree was observed in the patients treated with glutathoine, too. Conclusion: The antioxidative capability of patients with liver cirrhosis is decreased after massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and glutathoine therapy can increase the patients' GSH-Px/LPO ratio and improve their prognosis.