Influence of reduced glutathione infusion on glucose metabolism in patients with non—insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract To evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and intraerythrocytic reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio were measured in 10 non—insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients and 10 healthy subjects before and after the intravenous administration of GSH. In particular, after baseline insulin sensitivity was assessed by a 2-hour euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, either glutathione (1.35 g · m 2 · min −1 ) or placebo (saline) were infused over a period of 1 hour. The same protocol was repeated at a 1-week interval, in cross-over, according to a randomized, single-blind design. In healthy subjects, baseline intraerythrocytic GSHGSSG ratio ( P P −1 · min −1 to 39.5 ± 7.7 μmol · kg −1 · min −1 , P P −1 · min −1 to 31.4 ± 10.0 μmol · kg −1 · min −1 , P P r = .425, P r = .518, P