Seasonal Variations in Red Cell Glutathione Levels with Aging in Mental Patients and Normal Controls ∗

Abstract

Summary

Determinations of red cell glutathione index and stability, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were performed on 735 mental patients resident at Creedmoor State Hospital, with institutional diagnoses of paranoid or catatonic schizophrenia, and psychoses with senility or alcoholism. This population was matched with 399 nonpatient controls that were drawn from hospital employees. Patients and controls were grouped and matched by sex and race (Negro and non-Negro.

Significant positive correlation between GSH index and age was obtained in male Negro and non-Negro patients, and in male non-Negro controls. When averages of GSH index per decade were obtained for each group and plotted against age, some significant differences were observed between female Negro and male non-Negro patients and their controls.

When the data on GSH indices were subdivided according to the season during which they had been obtained, and plotted by decade against age, some significant slopes were observed in female Negro and male non-Negro patients, and in male non-Negro controls. Some interpretations of these findings are discussed.

Thanks are expressed for technical assistance rendered by Kathleen Higgins, R. N., the professional nursing staff of Creedmoor State Hospital and Creedmoor Institute for Psychobiologic Studies. Suggestions by John R. Whittier, M.D., concerning this report are gratefully acknowledged.