1. Blood lead and erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P-D) activities were measured in normal subjects and in those with occupational exposure to lead.

2. With increasing blood lead concentration, GSSG-R activity increases and that of G6P-D decreases.

3. It is suggested that these changes represent part of a compensatory mechanism to overcome the reduction of sulphydryl groups by lead ions.

Keywords:
glutathione reductase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, lead, 5-aminolaevulinic acid dehydrase, sulphydryl groups
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© 1974 The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society
1974
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