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Hepatic -Cystathionase Deficiency in Patients With AIDS

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To the Editor: Patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exhibit low plasma cysteine levels at all stages of the disease.¹ Glutathione (GSH) levels are also reduced in plasma, T lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and lung epithelial-lining fluid in patients with HIV infection.^2-3

Most circulating GSH is synthesized in the liver where L-cysteine concentration is a rate-limiting factor. The liver obtains most of its cysteine from L-methionine through the trans-sulfuration pathway, which involves -cystathionase activity. Jahoor et al³ reported that the low GSH levels found in erythrocytes from HIV-infected subjects are due, at least in part, to a diminished availability of L-cysteine.³ However, the cause of this cysteine deficiency is not clear.

Methods

We followed the method described by Sturman et al⁴ to measure -cystathionase activity in liver samples obtained from autopsies of 3 men with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 6 healthy men (17-44 years old) who died in automobile . . . [Full Text of this Article]