Objective: This study investigated the changes over time in glutathione and its constituent amino acids in skeletal muscle of ICU patients with multiple organ failure.
Design and setting: Prospective and descriptive pilot study in two medium-sized ICUs with ten beds.
Patients: Critically ill patients ( n=10) with multiple organ failure and with an expected ICU stay longer than 6 days were included during their initial 3 days after admission to the ICU.
Measurements and results: Muscle biopsy and blood samples were taken on days 0, 3, and 6 after inclusion and total, reduced, and oxidized glutathione and the related amino acids were determined. During the study period both total and reduced glutathione increased and was in the normal range on day 6. The constituent amino acids normalized during the study period as well.
Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates a recovery of muscle glutathione concentrations in critically ill patients with ongoing multiple organ failure within 1 week. Restoration of muscle glutathione seems to be a biological process of high priority in this group of patients.