Aim: Many mediators and biomarkers play a role in the pathogenesis of bacterial sepsis (BS) which is still not fully illimunated.The aim was to analyze intracellular oxidised glutathione (GSSG)/reduced glutathione (GSH) and serum thiol/disulfide (extracellular) homeostasis tests in BS to evaluate the contribution of oxidative stress to pathogenesis.

Material and Methods: A total of 92 individuals, including 49 patients and 43 healthy volunteers, were included in the present study. The cases who had high probability of BS criteria defined by the third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock and positive blood culture were included in the study. The blood samples were used for intracellular and extracellular thiol/disulfide homeostasis tests.

Results: When BS and control group were compared, GSH, total glutathione (GSH+GSSG), disulfide, Index-3, native thiol and total thiol levels were significantly lower in BS group compared to control group (p<0.001, for Index-3 and disulfide p<0.05). No significant differences were detected between the two groups in terms of GSSG levels. The age, CRP, PCT, WBC and RDW, MCV, N/L and Index-2 levels were significantly higher in BS group than in control group (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Total thiol and native thiol levels and GSH and total glutathione levels decreased in BS. Disrupted intracellular and extracellular thiol/disulfide homeostasis might have effects on BS pathogenesis by increasing oxidative stress.