Glutathione - NutraPedia
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Glutathione Overview
1) Conditions Studied for Glutathione
Glutathione has been studied for various conditions including but not limited to:
- Chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes
- Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
- Respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Liver diseases, including hepatitis and fatty liver disease
- Immune system disorders
- Aging and associated conditions
- Oxidative stress and inflammation
2) Efficacy in Treating Conditions
The effectiveness of glutathione in treating these conditions varies. Some studies suggest potential benefits, whereas others do not show significant therapeutic effects. It is important to note that more research is needed to conclusively determine its efficacy in treating specific conditions.
3) Health Benefits of Glutathione
Glutathione is associated with several health benefits:
- Acts as a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals
- Supports the immune system
- Detoxifies harmful substances in the body
- May improve skin health
- Potentially improves insulin sensitivity in older individuals
4) Potential Downsides of Glutathione
While generally considered safe, glutathione can have downsides, including:
- Allergic reactions when taken intravenously
- Abdominal cramps and bloating
- Increased asthma symptoms if inhaled
- Potential interaction with medications
It is recommended to consult a healthcare provider before starting any glutathione supplementation.
5) Genetic Variations and Glutathione
Individual genetic variations can influence how beneficial or harmful glutathione is. For instance:
- People with certain genetic mutations affecting glutathione metabolism may benefit from supplementation.
- Conversely, certain genetic variations might cause an individual to experience adverse effects from glutathione supplementation.
Genetic testing and personalized medical advice can help determine if glutathione supplementation is appropriate for an individual.
Glutathione (GSH) in Health and Disease
Glutathione (GSH), a vital thiol-containing antioxidant, plays key roles in protecting against oxidative damage, aiding metabolism, and modulating cellular processes such as gene expression, growth, and immune response. Adequate protein nutrition and certain precursors can boost tissue GSH synthesis. GSH deficiency, linked to diseases like malnutrition, neurological disorders, and diabetes, increases oxidative stress and aging processes.
Redox Regulation and Cell Cycle
The balance between oxidizing and reducing agents is critical for cell survival. Shifts in redox balance can regulate nuclear transcription factors, influencing signaling pathways and cell cycle progression. The glutathione buffer system adjusts cellular responses to redox changes.
Thiol Metabolism and Signaling
Thiol-containing compounds like GSH are central to biochemical processes due to their oxidation and regeneration capabilities. GSH consumption, synthesis, and involvement in signaling pathways are complex and disruptions may contribute to various diseases.
Dietary Glutathione and Plasma Levels
Research on dietary glutathione intake and plasma levels reveals a complex regulation that is not directly proportional to diet or availability of precursor amino acids. Factors such as serum vitamin C levels may influence this relationship.
Glutathione Synthesis and Enzyme Regulation
Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, key in GSH synthesis, is regulated by GSH feedback inhibition. Overexpression of this enzyme's subunits can influence resistance to chemotherapy and radiation in cancer cells.
Glutathione and DNA Deletions
Depletion of GSH induces DNA deletions, which can be prevented by antioxidant supplementation. This suggests a strategy to guard against carcinogenesis related to oxidative stress.
Glutathione and Chemotherapy Resistance
Drug-resistant cancer cells manage oxidative stress better due to higher activity of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, contributing to their resistance to treatment.
Glutathione and Hemolytic Anemia
A case study shows a family with hemolytic anemia due to a deficiency in erythrocyte glutathione synthetase, leading to a concurrent deficiency of glutathione-S-transferase.
Glutathione Transport and Synthesis
Studies on glutathione synthetase, including its cloning and sequencing, help understand its role in GSH synthesis. Transport systems for GSH are significant for maintaining cellular health.
Glutathione S-Transferases and Disease Susceptibility
Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are crucial in detoxification and managing oxidative stress. Genetic variations in GSTs can affect disease susceptibility, including cancer and inflammatory conditions.
Glutathione and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Low serum selenium, a factor in the body's antioxidant system, may increase the risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), although further research is needed.
Glutathione and Aminochrome Toxicity
GSTM2 is essential for protecting against aminochrome-induced cell death by maintaining autophagic and lysosomal function.
Glutathione and Retinal Protection
GSTP1 levels in the retina increase with age and in response to light exposure, potentially serving as a defense against oxidative damage.
Glutathione Transferases and Cellular Detoxification
Theta class GSTs, the oldest and found across species, are involved in cellular detoxification and may influence cancer susceptibility.
Glutathione and Health
Glutathione is a critical molecule in protecting against oxidative stress. Its synthesis involves enzymes regulated by feedback inhibition. Strategies to increase GSH levels could have therapeutic benefits.
References:
- Glutathione metabolism and its implications for health
- Cell signalling and the glutathione redox system
- Cellular glutathione and thiols metabolism
- Dietary glutathione intake in humans and the relationship between intake and plasma total glutathione level
- The enzymes of glutathione synthesis: gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase
- Glutathione depletion by buthionine sulfoximine induces DNA deletions in mice
- Enhanced gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity decreases drug-induced oxidative stress levels and cytotoxicity
- Erythrocyte glutathione synthetase deficiency leads not only to glutathione but also to glutathione-S-transferase deficiency
- Regulation of gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase by nonallosteric feedback inhibition by glutathione
- On the active site thiol of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase: relationships to catalysis, inhibition, and regulation
- Cloning and nucleotide sequence of a full-length cDNA for human liver gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase
- Glutathione: an overview of biosynthesis and modulation
- Cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding the large subunit of glutathione synthetase of Schizosaccharomyces pombe
- Three-dimensional structure of the glutathione synthetase from Escherichia coli B at 2.0 A resolution
- Sequencing and expression of a cDNA for human glutathione synthetase
- Identification of an essential cysteine residue in human glutathione synthase
- Differential inhibition of glutamine and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetases by alpha-alkyl analogs of methionine sulfoximine that induce convulsions
- Glutathione deficiency produced by inhibition of its synthesis, and its reversal; applications in research and therapy
- Measurement of oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio
- Inhibition of glutathione disulfide reductase by glutathione
- Glutathione transferases
- Effects of selenium status, dietary glucosinolate intake and serum glutathione S-transferase α activity on the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Glutathione transferase mu 2 protects glioblastoma cells against aminochrome toxicity by preventing autophagy and lysosome dysfunction
- Glutathione S-transferase pi isoform (GSTP1) expression in murine retina increases with developmental maturity
- Mammalian class theta GST and differential susceptibility to carcinogens: a review
- Zeta, a novel class of glutathione transferases in a range of species from plants to humans
- Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and their biological consequences
- Glutathione S-transferase class Kappa: characterization by the cloning of rat mitochondrial GST and identification of a human homologue
- Modelling and bioinformatics studies of the human Kappa-class glutathione transferase predict a novel third glutathione transferase family with similarity to prokaryotic 2-hydroxychromene-2-carboxylate isomerases
- Common structural features of MAPEG -- a widespread superfamily of membrane associated proteins with highly divergent functions in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism
- Glutathione peroxidases
- Glutathione peroxidases and redox-regulated transcription factors
- Regulation of protein function by S-glutathiolation in response to oxidative and nitrosative stress
- Role of glutathiolation in preservation, restoration and regulation of protein function
- Glutathione redox potential modulated by reactive oxygen species regulates translation of Rubisco large subunit in the chloroplast
- Redox control of protein degradation
- Fate of dietary glutathione: disposition in the gastrointestinal tract
- gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase of rat intestine: localization and possible role in amino acid transport
- Plasma methionine and cysteine kinetics in response to an intravenous glutathione infusion in adult humans
- Glutathione transport system in human small intestine epithelial cells
- Bioavailability of dietary glutathione: effect on plasma concentration
- Oral glutathione increases tissue glutathione in vivo
- The systemic availability of oral glutathione
- High-dose intravenous glutathione in man. Pharmacokinetics and effects on cyst(e)ine in plasma and urine
- Effects of oral glutathione supplementation on systemic oxidative stress biomarkers in human volunteers
- Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione
- Hydrolysis and transfer reactions catalyzed by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; evidence for separate substrate sites and for high affinity of L-cystine
- The gamma-glutamyl cycle: a possible transport system for amino acids
- A clinical trial of glutathione supplementation in autism spectrum disorders
- Bidirectional membrane transport of intact glutathione in Hep G2 cells
- Effect of oxidant exposure on thiol status in the intestinal mucosa
- Bidirectional glutathione transport by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells
- Identification of a novel, sodium-dependent, reduced glutathione transporter in the rat lens epithelium
- Analysis of glutathione: implication in redox and detoxification
- Glutathione conjugation as a bioactivation reaction
- Identification of the nonsubstrate steroid binding site of rat liver glutathione S-transferase, isozyme 1-1, by the steroid affinity label, 3beta-(iodoacetoxy)dehydroisoandrosterone
- Stereoselective conjugation of prostaglandin A2 and prostaglandin J2 with glutathione, catalyzed by the human glutathione S-transferases A1-1, A2-2, M1a-1a, and P1-1
- Concise review of the glutathione S-transferases and their significance to toxicology
- Glutathione supplementation and training increases myocardial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion in vivo
- Glutathione supplementation improves macrophage functions in HIV
- Cellular defenses against superoxide and hydrogen peroxide
- The reaction of superoxide radical with N-acetylcysteine
- The reaction of superoxide with reduced glutathione
- Mechanism of thiol oxidation by the superoxide radical
- Oxygen permeability of thylakoid membranes: electron paramagnetic resonance spin labeling study
- Superoxide dismutases-a review of the metal-associated mechanistic variations
- Chemistry and biochemistry of superoxide dismutases
- Glutathione peroxidase family - an evolutionary overview
- The identification of primary sites of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide formation in the aerobic respiratory chain and sulfite reductase complex of Escherichia coli
- Mitochondrial catalase and oxidative injury
- Reversible inhibition and irreversible inactivation of catalase in presence of hydrogen peroxide
- Determination of the kinetic parameters for the "suicide substrate" inactivation of bovine liver catalase by hydrogen peroxide
- Glutathione peroxidase-catalase cooperativity is required for resistance to hydrogen peroxide by mature rat oligodendrocytes
- Reactive oxygen species as intracellular messengers during cell growth and differentiation
- Sequence-specific DNA cleavage by Fe2+-mediated fenton reactions has possible biological implications
- Toxic DNA damage by hydrogen peroxide through the Fenton reaction in vivo and in vitro
- Glutathione content of colonic mucosa: evidence for oxidative damage in active ulcerative colitis
- Glutathione metabolism in Crohn's disease
- Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defenses in mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease
- The role of glutathione in the gastrointestinal tract: a review
- Replenishment of glutathione levels improves mucosal function in experimental acute colitis
- Glutathione supplementation improves oxidative damage in experimental colitis
- N-acetyl-L-cysteine combined with mesalamine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study
- Nutrient supplementation: improving male fertility fourfold
- Selenium and fertility in animals and man--a review
- Dual function of the selenoprotein PHGPx during sperm maturation
- Placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial of glutathione therapy in male infertility
- Scavenging effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine against reactive oxygen species in human semen: a possible therapeutic modality for male factor infertility?
- Effects of N-acetylcysteine on semen parameters and oxidative/antioxidant status
- Low blood glutathione levels in healthy aging adults
- Age-related changes of glutathione content, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity of human erythrocytes
- Age-related changes in the glutathione redox system
- Pro-oxidant shift in glutathione redox state during aging
- Decreased synthetic capacity underlies the age-associated decline in glutathione content in Fisher 344 rats
- Deficient synthesis of glutathione underlies oxidative stress in aging and can be corrected by dietary cysteine and glycine supplementation
- Whole-body protein turnover in the healthy elderly
- Protein requirements and ageing: metabolic demand and efficiency of utilization
- Synthesis of erythrocyte glutathione in healthy adults consuming the safe amount of dietary protein
- Blood glutathione synthesis rates in healthy adults receiving a sulfur amino acid-free diet
- Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evidence and controversies
- The clinical effect of glutathione on skin color and other related skin conditions: A systematic review
- Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Skin-whitening and skin-condition-improving effects of topical oxidized glutathione: a double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial in healthy women
- Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects
- Oxidative stress in autism: increased lipid peroxidation and reduced serum levels of ceruloplasmin and transferrin--the antioxidant proteins
- Oxidative stress in autism
- Glutathione-related factors and oxidative stress in autism, a review
- Novel metabolic biomarkers related to sulfur-dependent detoxification pathways in autistic patients of Saudi Arabia
- A prospective study of transsulfuration biomarkers in autistic disorders
- Nutritional and metabolic status of children with autism vs. neurotypical children, and the association with autism severity
- Metabolic biomarkers of increased oxidative stress and impaired methylation capacity in children with autism
- Investigation of antioxidant enzymes in children with autistic disorder
- Metabolic biomarkers related to oxidative stress and antioxidant status in Saudi autistic children
- Lipoic and dihydrolipoic acids as antioxidants. A critical evaluation
- Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential
- Lipoic acid increases de novo synthesis of cellular glutathione by improving cystine utilization
- Interplay between lipoic acid and glutathione in the protection against microsomal lipid peroxidation
- Influence of alpha-lipoic acid on intracellular glutathione in vitro and in vivo
- (R)-alpha-lipoic acid reverses the age-related loss in GSH redox status in post-mitotic tissues: evidence for increased cysteine requirement for GSH synthesis
- Macrophages can convert citrulline into arginine
- Combined L-citrulline and glutathione supplementation increases the concentration of markers indicative of nitric oxide synthesis
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