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:


  1. Glutathione metabolism and its implications for health
  2. Cell signalling and the glutathione redox system
  3. Cellular glutathione and thiols metabolism
  4. Dietary glutathione intake in humans and the relationship between intake and plasma total glutathione level
  5. The enzymes of glutathione synthesis: gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase
  6. Glutathione depletion by buthionine sulfoximine induces DNA deletions in mice
  7. Enhanced gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity decreases drug-induced oxidative stress levels and cytotoxicity
  8. Erythrocyte glutathione synthetase deficiency leads not only to glutathione but also to glutathione-S-transferase deficiency
  9. Regulation of gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase by nonallosteric feedback inhibition by glutathione
  10. On the active site thiol of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase: relationships to catalysis, inhibition, and regulation
  11. Cloning and nucleotide sequence of a full-length cDNA for human liver gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase
  12. Glutathione: an overview of biosynthesis and modulation
  13. Cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding the large subunit of glutathione synthetase of Schizosaccharomyces pombe
  14. Three-dimensional structure of the glutathione synthetase from Escherichia coli B at 2.0 A resolution
  15. Sequencing and expression of a cDNA for human glutathione synthetase
  16. Identification of an essential cysteine residue in human glutathione synthase
  17. Differential inhibition of glutamine and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetases by alpha-alkyl analogs of methionine sulfoximine that induce convulsions
  18. Glutathione deficiency produced by inhibition of its synthesis, and its reversal; applications in research and therapy
  19. Measurement of oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio
  20. Inhibition of glutathione disulfide reductase by glutathione
  21. Glutathione transferases
  22. Effects of selenium status, dietary glucosinolate intake and serum glutathione S-transferase α activity on the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia
  23. Glutathione transferase mu 2 protects glioblastoma cells against aminochrome toxicity by preventing autophagy and lysosome dysfunction
  24. Glutathione S-transferase pi isoform (GSTP1) expression in murine retina increases with developmental maturity
  25. Mammalian class theta GST and differential susceptibility to carcinogens: a review
  26. Zeta, a novel class of glutathione transferases in a range of species from plants to humans
  27. Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and their biological consequences
  28. Glutathione S-transferase class Kappa: characterization by the cloning of rat mitochondrial GST and identification of a human homologue
  29. 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
  30. Common structural features of MAPEG -- a widespread superfamily of membrane associated proteins with highly divergent functions in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism
  31. Glutathione peroxidases
  32. Glutathione peroxidases and redox-regulated transcription factors
  33. Regulation of protein function by S-glutathiolation in response to oxidative and nitrosative stress
  34. Role of glutathiolation in preservation, restoration and regulation of protein function
  35. Glutathione redox potential modulated by reactive oxygen species regulates translation of Rubisco large subunit in the chloroplast
  36. Redox control of protein degradation
  37. Fate of dietary glutathione: disposition in the gastrointestinal tract
  38. gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase of rat intestine: localization and possible role in amino acid transport
  39. Plasma methionine and cysteine kinetics in response to an intravenous glutathione infusion in adult humans
  40. Glutathione transport system in human small intestine epithelial cells
  41. Bioavailability of dietary glutathione: effect on plasma concentration
  42. Oral glutathione increases tissue glutathione in vivo
  43. The systemic availability of oral glutathione
  44. High-dose intravenous glutathione in man. Pharmacokinetics and effects on cyst(e)ine in plasma and urine
  45. Effects of oral glutathione supplementation on systemic oxidative stress biomarkers in human volunteers
  46. Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione
  47. Hydrolysis and transfer reactions catalyzed by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; evidence for separate substrate sites and for high affinity of L-cystine
  48. The gamma-glutamyl cycle: a possible transport system for amino acids
  49. A clinical trial of glutathione supplementation in autism spectrum disorders
  50. Bidirectional membrane transport of intact glutathione in Hep G2 cells
  51. Effect of oxidant exposure on thiol status in the intestinal mucosa
  52. Bidirectional glutathione transport by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells
  53. Identification of a novel, sodium-dependent, reduced glutathione transporter in the rat lens epithelium
  54. Analysis of glutathione: implication in redox and detoxification
  55. Glutathione conjugation as a bioactivation reaction
  56. Identification of the nonsubstrate steroid binding site of rat liver glutathione S-transferase, isozyme 1-1, by the steroid affinity label, 3beta-(iodoacetoxy)dehydroisoandrosterone
  57. 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
  58. Concise review of the glutathione S-transferases and their significance to toxicology
  59. Glutathione supplementation and training increases myocardial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion in vivo
  60. Glutathione supplementation improves macrophage functions in HIV
  61. Cellular defenses against superoxide and hydrogen peroxide
  62. The reaction of superoxide radical with N-acetylcysteine
  63. The reaction of superoxide with reduced glutathione
  64. Mechanism of thiol oxidation by the superoxide radical
  65. Oxygen permeability of thylakoid membranes: electron paramagnetic resonance spin labeling study
  66. Superoxide dismutases-a review of the metal-associated mechanistic variations
  67. Chemistry and biochemistry of superoxide dismutases
  68. Glutathione peroxidase family - an evolutionary overview
  69. The identification of primary sites of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide formation in the aerobic respiratory chain and sulfite reductase complex of Escherichia coli
  70. Mitochondrial catalase and oxidative injury
  71. Reversible inhibition and irreversible inactivation of catalase in presence of hydrogen peroxide
  72. Determination of the kinetic parameters for the "suicide substrate" inactivation of bovine liver catalase by hydrogen peroxide
  73. Glutathione peroxidase-catalase cooperativity is required for resistance to hydrogen peroxide by mature rat oligodendrocytes
  74. Reactive oxygen species as intracellular messengers during cell growth and differentiation
  75. Sequence-specific DNA cleavage by Fe2+-mediated fenton reactions has possible biological implications
  76. Toxic DNA damage by hydrogen peroxide through the Fenton reaction in vivo and in vitro
  77. Glutathione content of colonic mucosa: evidence for oxidative damage in active ulcerative colitis
  78. Glutathione metabolism in Crohn's disease
  79. Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defenses in mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease
  80. The role of glutathione in the gastrointestinal tract: a review
  81. Replenishment of glutathione levels improves mucosal function in experimental acute colitis
  82. Glutathione supplementation improves oxidative damage in experimental colitis
  83. N-acetyl-L-cysteine combined with mesalamine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study
  84. Nutrient supplementation: improving male fertility fourfold
  85. Selenium and fertility in animals and man--a review
  86. Dual function of the selenoprotein PHGPx during sperm maturation
  87. Placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial of glutathione therapy in male infertility
  88. Scavenging effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine against reactive oxygen species in human semen: a possible therapeutic modality for male factor infertility?
  89. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on semen parameters and oxidative/antioxidant status
  90. Low blood glutathione levels in healthy aging adults
  91. Age-related changes of glutathione content, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity of human erythrocytes
  92. Age-related changes in the glutathione redox system
  93. Pro-oxidant shift in glutathione redox state during aging
  94. Decreased synthetic capacity underlies the age-associated decline in glutathione content in Fisher 344 rats
  95. Deficient synthesis of glutathione underlies oxidative stress in aging and can be corrected by dietary cysteine and glycine supplementation
  96. Whole-body protein turnover in the healthy elderly
  97. Protein requirements and ageing: metabolic demand and efficiency of utilization
  98. Synthesis of erythrocyte glutathione in healthy adults consuming the safe amount of dietary protein
  99. Blood glutathione synthesis rates in healthy adults receiving a sulfur amino acid-free diet
  100. Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evidence and controversies
  101. The clinical effect of glutathione on skin color and other related skin conditions: A systematic review
  102. Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
  103. Skin-whitening and skin-condition-improving effects of topical oxidized glutathione: a double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial in healthy women
  104. Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects
  105. Oxidative stress in autism: increased lipid peroxidation and reduced serum levels of ceruloplasmin and transferrin--the antioxidant proteins
  106. Oxidative stress in autism
  107. Glutathione-related factors and oxidative stress in autism, a review
  108. Novel metabolic biomarkers related to sulfur-dependent detoxification pathways in autistic patients of Saudi Arabia
  109. A prospective study of transsulfuration biomarkers in autistic disorders
  110. Nutritional and metabolic status of children with autism vs. neurotypical children, and the association with autism severity
  111. Metabolic biomarkers of increased oxidative stress and impaired methylation capacity in children with autism
  112. Investigation of antioxidant enzymes in children with autistic disorder
  113. Metabolic biomarkers related to oxidative stress and antioxidant status in Saudi autistic children
  114. Lipoic and dihydrolipoic acids as antioxidants. A critical evaluation
  115. Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential
  116. Lipoic acid increases de novo synthesis of cellular glutathione by improving cystine utilization
  117. Interplay between lipoic acid and glutathione in the protection against microsomal lipid peroxidation
  118. Influence of alpha-lipoic acid on intracellular glutathione in vitro and in vivo
  119. (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
  120. Macrophages can convert citrulline into arginine
  121. Combined L-citrulline and glutathione supplementation increases the concentration of markers indicative of nitric oxide synthesis


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