Glutathione

Absorption

Research suggests that glutathione is not orally bioactive, and that very little of oral glutathione tablets or capsules is actually absorbed by the body.

Toxicity

ORL-MUS LD50 5000 mg/kg, IPR-MUS LD50 4020 mg/kg, SCU-MUS LD50 5000 mg/kg, IVN-RBT LD50 > 2000 mg/kg, IMS-MUS LD50 4000 mg/kg

Description

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide (γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine) widely distributed in both plants and animals. GSH serves as a nucleophilic co-substrate to glutathione transferases in the detoxification of xenobiotics and is an essential electron donor to glutathione peroxidases in the reduction of hydroperoxides. GSH is also involved in amino acid transport and maintenance of protein sulfhydryl reduction status. The concentration of GSH ranges from a few micromolar in plasma to several millimolar in tissues such as liver.

Description

Glutathione is a tripeptide that consists of the amino acids glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. This natural antioxidant exists in every cell of most organisms, including all animals and plants. Its reducing power comes from the thiol group in the cysteine linkage.
In 1929, Frederick Gowland Hopkins at the University of Cambridge (UK) isolated glutathione from yeast. He noted that its concentration in yeast is 0.1 wt% or greater and that the substance is also present in red blood corpuscles. The same year, Hopkins and Dutch physician Christiaan Eijkman were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their research on the concept of vitamins*, although the only one they actually discovered was vitamin B1?(thiamine).
The first synthesis of glutathione is credited to chemist Vincent du Vigneaud of Cornell Medical College (New York City; now Weill Cornell Medicine) in 1952. Du Vigneaud was also a Nobel awardee; he won the chemistry prize in 1955 for his work on biologically important sulfur compounds.
This April, Dirk Brenner at the Luxembourg Institute of Health and coauthors in seven countries reported that, in addition to its function as an antioxidant, glutathione also?stimulates T cell energy metabolism. This stimulation allows T cells to generate an optimal immune response and fight off pathogens. This discovery may lead to new therapies against cancer and autoimmune diseases.
*Polish biochemist Casimir Funk made the discovery earlier than Hopkins and Eijkman, but the Nobel committee chose not to include him in the award. See the?Nobel Prize Web site?for this strange story.

The Uses of Glutathione

glutathione is a peptide composed of cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. It is believed to enhance the skin’s cellular metabolism and oxygen utilization. It has been found to protect the fibroblast against free radical-induced oxidation and act as a powerful antioxidant. Studies indicate that it can inactivate the tyrosinase enzyme and quench free radicals that contribute to tyrosinase and melanin formation, thereby serving as a skin-lightening or de- pigmenting agent. glutathione is a component of plant and animal tissue, naturally occurring in the body and essential for the proper functioning of the immune system.

Background

A tripeptide with many roles in cells. It conjugates to drugs to make them more soluble for excretion, is a cofactor for some enzymes, is involved in protein disulfide bond rearrangement and reduces peroxides.

What are the applications of Application

Glutathione, reduced is an endogenous antioxidant, representative of the cellular oxidative state

Indications

For nutritional supplementation, also for treating dietary shortage or imbalance

Metabolism

Not Available