GLUTATHIONE (GSH):
Glutathione (GSH) is often referred to as the body's master antioxidant. Composed of three amino acids -
cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. It is a tripeptide with a gamma peptide linkage between the carboxyl group
of the glutamate side chain and cysteine.
Tripeptide - any of a group of peptides containing three
amino-acid residues in the molecule.
the γ-carboxyl group of glutamic acid is linked to the α-
amino group of cysteine.
The alpha carbon (Cα) in organic molecules refers to the first carbon atom that attaches to a functional
group, such as a carbonyl. The second carbon atom is called the beta carbon (Cβ), and the system
continues naming in alphabetical order with Greek letters.
The highest concentration of glutathione is in the liver, making it critical in the body's detoxification process.
Glutathione is also an essential component to the body's natural defense system. When there is free-radical
damage to healthy cells this deplete glutathione. Glutathione depletion has
been correlated with lower immune function and increased vulnerability to
infection due to the liver's reduced ability to detoxify.
As the generation of free radicals exceeds the body's ability to neutralize and
eliminate them, oxidative stress occurs. A primary function of glutathione is to
lessen this oxidative stress and also, xenobiotics and radiation.
Reduced glutathione (GSH) has a sulfhydryl (SH) group on the cysteinyl portion,
which accounts for its strong electron-donating character. Main role as an
antioxidant is the use of its sulfhydryl group as a nucleophilic scavenger
As electrons are lost, the molecule becomes oxidized, and two such molecules
become linked (dimerized) by a disulfide bridge to form glutathione disulfide or
oxidized glutathione (GSSG).
The major role of NADPH is to reduce the disulfide form (GSSG) to the sulfhydryl
form (GSH).
Glutathione (GSH) is often referred to as the body's master antioxidant. Composed of three amino acids -
cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. It is a tripeptide with a gamma peptide linkage between the carboxyl group
of the glutamate side chain and cysteine.
Tripeptide - any of a group of peptides containing three
amino-acid residues in the molecule.
the γ-carboxyl group of glutamic acid is linked to the α-
amino group of cysteine.
The alpha carbon (Cα) in organic molecules refers to the first carbon atom that attaches to a functional
group, such as a carbonyl. The second carbon atom is called the beta carbon (Cβ), and the system
continues naming in alphabetical order with Greek letters.
The highest concentration of glutathione is in the liver, making it critical in the body's detoxification process.
Glutathione is also an essential component to the body's natural defense system. When there is free-radical
damage to healthy cells this deplete glutathione. Glutathione depletion has
been correlated with lower immune function and increased vulnerability to
infection due to the liver's reduced ability to detoxify.
As the generation of free radicals exceeds the body's ability to neutralize and
eliminate them, oxidative stress occurs. A primary function of glutathione is to
lessen this oxidative stress and also, xenobiotics and radiation.
Reduced glutathione (GSH) has a sulfhydryl (SH) group on the cysteinyl portion,
which accounts for its strong electron-donating character. Main role as an
antioxidant is the use of its sulfhydryl group as a nucleophilic scavenger
As electrons are lost, the molecule becomes oxidized, and two such molecules
become linked (dimerized) by a disulfide bridge to form glutathione disulfide or
oxidized glutathione (GSSG).
The major role of NADPH is to reduce the disulfide form (GSSG) to the sulfhydryl
form (GSH).
