Glutathione, oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.

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Glutathione, oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.

Schulz JB, Lindenau J, Seyfried J, Dichgans J.

Neurodegeneration Laboratory, Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen,

Germany.

Eur J Biochem. 2000 Aug;267(16):4904-11.

There is significant evidence that the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative

diseases,

including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Friedreich's ataxia and

amyotrophic

lateral sclerosis, may involve the generation of reactive oxygen species and

mitochondrial

dysfunction. Here, we review the evidence for a disturbance of glutathione

homeostasis that

may either lead to or result from oxidative stress in neurodegenerative

disorders. Glutathione

is an important intracellular antioxidant that protects against a variety of

different antioxidant

species. An important role for glutathione was proposed for the pathogenesis of

Parkinson's

disease, because a decrease in total glutathione concentrations in the

substantia nigra has

been observed in preclinical stages, at a time at which other biochemical

changes are not yet

detectable. Because glutathione does not cross the blood-brain barrier other

treatment

options to increase brain concentrations of glutathione including glutathione

analogs,

mimetics or precursors are discussed.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10931172