Glutathione metabolism and its implications for health

[Guest guest]

Thought I'd add this abstract; it contains several points I mentioned.

Glutathione metabolism and its implications for health.

Wu G, Fang YZ, Yang S, Lupton JR, ND.

Collaborators (1)

Faculty of Nutrition, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.

g-wu@...

Glutathione (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine; GSH) is the most abundant

low-molecular-weight thiol, and GSH/glutathione disulfide is the major redox

couple in animal cells. The synthesis of GSH from glutamate, cysteine, and

glycine is catalyzed sequentially by two cytosolic enzymes,

gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and GSH synthetase. Compelling evidence shows

that GSH synthesis is regulated primarily by gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase

activity, cysteine availability, and GSH feedback inhibition. Animal and human

studies demonstrate that adequate protein nutrition is crucial for the

maintenance of GSH homeostasis. In addition, enteral or parenteral cystine,

methionine, N-acetyl-cysteine, and L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate are

effective precursors of cysteine for tissue GSH synthesis. Glutathione plays

important roles in antioxidant defense, nutrient metabolism, and regulation of

cellular events (including gene expression, DNA and protein synthesis, cell

proliferation and apoptosis, signal transduction, cytokine production and immune

response, and protein glutathionylation). Glutathione deficiency contributes to

oxidative stress, which plays a key role in aging and the pathogenesis of many

diseases (including kwashiorkor, seizure, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's

disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, HIV, AIDS, cancer,

heart attack, stroke, and diabetes). New knowledge of the nutritional regulation

of GSH metabolism is critical for the development of effective strategies to

improve health and to treat these diseases.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14988435?ordinalpos=1 & itool=EntrezSystem2.PEn\

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