More info on GLUTATHIONE

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I did some web searches and found the following info on Glutathione.

Some of the sites are product-selling sites, but I thought the info was

interesting.....

http://www.smartbasic.com/glos.aminos/glutathione.glos.html

Glutathione

Glutathione is a tri-peptide composed of three amino acids: Cysteine, Glutamic

Acid and Glycine. Glutathione and the enzymes it forms, such as GTH peroxidase,

are essential to all life and are found in tissues of virtually all plants and

animals. GTH is present in all human cells, with the highest levels found in the

liver, the lenses of the eyes, pancreas, spleen and kidneys.

Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant, a key protector against all types of

pollution and is effective in preventing aging. Glutathione also protects

against cellular peroxidation caused by exposure to pesticides, plastics,

benzene and carbon tetrachloride, as well as heavy metals, cigarette smoke,

smog, drugs, solvents, dyes, phenols and nitrates.

Glutathione works to inhibit the formation of free radicals, dangerous agents

that suppress the immune system and promote the formation of mutagens and

carcinogens. Free radicals also speed up the aging process, and it is due to

this antioxidant activity that Glutathione is considered useful in the

prevention and treatment of a wide range of degenerative diseases.

Studies at the Louisville School of Medicine have clearly shown that Glutathione

possesses unique ability to slow the aging process. While Glutathione aids in

the protection of all cells and membranes, a study at Harvard Medical School

found that glutathione is especially able to enhance immune system cells,

protecting against damage from radiation and helping to reduce the side effects

of chemotherapy and x-rays and alcohol. As a detoxifier of metals and drugs,

glutathione also aids in the treatment of blood and liver disorders

http://www.vibrant-health.com/vh_store/catalog/glossary/info/sn.l.glutath.html

L-Glutathione is a naturally- occurring biologically active, sulphur- containing

tripeptide composed of the amino acids L- Cysteine, L- Glutamic Acid & L-

Glycine. It is a potent antioxidant and works in the liver to protect the body

from harmful substances. It also functions as a precursor to Glutathione

Peroxidase, a key antioxidant enzyme which is a major protector against lipid

peroxidation (fats turning rancid).

http://www.vitaminusa.com/pharmacy/00-33984-01350.html

GLUTATHIONE

This is an amino acid produced mainly in the liver and is found in virtually all

living cells.

Glutathione is one of the key antioxidants in the body and responsible for

protecting the body waste disposal. It plays a role in cellular repair after a

stroke, fighting cancer, stabilizing blood sugar and preventing oxidation of LDL

cholesterol which damages the arteries. It is also crucial in protecting the

lymphatic and digestive systems from unstable fats and oils. When the

glutathione levels drop, the burden of toxic stress goes up. The level also

drops as we grow older.

Levels can also be depleted by excessive intake of polyunsaturated and partially

hydrogenated vegetable oils, overexposure to toxic substances such as pesticides

and by pharmaceutical drugs that stress the liver.

http://www.goldcoast-online.com/goldcoast/glutgol.html

Glutathione Gold

Useful for both maintaining eye health, and providing superior antioxidant

protection, glutathione may actually protect cells from damage by alcohol,

certain drugs, and environmental toxins. Glutathione Gold also contains

N-Acetyl-L-Cystein which helps the body produce glutathione in the cells.

http://research.kib.ki.se/e-uven/public/H4313.html

Glutathione is a tripeptide which is present in all cells, and has a number of

functions. It is the quantitatively most important endogenous antioxidant. It is

involved in amino acid transport of the membranes, it may also have a regulatory

role in protein metabolism, probably on the degradation side. As glutamate is

one of the constituents of glutathione, it is also linked to glutamate/glutamine

metabolism. Cystine, another constituent of glutathione, is present in very low

concentration in tissues. Cystine is extremely reactive and therefore its

concentration is regulated within narrow limits.

We have developed a technique to analyze glutathione in its reduced and oxidized

forms in human tissues, with some emphasis on skeletal muscle. We use a

HPLC-technique, which also gives the possibility to obtain accurate analyses of

cystine and cysteine, as well as the dipeptide gamma-glutamyl-cysteine.

So far we have characterised the concentration and the redox states of

glutathione in human skeletal muscle diurnally, during starvation and refeeding,

postoperatively and in critical illness. As there is a reduction of the reduced

form and the total concentration following surgery and in ICU-patients we have

also looked upon the activities of the enzymes of the glutathione cycle in

postoperative patients. We have also characterised the redox status of

glutathione and of cysteine in several other tissues including intestinal mucosa

and liver.

Presently we study the temporal development of glutathione and its redox status

in muscle of ICU-patients and also how it responds to glutamine treatment. We

are also using the technique to look upon glutathione in other tissues and are

planning experiments including liver and white blood cells. Another track is to

look upon glutathione status following ischemia and reperfusion in conjunction

with vascular surgery.