DRPSHP

Scientific Reference

Glutathione

Evidence profile: Human Phase 2 evidence

Glutathione is the cell's workhorse thiol. It consists of glutamate, cysteine and glycine, with the unusual feature that glutamate joins through its side-chain gamma carboxyl rather than the usual alpha group. Cells assemble it in two ATP-driven steps using glutamate-cysteine ligase and glutathione synthetase. It exists as reduced GSH and as the oxidised disulfide GSSG, and the balance between the two is a standard readout of cellular redox status. What happens inside cells is thoroughly charted. Experiments delivering glutathione from outside, in animals or humans, are harder to read because it is rapidly degraded in the extracellular space and the human results disagree.

Mechanism of Action

Its reactivity comes from the cysteine thiol. Glutathione peroxidases spend two GSH to neutralise hydrogen peroxide or lipid hydroperoxides, producing GSSG, which glutathione reductase converts back using NADPH. Glutathione S-transferases couple it to electrophilic molecules, opening a conjugation route used for drugs and environmental chemicals. It can also form mixed disulfides with protein cysteines, studied as redox signalling. The gamma-glutamyl bond resists most peptidases, so breakdown starts with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase on the cell surface.

Molecular Information

  • Type: Tripeptide
  • Molecular weight: 307.33 g/mol
  • Molecular formula: C10H17N3O6S
  • CAS: 70-18-8

Published Research

  • Effects of acute HMB-FA supplementation on antioxidant status and muscle damage in Elite Judoka: a randomized pilot trial

    Tayebi SM et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2026 · Clinical

    PMID 42084797 — View on PubMed

  • Multinutrients Decrease Oxidative Stress in Children With ADHD: Mediation/Moderation Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial Data

    Robinette LM et al. · Journal of attention disorders · 2025 · Clinical

    PMID 40772654 — View on PubMed

  • Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Physical Function, and Aging Hallmarks: A Randomized Clinical Trial

    Kumar P et al. · The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences · 2023 · Clinical

    PMID 35975308 — View on PubMed

  • Eight-week supplementation of Aronia berry extract promoted the glutathione defence system against acute aerobic exercise-induced oxidative load immediately and 30 min post-exercise in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial

    Chung JW et al. · Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association · 2023 · Clinical

    PMID 36727618 — View on PubMed

  • The effects of selenium supplementation on glycemic control, serum lipoproteins and biomarkers of oxidative stress in infertile women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

    Zadeh Modarres S et al. · Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2022 · Clinical

    PMID 36184253 — View on PubMed

  • The effects of butyrate supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profile, blood pressure, nitric oxide level and glutathione peroxidase activity in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized triple -blind, placebo-controlled trial

    Khosravi Z et al. · Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2022 · Clinical

    PMID 35623879 — View on PubMed