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Reduced Glutathione and Glutathione Disulfide

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Free Radical and Antioxidant Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 108))

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Abstract

Glutathione (GSH; L- -glutamyl-L-cysteinl-glycine) plays an important role in the prevention of radical mediated injury to the body. It does so as a radical scavenger and by supplying GSH to the antioxidant enzymes described in Chapter 29. In conjunction with superoxide dismutase (SOD), which converts superoxide anions into hydrogen peroxide (H202), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) converts H202, into water (1). As a result of the second conversion, GSH is oxidized to glutathione disulfide (GSSG). In this way, GSH acts as a cofactor in the removal of toxic radicals from the body. During oxidative stress, GSH levels decline and GSSG increases, which can influence signal transduction by stimulating NF-kB activation (2). GSH is also thought to be a donor of glutamyl groups in amino-acid transport (3).

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© 1998 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Browne, R.W., Armstrong, D. (1998). Reduced Glutathione and Glutathione Disulfide. In: Armstrong, D. (eds) Free Radical and Antioxidant Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 108. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-472-0:347

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-472-0:347

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-472-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-254-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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