Glutathione

The glutathione molecule contains a special γ - peptide bond, that is, the peptide bond formed between the γ - carboxyl group of glutamic acid and the amino group of cysteine, instead of the common α - peptide bond. In addition, the sulfhydryl group (-SH) on the cysteine residue is the key group for glutathione to exert its biological functions. This sulfhydryl group has strong reducibility and is easily oxidized to a disulfide bond (-S - S -).
Physiological functions
·Antioxidant effect: As an important antioxidant in cells, it can scavenge excessive free radicals in the body, such as superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, protect cells from oxidative damage, and maintain the intracellular redox balance. For example, in red blood cells, glutathione can prevent hemoglobin from being oxidized to methemoglobin, ensuring its normal function of transporting oxygen.
·Detoxification effect: It participates in the metabolic transformation of various toxic substances in the body, binds to heavy metal ions, drugs, and other harmful substances, reducing their toxicity or converting them into forms that are easy to excrete from the body. For instance, it can bind to heavy metal ions such as mercury and lead to form non - toxic complexes, which are excreted through urine.
·Participation in cell metabolism: It plays an important role in various cell metabolism processes such as amino acid transport, DNA synthesis and repair, and intracellular signal transduction. For example, it provides a reducing environment for intracellular metabolic reactions, ensuring the activity of some enzymes and the normal progress of metabolic pathways.
·Immune regulation: It can maintain the normal functions of immune cells, enhance the body's immunity, promote the proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes, and improve the body's resistance to pathogens.
Distribution and sources
·Distribution: It is widely present in the cells of animals, plants, and microorganisms, and is relatively high in content in tissues and cells such as the liver, kidneys, and red blood cells in the human body.
·Sources
·Food sources: Glutathione is present in many foods, such as fresh vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, etc.), fruits (such as grapes, oranges, etc.), meats (such as beef, chicken, etc.), and grains.
·Self - synthesis: Human cells can use glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine as raw materials to synthesize glutathione under the action of relevant enzymes. The supply of cysteine is usually the rate - limiting step in the synthesis.
Application fields
·Medical field
·Treatment of liver diseases: It is used to treat viral hepatitis, drug - induced liver injury, etc., can reduce the oxidative damage of liver cells and promote the recovery of liver function.
·Detoxification drugs: As an antidote for heavy metal poisoning, drug poisoning, etc., it helps to remove toxic substances from the body.
·Treatment of other diseases: It also has certain applications in the treatment of diseases such as cataracts and AIDS, and can improve disease symptoms through antioxidant effects.
·Healthcare field
·Antioxidant supplements: 制成保健品 to help the human body supplement glutathione, enhance antioxidant capacity, slow down the aging process, and prevent various diseases caused by oxidative stress.
·Enhancing immunity: It helps to maintain the normal function of the immune system, improve the body's resistance, and prevent infections and diseases.
·Beauty field
·Whitening the skin: By inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, it reduces the production of melanin, achieving the effect of whitening and freckle - removing.
·Antioxidant skin care: Added to skin care products such as face creams and serums, it helps the skin resist the damage of free radicals, reduces skin problems such as wrinkles and dullness, and maintains the health and youthfulness of the skin.