Glutathione

L-Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide made of cysteine, glutamate and glycine. It is a major intracellular thiol antioxidant and is widely used in redox biology research.

Research applications

L-Glutathione is used in laboratory studies of oxidative stress, redox balance, protein folding and detoxification pathways. Published work has also examined it in ocular, cartilage, skin and immune-cell models. This product is sold for laboratory research use only.

Pathway and mechanistic context

The sulfur in the cysteine residue lets glutathione take part in redox reactions that neutralize reactive oxygen species and support other antioxidants. It is also described as taking part in disulfide bond formation in the endoplasmic reticulum, in leukotriene and prostaglandin synthesis, and in the regulation of ferroptosis.

Preclinical summary

Rodent and bovine studies have examined glutathione in UV-exposed skin, cartilage stress resistance and aging tissue. Other work has looked at how glutathione levels change with age in the brain and lens. These are laboratory and model findings.

Form and analytical testing

Supplied as a lyophilized powder. Identity and purity are normally confirmed by HPLC and mass spectrometry. Refer to the Certificate of Analysis for the lot you receive.

References

1. H. J. Forman, H. Zhang, and A. Rinna, “Glutathione: overview of its protective roles, measurement, and biosynthesis,” Mol. Aspects Med. , vol. 30, no. 1–2, pp. 1–12, Apr. 2009, doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2008.08.006. Source
2. G. Teskey et al. , “Glutathione as a Marker for Human Disease,” Adv. Clin. Chem. , vol. 87, pp. 141–159, 2018, doi: 10.1016/bs.acc.2018.07.004. Source
3. D. A. Hudson, S. A. Gannon, and C. Thorpe, “Oxidative protein folding: from thiol-disulfide exchange reactions to the redox poise of the endoplasmic reticulum,” Free Radic. Biol. Med. , vol. 80, pp. 171–182, Mar. 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.07.037. Source
4. P. Maher, “The effects of stress and aging on glutathione metabolism,” Ageing Res. Rev. , vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 288–314, May 2005, doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2005.02.005. Source
5. S. Zhu, D. Makosa, B. F. Miller, and T. M. Griffin, “Glutathione as a Mediator of Cartilage Oxidative Stress Resistance and Resilience During Aging and Osteoarthritis,” Connect. Tissue Res. , vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 34–47, Jan. 2020, doi: 10.1080/03008207.2019.1665035. Source
6. T. S. Nagapan, W. N. Lim, D. F. Basri, and A. R. Ghazali, “Oral supplementation of L-glutathione prevents ultraviolet B-induced melanogenesis and oxidative stress in BALB/c mice,” Exp. Anim. , vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 541–548, Nov. 2019, doi: 10.1538/expanim.19-0017. Source

Peptides are shipped lyophilized (freeze-dried), a state that keeps them stable in transit. Keep vials cold and away from light on arrival.

• Short term: refrigeration below 4°C (39°F) is generally suitable for lyophilized material held for days to months.
• Long term: a freezer at -80°C (-112°F) is preferred for storage over several months or years.
• After reconstitution: keep the vial refrigerated. Reconstituted material is generally kept for up to 30 days.