Glutathione

Overview

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine — the most abundant intracellular antioxidant in mammalian biology. It functions as the cell's primary reducing agent, directly neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), regenerating other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and serving as a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase enzymes central to hydrogen peroxide detoxification.

GSH is also essential to phase II hepatic detoxification, forming conjugates with electrophilic xenobiotics and metabolic byproducts to facilitate their elimination. Intracellular GSH levels decline with age and under conditions of oxidative stress, making replenishment a significant area of research interest across multiple disease models.

Research Highlights

Research has documented glutathione's capacity to reduce oxidative stress biomarkers, support liver function under toxic insult, protect erythrocyte integrity, improve insulin sensitivity in metabolic syndrome models, and modulate immune cell activity. Studies have also investigated its role in protecting mitochondrial DNA from oxidative damage and maintaining respiratory chain function under conditions of chronic oxidative burden.

Additional research areas include glutathione's involvement in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis signaling, neurological function, and skin cell protection from UV-induced oxidative damage. Its role as a substrate for glutaredoxins and thioredoxins places it at the center of the cellular redox regulatory network — a frequently studied target in aging, metabolic disease, and oncology research models.

For research use only. Not intended for human consumption.

Specifications

Certificate of Analysis

Each batch is independently tested by a third-party laboratory. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming purity and identity is available upon request. Contact us with your order number to receive the COA for your specific lot.