Essential Glutathione
Glutathione is an essential molecule in the body’s response to oxidative stress. It is a tripeptide containing cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. The human body can produce glutathione from its peptide precursors.
Glutathione and Personality Disorders
A recently published review article by Palaniyappan and colleagues explored the potential connection between intracortical glutathione levels and personality disorders. The study reported that in cases of personality disorders., changes related to oxidative stress had been observed in specific biomarkers. Animal studies have noted reductions in glutathione levels between 27% and 52% in established personality disorders.
Low glutathione levels and response to antipsychotic medication
The causes of these reported reductions are believed to include environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Low intracortical glutathione levels were also associated with a potential delayed response to antipsychotic medication and a higher symptom burden. The authors do note the relationship between glutathione and personality disorders. It is still unknown, and further studies need to be conducted.
Glutathione and lung conditions
Another recently published systematic review and meta-analysis by Zinellu and colleagues assessed the relationship between glutathione and its related molecules and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), an enzyme critical to the antioxidant pathway, was shown to occur in significantly lower concentrations in the presence of COPD.
Selenium Deficiency and diminished GPx-1 expression
GPx has eight forms, four of which are selenoproteins. Diminished expression of GPx-1 in the presence of selenium deficiency has been shown in animal and laboratory studies. The authors note that individuals with COPD often have nutritional deficiencies, including those of selenium. They postulate that selenium deficiency may influence GPx activity and glutathione levels. The downstream effects of these changes in GPx-1 activity have been associated with changes to the heart’s ability to respond to oxidative stress and may contribute to poor cell survival.
Oxidative stress and GPx were also recently studied with seizure disorders in a meta-analysis by Wang and colleagues.
SOD and Seizure Disorders
The occurrence of another enzyme related to the body’s response to oxidative stress, superoxide dismutase (SOD), was also evaluated. The meta-analysis results indicate that oxidative stress may be associated with seizure disorders and that SOD levels in erythrocytes in individuals with seizure disorders were significantly reduced compared to healthy participants.
Oxidative Stress and Seizure Disorders
Although previously reported studies showed lower activity of GPx in animals with seizure disorders, this meta-analysis did not show corresponding changes in human blood cells. However, the authors connect oxidative stress with seizure disorders, although further studies need to be conducted.
Glutathione is a critical participant in the body’s response to oxidative stress. It continues to be of interest to the research community as emerging evidence broadens our understanding of this vital molecule.
By Colleen Ambrose, ND, MAT
