Glutathione in the treatment of liver diseases: insights from clinical practice.

Glutathione in the treatment of liver diseases: insights from clinical practice. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2016 Sep 7; Authors: Sacco R, Eggenhoffner R, Giacomelli L Abstract Liver diseases markedly contribute to the global burden of mortality and morbidity. The pathogenesis of alcohol and non-alcohol induced liver diseases is complex and many factors have been described to contribute to the progressive loss of liver functions, including the over- generation of reactive oxygen species. The tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is the most important low molecular weight antioxidant synthesized in cells. In fact, GSH is a reducing molecule and it can react with oxygen species by neutralizing the unpaired electrons that make them highly reactive and dangerous. ROS over- production impairs the intracellular GSH homeostasis, leading to GSH deficiency, a pathophysiological hallmark in alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases. On the basis of evidence obtained from experimental research and previous clinical studies, GSH administration appears a promising strategy to recover oxidative stress-induced liver damages in alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases. PMID: 27603810 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol Source Type: research