Definition: The term "Glutathione" refers to a substance found in the human body that serves as an antioxidant. It plays a vital role in several cellular processes, including detoxification, enzyme activity, and metabolism.
Definition: Glutathione (C10H17N3O6S) is a naturally occurring compound with the chemical formula C10H17N3O6S. It consists of five carbon atoms, seven hydrogen atoms, three nitrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms. This compound is classified in the class of purines, which are organic molecules that contain 5-carbon bases (such as uracil, guanine, cytosine, and thymine). Glutathione is a type of protein called a glutathione S-transferase (GST), which catalyzes a redox reaction to transfer electrons from sulfur groups on the amino group (in the case of C10H17N3O6S) to an electron acceptor, such as an enzyme. Glutathione is also involved in the regulation of detoxification processes and in some diseases that involve oxidative stress, such as cancer.
Glutathione has several physiological functions:
1.
Antioxidant Activity
: Glutathione acts as a primary antioxidant by scavenging free radicals produced by the body’s tissues. It helps protect cells from damage caused by harmful substances like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydroxyl radical (OH) that can be generated due to oxidation of free radicals.
2.
Elimination of Radicals
: Glutathione can eliminate more than 10,000 different radical intermediates produced during metabolism, which is crucial in maintaining the health of many biological systems, including cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
3.
Enzyme Activity
: In addition to its antioxidant properties, glutathione also plays a crucial role as an enzyme catalyzer, making it suitable for use in many biochemical reactions involving oxidized substances.
4.
Regulatory Function
: Glutathione acts as a reductase or an enzyme that can reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydroxyl radicals, which are important in cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress.
5.
Antioxidant Function
: The antioxidant properties of glutathione could be particularly valuable for fighting aging processes.
In summary, Glutathione is a critical component involved in various biological systems as an antioxidant, enzyme, and regulator, playing essential roles in detoxification, metabolism, and cellular defense mechanisms.
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