Regulation of Glutathione in Health and Disease with Special Emphasis on Chronic Alcoholism and Hyperglycaemia Mediated Liver Injury: A Brief Perspective

Abstract

Glutathione (GSH) plays a major role in the cell due to its antioxidant properties. The transcription factor Nrf2 plays an important role in the synthesis of GSH in the cell. Increased cellular GSH content leads to greatly decreased oxidative stress and toxicity. Alcoholism and hyperglycaemia both lead to liver injury, and GSH plays a crucial role in ameliorating the hepatic damage under these pathophysiological conditions. Further, GSH transferase which is involved in drug detoxification through conjugation of xenobiotics with GSH exhibits polymorphic forms which affect its detoxification efficacy. Further, GSH supplementation through NAC and UDCA and GSH depletion through BSO and DEM lessen and aggravate cellular dysfunction, respectively. Therefore, GSH regulation which occurs through several mechanisms has a very important role in maintaining or disrupting the oxidative environment of the cell.