Cobalt PeptidesResearch Grade

Scientific Reference

Glutathione (GSH)

Evidence profile: Human Phase 2 evidence

Glutathione is a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine and glycine in which glutamate is linked through its side-chain (gamma) carboxyl group. It is made inside cells by two ATP-dependent enzymes, glutamate–cysteine ligase and glutathione synthetase, and is one of the most abundant small thiols in animal cells. It occurs in a reduced form (GSH) and an oxidised disulfide form (GSSG), and the ratio between them is widely used as a measure of cellular redox state. Its biochemistry inside the cell is well mapped. Studies that supply glutathione from outside, in animals or people, are harder to interpret because extracellular glutathione is readily broken down, and human findings in that area are inconsistent.

Mechanism of Action

The reactive part of glutathione is the thiol of its cysteine residue. Glutathione peroxidases use it to reduce hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides, in the process oxidising two molecules of GSH to GSSG; glutathione reductase then regenerates GSH using NADPH. Glutathione S-transferases attach it to electrophilic compounds, the first step in a conjugation pathway that handles many drugs and foreign chemicals. It also forms mixed disulfides with cysteine residues in proteins, a modification studied as a form of redox signalling. Because the gamma-glutamyl bond resists most peptidases, breakdown begins with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase on the outer surface of cells.

Molecular Information

  • Type: Tripeptide
  • Length: 3 amino acids
  • Molecular weight: 307.33 g/mol
  • Molecular formula: C10H17N3O6S
  • CAS: 70-18-8

Published Research

  • Effects of acute HMB-FA supplementation on antioxidant status and muscle damage in Elite Judoka: a randomized pilot trial

    Tayebi SM et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2026 · Clinical

    PMID 42084797 — View on PubMed

  • Multinutrients Decrease Oxidative Stress in Children With ADHD: Mediation/Moderation Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial Data

    Robinette LM et al. · Journal of attention disorders · 2025 · Clinical

    PMID 40772654 — View on PubMed

  • Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Physical Function, and Aging Hallmarks: A Randomized Clinical Trial

    Kumar P et al. · The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences · 2023 · Clinical

    PMID 35975308 — View on PubMed

  • Eight-week supplementation of Aronia berry extract promoted the glutathione defence system against acute aerobic exercise-induced oxidative load immediately and 30 min post-exercise in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial

    Chung JW et al. · Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association · 2023 · Clinical

    PMID 36727618 — View on PubMed

  • The effects of selenium supplementation on glycemic control, serum lipoproteins and biomarkers of oxidative stress in infertile women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

    Zadeh Modarres S et al. · Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2022 · Clinical

    PMID 36184253 — View on PubMed

  • The effects of butyrate supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profile, blood pressure, nitric oxide level and glutathione peroxidase activity in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized triple -blind, placebo-controlled trial

    Khosravi Z et al. · Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2022 · Clinical

    PMID 35623879 — View on PubMed