Glutathione Metabolism as Affected by Selenium Deficiency

Abstract

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide-y-glutamylcysteinylglycine. GSH synthesized in the liver is transported across the sinusoid into the blood. The liver is the only tissue that releases GSH to the systemic circulation. Other cells can release GSSG under conditions of oxidative stress, but the liver constantly releases GSH to the blood maintaining a plasma GSH level in the micromolar range. The function of plasma GSH is currently a subject of great interest. Recently, it has been suggested that plasma GSH may be a substrate for one or more plasma enzymes (e.g., plasma GSH-Px) (Maddipati and Marnett 1987).

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