Dr Ethan Hausman-Marquis examines the various applications of antioxidant L-Glutathione in aesthetic skin treatments and overall health.
L-Glutathione (GSH), a ubiquitous tripeptide thiol, holds a pivotal role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and protecting against oxidative stress. Its potent antioxidant capacity stems from the reactive thiol group of cysteine, enabling GSH to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regenerate other antioxidants.
Beyond its antioxidant function, GSH participates in detoxification of xenobiotics, modulation of protein function via S-glutathionylation and regulation of cellular signalling pathways.1 GSH biosynthesis, a two-step ATP-dependent process, is tightly regulated by the rate-limiting enzyme glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL).
Cellular GSH levels are maintained through a dynamic balance between its biosynthesis, utilisation and degradation. This introduction lays the groundwork for exploring the multifaceted roles of GSH in human health and disease, with a focus on its…
