APPLICATION OF GLUTATHIONE IN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH FOR THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES IN DOGS AND CATS

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell of humans, animals, plants, fungi, some bacteria and archaea. Glutathione is a tripeptide made from amino acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.

Glutathione is main master-antioxidant, which is capable to prevent damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) – free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals.

Glutathione reacts with various electrophiles, physiological metabolites (estrogen, leukotrienes, melanins, prostaglandins, etc.), and xenobiotics (acetaminophen and bromobenzene) to form mercapturates.

Glutathione conjugates with nitric oxide (NO) to form an S-nitroso-glutathione adduct, then cleaved by the thioredoxin system and release glutathione and NO. Both, NO and glutathione, are necessary for the hepatic action of insulin-sensitizing agents, and play critical role in regulating lipid, glucose, and amino acid utilization.

Glutathione serves as a substrate for formaldehyde dehydrogenase, which neutralizes carcinogen formaldehyde by converting formaldehyde and glutathione to S-formyl-glutathione.

Glutathione is required for the conversion of metabolite of arachidonic acid, prostaglandin H2, into prostaglandins D2 and E2.

Glutathione serves numerous vital functions in living species – proliferation of cells, lymphocytes and intestinal epithelial cells; spermatogenesis and sperm maturation; activation of T-lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes; cytokine production; inhibition of infections and viruses; removal of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species which playing a key role in the pathogenesis of many diseases – cancers, inflammations, seizures, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, sickle cell anemia, liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, HIV, AIDS, infections, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and many more.

MAIN PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF GLUTATHIONE:

ANTIOXIDATIVE – Scavenges free radicals directly or through enzymatic catalysis, prevents the oxidation of biomolecules.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY – Capable to suppress inflammation by decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Capable to inhibit inflammatory pathways.

NEUROPROTECTIVE – Exerts significant improvement in cognitive performance and the Dementia Rating Scale.

ANTICANCER – Effective in removal and detoxification of carcinogens, helps to reduce cancer incidents.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE – Prevents liver oxidative injury by increasing antioxidant level.

ANTIVIRAL – Inhibits viral replication by reducing ROS levels, inhibits pro-inflammatory proteins levels associated with viral infections in HIV and Tuberculosis patients, prevents cytokine storm in Covid-19.

CARDIOPROTECTIVE – Prevents major cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and atherosclerosis by maintaining redox balance.

LUNG PROTECTIVE – Preventing lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases by maintaining the balance of thiol-redox state.

ANTIDIABETIC – Improves insulin-mediated glucose uptake, prevents the development of hyperglycemia and the decrease in insulin levels, reduces apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells.

IMMUNOMODULATING – Prevents autoimmune diseases and immune dysfunctions by reducing the oxidative burden and regulating immune cells response.

CHART LEGEND

H – ingredient has HIGH impact on specified disease

M – ingredient has MEDIUM impact on specified disease

N – there is no data confirming the impact of the ingredient on specified disease