Contents

**Preface XI**



Preface

book.

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a water-soluble tripeptide with the structure of g-glutamylcysteinyl-glycine. GSH is the most important thiol in living organisms. It is the key compo‐ nent of antioxidant system, serves as a free radical scavenger and can be effective against the attacks of many reactive species, including electrophilic substances and epoxides. Upon con‐ tact with reactive species, GSH is converted to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) by glutathione peroxidases and later can be reduced to GSH again by glutathione reductase. Therefore, there is a cycle of GSH and this cycle provides higher intracellular levels of GSH. GSH levels are depleted to different degrees if the cellular death mechanisms are triggered. GSH deple‐ tion and apparent oxidative stress may also cause cytotoxicity. GSH was shown to be pre‐ ventive against aging, cancer, heart disease and dementia. Moreover, GSH supplementation (mainly as cysteine) can help to reduce the symptoms of many diseases and can be beneficial in different conditions like autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, type 2 diabetes, cystic fibrosis and certain infections. This book is mainly focused on GSH in health and disease. The readers will receive information on the diverse functions of GSH and GSH-related enzymes, the importance of GSH status against oxidative stress and the interaction between GSH and nervous system-related infections. We believe that readers will get qualified scientific knowledge and a general overview of the importance of GSH and GSH-related enzymes in health and in different pathological conditions from this

**Assoc.Prof.Dr. Pinar Erkekoglu**

**Prof.Dr. Belma Kocer-Gumusel**

Hacettepe University Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Toxicology

Hacettepe University Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Toxicology

Ankara, Turkey

Ankara, Turkey
