General description
The kit provides all reagents for simple and quick assay to measure the level of total glutathione (GSSG + GSH) in a cell and tissue extracts and in red blood cells or plasma. The sample is first deproteinized with the 5% 5-sulfosalicylic acid solution. Glutathione content of the sample is then assayed using a kinetic assay in which catalytic amounts of glutathione cause a continuous reduction of 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic) acid (DTNB) to TNB. The oxidised glutathione formed is recycled by glutathione reductase and NADPH. The product, TNB, is assayed colorimetrically at 412 nm.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Reduced glutathione (GSH), a tripeptide (g-glutamyl-cysteinylglycine), is the major free thiol in most living cells and is involved in many biological processes such as detoxification of xenobiotics, removal of hydroperoxides, and maintenance of the oxidation state of protein sulfhydryls. It is the key antioxidant in animal tissues
Glutathione (GSH) functions as a cofactor for several antioxidant enzymes. It is involved in the regeneration of vitamins C and E. It modulates cellular proliferation and apoptosis. GSH is crucial for mitochondrial functioning and the maintenance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mutations in this gene are associated with Alzheimer′s, Parkinson′s and Huntington′s diseases. It is also linked to cystic fibrosis, immune diseases and cardiovascular diseases.