Glutathione

Glutathione is glutamylcysteinylglycine, a tripeptide. It contains an unusual peptide linkage between the amine group of cysteine and the carboxyl group of the glutamate side chain. Sulfhydryl is kept in a reduced state within ~5 mm in animal cellss. In effect, gluathione reduces any disulfide bonds formed within cytoplasmic proteins to cysteines by acting as a buffer. Glutathione participates in leucotriene synthesis and is a cofactor for the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. It is also important as a hydrophilic molecule that is added to lipophilic toxines and waste in the liver during biotransformation before they can become part of the bile.