GLUTATHIONE DEFICIENCY IN HUMAN-DISEASE

Glutathione has multiple metabolic actions that are essential for cell ular homeostasis. In spite of this important role in cellular physiolo gy, disease states due to glutathione deficiency are not common. The p articipation of both tissue and circulating glutathione deficiency in disease pathogenesis is likely to be subtle and not easily defined. De spite these difficulties, a number of inherited conditions of glutathi one deficiency are known, and acquired ones are being identified Examp les of the acquired deficiency state include idiopathic pulmonary fibr osis, human immunodeficiency virus-related disease, and respiratory di stress syndrome. Much of our current understanding of the utility of g lutathione supplementation in states of tissue injury is derived from biochemical, animal, and cell culture studies. In this article we will review what is known about glutathione deficiency states and explore strategies by which tissue glutathione levels might be maintained or i ncreased to prevent tissue injury and disease.