The Effect Of Glutathione On Brain Aging

GSH performs many key functions in the central nervous system, including regulation of cell differentiation and proliferation, apoptosis, enzyme activation, intracellular metal transport, neurotransmission, and as a source of cysteine during protein synthesis.

During aging, GSH plays a crucial role in neuronal defense against damage caused by oxidants such as ROS and RNS.

The tripeptide structure of GSH suggests its potential role as a neuroactive molecule. All three of its amino acid residues can interfere with neuronal signaling through glutamate (Glu) receptors. Loss or dysfunction of Glu receptors or altered brain glutathione levels can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms or neurological abnormalities.

In brain cells, the antioxidant function of glutathione plays a key role in its defense against oxidative stress.

Therefore, glutathione plays an important role in the occurrence and development of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, and can be used as a biomarker for diagnostic screening of these diseases.

Biochemical studies of the effects of aging on the antioxidant system have highlighted age-related changes in GSH levels in the nervous system.

Recent studies in rodents have revealed the effects of aging on GSH homeostasis in different tissues. The researchers noticed that GSH levels decreased with age in all tissues tested, and that aging was accompanied by a decline in GSH levels in both sexes.

Numerous data suggest that the genetic characterization of specific enzymes of the glutathione antioxidant system and their control of oxidative and nitrosative stress throughout the life cycle highlights their possible involvement in determining the fate of normal aging, particularly in the central nervous system middle. Therefore, the study of the glutathione system will remain one of the most pressing areas of research in the biology of brain aging in the coming decades.