Glutathione activity

Drinking water of weanling males contained 150 mg CN/L for 9 weeks Significant reduction in glutathione activity, and in selenium concentrations in blood, kidney, liver, and muscle 35... 

SOD, and glutathione activities in normotensives and hypertensives, but MDA values were significantly higher in hypertensives (Kasperczyk et al., 2009). 

Enzymes often need for their activity the presence of a non-protein portion, which may be closely combined with the protein, in which case it is called a prosthetic group, or more loosely associated, in which case it is a coenzyme. Certain metals may be combined with the enzyme such as copper in ascorbic oxidase and selenium in glutathione peroxidase. Often the presence of other metals in solution, such as magnesium, are necessary for the action of particular enzymes. 

Disulfides. As shown in Figure 4, the and h-chains of insulin are connected by two disulfide bridges and there is an intrachain cycHc disulfide link on the -chain (see Insulin and other antidiabetic drugs). Vasopressin [9034-50-8] and oxytocin [50-56-6] also contain disulfide links (48). Oxidation of thiols to disulfides and reduction of the latter back to thiols are quite common and important in biological systems, eg, cysteine to cystine or reduced Hpoic acid to oxidized Hpoic acid. Many enzymes depend on free SH groups for activation—deactivation reactions. The oxidation—reduction of glutathione (Glu-Cys-Gly) depends on the sulfhydryl group from cysteine. 

In 1956 selenium was identified (123) as an essential micronutrient iu nutrition. In conjunction with vitamin E, selenium is effective iu the prevention of muscular dystrophy iu animals. Sodium selenite is adrninistered to prevent exudative diathesis iu chicks, a condition iu which fluid leaks out of the tissues white muscle disease iu sheep and infertility iu ewes (see Eeed ADDITIVES). Selenium lessens the iacidence of pneumonia iu lambs and of premature, weak, and stillborn calves controls hepatosis dietetica iu pigs and decreases muscular inflammation iu horses. White muscle disease, widespread iu sheep and cattle of the selenium-deficient areas of New Zealand and the United States, is insignificant iu high selenium soil areas. The supplementation of animal feeds with selenium was approved by the U.S. EDA iu 1974 (see Eeed additives). Much of selenium s metaboHc activity results from its involvement iu the selenoproteia enzyme, glutathione peroxidase. 

Glutathione peroxidase [9013-66-5] oxidizes glutathione, and helps to remove inorganic and organic hydroperoxides (221] It exhibits antiinflammatory activity in experimental uveitis of rats (234). 

The increased concentrations of K, Ca, Fe, Br, Se and Rb in infarction and scar areas are observed for patient with the recent infarction. For the patients with old infarction the levels of these elements are decreased in the same areas. This reflects the intensity of metabolic processes in the pathological area of myocardium. Additionally, the elevated levels of Se was find out in myocardium of right ventricle in both patients, that may be caused by the increasing the activity of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme. 

FIGURE S.47 The role of glutathione and metabolic pathways involved In the protection of tissues against Intoxication by electrophiles, oxidants and active oxygen species. (Used with permission.)... 

Glutathione S-transferase M1 Deficient activity in about 50% of Caucasians. Carriers of the deficiency may have a slightly increased risk for a number of smoking-related cancers. 

Activities of glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT, GPT) (EC 2.6.1.2), L-y -glutamyl-transferase (y-GT) (EC 2.3.2.2) and level of triglycerides (TG) in serum, as well as levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver were determined. 

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