Definition
Glutathione Reductase is also known as GSR. It is an enzyme produced as a natural byproduct of the cell's metabolic function in turning nutrients into chemical energy. GSR functions in a 1:1 ratio with Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which is another enzyme that primarily works to create nucleic acid in the synthesis of new cells. When combined with NADPH, GSR acts as a reducing agent for glutathione disulfide, a large-chained tripeptide made up of three different amino acids. Glutathione disulfide becomes glutathione sulfide, a powerful antioxidant.
Known Effects
It is known that both the processes of the cell's metabolism and cellular reproduction generate oxidants, small molecules and ions which have a high negative electrical charge, and hence, are highly reactive with other molecular structures in the cell. Having a high number of oxidants in the body is known as being under high oxidative stress, and they cause a great deal of damage to the various structures within the cell. Once GSR and NADPH have turned glutathione disulfide into glutathione sulfide, the antioxidant actively binds with and neutralizes these oxidants.
How does it Relate to Cancer Patients?
Cancer is simply the uncontrolled reproduction of cells whose DNA have mutated. As a result of this rampant proliferation, a cancer patient experiences high oxidative stress. Initial attempts at administering synthetic glutathione reductase to cancer patients have shown positive results in reducing this stress. Overall reduction of oxidative stress in turn means that less damage is being done to healthy cells, taking some of the strain off the body in its attempts to heal itself and destroy the cancerous cells.
Tags: oxidative stress, Cancer Patients, glutathione disulfide, glutathione sulfide, high oxidative
