Table 2.

Glutathione effects

Effects of GSH sufficiency

Antioxidant

Anti-inflammatory

Mucolytic

Facilitates phagocytosis

Helps regulate apoptosis

Increases primary antibody response

Increases B-cell and T-cell proliferation

Increases IL-2 production

Increases antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity

Decreases IL-4 and IgE production

Detoxifies peroxides

Plays a role in posttranslational protein processing

Modifies protein function (e.g., protein glutathionylation)

Increased susceptibilities associated with GSH insufficiency [65]

Oxidant damage to organs and tissues

Lipid peroxidation

Inhibited ciliary beat function

Decreased lung surfactant

Bronchoconstriction

Increased viscoelasticity of mucus

Increased recruitment of neutrophils

Decreased S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and nitric oxide (NO)

Dysregulation of inflammatory-immune system mediators