FIGURE 1.

The catechins, especially EGCG, lead to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, damage to the mitochondrial outer membrane, and dose‐dependent formation of ROS. Glutathione deactivates ROS with formation of GSSG. Application of NAC and provision of cysteine can reduce glutathione dimer (GSSG) again. In addition, further glutathione can be replenished with ATP consumption by glutamate, glycine, and cysteine (also from NAC). Further, NAC inactivates ROS directly as a scavenger of ROS. By cleaving thiolated proteins, NAC also improves their antioxidant activity.