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Glutathione

One of the few peptides you find in large amounts in nearly every cell.

PropertyValue
TypeTripeptide
Building blocksGlutamic acid, cysteine, glycine
Research fieldOxidative stress, detoxification, liver
Research statusClinically used in specific poisonings
FormFreeze dried powder

What it is

Three amino acids, with the cysteine supplying the working part: a sulphur group able to give up electrons. It mops up reactive particles before they do damage.

How it works

By oxidising instead of something else. Two oxidised molecules couple to each other and are afterwards separated again by an enzyme. The ratio between the two forms is a widely used measure of oxidative stress in a cell.

What the research shows

Its role inside the cell is very well described. Giving it from outside is another matter: the molecule does not easily enter cells, which is why much research focuses on precursors rather than on glutathione itself.

Research status

Clinically used in certain poisonings; a research compound for the broader uses.

Practical

The sulphur group oxidises easily, so this preparation is sensitive to air and light. Close it well, store dark and prepare fresh.

Looking for research material?

This site is made by the team behind Apex Bio Research, a Dutch supplier of research peptides with a certificate of analysis per batch.

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What this site is and is not
This site explains what the scientific literature says about peptides. It is not medical advice and not a set of instructions. The substances discussed here are research compounds: they are not approved for use in humans or animals. If you have a health question, see a doctor.

Updated 2026-10-03

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