Glutathione

Glutathione is a tripeptide (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine) and the body's major intracellular antioxidant. As a tripeptide, it is included here for completeness but is not a research peptide in the typical sense. Oral bioavailability is poor; IV administration is used for supplementation.

PubMed results: 174,123 · Human studies: 59,092 · Animal studies: 134,223

Ranges reflect protocols studied in published research and animal-model extrapolation. Presented for research purposes only, not a recommendation or instruction for human use.

IV preferred over oral due to poor oral bioavailability

• Intravenous — standard range 600-1200 mg, 1-3 times per week

Short (moderate confidence)

• Intracellular antioxidant defense research (Strong clinical): Glutathione (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine) is the major intracellular thiol antioxidant; extensive research documents its roles in neutralizing reactive oxygen species and maintaining cellular redox balance
• Detoxification and conjugative metabolism support (Strong clinical): Studies indicate glutathione participates in Phase II conjugation pathways and protection of macromolecules from electrophilic stress, foundational to hepatic and systemic detoxification research
• Metabolic and oxidative-stress endpoint research (Moderate clinical): Clinical research programs have examined glutathione status and supplementation contexts related to obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, muscle damage, and other oxidative-stress–linked conditions; oral bioavailability is generally considered poor relative to parenteral research routes

• Gastrointestinal discomfort (oral research contexts) — Mild, Uncommon. When studied orally, mild GI symptoms have been reported in some subjects; parenteral research routes have different local and systemic adverse profiles
• Injection-related reactions (parenteral research) — Mild, Uncommon. IV or other parenteral research administration has been associated with local reactions or, rarely, hypersensitivity-type events in published and clinical-use literature

• Known hypersensitivity to glutathione preparations (Clinical): Documented allergy to glutathione or formulation excipients is a standard exclusion in clinical and research protocols
• Asthma with sulfite sensitivity (formulation-dependent caution) (Clinical): Some injectable preparations historically used sulfite preservatives; research frameworks flag caution in severe asthma or documented sulfite reactivity depending on product composition

Lyophilized (powder): Refrigerated (2-8°C), Up to 24 months. Light sensitive: yes, store dark

Reconstituted (solution): Refrigerated (2-8°C), 4-6 weeks. Solvent: Bacteriostatic water

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