Depletion of Glutathione Linked To Parkinson's Disease

Researchers at the Buck Institute have found when glutathione is depleted in dopamine-producing neurons in mice they developed the type of nerve damage and symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in humans.  PD is a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative condition that results in tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity. It affects about 1.5 million Americans at present.

Many studies done down through the years have demonstrated that glutathione depletion in the motor control area of the brain known as the substantia nigra is one of the earliest signs of PD. However, the Buck Institute study revealed that glutathione depletion may be a causal factor of the disease. 

As part of their research, Buck Institute scientists created mice whose brains could be chemically induced to develop glutathione depletion in the dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) neurons as adults. Those mice who had glutathione depletion induced as young adults did not develop the nerve damage and symptoms characteristic of PD, while those who had glutathione depleted in late middle age did show a loss of dopaminergic neurons typical in PD.

Glutathione is a major antioxidant that helps the body deal with cell damage caused by stress, pollution, infections and direct bodily injury. It also plays a role in detoxification activities in the liver.

Readers are advised that most glutathione products on the shelves and offered on-line are of little merit, mainly because their glutathione content breaks down in the stomach into its 3 constituent amino acids (cysteine, glutamate, and glycine) and thus does reach the bloodstream intact. However, when released in the mouth in the right form such as Th-Queen, it can reach the circulatory system quickly and thus be available to help beef up glutathione levels throughout the body.

Reference: Buck Institute for Age Research (2007, December 21). Depletion Of One Antioxidant Linked To Parkinson's In Mice. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 14, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2007/12/071220232034.htm