glutathione

(gloot-ă-thī′ōn″ )

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[ gluta(mic acid) + thio- + -one ]
ABBR: GSH C₁₀H₁₇N₃O₆S; a tripeptide of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. Found in small quantities in active animal tissues, it takes up and gives off hydrogen and is a powerful antioxidant important in cellular respiration.

PATIENT CARE
Overdose with acetaminophen depletes glutathione resources in the liver, resulting in hepatic failure. This toxic effect can be reversed by giving acetylcysteine (a biochemical precursor of cysteine and glutathione) to the intoxicated patient, if treatment can be initiated within 12 hr of dosing.

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