A tripeptide that is found in all cells of higher animals. Composed of the amino acids glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. The cysteine possesses a sulfhydryl group that makes glutathione a weak reducing agent.
A tripeptide with a free sulfhydryl group that, in a reduced state, helps maintain iron in its appropriate oxidized state (ferrous) in hemoglobin.
Glutathione is a tripeptide produced from glutamine, cysteine, and glycine. Glutathione is particularly important as part of an antioxidant defense system along with the selenium-dependent enzyme glutathione peroxidase and for the transport of neutral amino acids into cells via the gamma-glutamyl cycle. The importance of antioxidant defense systems for athletes is described in the entry for antioxidants.
A peptide containing the amino acids glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. It functions as a coenzyme in several oxidation-reduction reactions.
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.