Review Article

Glutathione “Redox Homeostasis” and Its Relation to Cardiovascular Disease

Table 2

Evidence from human studies.

GroupConditionTreatmentEffectsRef

CVDStroke/MIDecreased level of GSH[113]
CVDMI after cardiac surgeryGST polymorphism; presence of allele AC[121]
CVDMI/death from some form of CVDDecreased level of erythrocyte GPx-1[123]
CVDHeart transplantation/coronary artery bypass grafting/ aortic valve replacementDecreased level of GSH[120]
CVDCardiac catheterizationAch (50 mg/min) with GSH (50 mg/min) or saline (50 mg/min)Vasodilatory effects on coronary arteries and increased blood flow[112]
Diabetes/CVDType 2 diabetes mellitus/some form of CVDIncreased values of IMT in Pro/Leu GPx-1 genotype[94]
Diabetes/CVDDiabetes/coronary heart diseaseDecreased level of GSH; increased level of GSSG[124]
DiabetesType 2 diabetes mellitusDecreased levels of GSH and enzymes involved in GSH synthesis; increased level of GSSG and TGF-β[115]
DiabetesType 2 diabetes mellitusNAC in a dose 1200 mg/day for 1 monthIncreased levels of GSH and GSH : GSSG ratio; decreased levels of VCAM-1 and GSSG[125]
DiabetesType 2 diabetes mellitusOral NAC (600 mg/2x daily/2 weeks) and oral NAC (1200 mg/2x daily/2 weeks)Unchanged levels of GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio[126]
HypertensionElderly people with hypertensionDisturbed level of GSH and enzymes involved in the synthesis of GSH[118]
HypertensionElderly people with hypertensionAntihypertensive drugsIncreased level of GSH and GSR[119]
HypertensionHypertensionDecreased level of GSH; increased level of GSSG[117]
HypertensionNontreated hypertensionDifferent antihypertensive therapies for 3 monthsDecreased level of OS and GSSG; increased level of GSH[116]
Metabolic disorderMetabolic syndrome3 weeks with oral NAC (200 mg/day), oral GSH (450 mg/day), or sublingual GSH (450 mg/day)Increased levels of GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio in sublingual GSH[129]
ControlHealthy adultsOral GSH in a dose 500 mg twice a day for 4 weeksUnchanged markers of OS[128]
ControlHealthy adultsOral GSH; low dose (250 mg/day for 6 months) or high dose (1000 mg/day for 6 months)High-dose group: increased level of GSH in lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and plasma; low-dose group: increased level of GSH in erythrocytes[111]
ControlHealthy adultsOrobuccal GSHIncreased level of GSH[130]

GSH: glutathione; NAC: N-acetyl cysteine; OS: oxidative stress; VCAM-1: vascular cell adhesion protein 1; GSSG: glutathione disulfide; IMT: intima-media thickness; GPx: glutathione peroxidase; TGF-β: transforming growth factor beta; MI: myocardial infarction; Ach: acetylcholine.