Protection against toxicants
Glutathione (GSH)
One of the cellular systems that constitutes a protective function
- Has an -SH group - very reactive nucleophilic site
- High concentration in tissues: Approx. 4-10mM in liver
- Multiple forms of glutathione S-transferases - catalyze the reaction of electrophilic compounds with GSH
- This neutralizes their electrophilic sites rendering the products more water soluble