Chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of glutathione in biological samples

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2009 Oct 15;877(28):3309-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2009.07.001. Epub 2009 Jul 7.

Abstract

Biological thiol compounds are classified into high-molecular-mass protein thiols and low-molecular-mass free thiols. Endogenous low-molecular-mass thiol compounds, namely, reduced glutathione (GSH) and its corresponding disulfide, glutathione disulfide (GSSG), are very important molecules that participate in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. GSH plays an essential role in protecting cells from oxidative and nitrosative stress and GSSG can be converted into the reduced form by action of glutathione reductase. Measurement of GSH and GSSG is a useful indicator of oxidative stress and disease risk. Many publications have reported successful determination of GSH and GSSG in biological samples. In this article, we review newly developed techniques, such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, for identifying GSH bound to proteins, or for localizing GSH in bound or free forms at specific sites in organs and in cellular locations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography / methods*
  • Glutathione / analysis*
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione Disulfide / analysis
  • Glutathione Disulfide / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Glutathione
  • Glutathione Disulfide