Glutathione: Lights and Shadows in Cancer Patients
In cases of cellular injury, there is an observed increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). When this production becomes excessive, it can result in various conditions, including cancerogenesis. Glutathione (GSH), the most abundant thiol-containing antioxidant, is fundamental to r...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Biomedicines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/8/2226 |
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| author | Herbert Ryan Marini Bianca Arianna Facchini Raffaele di Francia José Freni Domenico Puzzolo Liliana Montella Gaetano Facchini Alessandro Ottaiano Massimiliano Berretta Letteria Minutoli |
| author_facet | Herbert Ryan Marini Bianca Arianna Facchini Raffaele di Francia José Freni Domenico Puzzolo Liliana Montella Gaetano Facchini Alessandro Ottaiano Massimiliano Berretta Letteria Minutoli |
| author_sort | Herbert Ryan Marini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In cases of cellular injury, there is an observed increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). When this production becomes excessive, it can result in various conditions, including cancerogenesis. Glutathione (GSH), the most abundant thiol-containing antioxidant, is fundamental to re-establishing redox homeostasis. In order to evaluate the role of GSH and its antioxi-dant effects in patients affected by cancer, we performed a thorough search on Medline and EMBASE databases for relevant clinical and/or preclinical studies, with particular regard to diet, toxicities, and pharmacological processes. The conjugation of GSH with xenobiotics, including anti-cancer drugs, can result in either of two effects: xenobiotics may lose their harmful effects, or GSH conjugation may enhance their toxicity by inducing bioactivation. While being an interesting weapon against chemotherapy-induced toxicities, GSH may also have a potential protective role for cancer cells. New studies are necessary to better explain the relationship between GSH and cancer. Although self-prescribed glutathione (GSH) implementation is prevalent among cancer patients with the intention of reducing the toxic effects of anticancer treatments and potentially preventing damage to normal tissues, this belief lacks substantial scientific evidence for its efficacy in reducing toxicity, except in the case of cisplatin-related neurotoxicity. Therefore, the use of GSH should only be considered under medical supervision, taking into account the appropriate timing and setting. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:06:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e8f6b3bb4060452395653da0e1e9321d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:06:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj.art-e8f6b3bb4060452395653da0e1e9321d2023-11-19T00:21:11ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592023-08-01118222610.3390/biomedicines11082226Glutathione: Lights and Shadows in Cancer PatientsHerbert Ryan Marini0Bianca Arianna Facchini1Raffaele di Francia2José Freni3Domenico Puzzolo4Liliana Montella5Gaetano Facchini6Alessandro Ottaiano7Massimiliano Berretta8Letteria Minutoli9Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80133 Napoli, ItalyGruppo Oncologico Ricercatori Italiani (GORI-ONLUS), 33170 Pordenone, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyDivision of Medical Oncology, “Santa Maria delle Grazie” Hospital, ASL Napoli 2 Nord, 80078 Pozzuoli, ItalyDivision of Medical Oncology, “Santa Maria delle Grazie” Hospital, ASL Napoli 2 Nord, 80078 Pozzuoli, ItalyIstituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli, IRCCS “G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyIn cases of cellular injury, there is an observed increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). When this production becomes excessive, it can result in various conditions, including cancerogenesis. Glutathione (GSH), the most abundant thiol-containing antioxidant, is fundamental to re-establishing redox homeostasis. In order to evaluate the role of GSH and its antioxi-dant effects in patients affected by cancer, we performed a thorough search on Medline and EMBASE databases for relevant clinical and/or preclinical studies, with particular regard to diet, toxicities, and pharmacological processes. The conjugation of GSH with xenobiotics, including anti-cancer drugs, can result in either of two effects: xenobiotics may lose their harmful effects, or GSH conjugation may enhance their toxicity by inducing bioactivation. While being an interesting weapon against chemotherapy-induced toxicities, GSH may also have a potential protective role for cancer cells. New studies are necessary to better explain the relationship between GSH and cancer. Although self-prescribed glutathione (GSH) implementation is prevalent among cancer patients with the intention of reducing the toxic effects of anticancer treatments and potentially preventing damage to normal tissues, this belief lacks substantial scientific evidence for its efficacy in reducing toxicity, except in the case of cisplatin-related neurotoxicity. Therefore, the use of GSH should only be considered under medical supervision, taking into account the appropriate timing and setting.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/8/2226glutathionecancerantioxidantstoxicitydietnutraceuticals |
| spellingShingle | Herbert Ryan Marini Bianca Arianna Facchini Raffaele di Francia José Freni Domenico Puzzolo Liliana Montella Gaetano Facchini Alessandro Ottaiano Massimiliano Berretta Letteria Minutoli Glutathione: Lights and Shadows in Cancer Patients Biomedicines glutathione cancer antioxidants toxicity diet nutraceuticals |
| title | Glutathione: Lights and Shadows in Cancer Patients |
| title_full | Glutathione: Lights and Shadows in Cancer Patients |
| title_fullStr | Glutathione: Lights and Shadows in Cancer Patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Glutathione: Lights and Shadows in Cancer Patients |
| title_short | Glutathione: Lights and Shadows in Cancer Patients |
| title_sort | glutathione lights and shadows in cancer patients |
| topic | glutathione cancer antioxidants toxicity diet nutraceuticals |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/8/2226 |
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