L-Glutathione oxidized disodium salt (CAS 103239-24-3)

L-Glutathione oxidized disodium salt, commonly referred to as GSSG, is a pivotal chemical in biochemical research, particularly in studies focused on oxidative stress and redox biology. GSSG is the oxidized form of glutathione (GSH), a tripeptide consisting of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. This oxidized variant is crucial in the glutathione redox cycle, a fundamental cellular process that protects against oxidative damage. The primary mechanism of action of GSSG in research involves its role in maintaining the redox state within cells. In oxidative conditions, two molecules of reduced glutathione (GSH) react with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are oxidized to form GSSG. The ratio of GSSG to GSH within cells is often used as a marker of oxidative stress, with higher ratios indicating increased cellular oxidation. Furthermore, GSSG is employed in experimental setups to artificially modulate the redox environment of cells, thereby studying the responses of various cellular pathways to oxidative stress. It has been used in studies to induce a controlled oxidative environment, which helps in understanding how cells adapt to and manage increased oxidative conditions.