Glutamine, as a precursor of glutathione, and oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is related to several pathologies and it is also associated with surgical operations. Reactive oxygen species generated during oxidative stress can induce severe damage to biomolecules. To prevent this damage, cells are endowed with both enzymatic and nonenzymatic defenses. One of the most important antioxidant molecules is glutathione. Since glutamine is a precursor of glutathione, its supplementation in the clinical diet can be used to maintain high levels of glutathione and to avoid oxidative stress damage. Here, recent literature concerning this recurrent topic is critically reviewed. (C) 1999 Academic Press.