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Review ArticleReviews and Contemporary Updates

Dietary Glycine Is Rate-Limiting for Glutathione Synthesis and May Have Broad Potential for Health Protection

Mark F. McCarty, James H. O'Keefe and James J. DiNicolantonio
Ochsner Journal March 2018, 18 (1) 81-87;
Mark F. McCarty
1Catalytic Longevity, Carlsbad, CA
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James H. O'Keefe
2Department of Cardiology, Mid America Heart Institute, Saint Luke's Health System, Kansas City, MO
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James J. DiNicolantonio
2Department of Cardiology, Mid America Heart Institute, Saint Luke's Health System, Kansas City, MO
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Abstract

Background: Glutathione is a key scavenging antioxidant that opposes the proinflammatory signaling of hydrogen peroxide. Boosting cellular glutathione levels may have broad utility in the prevention and treatment of disorders driven by oxidative stress. Supplemental N-acetylcysteine has been employed for this purpose. Could supplemental glycine likewise promote glutathione synthesis?

Methods: We conducted a review of the pertinent literature using PubMed.

Results: Tissue glycine levels are lower than the glutathione synthase Michaelis constant (Km) for glycine. When glycine availability is too low to sustain a normal rate of glutathione synthesis, the consequent rise in tissue levels of gamma-glutamylcysteine leads to an increase in urinary excretion of its alternative metabolite 5-L-oxoproline. The fact that urinary excretion of this metabolite is elevated in vegetarians and others consuming relatively low-protein diets strongly suggests that dietary glycine can be rate-limiting for glutathione synthesis in normally fed humans. Moreover, supplemental glycine has been reported to increase tissue glutathione levels in several animal studies. Glycine is a biosynthetic precursor for porphyrins, purines, creatine, sarcosine, and bile salts; is an agonist for glycine-gated chloride channels and a coagonist for N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors; inhibits protein glycation; and increases hepatic production of pyruvate, an effective scavenger of hydrogen peroxide. Supplemental glycine may have the potential for improving endothelial function, preventing cardiac hypertrophy, aiding control of metabolic syndrome, preventing the complications of diabetes, dampening inflammation, protecting the liver, and promoting effective sleep.

Conclusion: Clinical research is warranted to evaluate the impact of supplemental glycine on glutathione levels and on various health disorders.

Keywords
  • Acetylcysteine
  • chloride channels
  • glucagon
  • glucagon-like peptide 1
  • glutathione
  • glutathione synthase
  • glycine
  • © Academic Division of Ochsner Clinic Foundation 2018
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Dietary Glycine Is Rate-Limiting for Glutathione Synthesis and May Have Broad Potential for Health Protection
Mark F. McCarty, James H. O'Keefe, James J. DiNicolantonio
Ochsner Journal Mar 2018, 18 (1) 81-87;

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Dietary Glycine Is Rate-Limiting for Glutathione Synthesis and May Have Broad Potential for Health Protection
Mark F. McCarty, James H. O'Keefe, James J. DiNicolantonio
Ochsner Journal Mar 2018, 18 (1) 81-87;
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • INTRODUCTION
    • METHODS
    • DIETARY GLYCINE REGULATION OF GLUTATHIONE SYNTHESIS
    • HEALTH-PROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL GLYCINE
    • GLYCINE AND METABOLIC SYNDROME
    • ANTIINFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF GLYCINE
    • GLYCINE AND VASCULAR HEALTH
    • IMPACTS ON CANCER, CONNECTIVE TISSUE, AND THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
    • GLYCINE AS A SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRIENT
    • CONCLUSION
    • ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
    • REFERENCES
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Keywords

  • Acetylcysteine
  • chloride channels
  • glucagon
  • glucagon-like peptide 1
  • glutathione
  • glutathione synthase
  • glycine

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