Hepatoprotection by <scp>L</scp>‐cysteine‐glutathione mixed disulfide, a sulfhydryl‐modified prodrug of glutathione

Abstract

L-Cysteine-glutathione disulfide, a ubiquitous substance present in mammalian cells, was shown to be highly effective in protecting mice against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Since the corresponding D-cysteine-glutathione disulfide was totally ineffective in this regard, an enzymatic mechanism that provides glutathione directly to cells is postulated.