The role of glutathione in intestinal dysfunction.

Glutathione plays an important cytoprotective role in the gut. Animal studies have demonstrated that the provisions of glutathione precursors are protective for different types of free-radical-mediated cellular injury. There is a need to clarify the potential role of glutathione supplementation in ischemia-reperfusion injury and inflammatory bowel disease.

Glutathione.

Glutathione (GSH) is an ubiquitous thiol-containing tripeptide that plays a key role in cell biology. It modulates cell response to redox changes associated with the reactive oxygen species, detoxifies the metabolites of drugs; regulates gene expression and apoptosis, and is involved in the transmembrane transport of organic solutes. Polymorphism has been observed in key enzymes of GSH metabolism and some alleles have been associated with an impaired redox buffer system downsteam diseases, and susceptibility to ischaemia.

Influence of glycine on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: It has been reported that glycine may protect donor small intestine against hypothermic ischemia before transplantation. This is consistent with the documented role of glycine as a natural cytoprotectant.

Objective: Using an in vivo rodent model, we sought to determine whether exposure to a 20% glycine solution reduces the extent of warm ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The management of patients with the short bowel syndrome.

The surgeon is invariably the primary specialist involved in managing patients with short bowel syndrome. Because of this they will play an important role in co-ordinating the management of these patients. The principal aims at the initial surgery are to preserve life, then to preserve gut length, and maintain its continuity.