Pantothenic acid and pantothenol increase biosynthesis of glutathione by boosting cell energetics.

We have previously observed (summarized in BioFactors 17 (2003) 61) that pantothenic acid, pantothenol and other derivatives that are precursors of CoA protect cells and whole organs against peroxidative damage by increasing the content of cell glutathione. The present investigation was aimed to elucidate the mechanism of this increase in human lymphoblastoic (Jurkat) cells. It showed that incubation of the cells with pantothenic acid or pantothenol increased mainly the content of free glutathione, with little effect on protein-bound glutathione.

Protective role of L-methionine against free radical damage of rat brain synaptosomes.

Incubation of rat brain synaptosomal/mitochondrial fraction with tert-butylhydroperoxide resulted in accumulation of the lipid peroxidation product, conjugated dienes, damage of the synaptosomal membrane as evidenced by leakage of lactate dehydrogenase, and decrease of the total content of glutathione and of the GSH/GSSG ratio. This treatment also produced a considerable decrease of the ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity and a much smaller diminution of the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase. Preincubation of the synaptosomal/mitochondrial fraction with 0.