Glutathione in the upper respiratory tract.
Glutathione (GSH), a major extracellular antioxidant, has been found in high concentrations in the epithelial lining fluid of the lower respiratory tract. The GSH concentrations in nasal fluid, in normal and pathologic conditions, were investigated and found to be very low. A GSH aerosol (600 mg daily for 10 days) increased GSH levels in the nasal mucosa and induced a statistically significant improvement in nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and ear fullness. Thus, GSH administered by aerosol could be a means of defending the epithelial respiratory cells against a toxic oxidant.
Institute of Otolaryngology, II University of Naples, Italy.
B
B
Testa
M
M
Mesolella
D
D
Testa
A
A
Giuliano
G
G
Costa
F
F
Maione
F
F
Iaccarino
D000293:Adolescent; D000336:Aerosols; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology
D000336:Aerosols; D005978:Glutathione