title: Glutathione transferases and neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: There is substantial agreement that the unbalance between oxidant and antioxidant species may affect the onset and/or the course of a number of common diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Many studies suggest a crucial role for oxidative stress in the first phase of aging, or in the pathogenesis of various diseases including neurological ones. Particularly, the role exerted by glutathione and glutathione-related enzymes (Glutathione Transferases) in the nervous system appears more relevant, this latter tissue being much more vulnerable to toxins and oxidative stress than other tissues such as liver, kidney or muscle. The present review addresses the question by focusing on the results obtained by specimens from patients or by in vitro studies using cells or animal models related to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In general, there is an association between glutathione depletion and Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. In addition, a significant decrease of glutathione transferase activity in selected areas of brain and in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid was found. For some glutathione transferase genes there is also a correlation between polymorphisms and onset/outcome of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, there is a general agreement about the protective effect exerted by glutathione and glutathione transferases but no clear answer about the mechanisms underlying this crucial role in the insurgence of neurodegenerative diseases.
authors: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors: Anna Paola
authors: AP
authors: Mazzetti
authors: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors: Maria Carmela
authors: MC
authors: Fiorile
authors: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Primavera
authors: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: lobello@uniroma2.it.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Lo Bello
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000502:physiology; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D008958:Models, Molecular; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011487:Protein Conformation
chemical_list: D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Glutathione; Glutathione transferases; Oxidative stress; Parkinson's disease