title: Ergothioneine, an adaptive antioxidant for the protection of injured tissues? A hypothesis.
abstract: Ergothioneine (ET) is a diet-derived, thiolated derivative of histidine with antioxidant properties. Although ET is produced only by certain fungi and bacteria, it can be found at high concentrations in certain human and animal tissues and is absorbed through a specific, high affinity transporter (OCTN1). In liver, heart, joint and intestinal injury, elevated ET concentrations have been observed in injured tissues. The physiological role of ET remains unclear. We thus review current literature to generate a specific hypothesis: that the accumulation of ET in vivo is an adaptive mechanism, involving the regulated uptake and concentration of an exogenous natural compound to minimize oxidative damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: bchbh@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Halliwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Irwin K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Cheah
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, 138648, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chester L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Drum
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004880:Ergothioneine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004880:Ergothioneine
keywords: Adaptation; Antioxidant; Ergothioneine; Mushrooms; OCTN1; Reactive oxygen species