Fig. 2

Role of glutathione in oxidative stress. During oxidative stress there is an increase in oxidants (ROS) and a decrease in antioxidants such as GSH (the reduced form of glutathione). ROS activate transcription factors nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and activator-protein-1 (AP-1), signal transduction pathways and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. GSH inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, neutralizes (reduces) ROS and decreases activation of NF-κB and AP-1 [red lines]. ROS reactive oxygen species, GSSG oxidized glutathione