Some molecular aspects of the radiation-induced oxidative degradation of glutathione

Glutathione (GSH) is well known to have an important role as natural antioxidant. Some aspects of GSH degradation following the capture of water primary radicals in aerated or deaerated medium were investigated after ?-irradiation and by pulse radiolysis. Some relevant reactions involved in the GSH oxidation mechanism, leading to GSOOo-related products, were evidenced by pulse radiolysis experiments. From the quantitative determinations of the GSH degradation and the GSSG formation, useful indications on the fate of thiyl radicals (GSo), the most preminent sulfur centred intermediates, were drawn out in anaerobic and aerobic conditions.