Glutathione-s-Transferase

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that high levels of dichloroacetate, a drinking water disinfectant and by-product, depleted glutathione-s-transferase's activity in studied rats. The paper reveals that those with a hereditary deficiency in the gene or enzyme appeared to have an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). The paper looks at a study that connected the glutathione gene to the development of childhood asthma. The paper discusses another study that illustrated the significance of the glutathione gene in delaying the onset of breast cancer.

From the Paper:

"Dichloroacetate or DCA is a drinking water disinfectant and by-product commonly found in municipal water supplies (Saghir 2002). It is a metabolite of chlorinated industrial solvents and many pharmaceuticals. It is quickly and completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and in extensively metabolized in both rodents and humans by major metabolites. Metabolism occurs primarily in the liver, mediated by Glutathione-s-Transferase GST [zeta] (GSTZ-1) (12). DCA inhibits Glutathione and prolonged exposure of rodents to DCA reduces metabolism and depletes immuno-reactive Glutathione protein levels from the liver."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Lee, Yung-ling. The Association between Glutathione-s-Transferase P1, M1 Polymorphism and Asthma in Taiwanese Schoolchildren. Chest: American College of Chest Physicians, September 2005
• Rodriguez, Francisco, et al. Glutathione-s-Transferase P1 and Lung Function in Patients with Antitrypsin Deficiency and COPD. Chest: American College of Chest Physicians, May 2005
• Saghir, Shakil A. Low-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Oral Bioavailabity of Dicholoroacetate in Naive and GST [Zeta]- Depleted rats. Environmental Health Perspectives: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, August 2002
• Science News. Early Cancer Linked to Enzyme Lack - Glutathione-s-Transferase Theta. Science Service, Inc.: Gale Group, 1995

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