What is the relationship of glutathione and sickle cell anemia? One of the most devastating blood diseases is sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease (SCD). This information and the study we have reviewed may hold some hope. At the least, it needs further study.
First it is important to recognize that glutathione is in virtually every cell in our body and out side of some organs such as our digestive tract and in our lung lining.
Considering that it is also in every organ and that our blood is an organ, the glutathione and sickle cell anemia connection is important to look into.
Further making the connection and considering the pain modulating benefits some have with increased glutathione, the benefits could be many.
The best way to benefit from a boost your glutathione is to take bonded whey protein isolate that is rich in cysteine.
Cysteine is one of the primary building blocks of the tri-peptide glutathione.
Consider a study on glutathione and SCD in the American Journal of Physiological Endocrinological Metabolism said in 2006.
1: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jul;291(1):E73-9. Epub 2006 Jan 24.In vivo rates of erythrocyte glutathione synthesis in adults with sickle cell disease.
Sickle Cell Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Univ. of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica. marvin.reid@uwimona.edu.jm
The report indicated that the mechanism causing lower glutathione (GSH) concentration in sickle cell disease (SCD), is unknown.
So to determine if suppressed GSH production was responsible, they concocted a test that would answer the question. It was based on the blood cell cysteine concentration (cysteine is the rate-limiting precursor for GSH production), plasma markers of oxidant damage (this is why we need antioxidants), and dietary intakes of energy and protein were also measured.
When comparing the values of controls (those without SCD), the SCD subjects had significantly lower blood cell GSH levels and cysteine concentrations but significantly faster fractional rates of GSH production.
This is not whats interesting however. The study found that the concentrations of oxidative damaging products, plasma derivatives of reactive oxygen species, and a bunch of other things we look at when we look at blood, were not different between SCD patients and the control patients.
The conclusion suggest that the lower blood cell GSH of SCD sufferers is not due to a suppression of the body's building GSH or even impaired regeneration but rather an increase in consumption.
In addition, the lower blood cell cysteine concentration along with the faster rate of GSH synthesis strongly suggest that the dietary cysteine supply is not sufficient to meet all of the body's demands, thus...cysteine may be a conditionally essential amino acid in individuals with Sickle Cell Disease.
Of course more study will need to be conducted. Although a case manager of patients wanting medical care with out blood transfusions, my experience in this disease is limited.
When consulted on the nursing care of one such patient, (the patient did quite well by the way), it became apparent that the doctors in my area also had limited experience with this as well.
So if you have questions regarding the potential benefit verses the cost I would recommend you talk to a specialist that is experienced with boosting glutathione in such patients. If you do not know of a doc, I can possibly direct you to the numbers of some who may be able to help.
There is little evidence and much of what you will hear will be anecdotal evidence on glutathione and sickle cell anemia. This is something we need more study on.
This is not a recommendation or endorsement of these doctors. It is a suggestion to consider the glutathione and sickle cell connection.
