ABSTRACT
Thiols have an important role in cell proliferation, cellular transport, DNA synthesis, and cellular movements. Glutathione (GSH), a low-molecular-weight thiol, is the most abundant and important nonprotein thiol in most vertebrate cells. GSH is an important scavanger of free radicals and plays a role in the maintenance of the redox status of protein sulfhydryl groups. GSH controls the ability of lymphocytes to respond to important proliferation signals in their environment. Depletion of GSH and/or sensitive protein thiols in T lymphocytes following xenobiotic exposure may cause these cells to become nonresponsive to antigenic stimulation, resulting in immune deficiency.
