Anaspec has released the patent-pending Sensolyte 520 Total GSH Assay Kit.
The sensitive glutathione (GSH) assay kit provides a sensitive fluorescent assay for the measurement of total GSH (GSH+GSSG).
It employs a fluorogenic reagent that, upon reaction with reduced GSH, releases fluorescence.
Fluorescence is monitored at Ex/Em= 490/520nm.
Oxidised GSH can be converted to the reduced GSH by glutathione reductase and the total GSH level can be quantified.
The assay has a linear range of 0.2-100mM of glutathione.
The kit also provides sulfosalicylic acid for the deproteination of biological samples.
A colorimetric GSH kit, the Sensolyte Total GSH Assay Kit, is also available.
This kit contains Ellman's Reagent [5, 5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid)], which, upon reaction with reduced GSH, releases a coloured product, monitored at 415nm using a microplate reader.
The intensity of the colour produced is proportional to GSH concentration.
Reduced GSH is the main thiol (sulfhydryl) compound in animal, plant and protozoa.
GSH plays a crucial role in cellular defence against oxidative stress and functions as a cofactor for a variety of enzymes, such as glutathione transferase and glutathione peroxidase.
GSH is also involved in the maintenance of redox status, amino-acid transport and mitochondrial respiration.
Total GSH includes the reduced and oxidised form (GSSG).
Upon oxidation, GSH is converted to GSSG, with the ratio of GSH/GSSG decreasing owing to GSSG accumulation.
The concentrations of GSH and GSSG and their molar ratio are indicators of the cell's functionality and oxidative stress level.
