Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Rapid Quantification of Oxidized and Reduced Forms of Glutathione Using Ortho -phthalaldehyde in Cultured Mammalian Cells In Vitro
03:35

Rapid Quantification of Oxidized and Reduced Forms of Glutathione Using Ortho -phthalaldehyde in Cultured Mammalian Cells In Vitro

Published on: June 28, 2024

High-dose cysteine administration does not increase synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione preterm infants

Frans W J te Braake1, Henk Schierbeek, Andras Vermes

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Pediatrics
|October 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

High-dose cysteine supplementation in preterm infants is safe but does not increase glutathione synthesis. Further research is needed to determine the benefits of cysteine supplementation in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical research

Background:

  • Preterm infants have unique nutritional needs.
  • Glutathione is a critical antioxidant.
  • Cysteine is a precursor to glutathione.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the safety and efficacy of high-dose cysteine supplementation in preterm infants.
  • To determine if increased cysteine intake stimulates glutathione synthesis.
  • To evaluate the impact of cysteine on erythrocyte glutathione levels and synthesis rates.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, randomized clinical trial involving 20 preterm infants (<1500 g birth weight).
  • Infants received either standard (45 mg/kg/day) or high (81 mg/kg/day) cysteine doses.
  • Stable isotope study on postnatal day 2 to measure glutathione synthesis.

Main Results:

  • Higher cysteine intake did not significantly increase plasma cystine or erythrocyte glutathione concentrations.
  • Glutathione synthesis rates remained unchanged despite increased cysteine administration.
  • No adverse effects were noted with high-dose cysteine, indicating clinical safety.

Conclusions:

  • High-dose cysteine (81 mg/kg/day) is safe for preterm infants but does not enhance glutathione synthesis compared to standard doses (45 mg/kg/day).
  • Further investigation is necessary to establish the clinical benefits of cysteine supplementation in preterm neonates.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Targeting Cysteine Thiols for in Vitro Site-specific Glycosylation of Recombinant Proteins11:25

Targeting Cysteine Thiols for in Vitro Site-specific Glycosylation of Recombinant Proteins

Published on: October 4, 2017

Resin-Assisted Capture Coupled with Isobaric Tandem Mass Tag Labeling for Multiplexed Quantification of Protein Thiol Oxidation07:16

Resin-Assisted Capture Coupled with Isobaric Tandem Mass Tag Labeling for Multiplexed Quantification of Protein Thiol Oxidation

Published on: June 21, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Phase II Reactions: Glutathione Conjugation and Mercapturic Acid Formation01:22

Phase II Reactions: Glutathione Conjugation and Mercapturic Acid Formation

Glutathione, a tripeptide made up of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, is a critical player in the detoxification of drugs and xenobiotics via a process known as glutathione conjugation or mercapturic acid formation. This phase II biotransformation reaction involves the covalent binding of glutathione to a drug or its metabolite, enhancing the compound's water solubility and enabling its excretion.
Several distinctive characteristics distinguish glutathione conjugation from other phase II...
Sulfur Assimilation01:20

Sulfur Assimilation

Sulfur is an essential element in biological systems, contributing to synthesizing key biomolecules, including amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, and cofactors such as coenzyme A and biotin. Microorganisms primarily assimilate sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) from the environment, which must undergo a series of biochemical transformations before it can be incorporated into cellular components. As sulfate is highly oxidized, it must undergo assimilatory sulfate reduction to become...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Drug Metabolism: Phase II Reactions01:14

Drug Metabolism: Phase II Reactions

Phase II reactions are essential for the detoxification and elimination of drugs from the body. These reactions involve the conjugation of parent drugs or their phase I metabolites with endogenous molecules, resulting in more hydrophilic drug conjugates. The primary conjugation reactions in this phase are sulfation and glucuronidation. Both sulfation and glucuronidation typically produce biologically inactive metabolites. However, in some cases involving prodrugs, active metabolites may be...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...