Evidence supporting the use of: Glutathione
For the health condition: Cirrhosis of the Liver

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Glutathione for Cirrhosis of the Liver: Evidence Overview

Glutathione, a tripeptide composed of glutamine, cysteine, and glycine, is a major endogenous antioxidant crucial for cellular redox balance, detoxification, and immune function. In the context of liver diseases such as cirrhosis, glutathione levels are often found to be depleted due to chronic oxidative stress and ongoing liver injury. This has led to the hypothesis that glutathione supplementation could be beneficial in restoring antioxidant capacity and mitigating hepatic damage.

Several small-scale studies and pilot trials have explored the effects of glutathione supplementation (oral, intravenous, or via precursor N-acetylcysteine) in patients with chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis. Some have reported modest improvements in liver function tests and markers of oxidative stress. However, the quality and size of these studies are generally limited, with a lack of large, well-controlled randomized clinical trials specifically addressing cirrhosis. Systematic reviews note the promising rationale but emphasize that the clinical evidence remains preliminary and inconclusive.

As such, while the use of glutathione in cirrhosis is grounded in its biological plausibility and supported by early-phase research, it has not yet reached the threshold of robust scientific validation. Mainstream guidelines do not recommend glutathione as a standard treatment for cirrhosis, and further high-quality research is needed to establish efficacy and safety.

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