Protective effects of glutathione on oxidative injury induced by hydrogen peroxide in intestinal epithelial cells

Reactive oxygen species are increased in multiple gastrointestinal diseases and contribute to their pathogenesis. glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant that helps to prevent reactive oxygen species–mediated mucosal damage. This study examines the mechanisms by which GSH attenuates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)–induced injury in intestinal epithelial cells. IEC-6 cells were cultured and treated with H2O2 ± GSH. Inflammation was measured by nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) P65 expression, NF-κB nuclear translocation, iκBα phosphorylation, and interleukin 1 beta secretion. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated UTP end-labeling staining and cleaved caspase-3 were used to assess apoptosis. The role of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK) signaling was examined using the P38 MAPK agonist U46619 and inhibitor SB203580 in H2O2 and GSH-treated cells. Phosphorylated and total P38 MAPKs and cleaved caspase-3 were measured by Western blot. Data are means ± standard deviation, statistical significance P