Glutathione supplementation suppresses muscle fatigue induced by prolonged exercise via improved aerobic metabolism.

Aoi W, Ogaya Y, Takami M, Konishi T, Sauchi Y, Park EY, Wada S, Sato K, Higashi A

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition6 Feb 2015Cited by 34 (Europe PMC)

PMID25685110PMCIDPMC4328900DOI10.1186/s12970-015-0067-xPepBankPUB-25685110

Summary

BackgroundsGlutathione is an endogenous redox couple in animal cells and plays important roles in antioxidant defense and detoxification, although it is unknown if oral glutathione supplementation affects exercise-induced physiological changes. The present study investigated the effect of glutathione intake on exercise-induced muscle metabolism and fatigue in mice and humans.MethodsICR mice were divided into 4 groups: sedentary control, sedentary supplemented with glutathione (2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight), exercise control, and exercise supplemented with glutathione. After 2 weeks, the exercise groups ran on a treadmill at 25 m/min for 30 min. Immediately post-exercise, intermuscular pH was measured, and hind limb muscle and blood samples were collected to measure biochemical parameters. In a double-blind, cross-over study, 8 healthy men (35.9 ± 2.0 y) were administered either glutathione (1 g/d) or placebo for 2 weeks. Then, they exercised on a cycle ergometer at 40% maximal heart rate for 60 min. Psychological state and blood biochemical parameters were examined after exercise.ResultsIn the mouse experiment, post-exercise plasma non-esterified fatty acids were significantly lower in the exercise supplemented with glutathione group (820 ± 44 mEq/L) compared with the exercise control group (1152 ± 61 mEq/L). Intermuscular pH decreased with exercise (7.17 ± 0.01); however, this reduction was prevented by glutathione supplementation (7.23 ± 0.02). The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α protein and mitochondrial DNA levels were significantly higher in the sedentary supplemented with glutathione group compared with the sedentary control group (25% and 53% higher, respectively). In the human study, the elevation of blood lactate was suppressed by glutathione intake (placebo, 3.4 ± 1.1 mM; glutathione, 2.9 ± 0.6 mM). Fatigue-related psychological factors were significantly decreased in the glutathione trial compared with the placebo trial.ConclusionsThese results suggest that glutathione supplementation improved lipid metabolism and acidification in skeletal muscles during exercise, leading to less muscle fatigue.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

6 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy men, glutathione suppressed the post-exercise blood lactate elevation versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, glutathione reduced the rise in blood lactate after exercise compared with placebo.
Peptide
Glutathione
Outcome
DecreasePost-exercise blood lactate
Study
n = 8
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
1 g/d · 2 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Blood lactate after exercise
3.4 mM
placebo (SD 1.1)
Blood lactate after exercise
2.9 mM
glutathione (SD 0.6)
Source sentences
Summary
In the human study, the elevation of blood lactate was suppressed by glutathione intake (placebo, 3.4 ± 1.1 mM; glutathione, 2.9 ± 0.6 mM).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In a double-blind, cross-over study, 8 healthy men (35.9 ± 2.0 y) were administered either glutathione (1 g/d) or placebo for 2 weeks.
Summary · context
Then, they exercised on a cycle ergometer at 40% maximal heart rate for 60 min.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2568511005
02HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy men, glutathione decreased fatigue-related psychological factors versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn healthy men, glutathione reduced fatigue-related psychological factors compared with placebo.
Peptide
Glutathione
Outcome
DecreaseFatigue-related psychological factors
Study
n = 8
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
1 g/d · 2 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Fatigue-related psychological factors were significantly decreased in the glutathione trial compared with the placebo trial.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In a double-blind, cross-over study, 8 healthy men (35.9 ± 2.0 y) were administered either glutathione (1 g/d) or placebo for 2 weeks.
Summary · context
Then, they exercised on a cycle ergometer at 40% maximal heart rate for 60 min.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2568511006
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In exercising mice, glutathione lowered post-exercise plasma non-esterified fatty acids versus exercise control.
In plain wordsIn mice, glutathione lowered free fatty acids after exercise compared with exercise control.
Peptide
Glutathione
Outcome
DecreasePost-exercise non-esterified fatty acids
Study
micen: not reported in source
ICR mice
Comparator
Exercise control
Outcome group
Lipids · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight · 2 weeksAs given in this study (mice).
Source sentences
Summary
In the mouse experiment, post-exercise plasma non-esterified fatty acids were significantly lower in the exercise supplemented with glutathione group (820 ± 44 mEq/L) compared with the exercise control group (1152 ± 61 mEq/L).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
ICR mice were divided into 4 groups: sedentary control, sedentary supplemented with glutathione (2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight), exercise control, and exercise supplemented with glutathione.
Summary · context
After 2 weeks, the exercise groups ran on a treadmill at 25 m/min for 30 min.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2568511001
04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In exercising mice, glutathione prevented the exercise-associated reduction in intermuscular pH.
In plain wordsIn mice, glutathione prevented the fall in muscle pH compared with exercise control.
Peptide
Glutathione
Outcome
IncreaseIntermuscular pH
Study
micen: not reported in source
ICR mice
Comparator
Exercise control
Outcome group
Muscle injury and repair · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight · 2 weeksAs given in this study (mice).
Source sentences
Summary
Intermuscular pH decreased with exercise (7.17 ± 0.01); however, this reduction was prevented by glutathione supplementation (7.23 ± 0.02).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
ICR mice were divided into 4 groups: sedentary control, sedentary supplemented with glutathione (2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight), exercise control, and exercise supplemented with glutathione.
Summary · context
After 2 weeks, the exercise groups ran on a treadmill at 25 m/min for 30 min.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2568511002
05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In sedentary mice, glutathione increased PGC-1α protein by 25% versus sedentary control.
In plain wordsIn mice, glutathione increased PGC-1α protein compared with sedentary control.
Peptide
Glutathione
Outcome
IncreasePGC-1α protein
Study
micen: not reported in source
ICR mice
Comparator
Sedentary control
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight · 2 weeksAs given in this study (mice).
Source sentences
Summary
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α protein and mitochondrial DNA levels were significantly higher in the sedentary supplemented with glutathione group compared with the sedentary control group (25% and 53% higher, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
ICR mice were divided into 4 groups: sedentary control, sedentary supplemented with glutathione (2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight), exercise control, and exercise supplemented with glutathione.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2568511003
06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In sedentary mice, glutathione increased mitochondrial DNA by 53% versus sedentary control.
In plain wordsIn mice, glutathione increased mitochondrial DNA compared with sedentary control.
Peptide
Glutathione
Outcome
IncreaseMitochondrial DNA
Study
micen: not reported in source
ICR mice
Comparator
Sedentary control
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight · 2 weeksAs given in this study (mice).
Source sentences
Summary
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α protein and mitochondrial DNA levels were significantly higher in the sedentary supplemented with glutathione group compared with the sedentary control group (25% and 53% higher, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
ICR mice were divided into 4 groups: sedentary control, sedentary supplemented with glutathione (2.0%, 5 μL/g body weight), exercise control, and exercise supplemented with glutathione.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2568511004

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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