This review is the introduction to a special issue concerning, glutathione (GSH), the most
abundant low molecular weight thiol compound synthesized in cells. GSH plays critical roles
in protecting cells from oxidative damage and the toxicity of xenobiotic electrophiles, and
maintaining redox homeostasis. Here, the functions and GSH and the sources of oxidants
and electrophiles, the elimination of oxidants by reduction and electrophiles by conjugation
with GSH are briefly described. Methods of assessing GSH status in the cells are also …