Glutathione Synthetase Deficiency Medication

Author: Darius J Adams, MD; Chief Editor: Bruce Buehler, MD more...

Updated: Apr 2, 2012

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Medication Summary
Alkalinizing agents
Vitamins and antioxidants
Amino acids
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Medication Summary

Treatment of individuals who have been diagnosed with glutathione synthetase (GS) deficiency involves providing supplements to correct the metabolic acidosis and supplying antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C. NAC has been used in patients with glutathione synthetase deficiency because it is thought to increase the low intracellular glutathione concentrations and cysteine availability in the leukocytes of patients with this disorder. Use of sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra), vitamin C and vitamin E, thioctic acid (ie, lipoic acid), and NAC are included here.

Class Summary

Sodium bicarbonate is used as a gastric, systemic, and urinary alkalinizer and has been used in the treatment of acidosis resulting from metabolic and respiratory causes, including diabetic coma, diarrhea, kidney disturbances, and shock. Sodium bicarbonate also increases renal clearance of acidic drugs. Citric acid mixtures may also be used. With normal hepatic function, 1 mEq of citrate is converted to 1 mEq of bicarbonate.

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Sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra)

PO medication useful in outpatient treatment of individuals with persistent acidosis. Each mL contains 1 mEq sodium ion and is equivalent to 1 mEq of bicarbonate. Also contains butylparaben, flavoring, and sodium saccharin. In certain situations, potassium citrate (as contained in Polycitra-K) may be preferable.

Palatability enhanced if chilled before swallowing.

Class Summary

These are organic substances required by the body in small amounts for various metabolic processes. Vitamins may be synthesized in small or insufficient amounts in the body or not synthesized at all, thus requiring supplementation. They are used clinically for the prevention and treatment of specific vitamin deficiency states.

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Ascorbic acid (Vita-C, Cecon)

An antioxidant; one of the water-soluble vitamins.

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Vitamin E (Vita-Plus E Softgels, Aquasol E)

An antioxidant; one of the fat-soluble vitamins.

Thioctic acid (Thiocid)

Also called alpha-lipoic acid. An antioxidant considered to be more effective than vitamin E or C in crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Class Summary

NAC is the N -acetyl derivative of the amino acid cysteine. NAC enhances the levels of glutathione in the liver, plasma, and bronchioalveolar lavage fluid. It is used to treat various diseases with the underlying etiology of decreased glutathione.

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N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)

Has been used with GS deficiency because it is thought to increase low intracellular glutathione concentrations and cysteine availability in leukocytes.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Darius J Adams, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Genetics and Metabolism, Albany Medical Center

Darius J Adams, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Melissa P Wasserstein, MD Associate Professor, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Melissa P Wasserstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Human Genetics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert D Steiner, MD Credit Unions for Kids Professor of Pediatric Research, Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular and Medical Genetics, Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty, Program in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Doernbecher Children's Hospital; Staff Consultant, Director of Metabolic Bone Disease Clinic, Shriners Hospital Portland

Robert D Steiner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Genetics, American Society of Human Genetics, Oregon Medical Association, Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Society for Pediatric Research, Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, and Western Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Amicus Honoraria Consulting; Actelion Honoraria Consulting; Actelion Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Biomarin Honoraria Consulting; Genzyme Honoraria Consulting; Shire Honoraria Consulting

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Leonard G Feld, MD, PhD, MMM, FAAP Sara H Bissell and Howard C Bissell Endowed Chair in Pediatrics, Chief Medical Officer, Levine Children's Hospital, Carolinas Medical Center

Leonard G Feld, MD, PhD, MMM, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physician Executives, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology, and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Director RSA, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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