Oral Liposomal Glutathione Supplementation in Healthy Subjects

This is a randomized study on healthy individuals. The study design includes the recruitment
of 12 healthy male and female subjects (50-80 yr of age) randomized into 2 groups of 6 each
(liposomal glutathione at 450 mg/day or liposomal glutathione at 900 mg/day). Blood and
urine samples will be obtained from all subjects at baseline. Eligible subjects will be
required to have not have taken any high dose antioxidant supplements for at least 1 month
prior to the study. Subjects will then begin supplementation according to the following
schedule: Group A, liposomal glutathione (450 mg daily), Group B, liposomal glutathione (900
mg daily)

Eligible participants who sign the informed consent will be randomly assigned to either low
dose or high dose glutathione groups. Participants will be asked not to consume any other
high-dose vitamin, multi-vitamin, or mineral supplements containing glutathione throughout
the study in order to prevent variation in dose of supplemental liposomal glutathione
between subjects. Participants are to limit their consumption of alcohol in the study to no
more than 5 oz. of alcohol per week. Supplementation will continue for 1 month with
biological samples collected at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after baseline.

Levels of glutathione will be measured in whole blood, erythrocytes, lymphocytes and plasma.
The biomarkers of oxidative stress will include urinary 8-isoprostane and urinary
8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. Immune function biomarkers will be analyzed including lymphocyte
proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Healthy English-speaking male and female volunteers

- Baseline blood glutathione level of ≤ 0.9 mmol/l

- Non-smoking individuals

Exclusion Criteria:

- No history or evidence of disease including cancer, diabetes, heart disease.

- Not taking glutathione as a dietary supplement

- Not taking high-dose antioxidant supplements