Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 08, 2026 2 hours, 48 minutes ago
Medical News: Scientists uncover how a natural antioxidant shapes immune strength in two global diseases
Researchers are increasingly turning their attention to glutathione, a naturally occurring antioxidant in the human body, after new scientific insights revealed its critical role in regulating immune defenses against both COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB). These two diseases, although caused by very different pathogens, share striking similarities in how they overwhelm the immune system, especially in people already burdened by chronic illnesses or metabolic disorders. This
Medical News report highlights how glutathione may represent a common biological thread linking severe disease outcomes.
Glutathione helps immune cells control inflammation and oxidative stress during infections.
Why COVID-19 and Tuberculosis Share Hidden Weaknesses
COVID-19 and tuberculosis remain major global health threats, particularly among older adults, people with diabetes, obesity, and chronic inflammation, and those with limited access to healthcare. Scientists note that in both illnesses, severe disease is often driven less by the pathogen itself and more by immune dysfunction, excessive inflammation, and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when harmful molecules overwhelm the body’s natural defenses, damaging cells and tissues. Glutathione acts as the body’s main internal shield against this process.
Glutathione’s Role in Immune Balance
Glutathione helps immune cells function properly by maintaining redox balance, a delicate chemical state that allows immune signaling without triggering harmful inflammation. The study explains that low glutathione levels can impair the ability of immune cells such as macrophages and T cells to fight infections effectively. In tuberculosis, this deficiency weakens the body’s ability to contain bacteria within protective structures known as granulomas. In COVID-19, depleted glutathione is linked to uncontrolled cytokine release, vascular damage, and blood clot formation.
Why High-Risk Populations Are More Vulnerable
Many of the strongest risk factors for severe COVID-19 and tuberculosis, including aging, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, are also associated with naturally lower glutathione levels. This means these individuals start infections with a reduced capacity to manage oxidative stress. When infection strikes, their immune systems are more likely to spiral into damaging inflammation rather than mount a controlled defense.
Potential For Host-Focused Strategies
Instead of targeting pathogens alone, scientists are increasingly interested in host-directed strategies that strengthen the body’s resilience. The findings suggest glutathione could be a valuable focus of future research as a modifiable host factor. While the researchers caution that glutathione is not a cure or guaranteed preventive measure, they emphasize that improving redox balance could support healthier immune responses in vulnerable populations.
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Institutions Behind the Research
The study was conducted by researchers from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, and the Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Conclusion
Overall, the findings present glutathione as a central regulator of immune resilience rather than a simple antioxidant. By influencing inflammation, immune coordination, and tissue protection, glutathione may help explain why some individuals develop severe COVID-19 or tuberculosis while others recover more easily. These insights strengthen the case for further investigation into host-focused approaches that complement existing treatments and public health strategies.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Antioxidants.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/15/2/214
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/tuberculosis-tb-news
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