Research Comparison

NAD+ vs Glutathione: Two Fundamental Cellular Compounds Compared

NAD+ and glutathione are both essential cellular molecules involved in fundamental metabolic processes. NAD+ functions primarily as a redox coenzyme and sirtuin cofactor, while glutathione is the principal intracellular antioxidant.

Property
NAD+
Glutathione
Type
Coenzyme (dinucleotide)
Tripeptide antioxidant
MW
663.43 Da
307.32 Da
Formula
C₂₁H₂₇N₇O₁₄P₂
C₁₀H₁₇N₃O₆S
CAS
53-84-9
70-18-8
Primary Role
Redox coenzyme, sirtuin cofactor
Antioxidant defense, detoxification

Cellular Roles

NAD+ (MW 663.43 Da) participates in over 500 enzymatic reactions as an electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It is the essential cofactor for sirtuin enzymes (SIRT1-7) and PARP DNA repair enzymes. Martens et al. (2018, PMID: 29599478) conducted an RCT on NR supplementation.

Glutathione (MW 307.32 Da) is the most abundant intracellular antioxidant, serving as the primary substrate for glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Richie et al. (2015, PMID: 24791752) conducted a 6-month RCT observing 30-35% increases in blood GSH levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between NAD+ and glutathione?+
NAD+ is a coenzyme involved in energy metabolism and DNA repair (sirtuin/PARP cofactor). Glutathione is a tripeptide antioxidant that defends against oxidative stress and supports detoxification. They serve different but complementary cellular functions.

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