Summary
| Direction in Gulf War Illness | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Metabolic |
| Also described as | Antioxidant tripeptide |
| Compared against | HGV (healthy Gulf War veteran controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Oxidative stress |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | Gean et al. 2021 — doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119456 |
| Condition atlas | Gulf War Illness Biomarker Atlas |
Trials, interventions and tests
In clinical-trial registrations this marker maps to the outcome term Change from baseline the mean Glutathione (GSH)/ oxidized GSH (GSSG) ratio at 12 weeks (5 registered trials use a matching outcome measure).
Clinical trials using Glutathione (GSH) as an outcome
- NCT05817032: Effect of Telerehabilitation Practice in Long COVID-19 Patients (Unknown)
Outcome measure: Change from baseline the mean Glutathione (GSH)/ oxidized GSH (GSSG) ratio at 12 weeks - NCT00685919: Peripheral Dopamine in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (Completed)
Outcome measure: Plasma Catecholamines (Norepinephrine) After the Last Dose of Placebo or Carbidopa - NCT04542161: Assessment of N-Acetylcysteine as Therapy for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Active Not Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Change in Oxidative stress levels of treatment response: measure 3 - NCT07357688: The Effect of Acupuncture Therapy on Cognitive Function in Post-COVID-19 Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Not Yet Recruiting)
Outcome measure: The change in level of glutathione (GSH) at each hippocampus from baseline to the end of 8 weeks. - NCT01471652: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Presumptive Mitochondrial Disorder (Withdrawn)
Outcome measure: Change in brain lactate and glutathione levels
Interventions studied alongside this marker
Hypothesis-generating links from trial outcome usage and literature co-occurrence. Not treatment recommendations.
- N-acetylcysteine — 1 trial, 6 PubMed co-citations
e.g. N-Acetylcysteine protects the developing brain in neonatal sepsis-like inflammation via a… - Acupuncture — 1 trial, 6 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Research Progress In Acupuncture For Parkinson's Disease: Insights Into The Mitochondrial Ferroptosis Pathway.
Related Metabolic markers in Gulf War Illness
- GSH:GSSG ratio ↓
- Homocysteine ↑
- 8-isoprostane ↑
- Coenzyme Q10 ↓
- Acylcarnitines ↑
- Lactate ↑
- Vitamin D (25-OH) ↕
Full list: Gulf War Illness Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glutathione (GSH) high or low in Gulf War Illness?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower Glutathione (GSH) in Gulf War Illness than in healthy Gulf War veteran controls. Source: Gean et al. 2021.
What symptoms is Glutathione (GSH) associated with in Gulf War Illness?
The cited literature associates this marker with Oxidative stress. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Glutathione (GSH)?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.
Is one abnormal Glutathione (GSH) result diagnostic of Gulf War Illness?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Gulf War Illness. Glutathione (GSH) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from gulf-war-illness.json · Browse: Gulf War Illness atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.