Progress in the effects of arsenic on glutaredoxin system

The glutaredoxin system (Grxs) is one of the important antioxidant systems, including glutaredoxin, glutathione, glutaredoxin reductase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Glutaredoxin is a small protein as oxidoreductases with the function of deglutathionylation, reducing antioxidants and recombination of iron-sulfur enzymes. In studies of cells, animals and plants, arsenic and its metabolites can induce reactive oxygen species, generate free radicals and trigger oxidative stress. The Grxs plays an essential role of antioxidant and maintains redox state in arsenic poisoning. Therefore, the article reviewed the anti-oxidation effect of Grxs in arsenic poisoning. Key words: Arsenic poisoning; Glutaredoxin system; Oxidative stress