Enhancement of viability of human peritoneal mesothelial cells with glutathione precursor: L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate.

This study tested the effect of L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (procysteine), a precursor of the intracellular cysteine, on the function of human mesothelial cells (HMCs) in in vitro culture. Procysteine stimulated the proliferation of HMCs and decreased the spontaneous death rate of these cells. HMCs pretreated with procysteine were resistant to injury by free radicals. Procysteine also reversed the cytotoxic effects of a mixture of essential and nonessential amino acids on HMCs, such as increased susceptibility to injury by free radicals and inhibition of proliferation.