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Glutathione is a tripeptide that is a central component of cellular defences against oxidative stress. We have shown that a 13 C label can be introduced into glutathione in humans by oral administration of [2-13 C]-glycine, where this amino acid is incorporated into glutathione. We have shown that 13 C-labelled glutathione can be detected by 1H-decoupled 13C spectroscopy in human liver, allowing measurements of glutathione concentration and synthesis rate and providing an insight into cellular defences against oxidative stress.