Which of the following antioxidants is included among the listed treatments for heavy metal toxicity?

• A. Glutathione
• B. Sodium bicarbonate
• C. Aspirin
• D. Caffeine

Answer: (A)

Heavy metal toxicity often involves oxidative stress, so therapies that support the body's antioxidant defenses can be helpful alongside chelation. Glutathione is the central intracellular antioxidant that scavenges reactive oxygen species and serves as a detoxifying partner, forming conjugates with metals through glutathione S-transferases. These glutathione-metal complexes are more readily eliminated, and replenishing glutathione helps restore redox balance during metal poisoning. In practice, boosting glutathione levels—sometimes via its precursor N-acetylcysteine—underpins its use as an antioxidant strategy in heavy metal exposure. The other substances listed do not function as antioxidants or detoxifying agents for heavy metal poisoning in standard practice: sodium bicarbonate is used for pH-related considerations in different overdose scenarios, aspirin is a salicylate with no antioxidant detox role in metals, and caffeine has no relevant detoxifying effect.