Abstract
Glutathione (GSH) deficiency is associated with numerous pathological conditions. Administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a cysteine prodrug, replenishes intracellular GSH levels. NAC, best known for its ability to counter acetaminophen toxicity, is a safe, well-tolerated antidote for cysteine/GSH deficiency. NAC has been used successfully to treat GSH deficiency in a wide range of infections, genetic defects and metabolic disorders, including HIV infection and COPD. Over two-thirds of 46 placebo-controlled clinical trials with orally administered NAC have indicated beneficial effects of NAC measured either as trial endpoints or as general measures of improvement in quality of life and well-being of the patients.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Acetaminophen / poisoning
-
Acetylcysteine / administration & dosage*
-
Acetylcysteine / adverse effects
-
Acetylcysteine / pharmacokinetics
-
Antidotes / administration & dosage*
-
Antidotes / adverse effects
-
Antidotes / pharmacokinetics
-
Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic
-
Cysteine / deficiency*
-
Cystic Fibrosis / drug therapy
-
Free Radical Scavengers / administration & dosage*
-
Free Radical Scavengers / adverse effects
-
Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacokinetics
-
Glutathione / deficiency*
-
HIV Infections / drug therapy
-
Humans
-
Prodrugs
-
Quality of Life
Substances
-
Antidotes
-
Free Radical Scavengers
-
Prodrugs
-
Acetaminophen
-
Glutathione
-
Cysteine
-
Acetylcysteine