-acetyl-L-cysteine 101


N-acetyl cysteine is derived from cysteine found in food and synthesized in the body. It helps the body synthesize glutathione. It is used as a mucolytic agent to reduce the viscosity of mucous secretions. It has also been shown to have antiviral effects in patients with HIV due to inhibition of viral stimulation by reactive oxygen intermediates. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) protects cells against death induced by exposure to noxious stimuli and against programed cell death (apoptosis) associated with exposure to inadequate amounts of trophic factors. NAC prevented glutamate-induced death of oligodendrocytes and tumor necrosis factor a(TNF-a)-induced death of oligodendrocytes and L929 fibroblasts. Moreover, suboptimal doses of NAC plus ciliary neurotrophic factor (which also protects oligodendrocytes against TNF-a-mediated killing) acted synergistically to protect oligodendrocytes against TNF-a-induced death. In all paradigms, NAC was either equally or more effective than the other compounds examined. In light of the long history of therapeutic application of NAC, we suggest that use of this compound may be of interest in conditions where certain toxin-mediated forms of cell death and/or apoptosis contribute significantly to disease.

Modern living involves daily exposure to substances that are toxic to our bodies, which imposes a heavy load on the liver. Therefore, a healthy liver is critical to well-being. Certain lifestyle risks and medical conditions make it all the more important to ensure that the liver is being maintained at its functional best.

N-acetyl cysteine is the more efficiently absorbed and used form of the amino acid, L-cysteine. L-cysteine plays a role in the sulfation cycle, acting as a sulfur donor in phase II detoxification and as a methyl donor in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. N-acetyl cysteine has antioxidant properties, and helps to maintain healthy levels of the liver’s natural detoxifier, glutathione. In addition, N-acetyl cysteine has been used to break up pulmonary and bronchial mucus.