N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Its Role in Clinical Practice Management of Cystic Fibrosis (CF): A Review

N-acetylcysteine is the acetylated form of the amino acid L-cysteine and a precursor to glutathione (GSH). It has been known for a long time as a powerful antioxidant and as an antidote for paracetamol overdose. However, other activities related to this molecule have been discovered over the years,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2022-02, Vol.15 (2), p.217
Main Authors: Guerini, Marta, Condrò, Giorgia, Friuli, Valeria, Maggi, Lauretta, Perugini, Paola
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airway management
Amino acids
Bacteria
biofilm
Biofilms
Births
Chlorine
Cystic fibrosis
lung diseases
Mutation
N-acetylcysteine
Nosocomial infections
oxidative stress
Pathogens
Proteins
pseudomonas aeruginosa
Review
Sodium
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Summary:N-acetylcysteine is the acetylated form of the amino acid L-cysteine and a precursor to glutathione (GSH). It has been known for a long time as a powerful antioxidant and as an antidote for paracetamol overdose. However, other activities related to this molecule have been discovered over the years, making it a promising drug for diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Its antioxidant activity plays a key role in CF airway inflammation and redox imbalance. Furthermore, this molecule appears to play an important role in the prevention and eradication of biofilms resulting from CF airway infections, in particular that of . The aim of this review is to provide an overview of CF and the role that NAC could play in preventing and eliminating biofilms, as a modulator of inflammation and as an antioxidant, restoring the redox balance within the airways in CF patients. To do this, NAC can act alone, but it can also be used as an adjuvant molecule to known drugs (antibiotics/anti-inflammatories) to increase their activity.
ISSN:1424-8247
1424-8247
DOI:10.3390/ph15020217