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Fayed MS, Brooks J, Seaquist ER, Kumar A, Moheet A, Eberly L, Mishra U, Coles LD. Population Pharmacokinetic Model of N-Acetylcysteine During Periods of Recurrent Hypoglycemia in Healthy Volunteers. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2023; 12:1234-1240. [PMID: 37937383 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.1338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent hypoglycemia leads to impaired awareness of hypoglycemia where the blood glucose threshold that elicits the counterregulatory response is lowered. Hypoglycemia-induced oxidative stress is hypothesized to contribute to impaired awareness of hypoglycemia development and hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure. Our group conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study in healthy individuals undergoing experimentally induced recurrent hypoglycemia to evaluate the impact of intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) during experimental hypoglycemia to preserve the counterregulatory response to subsequent hypoglycemia. The work presented herein aimed to characterize the NAC pharmacokinetics and its effects on oxidative stress. Whole blood and plasma samples were collected at specified time points during separate NAC and placebo infusions from 10 healthy volunteers. Samples were analyzed for NAC, cysteine, and glutathione (GSH) concentrations. A 2-compartment population NAC pharmacokinetic model was developed. Estimates for central compartment clearance and volume of distribution were 19.8 L/h, and 12.2 L, respectively, for a 70-kg person. Peripheral compartment clearance and volume of distribution estimates were 34.9 L/h and 13.1 L, respectively, for a 70-kg person. The PK parameters estimated here were different from those reported in the literature, suggesting a higher NAC clearance during hypoglycemic episodes. NAC leads to a significant increase in circulating cysteine concentration in a NAC concentration-dependent manner, suggesting rapid biotransformation. A transient decrease in plasma GSH was observed, supporting the hypothesis that NAC can act as a reducing agent displacing glutathione from the disulfide bond allowing for increased clearance and/or distribution of GSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed S Fayed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Jillian Brooks
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Seaquist
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Anjali Kumar
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Amir Moheet
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lynn Eberly
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Usha Mishra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lisa D Coles
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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2
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Pertiwi H, Majdeddin M, Degroote J, Zhang H, Michiels J. N-acetyl-L-cysteine improves the performance of chronic cyclic heat-stressed finisher broilers but has no effect on tissue glutathione levels. Br Poult Sci 2023; 64:751-762. [PMID: 37782109 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2023.2264234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
1. It was hypothesised that dietary N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in feed, as a source of cysteine, could improve the performance of heat-stressed finisher broilers by fostering glutathione (GSH) synthesis. GSH is the most abundant intracellular antioxidant for which the sulphur amino acid cysteine is rate limiting for its synthesis.2. In the first experiment, four levels of NAC: 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg were added to a diet with a suboptimal level of sulphur amino acids in the finisher phase. In the second experiment, NAC was compared to other sulphur amino acid sources at equal molar amounts of digestible sulphur amino acids. Birds were allocated to four groups: control, 2000 mg/kg NAC, 1479 mg/kg L-cystine, and 2168 mg/kg Ca-salt of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid. A chronic cyclic heat stress model (temperature was increased to 34°C for 7 h daily) was initiated at 28 d of age.3. In the first experiment, growth performance and feed efficiency in the finisher phase were significantly improved by graded NAC. ADG was 88.9, 92.2, 93.7 and 97.7 g/d, and the feed-to-gain ratio was 2.18, 1.91, 1.85 and 1.81 for the 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg NAC treatments, respectively. However, liver and heart GSH levels were not affected by NAC. On d 29, liver gene transcript of cystathionine-beta-synthase like was reduced by NAC, which suggested reduced trans-sulphuration activity. The second experiment showed that L-cystine and Ca-salt of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid were more effective in improving performance than NAC.4. In conclusion, N-acetyl-L-cysteine improved dose-dependently growth and feed efficiency in heat-stressed finishing broilers. However, this was not associated with changes in tissue GSH levels, but more likely worked by sparing methionine and/or NAC's and cysteine's direct antioxidant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Pertiwi
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - M Majdeddin
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - J Degroote
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - H Zhang
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - J Michiels
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Sahasrabudhe SA, Terluk MR, Kartha RV. N-acetylcysteine Pharmacology and Applications in Rare Diseases-Repurposing an Old Antioxidant. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1316. [PMID: 37507857 PMCID: PMC10376274 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12071316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of cysteine and, thereby, glutathione (GSH), acts as an antioxidant through a variety of mechanisms, including oxidant scavenging, GSH replenishment, antioxidant signaling, etc. Owing to the variety of proposed targets, NAC has a long history of use as a prescription product and in wide-ranging applications that are off-label as an over-the-counter (OTC) product. Despite its discovery in the early 1960s and its development for various indications, systematic clinical pharmacology explorations of NAC pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamic targets, drug interactions, and dose-ranging are sorely limited. Although there are anecdotal instances of NAC benefits in a variety of diseases, a comprehensive review of the use of NAC in rare diseases does not exist. In this review, we attempt to summarize the existing literature focused on NAC explorations in rare diseases targeting mitochondrial dysfunction along with the history of NAC usage, approved indications, mechanisms of action, safety, and PK characterization. Further, we introduce the research currently underway on other structural derivatives of NAC and acknowledge the continuum of efforts through pre-clinical and clinical research to facilitate further therapeutic development of NAC or its derivatives for rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhee A Sahasrabudhe
- Center for Orphan Drug Research, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Rm 4-214, McGuire Translational Research Facility, 2001 6th St. SE, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Marcia R Terluk
- Center for Orphan Drug Research, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Rm 4-214, McGuire Translational Research Facility, 2001 6th St. SE, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Reena V Kartha
- Center for Orphan Drug Research, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Rm 4-214, McGuire Translational Research Facility, 2001 6th St. SE, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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4
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Dall'Agnese A, Platt JM, Zheng MM, Friesen M, Dall'Agnese G, Blaise AM, Spinelli JB, Henninger JE, Tevonian EN, Hannett NM, Lazaris C, Drescher HK, Bartsch LM, Kilgore HR, Jaenisch R, Griffith LG, Cisse II, Jeppesen JF, Lee TI, Young RA. The dynamic clustering of insulin receptor underlies its signaling and is disrupted in insulin resistance. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7522. [PMID: 36473871 PMCID: PMC9727033 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35176-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin receptor (IR) signaling is central to normal metabolic control and is dysregulated in metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. We report here that IR is incorporated into dynamic clusters at the plasma membrane, in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus of human hepatocytes and adipocytes. Insulin stimulation promotes further incorporation of IR into these dynamic clusters in insulin-sensitive cells but not in insulin-resistant cells, where both IR accumulation and dynamic behavior are reduced. Treatment of insulin-resistant cells with metformin, a first-line drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, can rescue IR accumulation and the dynamic behavior of these clusters. This rescue is associated with metformin's role in reducing reactive oxygen species that interfere with normal dynamics. These results indicate that changes in the physico-mechanical features of IR clusters contribute to insulin resistance and have implications for improved therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesse M Platt
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Ming M Zheng
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Max Friesen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Giuseppe Dall'Agnese
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, 33100, Italy
| | - Alyssa M Blaise
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | | | - Erin N Tevonian
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Nancy M Hannett
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | - Hannah K Drescher
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Lea M Bartsch
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Henry R Kilgore
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Rudolf Jaenisch
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ibrahim I Cisse
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jacob F Jeppesen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tong I Lee
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | - Richard A Young
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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5
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Labarrere CA, Kassab GS. Glutathione deficiency in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its effects upon the host immune response in severe COVID-19 disease. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:979719. [PMID: 36274722 PMCID: PMC9582773 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.979719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has numerous risk factors leading to severe disease with high mortality rate. Oxidative stress with excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that lower glutathione (GSH) levels seems to be a common pathway associated with the high COVID-19 mortality. GSH is a unique small but powerful molecule paramount for life. It sustains adequate redox cell signaling since a physiologic level of oxidative stress is fundamental for controlling life processes via redox signaling, but excessive oxidation causes cell and tissue damage. The water-soluble GSH tripeptide (γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine) is present in the cytoplasm of all cells. GSH is at 1-10 mM concentrations in all mammalian tissues (highest concentration in liver) as the most abundant non-protein thiol that protects against excessive oxidative stress. Oxidative stress also activates the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) redox regulator pathway, releasing Nrf2 to regulate the expression of genes that control antioxidant, inflammatory and immune system responses, facilitating GSH activity. GSH exists in the thiol-reduced and disulfide-oxidized (GSSG) forms. Reduced GSH is the prevailing form accounting for >98% of total GSH. The concentrations of GSH and GSSG and their molar ratio are indicators of the functionality of the cell and its alteration is related to various human pathological processes including COVID-19. Oxidative stress plays a prominent role in SARS-CoV-2 infection following recognition of the viral S-protein by angiotensin converting enzyme-2 receptor and pattern recognition receptors like toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and activation of transcription factors like nuclear factor kappa B, that subsequently activate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) expression succeeded by ROS production. GSH depletion may have a fundamental role in COVID-19 pathophysiology, host immune response and disease severity and mortality. Therapies enhancing GSH could become a cornerstone to reduce severity and fatal outcomes of COVID-19 disease and increasing GSH levels may prevent and subdue the disease. The life value of GSH makes for a paramount research field in biology and medicine and may be key against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease.
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Finsterer J, Scorza FA, Scorza CA, Fiorini AC. Repurposing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent N-acetyl cysteine for treating COVID-19. World J Virol 2022; 11:82-84. [PMID: 35117973 PMCID: PMC8788215 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v11.i1.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although several considerations have been raised suggesting a beneficial effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, there is currently no clinical evidence that NAC truly prevents coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reduces the severity of the disease, or improves the outcome. Appropriately designed clinical trials are warranted to prove or disprove a therapeutic effect of NAC for COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Finsterer
- Neurological Department, Messerli Institute, Vienna 1180, Austria
| | - Fulvio A Scorza
- Department of Neurology, University of Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo 01000-000, Brazil
| | - Carla A Scorza
- Department of Neurology, University of Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo 01000-000, Brazil
| | - Ana C Fiorini
- Department of Neurology, University of Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo 01000-000, Brazil
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7
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Signorini C, De Felice C, Durand T, Galano JM, Oger C, Leoncini S, Hayek J, Lee JCY, Lund TC, Orchard PJ. Isoprostanoid Plasma Levels Are Relevant to Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy Disease. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:146. [PMID: 35207434 PMCID: PMC8874514 DOI: 10.3390/life12020146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare neuroinflammatory disorder characterized by progressive demyelination. Mutations within the ABCD1 gene result in very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) accumulation within the peroxisome, particularly in the brain. While this VLCFA accumulation is known to be the driving cause of the disease, oxidative stress can be a contributing factor. For patients with early cerebral disease, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the standard of care, and this can be supported by antioxidants. To evaluate the involvement of fatty acid oxidation in the disease, F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), F2-dihomo-isoprostanes (F2-dihomo-IsoPs) and F4-neuroprostanes (F4-NeuroPs)-which are oxygenated metabolites of arachidonic (ARA), adrenic (AdA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, respectively-in plasma samples from ALD subjects (n = 20)-with various phenotypes of the disease-were measured. Three ALD groups were classified according to patients with: (1) confirmed diagnosis of ALD but without cerebral disease; (2) cerebral disease in early period post-HSCT (<100 days post-HSCT) and on intravenous N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) treatment; (3) cerebral disease in late period post-HSCT (beyond 100 days post-HSCT) and off NAC therapy. In our observation, when compared to healthy subjects (n = 29), in ALD (i), F2-IsoPs levels were significantly (p < 0.01) increased in all patients, with the single exception of the early ALD and on NAC subjects; (ii) significant elevated (p < 0.0001) amounts of F2-dihomo-IsoPs were detected, with the exception of patients with a lack of cerebral disease; (iii), a significant increase (p < 0.003) in F4-NeuroP plasma levels was detected in all ALD patients. Moreover, F2-IsoPs plasma levels were significantly higher (p = 0.038) in early ALD in comparison to late ALD stage, and F4-NeuroPs were significantly lower (p = 0.012) in ALD subjects with a lack of cerebral disease in comparison to the late disease stage. Remarkably, plasma amounts of all investigated isoprostanoids were shown to discriminate ALD patients vs. healthy subjects. Altogether, isoprostanoids are relevant to the phenotype of X-ALD and may be helpful in predicting the presence of cerebral disease and establishing the risk of progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Signorini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Claudio De Felice
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Thierry Durand
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, CEDEX 5, 34093 Montpellier, France; (T.D.); (J.-M.G.); (C.O.)
| | - Jean-Marie Galano
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, CEDEX 5, 34093 Montpellier, France; (T.D.); (J.-M.G.); (C.O.)
| | - Camille Oger
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, CEDEX 5, 34093 Montpellier, France; (T.D.); (J.-M.G.); (C.O.)
| | - Silvia Leoncini
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy; (S.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Joussef Hayek
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy; (S.L.); (J.H.)
- Pediatric Speciality Center “L’Isola di Bau”, Certaldo, 50052 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Troy C. Lund
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (T.C.L.); (P.J.O.)
| | - Paul J. Orchard
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (T.C.L.); (P.J.O.)
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Henry ML, Velez-Irizarry D, Pagan JD, Sordillo L, Gandy J, Valberg SJ. The Impact of N-Acetyl Cysteine and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Skeletal Muscle Antioxidants and Proteome in Fit Thoroughbred Horses. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10111739. [PMID: 34829610 PMCID: PMC8615093 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10111739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Horses have one of the highest skeletal muscle oxidative capacities amongst mammals, which, combined with a high glycolytic capacity, could perturb redox status during maximal exercise. We determined the effect of 30 d of oral coenzyme Q10 and N-acetyl-cysteine supplementation (NACQ) on muscle glutathione (GSH), cysteine, ROS, and coenzyme Q10 concentrations, and the muscle proteome, in seven maximally exercising Thoroughbred horses using a placebo and randomized cross-over design. Gluteal muscle biopsies were obtained the day before and 1 h after maximal exercise. Concentrations of GSH, cysteine, coenzyme Q10, and ROS were measured, and citrate synthase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities analyzed. GSH increased significantly 1 h post-exercise in the NACQ group (p = 0.022), whereas other antioxidant concentrations/activities were unchanged. TMT proteomic analysis revealed 40 differentially expressed proteins with NACQ out of 387 identified, including upregulation of 13 mitochondrial proteins (TCA cycle and NADPH production), 4 Z-disc proteins, and down regulation of 9 glycolytic proteins. NACQ supplementation significantly impacted muscle redox capacity after intense exercise by enhancing muscle glutathione concentrations and increasing expression of proteins involved in the uptake of glutathione into mitochondria and the NAPDH-associated reduction of oxidized glutathione, without any evident detrimental effects on performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa L. Henry
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (D.V.-I.); (L.S.); (J.G.); (S.J.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Deborah Velez-Irizarry
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (D.V.-I.); (L.S.); (J.G.); (S.J.V.)
| | - Joe D. Pagan
- Kentucky Equine Research, Versailles, KY 40383, USA;
| | - Lorraine Sordillo
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (D.V.-I.); (L.S.); (J.G.); (S.J.V.)
| | - Jeff Gandy
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (D.V.-I.); (L.S.); (J.G.); (S.J.V.)
| | - Stephanie J. Valberg
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (D.V.-I.); (L.S.); (J.G.); (S.J.V.)
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9
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Pedre B, Barayeu U, Ezeriņa D, Dick TP. The mechanism of action of N-acetylcysteine (NAC): The emerging role of H 2S and sulfane sulfur species. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 228:107916. [PMID: 34171332 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Initially adopted as a mucolytic about 60 years ago, the cysteine prodrug N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the standard of care to treat paracetamol intoxication, and is included on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. Additionally, NAC increasingly became the epitome of an "antioxidant". Arguably, it is the most widely used "antioxidant" in experimental cell and animal biology, as well as clinical studies. Most investigators use and test NAC with the idea that it prevents or attenuates oxidative stress. Conventionally, it is assumed that NAC acts as (i) a reductant of disulfide bonds, (ii) a scavenger of reactive oxygen species and/or (iii) a precursor for glutathione biosynthesis. While these mechanisms may apply under specific circumstances, they cannot be generalized to explain the effects of NAC in a majority of settings and situations. In most cases the mechanism of action has remained unclear and untested. In this review, we discuss the validity of conventional assumptions and the scope of a newly discovered mechanism of action, namely the conversion of NAC into hydrogen sulfide and sulfane sulfur species. The antioxidative and cytoprotective activities of per- and polysulfides may explain many of the effects that have previously been ascribed to NAC or NAC-derived glutathione.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandán Pedre
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uladzimir Barayeu
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daria Ezeriņa
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias P Dick
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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10
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Poe FL, Corn J. N-Acetylcysteine: A potential therapeutic agent for SARS-CoV-2. Med Hypotheses 2020; 143:109862. [PMID: 32504923 PMCID: PMC7261085 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to spread across the globe. Predisposing factors such as age, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and lowered immune function increase the risk of disease severity. T cell exhaustion, high viral load, and high levels of TNF-ɑ, IL1β, IL6, IL10 have been associated with severe SARS-CoV-2. Cytokine and antigen overstimulation are potentially responsible for poor humoral response to the virus. Lower cellular redox status, which leads to pro-inflammatory states mediated by TNF-ɑ is also potentially implicated. In vivo, in vitro, and human clinical trials have demonstrated N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as an effective method of improving redox status, especially when under oxidative stress. In human clinical trials, NAC has been used to replenish glutathione stores and increase the proliferative response of T cells. NAC has also been shown to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway (IL1β and IL18) in vitro, and decrease plasma TNF-ɑ in human clinical trials. Mediation of the viral load could occur through NAC's ability to increase cellular redox status via maximizing the rate limiting step of glutathione synthesis, and thereby potentially decreasing the effects of virally induced oxidative stress and cell death. We hypothesize that NAC could act as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of COVID-19 through a variety of potential mechanisms, including increasing glutathione, improving T cell response, and modulating inflammation. In this article, we present evidence to support the use of NAC as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis L Poe
- Whole Systems Research Institute, 1020 SW Taylor St Ste. 340, Portland, OR 97239, United States.
| | - Joshua Corn
- Whole Systems Research Institute, 1020 SW Taylor St Ste. 340, Portland, OR 97239, United States
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11
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Shi T, Wu L, Ma W, Ju L, Bai M, Chen X, Liu S, Yang X, Shi J. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2020; 2020:8749564. [PMID: 31998400 PMCID: PMC6969649 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8749564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is one of the most important causes of liver disease worldwide and probably destined to become the leading cause of end-stage liver disease in the coming decades, affecting both adults and children. Faced with the severe challenges for the prevention and control of NAFLD, this article discusses the understanding and mechanism of NAFLD from Chinese and Western medicine. Moreover, the progress regarding its treatment in both Chinese and Western medicine is also summarized. Both Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their own characteristics and clinical efficacy advantages in treating diseases. The purpose of this article is to hope that Chinese and Western medicine have complementary advantages, complementing each other to improve clinical NAFLD therapy prevention and treatment methods to receive more and more attention throughout the global medical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Shi
- The Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Wu
- Center of Clinical Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenjun Ma
- The Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liping Ju
- The Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minghui Bai
- The Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- The Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shourong Liu
- The Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xingxin Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1076 Yuhua Road, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Junping Shi
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Womersley JS, Townsend DM, Kalivas PW, Uys JD. Targeting redox regulation to treat substance use disorder using N‐acetylcysteine. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 50:2538-2551. [PMID: 30144182 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by transitioning from acute drug reward to compulsive drug use. Despite the heavy personal and societal burden of SUDs, current treatments are limited and unsatisfactory. For this reason, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying addiction is required. Altered redox status, primarily due to drug-induced increases in dopamine metabolism, is a unifying feature of abused substances. In recent years, knowledge of the effects of oxidative stress in the nervous system has evolved from strictly neurotoxic to include a more nuanced role in redox-sensitive signaling. More specifically, S-glutathionylation, a redox-sensitive post-translational modification, has been suggested to influence the response to drugs of abuse. In this review we will examine the evidence for redox-mediating drugs as therapeutic tools focusing on N-acetylcysteine as a treatment for cocaine addiction. We will conclude by suggesting future research directions that may further advance this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline S Womersley
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, 409 Drug Discovery Building, 70 President Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Danyelle M Townsend
- Department of Drug Discover and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Peter W Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Joachim D Uys
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, 409 Drug Discovery Building, 70 President Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
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13
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Aldini G, Altomare A, Baron G, Vistoli G, Carini M, Borsani L, Sergio F. N-Acetylcysteine as an antioxidant and disulphide breaking agent: the reasons why. Free Radic Res 2018; 52:751-762. [PMID: 29742938 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2018.1468564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 433] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The main molecular mechanisms explaining the well-established antioxidant and reducing activity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the N-acetyl derivative of the natural amino acid l-cysteine, are summarised and critically reviewed. The antioxidant effect is due to the ability of NAC to act as a reduced glutathione (GSH) precursor; GSH is a well-known direct antioxidant and a substrate of several antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, in some conditions where a significant depletion of endogenous Cys and GSH occurs, NAC can act as a direct antioxidant for some oxidant species such as NO2 and HOX. The antioxidant activity of NAC could also be due to its effect in breaking thiolated proteins, thus releasing free thiols as well as reduced proteins, which in some cases, such as for mercaptoalbumin, have important direct antioxidant activity. As well as being involved in the antioxidant mechanism, the disulphide breaking activity of NAC also explains its mucolytic activity which is due to its effect in reducing heavily cross-linked mucus glycoproteins. Chemical features explaining the efficient disulphide breaking activity of NAC are also explained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Aldini
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Alessandra Altomare
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Giovanna Baron
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Giulio Vistoli
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Marina Carini
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Luisa Borsani
- b Global Medical Information, Zambon S.p.A. , Bresso , Italy
| | - Francesco Sergio
- c Global Respiratory Medical Affairs, Zambon S.p.A. , Bresso , Italy
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14
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Burini RC, Borges-Santos MD, Moreto F, Yu YM. Comparative effects of acute-methionine loading on the plasma sulfur-amino acids in NAC-supplemented HIV+ patients and healthy controls. Amino Acids 2018; 50:569-576. [PMID: 29392418 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-2538-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In this study, an acute overloading of methionine (MetLo) was used to investigate the trassulfuration pathway response comparing healthy controls and HIV+ patients under their usual diet and dietary N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) supplementation. MetLo (0.1 g Met/kg mass weight) was given after overnight fasting to 20 non-HIV+ control subjects (Co) and 12 HIV+ HAART-treated patients. Blood samples were taken before and after the MetLo in two different 7-day dietary situations, with NAC (1 g/day) or with their usual diet (UD). The amino acids (Met, Hcy, Cys, Tau, Ser, Glu and Gln) and GSH were determined by HPLC and their inflow rate into circulation (plasma) was estimated by the area under the curve (AUC). Under UD, the HIV+ had lower plasma GSH and amino acids (excepting Hcy) and higher oxidative stress (GSSG/GSH ratio), similar remethylation (RM: Me/Hcy + Ser ratio), transmethylation (TM; Hcy/Met ratio) and glutaminogenesis (Glu/Gln ratio), lower transsulfuration (TS: Cys/Hcy + Ser ratio) and Cys/Met ratio and, higher synthetic rates of glutathione (GG: GSH/Cys ratio) and Tau (TG: Tau/Cys ratio). NAC supplementation changed the HIV pattern by increasing RM above control, normalizing plasma Met and TS and, increasing plasma GSH and GG above controls. However, plasma Cys was kept always below controls probably, associatively to its higher consumption in GG (more GSSG than GSH) and TG. The failure of restoring normal Cys by MetLo, in addition to NAC, in HIV+ patients seems to be related to increased flux of Cys into GSH and Tau pathways, probably strengthening the cell-antioxidant capacity against the HIV progression (registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT00910442).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Carlos Burini
- Department of Public Health, Center for Nutritional and Physical Exercise Metabolism, School of Medicine, UNESP-Sao Paulo State University, Campus Botucatu, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Maria Doroteia Borges-Santos
- Department of Public Health, Center for Nutritional and Physical Exercise Metabolism, School of Medicine, UNESP-Sao Paulo State University, Campus Botucatu, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Moreto
- Department of Public Health, Center for Nutritional and Physical Exercise Metabolism, School of Medicine, UNESP-Sao Paulo State University, Campus Botucatu, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yong- Ming Yu
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Shriners Burns Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Stanisławska I, Witek B, Łyp M, Rochon-Szmejchel D, Wróbel A, Fronczyk W, Kamińska A, Kołątaj A, Załuski D. Effects of Glutathione on Hydrolytic Enzyme Activity in the Mouse Hepatocytes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1116:81-87. [PMID: 30267306 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2018_280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the effect of glutathione (GSH) on the activity of hydrolytic enzymes of lysosomal, microsomal, and cytosolic fractions was studied in the mouse hepatocytes. The experiments involved 30 Swiss male mice, divided into the experimental and control groups of 15 mice each. The former group received injections of 12 μL/g of GSH solution at a dose of 100 μg/g body weight, whereas the latter received 12 μL/g of physiological saline, all given intraperitoneally daily for 7 days. Then, fragments of liver tissue were collected from the euthanized animals and processed to obtain lysosomal, microsomal, and cytosolic fractions of hepatocytes. The activity of the following enzymes was investigated in vitro: β-glucuronidase, β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-hexosaminidase, lysosomal esterase and lipase, acid phosphatase, cathepsin D and L, leucine aminopeptidase, and alanine aminopeptidase. We found that GSH, administered in vivo in the mouse, in the main (73% cases), increased the in vitro activity of the majority enzymes abovementioned, although the effect was somehow variable, depending on the fraction of hepatocytes and the type of enzyme. The findings imply that GSH supplementation may intensify the rate of cellular hydrolytic degradation, i.e., the rate of disposal by the cell of unwanted materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bożena Witek
- Department of Animal Physiology, The Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
| | - Marek Łyp
- Department of Dietetics, College of Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland.
| | | | | | - Wojciech Fronczyk
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| | | | - Adam Kołątaj
- Department of Dietetics, College of Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Załuski
- Department of Pharmacognosy, The Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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16
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Nance E, Kambhampati SP, Smith ES, Zhang Z, Zhang F, Singh S, Johnston MV, Kannan RM, Blue ME, Kannan S. Dendrimer-mediated delivery of N-acetyl cysteine to microglia in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. J Neuroinflammation 2017; 14:252. [PMID: 29258545 PMCID: PMC5735803 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-1004-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rett syndrome (RTT) is a pervasive developmental disorder that is progressive and has no effective cure. Immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and excess glutamate in the brain mediated by glial dysfunction have been implicated in the pathogenesis and worsening of symptoms of RTT. In this study, we investigated a new nanotherapeutic approach to target glia for attenuation of brain inflammation/injury both in vitro and in vivo using a Mecp2-null mouse model of Rett syndrome. Methods To determine whether inflammation and immune dysregulation were potential targets for dendrimer-based therapeutics in RTT, we assessed the immune response of primary glial cells from Mecp2-null and wild-type (WT) mice to LPS. Using dendrimers that intrinsically target activated microglia and astrocytes, we studied N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and dendrimer-conjugated N-acetyl cysteine (D-NAC) effects on inflammatory cytokines by PCR and multiplex assay in WT vs Mecp2-null glia. Since the cysteine-glutamate antiporter (Xc−) is upregulated in Mecp2-null glia when compared to WT, the role of Xc− in the uptake of NAC and l-cysteine into the cell was compared to that of D-NAC using BV2 cells in vitro. We then assessed the ability of D-NAC given systemically twice weekly to Mecp2-null mice to improve behavioral phenotype and lifespan. Results We demonstrated that the mixed glia derived from Mecp2-null mice have an exaggerated inflammatory and oxidative stress response to LPS stimulation when compared to WT glia. Expression of Xc− was significantly upregulated in the Mecp2-null glia when compared to WT and was further increased in the presence of LPS stimulation. Unlike NAC, D-NAC bypasses the Xc− for cell uptake, increasing intracellular GSH levels while preventing extracellular glutamate release and excitotoxicity. Systemically administered dendrimers were localized in microglia in Mecp2-null mice, but not in age-matched WT littermates. Treatment with D-NAC significantly improved behavioral outcomes in Mecp2-null mice, but not survival. Conclusions These results suggest that delivery of drugs using dendrimer nanodevices offers a potential strategy for targeting glia and modulating oxidative stress and immune responses in RTT. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-017-1004-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Nance
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.,Present address: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Siva P Kambhampati
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Smith
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Sarabdeep Singh
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Michael V Johnston
- Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rangaramanujam M Kannan
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Mary E Blue
- Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Sujatha Kannan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA. .,Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger, Inc., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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17
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Finamor I, Pérez S, Bressan CA, Brenner CE, Rius-Pérez S, Brittes PC, Cheiran G, Rocha MI, da Veiga M, Sastre J, Pavanato MA. Chronic aspartame intake causes changes in the trans-sulphuration pathway, glutathione depletion and liver damage in mice. Redox Biol 2017; 11:701-707. [PMID: 28187322 PMCID: PMC5300302 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2017.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
No-caloric sweeteners, such as aspartame, are widely used in various food and beverages to prevent the increasing rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus, acting as tools in helping control caloric intake. Aspartame is metabolized to phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol. Our aim was to study the effect of chronic administration of aspartame on glutathione redox status and on the trans-sulphuration pathway in mouse liver. Mice were divided into three groups: control; treated daily with aspartame for 90 days; and treated with aspartame plus N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Chronic administration of aspartame increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase activities and caused liver injury as well as marked decreased hepatic levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-GC), and most metabolites of the trans-sulphuration pathway, such as cysteine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). Aspartame also triggered a decrease in mRNA and protein levels of the catalytic subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLc) and cystathionine γ-lyase, and in protein levels of methionine adenosyltransferase 1A and 2A. N-acetylcysteine prevented the aspartame-induced liver injury and the increase in plasma ALT activity as well as the decrease in GSH, γ-GC, cysteine, SAM and SAH levels and GCLc protein levels. In conclusion, chronic administration of aspartame caused marked hepatic GSH depletion, which should be ascribed to GCLc down-regulation and decreased cysteine levels. Aspartame triggered blockade of the trans-sulphuration pathway at two steps, cystathionine γ-lyase and methionine adenosyltransferases. NAC restored glutathione levels as well as the impairment of the trans-sulphuration pathway. Aspartame down-regulates glutamate cysteine ligase and decreased cysteine levels. Aspartame blockades the trans-sulphuration pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Finamor
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador Pérez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Caroline A Bressan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carlos E Brenner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Sergio Rius-Pérez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Patricia C Brittes
- University Hospital of Santa Maria, Federal University of Santa Maria,, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Cheiran
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria I Rocha
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcelo da Veiga
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Juan Sastre
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria A Pavanato
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Reyes RC, Cittolin-Santos GF, Kim JE, Won SJ, Brennan-Minnella AM, Katz M, Glass GA, Swanson RA. Neuronal Glutathione Content and Antioxidant Capacity can be Normalized In Situ by N-acetyl Cysteine Concentrations Attained in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid. Neurotherapeutics 2016; 13:217-25. [PMID: 26572666 PMCID: PMC4720670 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-015-0404-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supports the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), an essential substrate for fast, enzymatically catalyzed oxidant scavenging and protein repair processes. NAC is entering clinical trials for adrenoleukodystrophy, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and other disorders in which oxidative stress may contribute to disease progression. However, these trials are hampered by uncertainty about the dose of NAC required to achieve biological effects in human brain. Here we describe an approach to this issue in which mice are used to establish the levels of NAC in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) required to affect brain neurons. NAC dosing in humans can then be calibrated to achieve these NAC levels in human CSF. The mice were treated with NAC over a range of doses, followed by assessments of neuronal GSH levels and neuronal antioxidant capacity in ex vivo brain slices. Neuronal GSH levels and antioxidant capacity were augmented at NAC doses that produced peak CSF NAC concentrations of ≥50 nM. Oral NAC administration to humans produced CSF concentrations of up to 10 μM, thus demonstrating that oral NAC administration can surpass the levels required for biological activity in brain. Variations of this approach may similarly facilitate and rationalize drug dosing for other agents targeting central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reno C Reyes
- Neurology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- The Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Giordano Fabricio Cittolin-Santos
- Neurology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- The Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Science Without Borders, CNPq, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Ji-Eun Kim
- Neurology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- The Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Seok Joon Won
- Neurology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- The Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Angela M Brennan-Minnella
- Neurology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- The Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Maya Katz
- Neurology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- The Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Graham A Glass
- Neurology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- The Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Raymond A Swanson
- Neurology Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA.
- The Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Kartha RV, Zhou J, Basso L, Schröder H, Orchard PJ, Cloyd J. Mechanisms of Antioxidant Induction with High-Dose N-Acetylcysteine in Childhood Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy. CNS Drugs 2015; 29:1041-7. [PMID: 26670322 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-015-0300-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD), a progressive demyelinating disease affecting school-aged boys, causes death within a few years. Oxidative stress is an important contributing factor. N-acetylcysteine (NAC; 280 mg/kg/day) added as adjunctive therapy to reduced-intensity hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) improves survival in advanced cases. However, the mechanisms underlying the benefits of NAC are unclear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to understand the mechanism of action of NAC in the setting of HCT in CCALD. METHODS Immunoassays were carried out to determine changes in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and ferritin expression in plasma samples collected from boys with CCALD at three different timepoints during the course of transplantation. In addition, the induction of HO-1 was also confirmed in normal fibroblasts following incubation with 10-100 µmol/L NAC for 4 h. RESULTS Following NAC therapy we observed an increase in expression of the antioxidants HO-1 (~4-fold) and its effector ferritin (~160-fold) in patient samples as compared with baseline. We also observed that NAC exposure significantly increased HO-1 expression in fibroblasts. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that HO-1 is a possible target protein of NAC and a mediator of its cytoprotective effects in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena V Kartha
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Orphan Drug Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,University of Minnesota, Room 4-214, McGuire Translational Research Facility, 2001-6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Orphan Drug Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lisa Basso
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Henning Schröder
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Paul J Orchard
- Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - James Cloyd
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Orphan Drug Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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20
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Zhou J, Coles LD, Kartha RV, Nash N, Mishra U, Lund TC, Cloyd JC. Intravenous Administration of Stable-Labeled N-Acetylcysteine Demonstrates an Indirect Mechanism for Boosting Glutathione and Improving Redox Status. J Pharm Sci 2015; 104:2619-26. [DOI: 10.1002/jps.24482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Kuyumcu A, Akyol A, Buyuktuncer Z, Ozmen MM, Besler HT. Improved oxidative status in major abdominal surgery patients after N-acetyl cystein supplementation. Nutr J 2015; 14:4. [PMID: 25559659 PMCID: PMC4320551 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-14-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increased levels of reactive oxygen species during and after surgery may affect inflammatory response, post-operative adhesion molecule formation, and hemodynamic stability. The glutathione redox cycle is an important regulator in oxidative stress and its reduced forms scavenge free radicals. N-acetyl cysteine, a precursor of reduced glutathione, is considered as a potentially therapeutic wide spectrum agent in clinical practice. We therefore examined whether N-acetyl cysteine improves some biochemical parameters in cancer patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Methods Thirty-three patients diagnosed with pancreas, stomach, rectum, colon malignancies, and undergoing major abdominal surgery at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital were randomly divided into two groups; control (CON) and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). The NAC group had 1,200 mg N-acetyl cysteine starting two days before the operation day, in addition to isonitrogenous and isocaloric total parenteral nutrition of 1.2 g/kg protein, 25 kcal/kg, and 60:40 carbohydrate/fat ratio. Blood and urine samples were drawn two days before the operation, on operation day, and on the first, third, and fifth days post-operation. Results Plasma malondialdehyde was significantly lower in the NAC group (P < 0.001). N-acetyl cysteine treatment did not affect plasma levels of vitamin A, C or E. The NAC group exhibited a higher ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidised glutathione (P = 0.019). Urinary nitrate level was also significantly lower in the NAC group (P = 0.016). Conclusion The study demonstrated the clinical importance of N-acetyl cysteine supplementation on antioxidant parameters in abdominal surgery patients. In these patients N-acetyl cysteine and vitamin administration can be considered as an effective method for improvement of oxidative status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Halit Tanju Besler
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
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Aug A, Altraja A, Altraja S, Laaniste L, Mahlapuu R, Soomets U, Kilk K. Alterations of bronchial epithelial metabolome by cigarette smoke are reversible by an antioxidant, O-methyl-L-tyrosinyl-γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2014; 51:586-94. [PMID: 24810251 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2013-0377oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) have first-line contact with harmful substances during smoking, and changes in their metabolism most likely represent a defining factor in coping with the stress and development of airway diseases. This study was designed to determine the dynamics of metabolome changes in HBECs treated with cigarette smoke condensate (CSC), and to test whether normal metabolism can be restored by synthetic antioxidants. Principal component analysis, based on untargeted mass spectra, indicated that treatment of CSC-exposed HBECs with O-methyl-L-tyrosinyl-γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine (UPF1) acted faster than did N-acetylcysteine to revert the effect of CSC. The maximum effect of 10 μg/ml CSC itself on HBEC cell line, BEAS-2B, metabolism was seen at 2 hours after treatment, with return to the baseline level by 7 hours. In primary HBECs, the initial maximum effect was seen at 1 hour after CSC exposure. Certain metabolites associated with redox pathways and energy production were affected by CSC. Subsequent restoration of their content by UPF1 supports the hypothetical protective capacity of UPF1 against the oxidative stress and increased energy demand, respectively. Furthermore, UPF1 up-regulated the contents of phospholipid species identified as phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines in the CSC-exposed HBECs, indicating possible suppression of inflammatory processes along with an increase in spermidine as an endogenous cytoprotector. In conclusion, with this dynamic metabolomics study, we characterize the durability of the CSC-induced metabolic changes in BEAS-2B line cells and primary HBECs, and demonstrate the ability of UPF1 to significantly accelerate the recovery of HBECs from CSC insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argo Aug
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, the Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, Tartu, Estonia
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Samuni Y, Goldstein S, Dean OM, Berk M. The chemistry and biological activities of N-acetylcysteine. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2013; 1830:4117-29. [PMID: 23618697 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 544] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been in clinical practice for several decades. It has been used as a mucolytic agent and for the treatment of numerous disorders including paracetamol intoxication, doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, ischemia-reperfusion cardiac injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchitis, chemotherapy-induced toxicity, HIV/AIDS, heavy metal toxicity and psychiatric disorders. SCOPE OF REVIEW The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic and clinical applications of NAC are complex and still unclear. The present review is focused on the chemistry of NAC and its interactions and functions at the organ, tissue and cellular levels in an attempt to bridge the gap between its recognized biological activities and chemistry. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The antioxidative activity of NAC as of other thiols can be attributed to its fast reactions with OH, NO2, CO3(-) and thiyl radicals as well as to restitution of impaired targets in vital cellular components. NAC reacts relatively slowly with superoxide, hydrogen-peroxide and peroxynitrite, which cast some doubt on the importance of these reactions under physiological conditions. The uniqueness of NAC is most probably due to efficient reduction of disulfide bonds in proteins thus altering their structures and disrupting their ligand bonding, competition with larger reducing molecules in sterically less accessible spaces, and serving as a precursor of cysteine for GSH synthesis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The outlined reactions only partially explain the diverse biological effects of NAC, and further studies are required for determining its ability to cross the cell membrane and the blood-brain barrier as well as elucidating its reactions with components of cell signaling pathways.
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