title: The effect of N-acetyl-cysteine (Mucosolvin) on the transmural potential difference of the mucosa in children.
abstract: The mucosa of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract produces an active transepithelial (or transmural) electric potential difference (tpd), which can be measured (in millivolts, mV). In CF-children receiving oral N-acetyl-cysteine treatment, the tpd of the buccal mucosa is largely the same as that in non-CF-children; the tpd of the nasal mucosa is significantly higher in CF-children. Given orally, N-acetyl-cysteine also provokes a significant decrease in the rectal mucosa tpd in CF-children. We suggest the effect is caused either by an osmotic effect of N-acetyl-cysteine (local), and/or by alteration of the factors regulating basal electrolyte transport/conductance of epithelia (chloride secretion? leaky junction?).
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Ballke
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiersbitzky
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mahner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: König
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D000111:Acetylcysteine