Treatment of obstructive airway disease with a cysteine donor protein supplement: a case report.
Oxidant/antioxidant imbalance can occur in obstructive airways disease as a result of ongoing inflammation. Glutathione (GSH) plays a major role in pulmonary antioxidant protection. As an alternative or complement to anti-inflammatory therapy, augmenting antioxidant protection could diminish the effects of inflammation. We describe a case of a patient who had obstructive lung disease responsive to corticosteroids, and low whole blood GSH levels. After 1 month of supplementation with a whey-based oral supplement designed to provide GSH precursors, whole blood GSH levels and pulmonary function increased significantly and dramatically. The potential for such supplementation in pulmonary inflammatory conditions deserves further study.
Lothian
B
B
Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Health Centre-Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Grey
V
V
Kimoff
R J
RJ
Lands
L C
LC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003545:Cysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D005978:Glutathione / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D000975:Antioxidants; D008894:Milk Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D005978:Glutathione; D003545:Cysteine