Immunomodulation with DiNAC-- a new approach to the treatment of atherosclerosis?
Not all antioxidants reduce atherosclerosis. This may be because atherosclerosis has an autoimmune, inflammatory pathogenesis. As probucol is both an antioxidant and an immunomodulatory drug, it may be the immunomodulatory effect that underlies its ability to reduce atherosclerosis. N,N-Diacetyl-L-cystine is not an antioxidant but is immunomodulatory. In the Watanabe-heritable hyperlipidaemic rabbit model of familial hypercholesterolaemia, N,N-diacetyl-L-cystine treatment does not lower lipid levels but it does reduce atherosclerosis. Immunomodulation may be a new approach to the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Doggrell
Sheila A
SA
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. s_doggrell@yahoo.com
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003553:Cystine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010636:Phenols / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011341:Probucol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003553:Cystine; D010636:Phenols; D011341:Probucol; C404203:4,4'-bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; C071022:MDL 29311; C056709:N,N-diacetylcystine