title: Molecular mechanisms of N-acetylcysteine actions.
abstract: Oxidative stress generated by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants contributes to the pathogenesis of arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular, liver and respiratory diseases. Proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors stimulate ROS production as signaling mediators. Antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have been used as tools for investigating the role of ROS in numerous biological and pathological processes. NAC inhibits activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38 MAP kinase and redox-sensitive activating protein-1 and nuclear factor kappa B transcription factor activities regulating expression of numerous genes. NAC can also prevent apoptosis and promote cell survival by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway, a concept useful for treating certain degenerative diseases. NAC directly modifies the activity of several proteins by its reducing activity. Despite its nonspecificity, ability to modify DNA and multiple molecular modes of action, NAC has therapeutic value for reducing endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, fibrosis, invasion, cartilage erosion, acetaminophen detoxification and transplant prolongation.
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Lab. K-5255 Mailloux, Hôpital Notre-Dame du CHUM, 1560 Sherbrooke est, Montréal, Québec H2L 4M1, Canada. Muhammad.Zafarullah@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zafarullah
authors.forename: W Q
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sylvester
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002470:Cell Survival; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D016328:NF-kappa B; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000111:Acetylcysteine