title: N-Acetylcysteine--a safe antidote for cysteine/glutathione deficiency.
abstract: Glutathione (GSH) deficiency is associated with numerous pathological conditions. Administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a cysteine prodrug, replenishes intracellular GSH levels. NAC, best known for its ability to counter acetaminophen toxicity, is a safe, well-tolerated antidote for cysteine/GSH deficiency. NAC has been used successfully to treat GSH deficiency in a wide range of infections, genetic defects and metabolic disorders, including HIV infection and COPD. Over two-thirds of 46 placebo-controlled clinical trials with orally administered NAC have indicated beneficial effects of NAC measured either as trial endpoints or as general measures of improvement in quality of life and well-being of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, B007 Beckman Center, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford University, CA 94305-5318, United States. atkuri@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Kondala R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Atkuri
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Herzenberg
authors.forename: Leonore A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Herzenberg
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003545:Cysteine / Q000172:deficiency*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005978:Glutathione / Q000172:deficiency*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D011355:Prodrugs; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D011355:Prodrugs; D000082:Acetaminophen; D005978:Glutathione; D003545:Cysteine; D000111:Acetylcysteine