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Old 08-13-2003, 11:29 AM   #1
YellowJacket
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N-acetyl Cysteine Profile
Also known as Acetylcysteine, NAC
By YellowJacket


N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a very intriguing and underrated supplement. When one thinks of protecting his or her liver from 17-alpha alkylated steroids, alpha lipoic acid (ala) or milk thistle (silymarin) comes to mind, but NAC is possibly more beneficial than either of these liver aids. NAC is derived from the amino acid L-Cysteine and a precursor to Glutathione. NAC is metabolized into glutathione upon entry to the body. Glutathione is a protein found within cells and acts as the 'captain' of the body's antioxidant army. Glutathione hunts down free radicals and neutralizes their harmful effects. Glutathione also acts as a detoxifier and has the ability to alter chemical structures so they become neutral or less harmful. Glutathione is capable of removing any excess of heavy metals like mercury and lead, thus promoting a healthier liver.
NAC and its myriad uses go beyond liver protection and antioxidant capabilites. NAC isomer can act as a radioprotectant against many aspects of oxidative damage (1). NAC has been used in emergency rooms for sometime to counteract posion ingestion, especially arsenic poisoning in humans. In this study, a 32- year old male had ingested 900mgs of arsenic in attempts to take his life, but N-acetylcysteine intravenously had been given and the man was discharged 24 hours later (2). NAC in high oral doses is used to prevent and treat Influenza infection and is used in even higher doses to boost the immune system of those who live with Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Lack of GSH and electrophilic/oxidative injury have been identified among the causes of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (3). HIV-infected persons at all stages of the disease were found to have decreased plasma cystine and cysteine concentrations and decreased intracellular glutathione levels (4). The use in treatment of AIDS patients are particularly interesting and seems to be a staple in all treatment regimens for its immune boosting effects. L-Glutamine is often used in treatment and supplemented by those with AIDS to boost immune function. NAC seems to have been lost in importance by those who weight train and participate in endurance activities.
NAC is also effective in fighting tumor formation and growth. In one study, NAC treatment decreased the weight of a locally formed primary tumor and produced a dose-related delay in tumor formation (5). Although dose amounts were given, the NAC was taken orally.
NAC is also used to fight the harmful effects of tobacco on the cell. It was showed that cigarette smoke reduces cell deformability, increasing the difficulty experienced by the larger neutrophils in negotiating the smaller capillary segments, so delaying their passage during smoking. This effect is both diminished and recoverable by the addition of plasma, and by GSH in concentrations found in plasma. (6)
For liver protection and anti-oxidant purposes, a dose of 600mg can be used daily and works well in conjunction with milk thistle as a preventitive measure. There are no known contraindications or drug interactions with NAC.



(1) Free Radic Biol Med. 2003 Mar 15;34(6):689-95. Antioxidant role of N-acetyl cysteine isomers following high dose irradiation. Neal R, Matthews RH, Lutz P, Ercal N. Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri.

(2) Martin D, Willis S, Cline D. N-Acetylcysteine In The Treatment Of Human Arsenic Poisoning. J Am Board Fam Pract 3:293-296;1990

(3) Ruffmann R Wendel A. GSH rescue by N-acetylcysteine.
In: Klin Wochenschr (1991 Nov 15) 69(18):857-62

(4)Droge W. Cysteine and glutathione deficiency in AIDS patients: a rationale for the treatment with N-acetyl-cysteine.
In: Pharmacology (1993) 46(2):61-5

(5) De Flora S. Inhibition of invasion, gelatinase activity, tumor take and metastasis of malignant cells by N-acetylcysteine.
In: Int J Cancer (1995 Mar 29) 61(1):121-9

(6) MacNee W Bridgeman MM Marsden M Drost E Lannan S Selby C Donaldson K. The effects of N-acetylcysteine and glutathione on smoke-induced changes in lung phagocytes and epithelial cells.
In: Am J Med (1991 Sep 30) 91(3C):60S-66S
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Old 08-14-2003, 08:34 AM   #2
grafix-gnc
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good read
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Old 08-14-2003, 11:57 AM   #3
bmz72
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yes// very good reading///^^BUMP again, YJ
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