N-Acetyl Cysteine - 120 capsules

Cigarette smoke contains oxidants as well as several precarcinogens. Metabolism of carcinogens and the steps of carcinogenesis are a balance between forces such as metabolic activation and detoxification, formation and scavenging of radicals and DNA damage and repair. This suggests that carcinogenic compounds can initiate tumor growth only when they saturate detoxification pathways. Glutathione plays a role in the detoxification of xenobiotics. N-acetylcysteine which is an amino thiol and precursor of intracellular cysteine and glutathione has been shown not only to be an efficient antidote in acetaminophen poisoning but also has important chemopreventive properties.

N-acetylcysteine appears to exert its chemopreventive effects by multiple mechanisms and may provide protection against different mutagens and carcinogens in different stages of carcinogenesis. N-acetylcysteine has reached the Phase III trial stage in chemoprevention in Europe and has been used in clinical practice for more than 30 years. In large groups of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease N- acetylcysteine has turned out to be a safe agent with minor effects even when prescribed for a prolonged period of time. N- acetylcysteine is well tolerated when taken continuously in a dose of 600 mg per day. Dyspepsia has been reported as a mild side effect. N-acetylcysteine holds promise and it may turn out to be effective in preventing secondary tumors. It may have a wider use in chemopreventive purposes.

22777 "N-Acetylcysteine for Lung Cancer Prevention", Van Zandwijk, Nico Chest, May 1995;107(5):1437-1441. (Address: Nico Van Zandwijk, M.D., Ph.D., The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

N-acetylcysteine May Induce Ovulation in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 
Keywords: POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME, PCOS, FERTILITY, OVULATION, N-acetylcysteine, N-acetyl cysteine, NAC, Clomid, Clomiphene Citrate

"N-Acetyl cysteine and clomiphene citrate for induction of ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome: a cross-over trial," Badawy A, State O, et al, Acta Obstet Gynecol Scanda, 2007; 86(2): 218-22. (Address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. E-mail: ambadawy@yahoo.com

Summary: In a study involving 573 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), supplementation with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in addition to the fertility drug, clomiphene citrate, was found to induce ovulation more effectively than treatment with clomiphene citrate alone. All of the subjects were treated with clomiphene citrate (50 mg tablets, twice a day) for one menstrual cycle, after which 470 of the subjects were treated with clomiphene citrate plus N-acetylcysteine (1,200 mg/day orally for 5 days starting on day 3 of the menstrual cycle) for another cycle. Results showed a significant improvement in ovulation after NAC was added to the treatment (52.1% versus 17.9%). The number of mature follicles was non-significantly greater in the NAC group compared to the clomiphene citrate alone group. Significant improvements in mean E2 levels (pg/ml) at the time of human chorionic gonadotropine injection, serum progesterone levels (ng/ml) on days 21-23 of the cycle, and endometrial thickness were found in women after receiving NAC. 11.5% of women in the NAC group became pregnant. 55.4% of the subjects were found to be insulin resistant, but no significant differences were found between insulin resistant subjects and non-insulin resistant subjects with regards to ovulation rate, number of follicles, serum E2 (pg/ml), serum progesterone (ng/ml), endometrial thickness (mm), or pregnancy rate. The authors of this study conclude that, "N-Acetyl cysteine is proved effective in inducing or augmenting ovulation in polycystic ovary patients."

Cocaine Desire May Be Reduced through Supplementation with N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

Keywords:
ADDICTION, COCAINE USE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, DRUG ADDICTION - N-acetylcysteine, NAC

Reference:
"Is cocaine desire reduced by N-acetylcysteine?" La Rowe SD, Myrick H, et al, Am J Psychiatry, 2007; 164(7): 1115-7. (Address: Steven D. LaRowe, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. E-mail: larowe@musc.edu ).

Summary:
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study involving 15 non-treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent subjects (8 women, 7 men; mean age: 37.4 years), supplementation with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was found to reduce desire for and interest in cocaine. Subjects - whose self-reported use of cocaine for the 90 days prior to the study was, on average, 38 days (out of the 90 days), and whose spending on cocaine was, on average, $95 per use day - were divided into 2 groups. For the first 3 day period (during which subjects were hospitalized), subjects in one group received N-acetylcysteine (4 doses of NAC 600 mg every 12 hours), while the other group received a placebo. This was followed by a 4 day washout period, after which the groups were crossed over to receive the other treatment for another 3 day hospitalization period. During each of the hospital stays, subjects completed a cue-reactivity procedure, in which they viewed various slides depicting cocaine and cocaine use, while psychophysical and subjective data were collected. Results showed that while taking NAC, subjects spent less time viewing the cocaine slides. Furthermore, they reported less desire to use cocaine and less interest in response to cocaine slides. These results are consistent with studies which have found that NAC has the ability to inhibit cocaine-seeking in cocaine-dependent rodents. The authors of this pilot study conclude, "In sum, the reduced subjective reports of desire to use and interest in cocaine indicate that N-acetylcysteine may be a promising new treatment and that cysteine-glutamate exchange may be a potential pharmacotherapeutic target for treating cocaine dependence." Additional research is warranted.

N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation Found to be Safe and Well Tolerated in Cocaine-Dependent Subjects

Keywords:
ADDICTION, DRUG USE, COCAINE DEPENDENCY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE - N-Acetylcysteine, NAC

Reference:
"An open-label trial of N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of cocaine dependence: a pilot study," Mardikian PN, LaRowe SD, et al, Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, 2007; 31(2): 389-94. (Address: Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. E-mail: mardikip@musc.edu ).

Summary:
In a pilot study involving 23 subjects with cocaine dependency, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplementation was found to be safe, well tolerated, and effective at reducing cocaine dependency. Subjects seen in an outpatient setting were treated with NAC at doses of 1,200 mg/d, 2,400 mg/d, and 3,600 mg/d, for a period of 4 weeks. All three doses were well tolerated. Supplementation with the higher doses of NAC (2400 mg/d and 3600 mg/d) was associated with greater retention, suggesting greater effectiveness of the higher doses. A significant reduction in cocaine use or a complete termination of cocaine use was found in the majority of the subjects (n=16) who completed the study. The authors conclude, "Overall the findings suggest that it is feasible to treat cocaine-dependent treatment seekers with N-acetylcysteine on an outpatient basis." The promising results of this pilot study warrant further research.