Pediatr. praxi. 2014;15(5):313-315 [Prakt. lékáren. 2014; 10(5): 171-173]

The role of N-acetylcysteine as a therapeutic substance in paediatrics

MUDr.Jiří Slíva, Ph.D.
Ústavy farmakologie 2. a 3. LF UK, Praha

N-acetylcysteine belongs to commonly used drugs from expectorants. Its mechanism of action is not based on the modified mucus

formation and/or its structure in airways only, however, it possesses also antioxidant or immunomodulatory properties. These activities

are discussed here in the context of its current therapeutic use with a special focus on paediatric population.

Keywords: expectorants, cough, N-acetylcysteine, NAC, cystic fibrosis

Published: October 25, 2014  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Slíva J. The role of N-acetylcysteine as a therapeutic substance in paediatrics. Pediatr. praxi. 2014;15(5):313-315.
Download citation

References

  1. Sheffner AL, Medler EM, Jacobs LW, Sarett HP. The in vitro reduction in viscosity of human tracheobronchial secretions by acetylcysteine. Am.Rev.Respir.Dis. 1964; 90: 721-729. Go to PubMed...
  2. Hurst GA, Shaw PB, LeMaistre CA. Laboratory and clinical evaluation of the mucolytic properties of acetylcysteine. Am.Rev.Respir.Dis. 1967; 96: 962-970. Go to PubMed...
  3. Hirsch SR, Zastrow JE, Kory RC. Sputum liquefying agents: a comparative in vitro evaluation. J Lab Clin Med 1969; 74: 346-353.
  4. Henderson A, Hayes P. Acetylcysteine as a cytoprotective antioxidant in patients with severe sepsis: potential new use for an old drug. Ann.Pharmacother. 1994; 28: 1086-1088. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  5. Seagrave J, Albrecht HH, Hill DB, Rogers DF, Solomon G. Effects of guaifenesin, N-acetylcysteine, and ambroxol on MUC5AC and mucociliary transport in primary differentiated human tracheal-bronchial cells. Respir.Res. 2012; 13: 98. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  6. Eklund A, Eriksson O, Hakansson L, et al. Oral N-acetylcysteine reduces selected humoral markers of inflammatory cell activity in BAL fluid from healthy smokers: correlation to effects on cellular variables. Eur Respir.J 1988; 1: 832-838. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  7. Dean O, Giorlando F, Berk M. N-acetylcysteine in psychiatry: current therapeutic evidence and potential mechanisms of action. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2011; 36: 78-86. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  8. Zhao T, Liu Y. N-acetylcysteine inhibit biofilms produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BMC.Microbiol. 2010; 10: 140. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  9. Morris D, Khurasany M, Nguyen T, et al. Glutathione and infection. Biochim.Biophys.Acta 2013; 1830: 3329-3349. Go to original source...
  10. Morris D, Guerra C, Khurasany M, et al. Glutathione supplementation improves macrophage functions in HIV. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2013; 33: 270-279. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  11. Boman G, Backer U, Larsson S, Melander B, Wahlander L. Oral acetylcysteine reduces exacerbation rate in chronic bronchitis: report of a trial organized by the Swedish Society for Pulmonary Diseases. Eur J Respir.Dis. 1983; 64: 405-415. Go to PubMed...
  12. Rasmussen JB, Glennow C. Reduction in days of illness after long-term treatment with N-acetylcysteine controlled-release tablets in patients with chronic bronchitis. Eur Respir.J 1988; 1: 351-355. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  13. Poole P, Black PN, Cates CJ. Mucolytic agents for chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2012; 8: CD001287. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  14. De FS, Grassi C, Carati L. Attenuation of influenza-like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment. Eur Respir.J 1997; 10: 1535-1541. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  15. Ellouze O, Frikha N, Ouerghi S, Mestiri T, Salah Ben AM. [N-acetylcysteine in septic shock]. Tunis Med 2011; 89: 738-744. Go to PubMed...
  16. Rank N, Michel C, Haertel C, et al. N-acetylcysteine increases liver blood flow and improves liver function in septic shock patients: results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Crit Care Med 2000; 28: 3799-3807. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  17. Rundback JH, Nahl D, Yoo V. Contrast-induced nephropathy. J Vasc.Surg. 2011; 54: 575-579. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  18. Bavarsad SR, Harrigan MR, Alexandrov AV. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in neurological disorders: mechanisms of action and therapeutic opportunities. Brain Behav. 2014; 4: 108-122. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  19. Biscatti G, Bruschelli M, Damonte G, Capozzi F. [Controlled studies of the clinical effects of acetylcysteine in oral administration in respiratory infections in pediatrics]. Minerva Pediatr. 1972; 24: 1075-1084. Go to PubMed...
  20. Ribeiro TM, Cunha LG, Santos M, Frenkiel S. Treatment of bronchial diseases in pediatrics. results of the use of oral acetylcysteine in 80 cases. Eur J Respir.Dis.Suppl 1980; 111: 136-138. Go to PubMed...
  21. Verstraeten JM. Mucolytic treatment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Double-blind comparative clinical trial with N-acetylcysteine, bromhexine and placebo. Acta Tuberc.Pneumol.Belg. 1979; 70: 71-80. Go to PubMed...
  22. Chalumeau M, Duijvestijn YC. Acetylcysteine and carbocysteine for acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections in paediatric patients without chronic broncho-pulmonary disease. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2013; 5: CD003124. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  23. Mallet P, Mourdi N, Dubus JC, et al. Respiratory paradoxical adverse drug reactions associated with acetylcysteine and carbocysteine systemic use in paediatric patients: a national survey. PLoS.One. 2011; 6: e22792. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  24. Duijvestijn YC, Brand PL. Systematic review of N-acetylcysteine in cystic fibrosis. Acta Paediatr. 1999; 88: 38-41. Go to original source...
  25. App EM, Baran D, Dab I et al. Dose-finding and 24-h monitoring for efficacy and safety of aerosolized Nacystelyn in cystic fibrosis. Eur Respir.J 2002; 19: 294-302. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  26. Tirouvanziam R, Conrad CK, Bottiglieri T, Herzenberg LA, Moss RB, Herzenberg LA. High-dose oral N-acetylcysteine, a glutathione prodrug, modulates inflammation in cystic fibrosis. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A 2006; 103: 4628-4633. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...




Pediatrics for Practice

Madam, Sir,
please be aware that the website on which you intend to enter, not the general public because it contains technical information about medicines, including advertisements relating to medicinal products. This information and communication professionals are solely under §2 of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. Is active persons authorized to prescribe or supply (hereinafter expert).
Take note that if you are not an expert, you run the risk of danger to their health or the health of other persons, if you the obtained information improperly understood or interpreted, and especially advertising which may be part of this site, or whether you used it for self-diagnosis or medical treatment, whether in relation to each other in person or in relation to others.

I declare:

  1. that I have met the above instruction
  2. I'm an expert within the meaning of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. the regulation of advertising, as amended, and I am aware of the risks that would be a person other than the expert input to these sites exhibited


No

Yes

If your statement is not true, please be aware
that brings the risk of danger to their health or the health of others.