Abstract
Exercise frequently alters the metabolic processes of oxidative metabolism in athletes, including exposure to extreme reactive oxygen species impairing exercise performance. Therefore, both researchers and athletes have been consistently investigating the possible strategies to improve metabolic adaptations to exercise-induced oxidative stress. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been applied as a therapeutic agent in treating many diseases in humans due to its precursory role in the production of hepatic glutathione, a natural antioxidant. Several studies have investigated NAC’s possible therapeutic role in oxidative metabolism and adaptive response to exercise in the athletic population. However, still conflicting questions regarding NAC supplementation need to be clarified. This narrative review aims to re-evaluate the metabolic effects of NAC on exercise-induced oxidative stress and adaptive response developed by athletes against the exercise, especially mitohormetic and sarcohormetic response.
Highlights
Exercise is defined as a complex challenge for the body’s adaptive mechanism and homeostatic balance [1]
We identified all studies on N-acetylcysteine, reactive oxygen species, and hormesis using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases by publication applied in human subjects, searching Mesh terms (“Acetylcysteine/adverse effects”(Mesh) OR
The NAC plus vitamin C group had higher lipid hydroperoxides and 8-Iso-PGF2a levels in plasma two days after exercise. These findings suggest that vitamin C and NAC supplementation triggers exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle cell damage
Summary
Exercise is defined as a complex challenge for the body’s adaptive mechanism and homeostatic balance [1]. Intensified or prolonged exercise training leads to an excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by exceeding the body’s endogenous antioxidant capacity, leading to inflammatory, oxidative, physiological, immunological, and neuroendocrinological disorders [4]. These disorders lead to a deterioration in sports performance and impari athletic success [1]. As ROS can be a highly compelling factor for sports performance and metabolic regulations [4], exogenous antioxidant supplementation has been extensively studied to investigate their effectiveness in maintaining redox homeostasis in states of exercise-induced oxidative stress in the athletic population [8,9,10,11]. Original articles (i.e., research papers and case reports) on N-acetylcysteine, reactive oxygen species, and hormesis were considered eligible for the review
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
