Effect Of N-acetylcysteine Supplementation Research Articles

Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Semen Analysis, Hormonal Profile and Spontaneous Pregnancy Rate in Idiopathic Infertile Men: Before and After Clinical Trial

Objective: To compare sperm quality and quantity, hormonal profiles and spontaneous pregnancy rates before and after administering a 3 months course of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) Material and Methods: This prospective clinical trial was conducted at the Infertility Unit of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Thailand. The study period was from June 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. Subjects were idiopathic infertile males aged between 20 and 50 years old. All subjects received 600 mg of NAC orally per day. Semen analysis (SA) and male hormonal profiles (MHP; testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin) were performed before and three months after NAC administration. Demographic, clinical characters and laboratory change were recorded. Results: The 92 participants were recruited. The mean age of couples was 34.5 years old. The average duration of infertility was 3.6 years. Increase of semen volume (2.1 vs 2.4 ml, p < 0.001), semen concentration (30.5 vs 43.1 x 106/mL, p < 0.001), total motility (59.57 vs 72.38 %, p < 0.001), progressive motility (59 vs 69.8 %, p < 0.001), normozoospermia (60 vs 83 %, p < 0.001), testosterone (452.8 vs 479.0 ng/dL, p = 0.038), LH (4.6 vs 5.3 mIU/mL, p = 0.004) and FSH (4.4 vs 4.6 mIU/mL, p = 0.009) were observed after three months of NAC administration. No changes in sperm morphology and prolactin level. One-third (27/92) of each participant’s spouse conceived spontaneously. Conclusion: NAC potentially enhances male hormonal profiles, sperm quality and quantity with an impressive spontaneous pregnancy rate.

Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Expression of Apoptosis-Related Genes in Testicular Tissue of Rats Exposed to Lead.

Lead occupational exposure is now a main concern in the modern world. Lead is a non-biodegradable element with multi-devastating effects on different organs. Acute or chronic exposure to lead is reported to be one of the most important causes of infertility both in males and females basically by inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. The current study scrutinized the mitigating effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on lead toxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptotic/anti-apoptotic genes in the testis tissues of male rats. Rats were randomly divided into a control group (G1) and four study groups treated with single and continuous doses of lead with and without NAC administration. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were analyzed as oxidative stress biomarkers and the expression of apoptosis-related genes was studied using RT-PCR. Continuous exposure to lead caused a significant decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology (P < 0.001). Number of germinal cells, Leydig cells, spermatocytes, and the diameter of seminiferous tubule were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in G3 group. Continuous exposure to lead significantly decreased TAC content, but increased the levels of MDA and 8-OHdG (P < 0.001). Administration of continuous dose of lead dramatically increased expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Cytochrome-C, MMP2, and MMP9 genes in testicular tissue. NAC treatments not only improved morphological changes and sperm quality, but also enhanced antioxidant balance and modulated apoptosis process in testicular tissue of rats. Lead exposure strongly motivated testicular cells towards apoptosis, caused an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, and decreased sperm quality along with morphological changes in testis cells. NAC treatments was associated with protective effects on testicular tissue mainly by rebalancing of the antioxidants capacity, as well as downregulation of apoptosis-related genes.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine supplementation on disease activity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory and metabolic parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Considering the importance of inflammation and oxidative stress in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of NAC supplementation on disease activity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory and metabolic parameters in RA patients. In a randomized double-masked placebo-controlled trial, 74 RA subjects were chosen and randomly divided into two groups to take 600mg of NAC or placebo twice daily for 3months. Before and after the study, disease activity was assessed via disease activity score-28 (DAS-28), and serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, nitric oxide (NO), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. Seventy patients completed the trial. Compared to baseline, NAC significantly reduced morning stiffness (P < 0.001), DAS-28 (P < 0.001), ESR (P = 0.004), MDA (P < 0.001), NO (P < 0.001), hs-CRP (P = 0.006), FBS (P < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.023) and significantly increased GPx activity (P = 0.015) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level (P = 0.001). After treatment, remarkable differences were only seen between the two groups in serum NO (P = 0.003), FBS (P = 0.010), and HDL-C (P < 0.001) adjusted for baseline measures. There were no significant changes in morning stiffness, DAS-28, ESR, hs-CRP, MDA, TAC, GPx activity, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels compared to the placebo group. In conclusion, NAC did not improve RA disease activity, but reduced NO and FBS and increased HDL-C levels. It appears that NAC should not be consumed as a replacement for routine medications prescribed in RA therapy, but it can be used as an adjunctive therapy.

Protecting Effects of N-acetyl Cysteine Supplementation Against Lead and Cadmium-Induced Brain Toxicity in Rat Models

We aimed to investigate mitigating effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the oxidative stress, apoptosis and Parkinson's disease (PD)-related genes in the brain tissue of male rats exposed to continuous doses of cadmium and lead. Rats were randomly divided into five groups, including G1 (control), G2 (continuous dose of Cd), G3 (continuous dose of Pb), G4 (continuous dose of Cd + NAC), and G5 (continuous dose of Pb + NAC). Biomarkers of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Expression of PD- and apoptosis-related genes was considered using RT-PCR. Chronic exposure to these heavy metals was associated with accumulation of Pb and Cd in the brain and blood and caused severe morphological changes in the brain, as well as decreased body and brain weights. Continuous exposure to Cd and Pb significantly decreased TAC content and SOD expression but increased MDA level in the brain tissues (P < 0.001). A significant increase was observed in expression of PD-related genes, Parkin, Pink1, LRRK2, SNCA, and Caspase-3 in the brain tissues following exposure to Cd and Pb. Pb exhibited stronger toxicity on the brain tissue compared to Cd. NAC supplementation not only improved morphological changes, but also compensated antioxidant capacity and expression of apoptosis- and PD-related genes in the brain tissues when compared to rats exposed to Pb and Cd alone. Chronic exposure to Pb and Cd is strongly associated with accumulation of these heavy metals in the brain, morphological changes, antioxidants depletion, oxidative stress, and brain cells apoptosis. Changes in expression of PD-related genes indicate the higher risk of PD among individuals who are chronically exposed to these heavy metals. NAC can protect brain tissue against Pb and Cd toxicity by elevating antioxidants capacity, mitigating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and down-regulating of PD-related genes.

Effect of N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Oxidative Stress-Mediated Cryoinjury of Bone Marrow Derived-Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) transplantation was introduced as curative treatment for various diseases. Cryopreservation of HSCs is crucial for long term storage and maintenance of cellular quality; however, it has been reported that cryopreservation itself causes oxidative stress-driven apoptosis and cell loss. This study investigated impact of supplementing N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as antioxidant during cryopreservation on viability and oxidative stress in HSCs. HSCs were isolated from murine bone marrow, cultured in HSCs growth media and cryopreserved (1×106 cells per vial) together with 10% DMSO and NAC (0, 0.25, 0.5 or 2.0 μM) for 48 h, 2 weeks or 8 weeks at -196°C using controlled-rate-freezing technique. Cell viability and oxidative stress in cryopreserved cells were analysed at each time-point. Cell viability was significantly reduced (p<0.05) following cryopreservation as compared to pre-cryopreservation. NAC supplementation significantly increased cell viability (p<0.05) after 48 h cryopreservation at 0.5 μM and 2.0 μM and after 2 weeks cryopreservation at 0.25 μM compared to the controls. Cryopreservation significantly enhanced GSH level (p<0.05) and reduced MDA level (p<0.05) without affecting SOD activity and PC level in HSCs compared to pre-cryopreservation. NAC supplementation significantly increased GSH level at 0.25 μM in cryopreserved HSCs compared to control. In conclusion, NAC supplementation during cryopreservation showed potential in minimizing cryoinjury by promoting cell viability, increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative damage in HSCs, however these effects are influenced by both durations of cryopreservation and NAC concentration.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine supplementation on cellular damage and oxidative stress indicators in volleyball athletes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplementation on cellular damage and oxidative stress indicators in volleyball athletes. Twenty male volleyball athletes at national level performed a physical training session and were divided into 2 groups, which for 7 days took the placebo substance or NAC. After 7 days the athletes repeated the same training session. In both sessions, blood samples were collected 30 min before and immediately after the training session to measure cellular damage and oxidative stress markers. The main results show that, although higher concentrations of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were observed in post-session 1 than those in postsession 2, the other markers showed an increase in antioxidant action after supplementation of NAC, once the effect of experimental conditions (P=0.030) were observed in: time effect (P<0.001) and interaction (P=0.019) for total glutathione; time effect (P<0.001) and interaction (P<0.001) for reduced glutathione; and time effect (P<0.001) for ferric-reducing antioxidant potential. The oxidant action indicated by the protein carbonyl was higher in the placebo group than in the NAC group (P=0.028), but a time effect (P<0.001) for the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances showed lower values in presession 1 than in presession 2. For the cellular damage markers, antagonistic results between markers were found. Based in the results, the supplementation of NAC during a short period was effective in reducing oxidant action and increasing antioxidant action. However, conclusive alterations in the responses of the cellular damage markers were not obtained.

Effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine Supplementation on Blood Lead Levels in Pregnant Women Suffering from Pre-Eclampsia

Effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine Supplementation on Blood Lead Levels in Pregnant Women Suffering from Pre-Eclampsia

The effect of N-acetylcysteine supplementation on serum homocysteine levels and hepatic and renal oxidative stress in homocysteine thiolactone-treated rats

The effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (1 g/kg body weight/day) on serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels, insulin resistance (IR), and hepatic and renal prooxidant-antioxidant balance was evaluated in rats treated with homocysteine thiolactone (HcyT) (500 mg/kg body weight/day for 6 weeks). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined in the liver and kidney. HcyT elevated serum Hcy levels and caused IR, but liver and kidney function tests remained unchanged. HcyT increased ROS and MDA without any change in hepatic antioxidants, but it elevated renal SOD and GSH-Px activities. NAC decreased serum Hcy, hepatic and renal ROS and MDA levels, and renal SOD and GSH-Px activities in rats with high Hcy levels. However, it did not ameliorate IR. Our results indicate that NAC supplementation may be effective in decreasing Hcy levels and Hcy-induced hepatic and renal oxidative stress.

The Acute Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Repeat Sprint Performance in Recreationally Active Males

The Acute Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Repeat Sprint Performance in Recreationally Active Males

Oxidative stress after human exercise: effect of N-acetylcysteine supplementation

The association between exercise intensity and related oxidative stress was investigated in nine men who exercised for 30 min at their aerobic (AeT) and anaerobic (AnaeT) thresholds. We also tested the effect of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on exercise-associated rapid blood glutathione (GSH) oxidation in subjects performing two identical maximal bicycle ergometer exercise (Max) tests. Before the second test (Max with NAC supplementation [Max(NAC)]), the men took 200 x 4 mg/day of NAC tablets for 2 days and an additional 800 mg on the test morning. Blood samples were drawn before, immediately after, and 24 h after the tests. Total and oxidized GSH levels in blood were determined. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and net peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) were assayed. Exercise-associated damage in leukocyte DNA was estimated by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding. A single bout of exercise at Max, AeT, and AnaeT resulted in a significant increase in blood GSH oxidation but did not influence net PSC of plasma. Although an association between a single bout of exercise and leukocyte DNA damage was apparent, this study suggests that the parameter may not serve as a sensitive index to assess the role of exercise intensity in the extent of exercise-associated oxidative stress. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances did not change after either Max or Max(NAC) tests. NAC supplementation resulted in an increase in preexercise PSC, indicating a higher net antioxidant capacity of the plasma, but did not affect blood GSH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)