New NAC SCIENCE

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Today's column discusses new NAC science around matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity affecting corneal and ocular surface diseases, diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa.

 

Friday Pearls

N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) Update

August 09, 2012

A new fast track paper published in the July 2012 Nature Journal, Eye, suggests that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may lower elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity associated with ocular surface and corneal disease.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is a human enzyme encoded by the MMP9 gene.

Excessive amounts are associated with ocular surface disease including dry eye, as well as diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, arthritis, intracerebral hemmorrhage, metastasis and collagen degradation.

N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is the acetylated form of the amino acid L-Cysteine. It has been suggested in a large number of published scientific studies to rapidly metabolize to intracellular glutathione, the mother-of-all-antioxidants found inside every cell in the body, including the eye.

Glutathione is produced in the liver from three amino acids, cysteine, glutamic acid and glyceine, with cysteine being the major player. Very small amounts are found naturally in fruits and vegetables, but absorption rates of both natural and supplemental glutathione seem to be fairly low.

Dietary cysteine is primarily found in egg yolk, which probably put vegans who don't take supplemental NAC at risk.

A review published in the August 2009 American Family Physician suggests that NAC supplementation is linked to prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prevention of kidney damage during imaging procedures, attenuation of illness from the influenza virus, if started before infection. And, eradication of Helicobactoer pylori and hearing loss in patients on renal dialysis.

The long-proven ability of NAC to increase glutathione production is also particularly important during flu and cold season:

1. Evidence suggests that glutathione helps the body inhibit viral replication.

2. Adequate glutathione levels help to prevent unwanted mucus buildup in the lungs.

3. Double-masked research suggests that NAC supplementation lowers the risk of chronic bronchitis recurrences.

A recent study looked at NAC glutathione and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in an early model of diabetic retinopathy. The results show that plasma markers of oxidative stress and inflammation are minimized with NAC treatment. This suggests that early supplemental therapies can reduce free radical damage in the diabetic eye.

NAC and Alzheimer's

A study published in an August 2009 peer-reviewed journal on rats treated with aluminum to induce cognitive dysfunction similar to that of Alzheimer’s disease had promising results for those at genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study rats pre-treated with NAC maintained significantly improved memory retention during tasks, decreased oxidative damage and reduced acetyl-cholinesterase activity, which is the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that plays a key role in memory, learning and many other brain functions. The NAC untreated rats did not fair well at all.

NAC and Tylenol

NAC has been used in hospitals for years to treat liver damage caused by mostly excessive Tylenol (acetaminophen) intake. Even though Tylenol controls about 35% of the pain killer market in North America; acetaminophen overdose is responsible for more emergency room visits than any other medicine on the OTC market.

Has anyone ever thought of including NAC in Tylenol? Don’t jump on that one too fast!

NAC is more efficacious if taken as part of a full-spectrum vitamin/mineral/antioxidant multiple. It chelates heavy metals, including mercury, and it also increases the excretion of zinc, copper and other minerals if excessvie amounts are taken over an extended period of time. NAC should also always be taken with a host of vitamin and plant-based antioxidants to regenerate active glutathione and keep it from becoming a pro-oxidant.

Again, we come back to the importance of micronutrient synergy.

Ellen Troyer, MT MA

Biosyntrx Chief Research Officer

PEARL

The Biosyntrx full-spectrum multiples include N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC): Macula Complete includes 200 mg of NAC in each recommended daily dose. Oculair includes 100 mg of NAC in each recommended daily dose.

Have a fabulous Hot August Nights weekend.

Crestpoint Management, LTD instrument announcement:
Jones-Inamura Round Handle Capsulorhexis Forceps 2-2-716G-10R

References

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on matrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion and cell migration of human corneal epithelial cells. ramaesh T, Ramaesh K, Riley SC, et al. Eye. 2012 July 6. [abstract]

N-acetylcysteine promotes long-term survival of cones in a model of retinitis pigmentosa. Lee SY, Usui S, et al. J Cell Physiol. 2011 Jul; 266(7): 1843-9. [abstract]

Human preocular mucins reflect changes in ocular surface physiology. Berry M, Ellingham RB, Corfield AO. Br J Ophthalmol 2004 Mar; 88 (3): 3777-83 [abstract]

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on the early expression of inflammatory markers in the retina and plasma of diabetic rats. Tsai GY, Cui JZ, et al. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol 2009 Mar;37(2):223-31 [abstract]

N-acetylcysteine: multiple clinical applications. Millea PH. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Aug 1:80(3):265-9 [abstract]N-acetylcysteine Inhibits hyperglycemia-induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis Markers in Diabetic Neuropathy. Kamboj SS, Vasista RK, et al. J Neurochem 2009 Oct 15 [abstract]

N-acetylcysteine: multiple clinical applications: extracellular redos modulation by regulatory T cells. Yan Z, Garg SK, et al. Nat Chem Biol 2009 Oct;5 (10):721-3 [abstract]

Effect of N-acetyl cysteine against aluminum-induced cognitive dysfunction and oxidative damage in rats. Prakash A, Kumar A, Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2009 Aug;105(2): 98-104 [abstract]