The Anti-oxidant Effects of N-Acetylcysteine in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2020-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition defined as a disease state
characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is
usually progressive and is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of lungs to
noxious particles or gases, primarily caused by cigarette smoking. The accelerated decline in
lung function is closely associated with an increased number of neutrophils in the sputum and
hence with higher level of airway inflammation. It becomes clear that the inflammatory
process potentiates as COPD progresses and exerts damage which is irreversible. Oxidative
stress is inextricably linked to the inflammatory response.
There is increasing evidence that an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, in favor of oxidants,
occurs in COPD.
NAC has been reported to reduce the viscosity of sputum in both cystic fibrosis and COPD,
facilitating the removal of pulmonary secretions. Moreover, by maintaining the airway
clearance, it prevents bacterial stimulation of mucin production and hence mucus
hypersecretion.
The superiority of NAC over the other mucolytics may be in its anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant properties and its mucolytic actions.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of treatment with NAC long on oxidative
stress marker change and also explore the effect of NAC to airway inflammatory, lung function
test and CAT scores. Selected oxidative stress marker was defined as 8 - isoprostane, protein
carbonyl, DNA damage.