Long-term treatment with oral N-acetylcysteine: Affects lung function but not sputum inflammation in cystic fibrosis subjects. A phase II randomized placebo-controlled trial
Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effects of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which replenishes systemic glutathione, on decreasing inflammation and improving lung function in CF airways. Methods A multicenter, randomized, double-blind proof of concept study in which 70 CF subjects received NAC or placeb...
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Published in | Journal of cystic fibrosis Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 219 - 227 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Netherlands
Elsevier B.V
01.03.2015
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effects of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which replenishes systemic glutathione, on decreasing inflammation and improving lung function in CF airways. Methods A multicenter, randomized, double-blind proof of concept study in which 70 CF subjects received NAC or placebo orally thrice daily for 24 weeks. Endpoints: primary, change in sputum human neutrophil elastase (HNE) activity; secondary, FEV1 and other clinical lung function measures; and safety, the safety and tolerability of NAC and the potential of NAC to promote pulmonary hypertension in subjects with CF. Results Lung function (FEV1 and FEF25–75% ) remained stable or increased slightly in the NAC group but decreased in the placebo group (p = 0.02 and 0.02). Log10 HNE activity remained equal between cohorts (difference 0.21, 95% CI − 0.07 to 0.48, p = 0.14). Conclusions NAC recipients maintained their lung function while placebo recipients declined (24 week FEV1 treatment effect = 150 mL, p < 0.02). However no effect on HNE activity and other selected biomarkers of neutrophilic inflammation were detected. Further studies on mechanism and clinical outcomes are warranted. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-News-2 ObjectType-Feature-3 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 1569-1993 1873-5010 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jcf.2014.08.008 |