N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an aminothiol and synthetic precursor of intracellular cysteine and GSH, has been used for many years in Europe as a mucolytic drug. Clinically, it is a safe agent without major side effects and has been considered to have a place in cancer prevention, too.

Dec 1, 2021 · The second step is catalyzed by GSH synthase (GS), which incorporates L-glycine (L-Gly) to form the final GSH tripeptide. As L-Cys typically is the limiting substrate, supplementation with L-Cys (directly or through NAC) can restore GSH levels when depleted.

We compared a new sublingual GSH with NAC and oral GSH on oxidative stress markers. • On a 3-weeks period, sublingual GSH improved the GSH/GSSG ratio. • Sublingual GSH significantly increased plasmatic vitamin E levels in subjects. • The sublingual form of GSH showed superior effects over NAC and oral GSH. 1. Introduction

NAC enhances GSH levels through a direct or indirect mechanism enhancing the detoxication of H 2 O 2 and lipid peroxides described above. NAC also inhibits iron/heme catalyzed oxidations (ferroptosis), preventing the formation of more potent oxidants.

Jan 8, 2024 · You wonder what the difference is between glutathione and NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine), two popular antioxidant supplements. While closely related, they have distinct differences and aren't necessarily interchangeable for supplementation purposes—learn all you need to know in this article.

NAC is a synthetic SH-group containing the N-acetyl derivative of the naturally occurring amino acid L-cysteine. It is the main substrate for the production of a potent antioxidant glutathione (GSH). After entering the cell, NAC is rapidly hydrolyzed into cysteine which is utilized for the synthesis of GSH . Figure 1.

May 9, 2018 · The effect of NAC on acetaminophen poisoning is a result of the action of NAC in replenishing hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH), which is the main endogenous nucleophilic peptide that reacts with and neutralises electrophilic and hence damaging molecules such as N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), the electrophilic metabolite of ...

Mar 14, 2025 · NAC enhances GSH synthesis by supplying cysteine, the rate-limiting precursor, which is crucial for maintaining redox balance and preventing oxidative liver damage. Research has shown that NAC supplementation significantly …

N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) has long been used therapeutically for the treatment of acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose, acting as a precursor for the substrate (l-cysteine) in synthesis of hepatic glutathione (GSH) depleted through drug conjugation.

The antioxidant effect is due to the ability of NAC to act as a reduced glutathione (GSH) precursor; GSH is a well-known direct antioxidant and a substrate of several antioxidant enzymes.