Mucus production and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a possible treatment target: zooming in on N-acetylcysteine
Mucus hypersecretion is a trait of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with poorer outcomes. As it may be present before airway obstruction, its early treatment may have a preventive role. This narrative review of the literature presents the role of mucus dysfunction in COPD, it...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
PAGEPress Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.monaldi-archives.org/macd/article/view/3159 |
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| Summary: | Mucus hypersecretion is a trait of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with poorer outcomes. As it may be present before airway obstruction, its early treatment may have a preventive role. This narrative review of the literature presents the role of mucus dysfunction in COPD, its pathophysiology, and the rationale for the use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). NAC can modify mucus rheology, improving clearance and reducing damage induced MUC5AC expression. It exerts a direct and indirect (glutathione replenishment) antioxidant mechanism; it interferes with inflammatory molecular pathways, including inhibition of nuclear factor-kB activation in epithelial airway cells and reduction in the expression of cytokine tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10. Some clinical experiences suggest that the adjunctive use of NAC may reduce symptoms and improve outcomes for patients with COPD. In conclusion, NAC may be a candidate drug for the early treatment of subjects at risk of COPD development.
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| ISSN: | 1122-0643 2532-5264 |