Acetylcysteine: effects, benefits and Covid-19

Today we talk about acetylcysteine.

La recente ondata di maltempo che ha colpito l’Italia è stata accompagnata da un conseguente calo delle temperature. Insomma, l’inverno sembra essere arrivato e con esso iniziano a palesarsi anche i primi malanni di stagione. 

This is certainly not new. Each year, in fact, about 8% of the Italian population is affected by flu symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, stuffy nose and cough. And, like every year, the hunt for the right remedy has begun. 

Tuttavia, a complicare la situazione, la pandemia di Covid-19, che tuttora affligge la popolazione mondiale, rischia di generare allarmismo nei pazienti che riscontrano sintomi influenzali. 

This article aims to investigate the effects and benefits ofacetylcysteine, the mucolytic più conosciuto, anche in relazione al virus SARS-CoV-2, conosciuta soprattutto come Covid-19.

What is acetylcysteine?

L'Acetylcysteine (or NAC, acronym for N-Acetylcysteine) è un antiossidante con molte proprietà benefiche che viene spesso impiegato in molti prodotti per la cura di tosse e naso che cola.

There NAC è un derivato dell’amminoacido essenziale Cisteina, delle cui beneficial properties abbiamo già parlato in maniera approfondita in this article. There NAC it is in fact used for the treatment of numerous pathologies, such as paracetamol intoxication, which will not be treated here.

Questa volta ci concentreremo sulle sue mucolytic properties.

The chemical composition of the NAC predicts a chemical group containing a sulfur atom. It contributes to the breakdown of the sulfur atoms present in the mucus proteins, making the latter more fluid and, consequently, easier to eliminate by coughing and sneezing. 

This is particularly useful for both reduce flu symptoms, such as cough and cold, for both avoid that the continuous presence of mucus leads to the formation of annoying viral and bacterial infections. 

Acetylcysteine and Covid-19

Given the beneficial properties just mentioned, it has been hypothesized a possible use of this antioxidant also for the treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, commonly known as Covid-19.

But what's true? What is the relationship between acetylcysteine and Covid-19?

Let's start by saying that the NAC it does not help prevent contagion. To avoid contracting the virus, the guidelines to follow are those now known to all and available on the website of the Ministry of Health, such as the use of the mask indoors, frequent disinfection of the hands, etc. 

Quindi, a cosa può essere utile l’acetylcysteine? Alcuni recenti studi hanno messo in evidenza la capacità della NAC di scindere i legami disolfuro (chiamati anche ponti disolfuro), che si formano all’interno delle proteine tra due atomi di zolfo e servono a mantenere salda la struttura delle stesse. 

Applying this concept to the proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus, the NAC is therefore able to modify its structure, reducing the infectivity of the virus.

The two studies under consideration, N-acetylcysteine as a potential treatment for COVID-19 is Rationale for the use of N-acetylcysteine in both prevention and adjuvant therapy of COVID-19however, they are based on laboratory studies. The conclusions highlighted so far are therefore to be verified in the field. Although promising, before being able to affirm the effectiveness of NAC contro il Covid-19, è necessario effettuare test su pazienti affetti dal virus SARS-CoV-2.

NAC against bacterial biofilms

Pending further scientific evidence with respect to Covid-19, the NAC it is certainly effective in combating the formation of the so-called bacterial biofilms. 

Con questo termine si indica un insieme di batteri che aggrediscono una superficie, come ad esempio il muco che staziona nelle vie respiratorie. La caratteristica principale di questo biofilm batterico è costituita dalla sua sorprendente resistenza al sistema immunitario. I batteri presenti al suo interno vengono, infatti, protetti dagli attacchi esterni tramite un involucro di sostanze autoprodotte. 

Approximately 60% of all chronic infections originate from a bacterial biofilm. In fact, it provides protection to bacteria even against common antibiotic therapies, forcing the doctor to prescribe numerous courses of antibiotic therapy, up to the complete removal of the biofilms. 

This study, in particolare, evidenzia come “[…] la NAC da sola o in combinazione con antibiotici può ridurre il rischio di esacerbazioni di bronchite cronica, broncopneumopatia cronica ostruttiva e rinosinusite”.

To sum up, the NAC it is therefore effective in cases of severe respiratory tract infections and in the prevention of chronic pathological forms. 

NAC as an antioxidant

A final aspect of interest concerns the antioxidant function ofacetylcysteine. 

Without going into detail (for a more in-depth discussion, refer todedicated article), the NAC restores the correct levels of glutathione, a process useful for keeping any local inflammations under control. 

This, combined with its mucolytic and anti-bacterial properties, make NAC a perfect product for fighting flu symptoms.

Conclusions

Waiting for more in-depth studies on the effects of NAC for the treatment of Coronavirus, we can say that theacetylcysteine it is certainly effective in dissolving and removing phlegm present in the respiratory tract, in fighting bacterial infections (including chronic ones) and in reducing inflammation.

Precisely because of these characteristics, Bioline Supplements has created, starting fromacetylcysteine, NAC 600 Integratore in capsule, a supplement based on N-Acetyl Cysteine, per il benessere di naso e gola.

Visit the shop to discover all the products Bioline Supplements.