The outlined reactions only partially explain the diverse biological effects of NAC, and further studies are required for determining its ability to cross the cellmembrane and the blood–brain barrier as well as elucidating its reactions with components of cell signaling pathways
To develop an efficient therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been tested as a medication that can suppress various pathogenic processes in this disease. NAC is a thiol compound, which provides sulfhydryl groups. NAC can act as a precursor of reduced glutathione and as a direct reactive oxygen species scavenger, hence regulating the redox status i…