Over-the-Counter Antioxidant Improves Symptoms in Model of ALS
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WESTPORT, Sep 12 (Reuters Health) - N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an agent that increases levels of the antioxidant glutathione, improves survival and delays onset of motor impairment in a mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to US-based researchers.

Dr. Ashley I. Bush from Harvard Medical School in Boston and colleagues there and elsewhere explain that previous studies have shown that a mutation in copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), which leads to increased levels of oxidative damage, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ALS.

In the present study, the authors investigated the effects of NAC in transgenic mice with a mutation in SOD1. Treatment with 1% NAC in drinking water significantly improved "both rotorod performance and survival," according to the paper published in the August 3rd issue of NeuroReport.

The study team points out that previous research has shown that 50 mg/kg/day NAC has beneficial effects in patients with limb-onset sporadic ALS.

In light of these results and their own findings Dr. Bush's team suggests that "further trials of oral NAC supplementation may be worth considering at higher doses, and possibly combining it with other safe over-the-counter supplements that specifically enhance the activity of the glutathione system."

NeuroReport 2000;11:2491-2493.