Study Identifies Potential Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis
(Stanford Report, Krista Conger, 3/15/06)

Cystic fibrosis patients are genetically incapable of releasing glutathione into the airways. Without this antioxidant, bacteria tend to build up and draw neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that normally fights infection.  But in people with cystic fibrosis, instead of protecting the lungs, the neutrophils secrete interleukin-8 to attract more neutrophils and then die off, leaving tissue-damaging molecules in the surrounding area. In addition, they release DNA and a protein called elastase, both of which tend to clog the airways by  making the mucous stickier. Rabindra Tirouvanziam, PhD, and team, attempted to break this lung-destroying inflammation cycle by giving 18 cystic fibrosis patients a four-week regimen of high oral doses of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which the body uses to make glutathione. The scientists found that the NAC boosted glutathione in circulating neutrophils, apparently allowing them to function more normally, since there was also a decrease in neutrophils, elastase and interleukin-8 in the airways. These findings suggest that NAC may aid the body in making the necessary glutathione to help preserve the lung function of cystic fibrosis patients.