Posted by Emme_V2 on March 31, 2013, at 6:59:56
In reply to Re: NAC and fatigue? » Emme_V2, posted by former poster on March 30, 2013, at 23:45:20
> I heard about the hypoxia side effect from at least 2 different sources, but all I could find right now is this little paragraph from Wikepedia:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine#Adverse_effects
>
> Researchers at the University of Virginia reported in 2007 study using very large doses in a mouse model that acetylcysteine could potentially cause damage to the heart and lungs.[31] They found that acetylcysteine was metabolized to S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNOAC), which increased blood pressure in the lungs and right ventricle of the heart (pulmonary artery hypertension) in mice treated with acetylcysteine. The effect was similar to that observed following a 3-week exposure to an oxygen-deprived environment (chronic hypoxia). The authors also found that SNOAC induced a hypoxia-like response in the expression of several important genes both in vitro and in vivo.
> The implications of these findings for long-term treatment with acetylcysteine have not yet been investigated. The dose used by Palmer and colleagues was dramatically higher than that used in humans;[31] nonetheless, positive effects on age-diminished control of respiration (the hypoxic ventilatory response) have been observed previously in human subjects at more moderate doses.[32]Thanks. From the Wikipedia article, then, they've observed effects that mimic hypoxia-like responses in mice (doesn't say that it actually *causes* hypoxia) at very high doses and that some gene expression effects have been observed in vitro. I wouldn't take those statements to indicate that NAC is going to cause something akin to altitude sickness in humans at moderate doses. From the last sentence, it sounds like at least one study indicates a positive effect on control of respiration if I'm reading it correctly and "positive" means what I think it does - it is tricky to look at studies cited out of context in Wikipedia in areas that are not my specialty and I've have to hunt down the original article to dope it out.
That said, you may very well be right that for whatever reason, I just can't handle the recommended dose. Anyway, I'm holding NAC in reserve for now while I see how a downward titration of Lamictal goes. The minocycline still seems to be helping enough that I may be able to lower or perhaps even stop Lamictal.
poster:Emme_V2
thread:1040953
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130322/msgs/1041415.html