The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has an ability
to decrease proliferation of skin cells. The authors treated a patient with a
severe form of dry skin called lamellar ichthyosis satisfactorily treated with
topical N-acetylcysteine. (NAC) is a thiol that reacts with reactive oxidative
intermediates and replenishes the intracellular cysteine necessary for the
production of glutathione, an endogenous antioxidant.
The investigators used a water-in-oil emulsion
containing 10% NAC. Placebo consisted of the same emulsion without NAC.
The patient applied the cream twice daily on the skin.
NAC is labile and tends to break down, releasing sulphur-containing compounds.
The water-in-silicone emulsion improves stability and reduces malodor. Recent
studies show that NAC suppresses proliferation of fibroblast cells
Lancet
November 27,1999 Volume 354 Number 9193
COMMENT:
This appears to be an
incredibly safe, non-toxic and relatively low cost approach for a very difficult
problem. Although the treatment was not used for psoriasis, it seems likely that
it would be beneficial here since both diseases have very similar underlying
disorders of an increase in cellular proliferation due to an immune system
malfunction.