Mucolytic agent, dilutes sputum, increases its volume, facilitates the separation of sputum. The effect is related to the ability of free sulfhydryl groups of acetylcysteine to disrupt intra- and intermolecular disulfide bonds of acid mucopolysaccharides of sputum, which leads to depolymerization of mucoproteins and a reduction in the viscosity of sputum. Keeps active with purulent sputum.
Increases the secretion of less viscous sialomucins by goblet cells, reduces the adhesion of bacteria to epithelial cells of the mucosa shell of the bronchi. Stimulates mucous cells of bronchi, the secret of which lyses fibrin. A similar effect has on the secret formed by inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs. Has an antioxidant effect due to the presence of SH-group, capable of neutralizing electrophilic oxidative toxins. Acetylcysteine easily penetrates the cell, deacetylates to L-cysteine, from which intracellular glutathione is synthesized. Glutathione is a highly reactive tripeptide, a powerful antioxidant, a cytoprotector that captures endogenous and exogenous free radicals and toxins. Acetylcysteine prevents depletion and contributes to an increase in the synthesis of intracellular glutathione involved in oxidation-reduction processes of cells, thus contributing to the detoxification of harmful substances. This explains the effect of acetylcysteine as an antidote in paracetamol poisoning.
Protects alpha 1-antitrypsin (elastase inhibitor) from inactivating action of HOC1 - oxidant, produced by myeloperoxidase active phagocytes. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect (by suppressing the formation of free radicals and active oxygen-containing substances responsible for the development of inflammation in the lung tissue).