Expression of genes involved in oxidative stress responses in airway epithelial cells of smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: The molecular mechanisms involved in airway oxidative stress responses reported in healthy smokers and in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are poorly understood.

Objectives: To assess the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress responses in the bronchial epithelium of smokers with or without COPD and in relation to disease severity.

Methods: Global gene expression was assessed in bronchial brushings in 38 subjects with COPD, 14 healthy nonsmokers, and 18 healthy smokers.

The antiatherogenic effect of DiNAC: experimental findings supporting immunomodulation as a new treatment for atherosclerosis related diseases.

Inflammatory processes in the arterial wall are important in atherogenesis. The present review discusses the development of DiNAC as a potential new treatment modality for atherosclerosis related diseases. DiNAC, N,N'-diacetyl-L-cystine, is the disulphide dimer of N-acetyl cysteine, NAC.