N-Acetyl cysteine abrogates silver-induced reactive oxygen species in human cells without altering silver-based antimicrobial activity.

ABSTRACT: Silver-based antimicrobials are widely used topically to treat infections associated with multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. Expanding this topical use to aerosols to treat lung infections requires understanding and preventing silver toxicity in the respiratory tract. A key mechanism resulting in silver-induced toxicity is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we have verified ROS generation in silver-treated bronchial epithelial cells prompting evaluation of three antioxidants, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid, and melatonin, to identify potential prophylactic agents. Among them, NAC was the only candidate that abrogated the ROS generation in response to silver acetate exposure resulting in the rescue of these cells from silver-associated toxicity. Furth

SUBMITTER: Shah KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7643162 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature