Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

IgY Technology: Extraction of Chicken Antibodies from Egg Yolk by Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Precipitation
Published on: May 1, 2011
Lipoprotein(a) reduction by N-acetylcysteine
1Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics and Metabolism, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021-6399.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) effectively reduces high levels of Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a marker for atherosclerotic disease. This study shows NAC significantly lowered Lp(a) in patients, offering a promising new therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a key risk factor for atherosclerotic disease, particularly at elevated plasma concentrations.
- Lp(a)) is composed of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) bound to apo(a) via disulfide bridges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in reducing high plasma Lp(a) levels.
- To assess if NAC can dissociate the Lp(a) complex in vivo.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies demonstrated NAC's ability to dissociate the Lp(a) complex.
- Treatment with NAC was administered to two patients with high Lp(a) levels.
Main Results:
- In vitro, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was shown to break the disulfide bonds within the Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) complex.
- In two patients, NAC administration led to a significant reduction in plasma Lp(a) from 58 to 20 mg/dl and 59 to 18 mg/dl, respectively.
Conclusions:
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) demonstrates a potent ability to lower plasma Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels.
- The observed reductions in Lp(a) achieved with NAC are substantial and have not been matched by existing drug therapies or dietary interventions.
More Related Videos
11:59Isolation of Lipoprotein Particles from Chicken Egg Yolk for the Study of Bacterial Pathogen Fatty Acid Incorporation into Membrane Phospholipids
Published on: May 15, 2019
06:12Mechanical Separation and Protein Solubilization of the Outer and Inner Perivitelline Sublayers from Hen's Eggs
Published on: January 27, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Protein and Protein Structure
A protein's shape is critical to its function. For example, an enzyme can...
Protein Folding Quality Check in the RER
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids
Amides to Amines: LiAlH4 Reduction
Amide reduction requires two equivalents of the reducing agent, acting as a source of hydride ions. As shown in the figure, the reaction is initiated with a nucleophilic attack by the hydride ion at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate.
Nitriles to Amines: LiAlH4 Reduction
As shown below, the mechanism involves three steps. Firstly, the hydride ion acting as a nucleophile attacks the nitrile carbon to form an anion. In the second step, a second equivalent of the hydride ion attacks the anion to...
Preparation of Amines: Reduction of Amides and Nitriles
Amides can be reduced to primary, secondary, and tertiary amines using catalytic hydrogenation, active metals like Fe,...