Tier 1 — highest

The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xingmin Cai, Sha Peng, Shuixiang Mao, Yong Zhong, Xiubin Yu
PeerJ 2026 14:e21448

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 42473447
PubMed Central
PMC13380882
DOI
10.7717/peerj.21448
Funding
Funding disclosure was not located in the indexed record reviewed; consult the source publication for the full funding statement.
Competing interests
The authors declared no competing interests.

Study snapshot

DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
ModelHuman
Sample14 RCTs; 2,856 patients
InterventionNAC versus control in COPD
DurationVaried
EndpointsAcute exacerbations; FEV1; FVC; Quality of life; Glutathione; Adverse events

What the study showed, in plain terms

July 2026 meta-analysis providing the newest pooled randomized evidence for NAC in COPD.

Key findings

NAC was associated with fewer acute exacerbations overall, while pulmonary function, quality of life and glutathione did not clearly improve; adverse events were not increased.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Dose subgroup results were counterintuitive and should not be interpreted as proof that lower doses are intrinsically superior; trial heterogeneity remains.

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology