ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION IN “CHEST”

Treatment Of Obstructive Airway Disease With A Cysteine Donor Protein Supplement: A Case Report

Bryce Lothian, MD*, Vijaylaxmi Grey, PhD*†, R. John Kimoff, MD‡, Larry Lands, MD, PhD*§

*Department of Pediatrics, †Department of Biochemistry, §Division of Respiratory Medicine, McGill University Health Centre-Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

‡Division of Respiratory Medicine, McGill University Health Centre-Royal Victoria Hospita, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

ABSTRACT - Oxidant/antioxidant imbalance can occur in obstructive airways disease, as a result of ongoing inflammation. Glutathione plays a major role in pulmonary antioxidant protection. As an alternative or complement to anti-inflammatory therapy, augmenting antioxidant protection could diminish the effects of inflammation. We describe a case of a patient with obstructive lung disease, responsive to corticosteroids, with low whole blood glutathione levels. Following one month of supplementation with a whey-based oral supplement, designed to provide glutathione precursors, whole blood glutathione levels and pulmonary function significantly and dramatically increased. The potential for such supplementation in pulmonary inflammatory conditions deserves further study.