Background

Airway infection leads to progressive damage of the lungs in cystic fibrosis (CF) and oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology. Supplementation of antioxidant micronutrients (vitamin E, vitamin C, beta‐carotene and selenium) or N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) as a source of glutathione, may therefore potentially help maintain an oxidant‐antioxidant balance. Glutathione or NAC can also be inhaled and if administered in this way can also have a mucolytic effect besides the antioxidant effect. Current literature suggests a relationship between oxidative status and lung function. This is an update of a previously published review.

Objectives

To synthesise existing knowledge on the effect of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta‐carotene, selenium and glutathione (or NAC as precursor of glutathione) on lung function through inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in people with CF.