An Additive Effect of Oral N-Acetyl Cysteine on Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Background. Helicobacter pyloriis highly adapted to the gastric environment where it lives within or beneath the gastric mucous layer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of N-acetyl cysteine to the treatment regimen ofH. pyloriinfection would affect eradication rates of the disease.Methods.A total of 79H. pyloripositive patients were randomized to two therapeutic groups. Both groups received a 14-day course of three-drug regimen including amoxicillin/clarithromycin/omeprazole. Experimental group (38 subjects) received NAC, and control group (41 subjects) received placebo, besides three-drug regimen.H. pylorieradication was evaluated by urea breath test at least 4 weeks after the cessation of therapy.Results.The rate ofH. pylorieradication was 72.9% and 60.9% in experimental and control groups, respectively (P=0.005). By logistic regression modeling, female gender (OR 3.68, 95% CI: 1.06–5.79;P=0.040) and treatment including NAC (OR 1.88, 95% CI: 0.68–3.15;P=0.021) were independent factors associated withH. pylorieradication.Conclusion.The results of the present study show that NAC has an additive effect on the eradication rates ofH. pyloriobtained with three-drug regimen and appears to be a promising means of eradicatingH. pyloriinfection.