The efficacy of adjuvant N acetyl cysteine for the eradication of H pylori infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND

Biofilm-producing bacteria are relatively resistant to antibiotics, as the penetration of antibiotics into the endopolysaccharide envelope is incomplete. N Acetyl cysteine (NAC) is known to destabilize the biofilms, as it cleaves the disulfide bonds of mucus glycoproteins, reducing the viscosity and thickness of mucus. This allows NAC to act synergistically with antibiotics for the eradication of H Pylori. The meta-analysis evaluates the evidence of the efficacy of adjuvant N acetyl cysteine (NAC) compared to standard therapies in the eradication of H. Pylori infections.

METHODS

We searched randomized clinical trials in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), EBSCO, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), and Google Scholar. We included trials comparing standard treatment protocols plus adjuvant NAC and the same regimen without NAC. These studies included adults with a diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Our primary outcome was the successful eradication of H. Pylori. The results were pooled using a random-effects model, and data were analyzed using RevMan 5.0 software. Cochrane collaboration's tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Publication bias and other inconsistencies were assessed. Sensitivity analyses and grading of evidence were performed.

FINDINGS

Eight studies, comprising 1167 patients, were included in the meta-analysis, the pooled outcomes of patients on adjuvant NAC+ standard eradication therapy noted an eradication rate of 76.1% (n=581) compared to the patients in standard eradication therapy with a rate of 72.18% (n=586), RR 1.17 [95% CI (0.99, 1.39); I2= 64%; p value=0.07]. Moderate to severe heterogeneity was noted. These pooled results show that adjuvant NAC plus standard treatment protocols are not superior to standard treatment protocols for H pylori eradication. Similar results were seen in the use of adjuvant NAC with 'currently used standard treatment protocols' (78.3% versus 76.3%, RR 1.08, [95% CI 0.94 to 1.25]; I2=55%; p=0.28; n= 829 patients], as well as in the treatment of naïve patients (79.8% versus 80.9%, RR 1.00[95% CI 0.87 to 1.15]; i2=27%; P=-0.98; n= 775 patients].

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant NAC plus standard treatment protocols are not superior to standard treatment protocols for H. pylori eradication. These findings are consistent with the use of adjuvant NAC with 'currently used standard treatment protocols' (clarithromycin-based triple therapies) and also with adjuvant NAC used in the treatment of naïve patients. We are moderately certain of these findings. Future studies could explore the use of NAC as a pretreatment before using the current standard therapies in the eradication of H. Pylori rather than NAC as adjuvant therapy.

FUNDING

None.