Acetaminophen¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Mechanism_Of_Action Á¤º¸ Acetaminophen is thought to act primarily in the CNS, increasing the pain threshold by inhibiting both isoforms of cyclooxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2, enzymes involved in prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen does not inhibit cyclooxygenase in peripheral tissues and, thus, has no peripheral anti-inflammatory affects. While aspirin acts as an irreversible inhibitor of COX and directly blocks the enzyme's active site, studies have found that acetaminophen indirectly blocks COX, and that this blockade is ineffective in the presence of peroxides. This might explain why acetaminophen is effective in the central nervous system and in endothelial cells but not in platelets and immune cells which have high levels of peroxides. Studies also report data suggesting that acetaminophen selectively blocks a variant of the COX enzyme that is different from the known variants COX-1 and COX-2. This enzyme is now referred to as COX-3. Its exact mechanism of action is still poorly understood, but future research may provide further insight into how it works. L-methionine¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Mechanism_Of_Action Á¤º¸ The mechanism of the possible anti-hepatotoxic activity of L-methionine is not entirely clear. It is thought that metabolism of high doses of acetaminophen in the liver lead to decreased levels of hepatic glutathione and increased oxidative stress. L-methionine is a precursor to L-cysteine. L-cysteine itself may have antioxidant activity. L-cysteine is also a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione. Antioxidant activity of L-methionine and metabolites of L-methionine appear to account for its possible anti-hepatotoxic activity. Recent research suggests that methionine itself has free-radical scavenging activity by virtue of its sulfur, as well as its chelating ability.
Pharmacology
Acetaminophen¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Pharmacology Á¤º¸ Acetaminophen (USAN) or Paracetamol (INN) is a popular analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. It is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu medications and many prescription analgesics. It is extremely safe in standard doses, but because of its wide availability, deliberate or accidental overdoses are not uncommon. Acetaminophen, unlike other common analgesics such as aspirin and ibuprofen, has no anti-inflammatory properties or effects on platelet function, and so it is not a member of the class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. In normal doses acetaminophen does not irritate the lining of the stomach nor affect blood coagulation, the kidneys, or the fetal ductus arteriosus (as NSAIDs can). Like NSAIDs and unlike opioid analgesics, acetaminophen does not cause euphoria or alter mood in any way. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs have the benefit of being completely free of problems with addiction, dependence, tolerance and withdrawal. Acetaminophen is used on its own or in combination with pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone. L-methionine¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Pharmacology Á¤º¸ L-Methionine is a principle supplier of sulfur which prevents disorders of the hair, skin and nails; helps lower cholesterol levels by increasing the liver's production of lecithin; reduces liver fat and protects the kidneys; a natural chelating agent for heavy metals; regulates the formation of ammonia and creates ammonia-free urine which reduces bladder irritation; influences hair follicles and promotes hair growth. L-methionine may protect against the toxic effects of hepatotoxins, such as acetaminophen. Methionine may have antioxidant activity.
Acetaminophen¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Absorption Á¤º¸ Rapid and almost complete L-methionine¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Absorption Á¤º¸ Absorbed from the lumen of the small intestine into the enterocytes by an active transport process.
Acetaminophen¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Biotransformation Á¤º¸ Approximately 90 to 95% of a dose is metabolized in the liver via the cytochrome P450 enzyme pathways (primarily by conjugation with glucuronic acid, sulfuric acid, and cysteine). An intermediate metabolite is hepatotoxic and most likely nephrotoxic and can accumulate after the primary metabolic pathways have been saturated. L-methionine¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Biotransformation Á¤º¸ Hepatic
Toxicity
Acetaminophen¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Toxicity Á¤º¸ Oral, mouse: LD50 = 338 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 1944 mg/kg. Acetaminophen is metabolized primarily in the liver, where most of it is converted to inactive compounds by conjugation with sulfate and glucuronide, and then excreted by the kidneys. Only a small portion is metabolized via the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme system. The toxic effects of acetaminophen are due to a minor alkylating metabolite (N-acetyl-p-benzo-quinone imine), not acetaminophen itself nor any of the major metabolites. This toxic metabolite reacts with sulfhydryl groups. At usual doses, it is quickly detoxified by combining irreversibly with the sulfhydryl group of glutathione to produce a non-toxic conjugate that is eventually excreted by the kidneys. The toxic dose of paracetamol is highly variable. In adults, single doses above 10 grams or 140 mg/kg have a reasonable likelihood of causing toxicity. In adults, single doses of more than 25 grams have a high risk of lethality. L-methionine¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Toxicity Á¤º¸ Doses of L-methionine of up to 250 mg daily are generally well tolerated. Higher doses may cause nausea, vomiting and headache. Healthy adults taking 8 grams of L-methionine daily for four days were found to have reduced serum folate levels and leucocytosis. Healthy adults taking 13.9 grams of L-methionine daily for five days were found to have changes in serum pH and potassium and increased urinary calcium excretion. Schizophrenic patients given 10 to 20 grams of L-methionine daily for two weeks developed functional psychoses. Single doses of 8 grams precipitated encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis.
Drug Interactions
Acetaminophen¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Drug_Interactions Á¤º¸ Anisindione Acetaminophen increases the anticoagulant effectWarfarin Acetaminophen increases the anticoagulant effectImatinib Increased hepatic toxicity of both agentsIsoniazid Risk of hepatotoxicityDicumarol Acetaminophen increases the anticoagulant effectDicumarol Increases the anticoagulant effectAcenocoumarol Increases the anticoagulant effect L-methionine¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Drug_Interactions Á¤º¸ Not Available
Acetaminophen¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Food Interaction Á¤º¸ Take without regard to meals.Avoid alcohol (may increase risk of hepatotoxicity). L-methionine¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Food Interaction Á¤º¸ Take with food.
Acetaminophen¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Description Á¤º¸ Analgesic antipyretic derivative of acetanilide. It has weak anti-inflammatory properties and is used as a common analgesic, but may cause liver, blood cell, and kidney damage. [PubChem] L-methionine¿¡ ´ëÇÑ Description Á¤º¸ A sulfur containing essential amino acid that is important in many body functions. It is a chelating agent for heavy metals. [PubChem]