A study in BioMed Research International suggests that N-acetylcysteine supplementation may help prevent high blood pressure.   Nai-Chia Fan from Chang Gung University College of Medicine in Taoyuan, Taiwan and colleagues conducted the study and found rats who suffered spontaneous hypertension taking N-acetylcysteine did not develop high blood pressure while their counterparts without taking the supplement suffered hypertension.  The researchers found evidence suggesting that N-acetylcysteine prevented hypertension by restoring the activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH).  DDAH is known to metabolize asymmetric dimethylarginine, which can reduce nitric oxide and cause hypertension.  The enzyme can be inhibited by oxidative stress.  N-acetylcysteine as an antioxidant can facilitate the synthesis of glutathionine which can attenuate oxidative stress.  A dose of a 2% N-acetylcysteine solution was used as a supplement for the study. (DL)