N-acetylcysteine Reduces Acetaldehyde Levels in Binge Alcohol Drinking

Alcohol hangover (veisalgia) is a fairly common phenomenon. The pathogenesis of veisalgia is not understood and treatment has not yet been established. Occasionally, students take N-acetylcysteine (NAC) before binge drinking to alleviate hangover. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of NAC on serum levels of electrolytes, enzymes, acetaldehyde, oxidative stress biomarkers and symptoms of veisalgia in binge drinking. In this randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study, healthy students were randomly assigned into two groups, one receiving NAC and the other placebo. Blood samples were taken before drinking, 30 minutes after 1.5-hour-long drinking and in the subsequent morning. Serum levels of electrolytes, urea, enzymes, ethanol, acetaldehyde, 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and N-epsilon-hexanoyl-lysine were measured. The participants completed the Acute Hangover Severity Scale (AHSS) based on symptoms.