Effect of an Antioxidant on Cancer-Cachectic Patients Undergoing Exercise Training

Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Skeletal Muscle in Cachectic Cancer Patients Undergoing a Resistance Training Program (Phase 2 Study)

The purpose of the study is to tests the hypothesis, that N-acetylcysteine (a thiol-antioxidant)improves the exercise training effect on cancer patients that experience weight loss (cachexia) as assessed by muscle mass and function as well as histomorphology.

Inclusion Criteria:

• gastrointestinal or bronchial cancer
• weight loss of 10% within 6 months
• sufficient mobility

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe pain, steroid therapy, severe internal, muscular, neurological, psychiatric disease, N-acetylcysteine allergy