RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Protection against pulmonary O2 toxicity by N-acetylcysteine
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 116
OP 126
DO 10.1183/09031936.93.02020116
VO 2
IS 2
A1 PD Wagner
A1 O Mathieu-Costello
A1 DE Bebout
A1 AT Gray
A1 PD Natterson
A1 C Glennow
YR 1989
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/2/2/116.abstract
AB N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a known antioxidant. We therefore investigated NAC as an agent protective against O2 toxicity in the lung. Twelve dogs were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and ventilated with 100% O2 for 54 h. Five were given diluent and 7 intravenous NAC (loading dose prior to 100% O2 ventilation of 150 mg.kg-1 and maintenance dose of 20 mg.kg-1.h-1). Every 6 h, physiological evaluation of the pulmonary circulation, mechanical properties, and gas exchange was performed. Post-mortem evaluation consisted of gross examination and weighing followed by light and electron microscopy. By both functional and structural criteria, NAC protected against the effects of 100% O2. The NAC group developed significantly less increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) and lung wet weight, while dynamic compliance was greater. NAC also delayed the development of abnormal ventilation-perfusion relationships and was associated with reduced pulmonary white cell accumulation, with less evidence of alveolar and interstitial oedema. NAC may well be worthy of evaluation as a therapeutic agent in human diseases characterized by oxidant damage.