Effectiveness and Health Investigation of N-Acetyl Cysteine Tablets and Comparing it with Foreign Samples in Controlling Pulmonary Symptoms Caused by Sulfur Mustard in Chemical Veterans of Qazvin Province

Background and Aim: Sulfur mustard (Mustard gas) is the most famed chemical warfare agent that caused chronic lung damage. Oxidative stress is known as a major cause of mustard lung pathogenesis. This study aimed to introduce antioxidant tablets of Iranian N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as an effective treatment for chronic lung damage caused by mustard gas. Methods: This study was performed as a double-blind randomized clinical trial. In the current study, 85 patients with chronic sulfur mustard lung injury from chemical warfare veterans of Qazvin province for 4 months from 2016 to 2017, randomly took one of the Iranian NAC (Oslyt®) or foreign NAC (Fluimucil®) tablets a dose of 1200 mg per day. The symptoms via breathlessness-cough and sputum scale (BCSS), modified medical research council (MMRC), COPD assessment test (CAT), rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT), and reflux symptom index (RSI) questionnaires and spirometric indices and side effects drugs were compared in groups. Results: According to the results and comparing the P-value obtained for clinical symptoms obtained through the mentioned questionnaires, it seems that in both groups of Oslyt (with 41 patients) and Fluimucil (with 44 patients), remarkably improved BCSS, MMRC, CAT, and RSI (except for RCAT) overall scores. There was no significant difference between Oslyt and Fluimucil in terms of the frequency of side effects. Conclusion: Both Iranian and foreign antioxidant drugs NAC improve the majority of clinical signs of the mustard lung. This is the first time that anti-reflux effects have been observed for antioxidants such as NAC. The Oslyt dose of 1200 mg per day is adequate for effectiveness and antioxidant effects.