BACKGROUND Local anesthetics offer the benefits of extended analgesia with greater patient satisfaction and faster rehabilitation compared with intravenous morphine. These benefits, however, can be offset by adverse iatrogenic muscle pain. Here, the authors investigate the mechanisms of local anesthetic-induced myotoxicity and assess the protective effect of N-acetylcysteine. METHODS The auth...

This Journal feature begins with a case vignette that includes a therapeutic recommendation. A discussion of the clinical problem and the mechanism of benefit of this form of therapy follows. Major clinical studies, the clinical use of this therapy, and potential adverse effects are reviewed. Relevant formal guidelines, if they exist, are presented. The article ends with the author’s clinical r...

Copyright©2000 Thorne Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No Reprint Without Written Permission N-acetylcysteine Introduction N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the acetylated precursor of both the amino acid L-cysteine and reduced glutathione (GSH). Historically it has been used as a mucolytic agent in chronic respiratory illnesses as well as an antidote for hepatotoxicity due to acetaminophen overdose...

background contrast-induced nephropathy (cin) is one of the most important complications of angiography in patients with chronic kidney disease (ckd) or diabetes mellitus. the prevention of cin can decrease therapeutic costs and hospital stays. there is controversy in the literature over the preventive effect of statins on cin. objectives this study was designed to evaluate the preventive effec...