background: the purpose of our study was to determine the effect of n-acetylcysteine (nac) administered after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cpr) on renal function of the survived patients. methods: in this double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 44 patients who experienced cardiopulmonary arrest and underwent successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cpr) were entered into the stu...

The selective serotonergic neurotoxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) depends on their systemic metabolism. We have recently shown that inhibition of brain endothelial cell gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) potentiates the neurotoxicity of both MDMA and MDA, indicating that metabolites that are substrates for this enzyme con...

The effect of N-acetylcysteine, a thiolic antioxidant, on attenuation of phosphamidon-induced oxidative stress and immune dysfunction was evaluated in adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. Rats were divided into four groups, 8 animals/group, and treated with phosphamidon, N-acetylcysteine or the combination of both for 28 days. Oral administration of phosphamidon (1.74 mg/kg), an organopho...

We read with interest the recent paper by GERRITS et al. [1] reporting on the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in reducing re-hospitalisations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We are concerned, however, that the apparent benefit is actually the result of bias in study design and analysis. The paper mentions that patients were considered users if they received N-acetylcysteine ...

BACKGROUND Optimal hydration measures to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy are controversial. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using the MEDLINE database (1966 to January 2008), EMBASE (January 2008), and abstracts from conference proceedings. SETTING & POPULATION Adult patients undergoing contrast procedures. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES Randomized con...

BACKGROUND Radiographic contrast agents can cause a reduction in renal function that may be due to reactive oxygen species. Whether the reduction can be prevented by the administration of antioxidants is unknown. METHODS We prospectively studied 83 patients with chronic renal insufficiency (mean [+/-SD] serum creatinine concentration, 2.4+/-1.3 mg per deciliter [216+/-116 micromol per liter])...

BACKGROUND Otosclerosis is a disorder that impairs middle ear function, leading to conductive hearing loss. Surgical treatment results in large improvement of hearing at low sound frequencies, but high-frequency hearing often suffers. A likely reason for this is that inner ear sensory cells are damaged by surgical trauma and loud sounds generated during the operation. Animal studies have shown ...

Resistin has a potential role in atherosclerosis; however, the molecular mechanism underlying the increase in resistin expression in atherosclerosis remains unclear. As mechanical stretch plays an important role in atherosclerosis, in the present study we sought to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of resistin by cyclic mechanical stretch in VSMCs (vasc...