NAC Group (nac + group)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Infertility observed in female rats treated with N-acetyl-L-cysteine: Histopathological examination of ovarian follicles and recovery of fertility

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 3 2003
Miwa Harada
ABSTRACT, We previously reported infertility in female rats that received N,acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) intravenously at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg/day. Unfertilized oocytes and gestation day 1 and 2 embryos were assessed morphologically, and the results suggested that absence or thinning of the zona pellucida (ZP) is related to infertility. However, the morphological characteristics of oocytes before ovulation and recovery from the effects of NAC were not clarified. In the present study, the ovarian follicles were histopathologi,cally examined and the recovery of reproductive function was evaluated to investigate the effects of NAC. Female Sprague-Dawley rats at 10 weeks of age received NAC intravenously at 1000 mg/kg/day for more than 1 week. Thinning of the ZP was observed in the ovarian follicles in all stages of growth by light microscopy. Outflow of the components of the ZP between the corona radiata and disarrangement of the corona radiata were more pronounced in growing follicles than in large secondary follicles. Similar findings were observed by electron microscopy, and the effects of NAC were limited to the ZP. Infertility and thinning of the ZP were observed in the no,recovery NAC group, but not in the recovery NAC group, in which animals recovered within four estrous cycles after NAC administration. It has been reported that the ZP is expressed by oocytes or by both oocytes and granulosa cells, but no changes were noted in these cells. The present findings suggest that NAC affects the ZP directly and that reproductive function may recover from the effects of NAC. [source]


Sodium Bicarbonate versus Sodium Chloride and Oral N-Acetylcysteine for the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
LINDA SHAVIT M.D.
Introduction: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury. Multiple clinical studies have proposed several preventive strategies. Aims: To examine the efficacy of sodium bicarbonate compared with sodium chloride and oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for preventive hydration after cardiac catheterization. Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center trial. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage III,IV undergoing cardiac catheterization were allocated to receive either an infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride and oral NAC or 154 mEq/L sodium bicarbonate. Main: Outcome measure CI-AKI, defined as an increase of 25% or 0.3 mg/dL or more in plasma creatinine within 2 days of contrast administration. Results: Ninety-three patients were allocated to one of the two groups: 42 patients in the saline plus NAC group and 51 patients in the bicarbonate group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the most important clinical and procedural characteristics. Baseline plasma creatinine levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate, incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and contrast medium volume were similar. Mean plasma creatinine concentration was 1.76 ± 0.54 mg/dL in the saline and NAC group and 1.9 ± 1 mg/dL in the bicarbonate group (P = 0.23). The rate of CI-AKI was 9.8% in the bicarbonate group and 8.4% in the saline plus NAC group. No patient required renal replacement therapy. Conclusion: Hydration with sodium bicarbonate is not more effective than hydration with sodium chloride and oral NAC for prophylaxis of CI-AKI in patients with CKD stage III,IV undergoing cardiac catheterization. [source]


N -Acetylcysteine Added to Volume Expansion with Sodium Bicarbonate Does Not Further Prevent Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: Results from the Cardiac Angiography in Renally Impaired Patients Study

JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
CEZAR S. STANILOAE M.D.
We reviewed data from the multicenter CARE (Cardiac Angiography in Renally Impaired Patients) study to see if benefit could be shown for N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in patients undergoing cardiac angiography who all received intravenous bicarbonate fluid expansion. Four hundred fourteen patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease were randomized to receive intra-arterial administration of iopamidol-370 or iodixanol-320. All patients were prehydrated with isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution. Each site chose whether or not to administer NAC 1,200 mg twice daily to all patients. Serum creatinine (SCr) levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate were assessed at baseline and 2,5 days after receiving contrast. The primary outcome was a postdose SCr increase 0.5 mg/dL (44.2 ,mol/L) over baseline. Secondary outcomes were a postdose SCr increase 25% and the mean peak change in SCr. The NAC group received significantly less hydration (892 ± 236 mL vs. 1016 ± 328 mL; P < 0.001) and more contrast volume (146 ± 74 mL vs. 127 ± 71 mL; P = 0.009) compared with no-NAC group. SCr increases 0.5 mg/dL occurred in 4.2% (7 of 168 patients) in NAC group and 6.5% (16 of 246 patients) in no-NAC group (P = 0.38); rates of SCr increases 25% were 11.9% and 10.6%, respectively (P = 0.75); mean post-SCr increases were 0.07 mg/dL in NAC group versus 0.11 mg/dL in no-NAC group (P = 0.14). In conclusion, addition of NAC to fluid expansion with sodium bicarbonate failed to reduce the rate of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after the intra-arterial administration of iopamidol or iodixanol to high-risk patients with chronic kidney disease. [source]


Screening and Brief Intervention to Reduce Marijuana Use Among Youth and Young Adults in a Pediatric Emergency Department

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009
Edward Bernstein MD
Abstract Objectives:, Marijuana was involved in 209,563 emergency department (ED) visits in 2006, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network. Although screening and brief intervention (SBI) has been effective in changing drinking among ED patients in a number of studies, tests of marijuana SBI in a pediatric emergency department (PED) have not yet been reported. The aim of this pilot study was to test whether SBI is effective in reducing marijuana consumption among youth and young adults presenting to a PED with a diverse range of clinical entities. Methods:, A three-group randomized controlled preliminary trial was structured to test 1) differences between Intervention (Int) and standard Assessed Control (AC) groups in marijuana consumption, from baseline to 12 months, and 2) the feasibility of adding a Nonassessed Control (NAC) group to evaluate regression to the mean and assessment reactivity. Patients aged 14,21 years in an urban, academic PED were screened during 2006,2007, using standardized risk factor questions. Subjects were eligible if they used marijuana three or more times in the past 30 days, but were excluded for co-occurring high-risk alcohol use. Consented enrollees were randomized to NAC, AC, and Int groups in a two-stage process that permitted blinding to status during assessment and follow-up. NACs received a resource handout, written advice about marijuana use risks, and a 12-month follow-up appointment. ACs were assessed using standardized instruments and received resources, written advice, and 3- and 12-month follow-up appointments. The Int group received assessment, resources, written advice, 3- and 12-month appointments, a 20-minute structured conversation conducted by older peers, and a 10-day booster telephone call. A peer educator utilized a motivational style interview protocol adapted for adolescents to elicit daily life context and future goals, provide feedback, review pros and cons of marijuana use, assess readiness to change, evaluate strengths and assets, negotiate a contract for change, and make referrals to treatment and/or other resources. Measurements included demographic information; 30-day self-report of marijuana use; attempts to quit, cut back, or change conditions of use; and risk factor questions repeated at follow-up. Results:, Among 7,804 PED patients screened, 325 were eligible; 210 consented and enrolled (Int, n = 68; AC, n = 71; NAC, n = 71), with a 12-month follow-up rate of 71%. For the primary objective, we compared Int to AC. At 12 months, Int participants were more likely to be abstinent for the past 30 days than ACs (odds ratio [OR] for reported abstinence = 2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22 to 6.84, p < 0.014). The Int group had greater reduction in days used, baseline to 12 months, controlling for baseline (Int = ,7.1 vs. AC = ,1.8), were less likely to have been high among those who smoked (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.17 to 0.89, p < 0.05), and were more likely to receive referrals. In a linear regression model controlling for baseline use, NACs smoked 4 fewer days per month than ACs, but consumption was not significantly different, suggesting no assessment reactivity effect. Conclusions:, A preliminary trial of SBI promoted marijuana abstinence and reduced consumption among PED patients aged 14,21 years. A no-contact condition for the NAC group over the year after enrollment was insufficient to capture enrollees for follow-up across a range of baseline acuity. [source]