Effects of N-acetylcysteine on pulmonary and renal function on septic rats in invasive mechanical ventilation

Author(s)

Renata Campos

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2011-06-01

Examining board members

Antonio Carlos Seguro; Lucia da Conceição Andrade; Eduardo Homsi; Oscar Fernando Pavao dos Santos; Luis Yu

• Advisor: Antonio Carlos Seguro

Abstract

Introduction: Sepsis can cause renal and pulmonary alterations. In several cases, the invasive mechanical ventilation can be useful to ameliorate the gas exchange and supplies oxygen to organs and systems. However, the IMV can worsen the renal function by decreasing glomerular filtration rate. The oxidative stress is increased in sepsis and it is associated to high mortality. The use of an antioxidant as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can be useful in sepsis, mainly by decreasing the oxidative stress. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of NAC on renal and pulmonary function in rats with CLP submitted to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Material and Methods: The sepsis was induced by cecal and puncture ligation (CLP) in Male Wistar rats. The groups evaluated were: G1: Control; G2: CLP; and G3: CLP+NAC (4,8g/L). The NAC was added to drink water two days before the CLP and keep until the day of study. The IMV was set as Vt: 8 ml/kg, PEEP: 6 cmH20 and FiO2: 50%. The inulin clearance, renal blood flow, arterial blood gas, respiratory mechanics, mean arterial pressure and co-transporters (NKCC1 and -ENaC) on pulmonary tissue was analyzed 24 hours after the CLP procedure. Results: Sepsis caused important alterations on respiratory mechanics such as increase in airway resistance (RAW) and in lung elastance (HTIS). The septic animals developed an acute lung injury. The use of NAC ameliorated respiratory mechanics. The CLP animals had increase in neutrophils polimorphynuclears and edema index when compared to animals with NAC. The oxidative stress was lower in CLP+NAC group. There was an upregulation in channel ENaC in animal with NAC and this can contribute to improve edema index. In renal system, sepsis caused an important acute renal injury in 24 hours, however NAC reverted this clinical condition. Conclusion: The preventive use of NAC was able to prevent the pulmonary and renal alterations caused by sepsis, in the CLP model. (AU)