N-acetylcysteine ameliorates renal microcirculation: studies in rats.

Background: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration has been shown to ameliorate experimental acute renal failure induced by ischemia-reflow, and was found to prevent radiocontrast nephropathy in high-risk patients. While the protective effect of NAC has been primarily attributed to scavenging oxygen free radicals, improving renal microcirculation also may play a role in the prevention of acute renal failure.

Methods: This study was designed to explore the effect of NAC on renal microcirculation.