N-acetylcysteine antagonizes the development but does not reverse ACTH-induced hypertension in the rat.

We investigated the effect of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received NAC (10 mg/L) or water 4 days before ACTH/saline treatment for 13 days (prevention study). In a reversal study, NAC commenced on day 8 of ACTH/saline treatment and continued for 5 days.