• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.484-489
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• 2011

This study examined whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, could attenuate toxic effects of three fish anti-parasitic agents, trichlorfon, hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and formalin, all of which are known to exert side effects through free radical production. Common carp Cyprinus carpio were fed with NAC (approx. 50 mg/kg/day) for 3 consecutive days prior to anti-parasite bathing for a 24 hr period. Mortality rates were examined during this 24 hr bathing period, and selected hematological and biochemical parameters were also assessed at the termination of anti-parasite exposure. The mortality rates and plasma glucose elevations caused by all three anti-parasitics were significantly reduced by NAC pretreatment. Trichlorfon, but not $H_2O_2$ or formalin, elevated plasma levels of aspartatetransaminase (AST) and alanine-transaminase (ALT), and these elevations were attenuated by NAC. There was no change in hematocrit values in any treatment. The results provide evidence for the attenuating effects of NAC against toxicity caused by anti-parasite agents that act through free radical-producing properties. The results found in this study also suggest that NAC may be administered to fish to minimize toxicity in fish parasiticide use.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2019

It has been reported that various anti-oxidant substances stimulate non-specific immune responses in fishes. In this study it was examined whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precusor for anti-oxidant glutathione (GSH) synthesis, can modulate non-specific immune function in Far Eastern catfish Silurus asotus. Immune functions were assessed using the respiratory burst activity monitored by chemiluminescence (CL) responses in isolated leucocyte. NAC stimulated CL responses with doses of 10 or 100 mg/kg, but not with 1 mg/kg after 48 hr injection. It was observed with 10 mg/kg NAC that CL activity continued to elevate from 24 hr through 96 hr post-dosing, and returned to the near preinjection level by 10 days. To understand whether NAC can also activate CL activity in vitro, NAC was directly added to isolated catfish leucocytes. It was observed, however, that NAC can not stimulate CL at reasonable concentration ranges in vitro. As NAC is a precursor for the strong anti-oxidant glutathione (GSH), a putative immune stimulator, it was assessed whether GSH can also stimulate CL responses. Observed results show that GSH activated CL both in vivo and in vitro. The data obtained collectively support the proposition that NAC indirectly stimulates non-specific immune functions in catfish by enhancing GSH biosynthesis, but not by direct action of NAC. Such effects may have beneficial significance in aquaculture for practical utilization.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.187-195
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• 2008

Reparative dentine formation requires newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells. Therefore, identification of the molecule that stimulates the odontogenic differentiation of precursor cells in the tooth pulp will be helpful for the development of strategies to repair damaged pulp. In this study, we examined the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the odontogenic differentiation of MDPC-23 cells, a mouse odontoblast-like cell line derived from dental papilla, and primary cultured rat dental papilla cells (RDPCs). NAC (1-30 mM) suppressed production of reactive oxygen species in MDPC-23 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Although 5 to 20 mM NAC did not alter MDPC-23 cell proliferation, 1 or 30 mM NAC significantly inhibited it. NAC enhanced mineralized nodule formation and the expression of several odontoblast differentiation-associated genes in both RDPCs and MDPC-23. This NAC stimulatory effect was significant, even at concentrations lower than 1 mM. However, NAC did not stimulate expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2, -4, or -7, which are known to enhance odontogenic differentiation. Since reactive oxygen species are also involved in the pulp toxicity of resin-based restorative materials, these results suggest that NAC may be a promising candidate for supplementation of dental restorative materials in order to enhance reparative dentine formation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.16.1-16.6
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• 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common pathogenic species associated with canine otitis externa (OE). Their resilience is achieved by forming a biofilm, which allows these bacteria to evade even the harshest of treatments. This study evaluated the in vitro synergistic efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) with different antimicrobial agents against P. aeruginosa isolated from dogs with OE to develop an effective treatment against P. aeruginosa. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the minimum inhibitory concentration test using the microdilution method. The efficacy of antibiofilm formation was evaluated using a crystal violet stain method. The treatment solutions included NAC alone, and in synergy with enrofloxacin, polymyxin B, and gentamicin. NAC alone exhibited antimicrobial and antibiofilm abilities. On the other hand, the combination of NAC and the antibiotics did not show any significant synergistic effects against P. aeruginosa.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2012

Purpose: Serious acetaminophen (AAP) poisoning causes hepatotoxicity. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the most effective therapy for AAP poisoning and can be administered orally and intravenously (IV). Several studies have compared the efficacy of these two routes of administration and the results have been controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of oral and IV NAC for the prevention of hepatic toxicity in Korean patients whose serum AAP levels were higher than normal. Methods: A retrospective before/after study was performed, in which the patients presented to the emergency department with an AAP overdose from February 1995 to March 2012. A 3-day oral NAC regimen was used in the beginning, and a 20-hr intravenous regimen was then used from 2007. This study assessed the complications of an AAP overdose, such as hepatotoxicity, hepatic failure and renal failure as well as the side effects of the treatment regimen. Results: A total of 41patients was enrolled in this study. The median ALT and AST were 63 (IU/L) and 57 (IU/L) for the oral NAC treated patients, and 14 (IU/L) and 20 (IU/L) for the IV NAC treated patients (p=0.004 and p=0.001, respectively). The incidence of complications was similar in the treatment groups (p=0.399). Among the patients, 7 patients developed hepatotoxicity and were treated successfully with oral or IV NAC. Conclusion: This study suggests that IV NAC and oral NAC can prevent and successfully treat hepatic toxicity in patients whose serum AAP levels are higher than normal.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2012

It has been reported that various anti-oxidant substances stimulate non-specific immune responses in fishes. In this study it was examined whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an anti-oxidant glutathione (GSH) precursor, can modulate non-specific immune parameters in 8 different fishes. NAC was intraperitoneally administered at 10 mg/kg to catfish (Silurus asotus), loach (Misgurnus mizolepis), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), crucian carp (Carassius carassius), eel (Anguilla japonica), snakehead (Channa argus), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and mullet (Mugil cephalus). Forty-eight hours later, chemiluminescence (CL) response of head-kidney leukocytes and serum lysozyme activity were assessed. In all fishes except crusian carp and loach, CL responses were amplified by NAC. Lysozyme activity was increased by NAC in all fish species but not in tilapia. This result suggests that NAC stimulates non-specific immune responses in various species, and that such effects may have beneficial significance in aquaculture for practical utilization.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 2018

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been widely used as an initial mucolytic agent and is generally used as an antioxidant to help alleviate various inflammatory symptoms. NAC reduces bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production, bacterial adhesion to the surface and strength of mature biofilm. The efficacy has been shown to inhibit proliferation of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes, which contain a variety of gram negative bacteria, biofilm formation has become a serious problem in stable operation. In this study, use of NAC as an inhibitor of biofilm contamination was investigated using the center for disease control (CDC) reactors with MBR sludge. Biomass reduction was confirmed with CLSM images of membrane surfaces by addition of NAC, which was more efficient as the concentration of NAC was increased to 1.5 mg/mL. NAC addition also showed decreases in EPS concentrations of the preformed biofilm, indicating that NAC was able to degrade EPS in the mature biofilm. NAC addition was also effective to inhibit biofilm formation by MBR sludge, which consisted of various microorganisms in consortia.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2009

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc proteases that serve the function of breaking down extracellular matrix (ECM). The present study evaluated the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the increased deposition of ECM in hepatic and glomerular fibrosis caused by carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$). The activity of MMPs increased and the levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) decreased in the liver and kidney of $CCl_4$-treated rats. Rats treated with $CCl_4$ and NAC showed increased activities of MMPs and decreased levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the liver and kidney. Treatment with NAC resulted in the effective degradation of ECM due to an increase in the activities of MMPs and a decrease in the levels of TIMPs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2005

Effects of antioxidants on the established nephropathy were investigated. The experimental nephropathy was induced in rats by intravenous injection of adriamycin (2 mg/kg). Six weeks later, when proteinuria was apparent, the rats were supplemented with N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 1 g/kg/day) in drinking water for additional 6 weeks. Glomerulosclerosis score and tubulointerstitial injury index were determined by light microscopy. Expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) ${\beta}1$ and laminin ${\beta}1$ was determined in the renal cortex by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunogold electron microscopy. The adriamycin-induced proteinuria as well as the glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury was ameliorated by the treatment with NAC. Adriamycin increased the expression of TGF ${\beta}1$ mRNA and protein, which was ameliorated by NAC. Although the expression of laminin ${\beta}1$ mRNA was increased, adriamycin did not significantly alter that of its protein. These results indicate that antioxidants ameliorate the established nephropathy in association with normalization of overexpressed TGF ${\beta}1$.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of pharmacologic treatment of amatoxin poisoning patients. Methods: Literature was accessed through PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, KoreaMed, KISS and KMBASE. Studies relevant to human use of pharmacologic therapy including silymarin, penicillin and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for amanita poisoning were included. Case reports, letters, editorials and papers with insufficient information were excluded. Comparison of clinical outcomes (especially mortality and liver transplantation rate) in each study was analyzed. Results: The final analysis included 13 retrospective studies. None of these studies showed direct comparisons of individual agents. Among 12 studies comparing silymarin vs penicillin, eight showed clinical superiority of silymarin. Among eight studies comparing silymarin with NAC, six showed clinical superiority of silymarin. Among seven studies of NAC vs penicillin, five showed clinical superiority of NAC. Conclusion: This systematic review suggested that clinical superiority of various pharmacological agents used to treat amatoxin poisoning is debatable. Nevertheless, the available evidence suggests it is reasonable to consider combinations of multiple agents for patients with amanita poisoning. Further studies are required to establish a treatment regimen for amanita poisoning.