Intravenous N-acetylcysteine, hepatotoxicity and plasma glutathione S-transferase in patients with paracetamol overdosage.
The concentration of glutathione S-transferase B1 (GST B1) subunits was measured in sequential plasma samples taken at frequent intervals for 48 h from ten patients with severe paracetamol poisoning who were treated with intravenous N-acetylcysteine. No significant increase in plasma GST B1 concentration was observed over the study period and with 4 h of starting treatment with N-acetylcysteine there were significant decreases in plasma GST B1 concentrations. None of the patients subsequently developed significant liver damage. At the dose used for the treatment of paracetamol poisoning, N-acetylcysteine has no hepatotoxic effects.
Beckett
G J
GJ
University Department of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Donovan
J W
JW
Hussey
A J
AJ
Proudfoot
A T
AT
Prescott
L F
LF
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000082:Acetaminophen; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin; D000111:Acetylcysteine