N-acetyl cysteine for treatment of recurrent unexplained pregnancy loss.
Pregnancy could be associated with a state of oxidative stress that could initiate and propagate a cascade of changes that may lead to pregnancy wastage. This process of oxidative stress may be suppressed by the antioxidant effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of NAC therapy in patients diagnosed with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The study was a prospective controlled study performed in the Women's Health Centre, Assiut University, Egypt. A group of 80 patients with history of recurrent unexplained pregnancy loss were treated with NAC 0.6 g + folic acid 500 microg/day and compared with an aged-matched group of 86 patients treated with folic acid 500 microg/day alone. NAC + folic acid compared with folic acid alone caused a significantly increased rate of continuation of a living pregnancy up to and beyond 20 weeks [P < 0.002, relative risk (RR) 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-5.6]. NAC + folic acid was associated with a significant increase in the take-home baby rate as compared with folic acid alone (P < 0.047, RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.3-4.0). In conclusion, NAC is a well-tolerated drug that could be a potentially effective treatment in patients with unexplained RPL.
Amin
Ahmed F
AF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women's Health Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. ahmedamen1@yahoo.com
Shaaban
Omar M
OM
Bediawy
Mohamed A
MA
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000975:Antioxidants; D000111:Acetylcysteine