title: N-acetylcysteine infusion reduces the resistance index of renal artery in the early stage of systemic sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate resistance index (RI) changes in renal artery after N-acetylcysteine infusion in patients with systemic sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an open-label study 40 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) iv infusion over 5 consecutive hours, at a dose of 0.015 g x kg(-1) x h(-1). Renal haemodynamic effects were evaluated by color Doppler examination before and after NAC infusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NAC infusion significantly reduced RI in a group of sclerodermic patients with early/active capillaroscopic pattern, modified Rodnan Total Skin Score (mRTSS) <14 and mild-moderate score to the vascular domain of Medsger Scleroderma Disease Severity Scale (DSS). RI increased after NAC infusion in patients with late capillaroscopic pattern, mTRSS>14 and severe-end stage score to the vascular domain of DSS. In patients with reduction of RI after NAC infusion, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide mean value was significantly higher than in those patients with an increase of RI. No significant differences in renal blood flow were found between patients with different subsets of SSc.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with low disease severity NAC ameliorates vascular renal function.
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome Department of Clinical Medicine, Clinical Immunology Unit-Scleroderma Center, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rosato
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cianci
authors.forename: Biagio
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barbano
authors.forename: Ginevra
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menghi
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.forename: Carmelina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Enrico M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Zardi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amoroso
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pisarri
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salsano
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D000111:Acetylcysteine