title: Effects of N-acetylcysteine on renal hemodynamics in contrast media-induced nephropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been proposed to prevent radiocontrast nephropathy in high-risk patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of single-dose and prolonged administration of NAC before application of either the ionic, high-osmolar radiocontrast agent diatrizoate sodium (DTZ) or the nonionic, low-osmolar radiocontrast agent iohexol (IOH) in a rat model combining uninephrectomy, salt depletion, and administration of indomethacin was explored. Arterial blood pressure and total, cortical, and medullary blood flow were continuously recorded in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NAC had no effect on renal hemodynamics in control rats. Both DTZ and IOH induced biphasic changes in renal blood flow and cortical renal blood flux and persistently reduced medullary blood flux. Neither single-dose nor prolonged administration of NAC prevented the hemodynamic changes following administration of DTZ or IOH, respectively. Acute prophylactic administration of NAC prevented increased urinary ET excretion after injection of IOH and, to a smaller degree, of DTZ. Both an ionic, high-osmolar (DTZ) and a nonionic, low-osmolar (IOH) radiocontrast agent induce marked changes in renal hemodynamics in salt-depleted rats treated with indomethacin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Renal perfusion is not affected by NAC application in a model of experimental contrast nephropathy in rats. Other effects of NAC might thus account for the presumed renoprotective properties.
authors.affiliation: Fifth Medical Department, Nephrology/Endocrinology/Rheumatology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1–3, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krzossok
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoeger
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schnuelle
authors.forename: Urs
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Benck
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Birck
authors.forename: Bernhard K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Krämer
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Göttmann
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D000111:Acetylcysteine