title: [N-acetylcysteine in septic shock].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To focus on the various studies evaluating the effects of Nacetylcysteine in septic shock
  
  
  METHODS
  Main references obtained from the medical database Medline using the keywords: N-acetylcysteine; septic shock, free radicals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Septic shock remains the leading cause of mortality in intensive care units. The progressive knowledge of the pathophysiology of septic shock, underline the production of free radicals and their cellular and microcirculatory effects. The Nacetylcysteine used mainly in paracetamol poisoning, has properties to control free radicals. The explosion of free radicals in septic shock has led to multiple studies assessing the role of N-acetylcysteine as an anti radical, and for its anti inflammatory action.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NAC seems to play an important role in septic shock to control free radicals and the inflammatory response. But these results remain contradictory. Some larger and more standardized studies should allow to evaluate the actual effects of NAC in septic shock.
authors.affiliation: Universite Tunis, El Manar, Tunisie.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ellouze
authors.forename: Nabil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frikha
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ouerghi
authors.forename: Taher
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mestiri
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salah Ben Ammar
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D000111:Acetylcysteine