title: N-acetylcysteine for the prevention of non-contrast media agent-induced kidney injury: from preclinical data to clinical evidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review available evidence on the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a prophylactic agent in the prevention of non-contrast media agent-induced kidney injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected by searching Scopus, PubMed, Medline, Science direct and Cochrane database systematic reviews. A total of 26 relevant experimental studies up to the date of publication were included in the review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Available evidence shows that NAC has the potential to exert significant protective or ameliorative effects against drug-induced kidney injury in experimental models. The possible suggested renoprotective mechanisms of NAC in different experimental settings were acting as an antioxidant by restoring the pool of intracellular reduced glutathione, scavenging of free radicals, and/or interacting with reactive oxygen species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whether the administration of NAC could be an effective protective clinical strategy to prevent drug-induced kidney injury or not is a question that remains to be answered in future clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Enghelab Ave, P.O.Box:14155/6451, 1417614411, Tehran, Iran. hosseinjanih@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hesamoddin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hosseinjani
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moghaddas
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalili
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D020011:Protective Agents; D000111:Acetylcysteine