Effect of N-acetylcysteine on tissue necrosis during acute myocardial infarction in rabbits.

This study examined whether N-acetylcysteine, a low molecular weight compound used clinically to replenish glutathione, could limit tissue necrosis during acute myocardial infarction in hearts with minimal coronary collateral flow. Fifty rabbits underwent 45 mins ischemia with and without coronary reperfusion for 3h. Four groups were studied. Saline or N-acetylcysteine (140 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 10 mins before occlusion and continued for 35 mins after occlusion. The area at risk of necrosis was assessed with fluorescent particles and the area of tissue necrosis was defined using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. No differences were observed for tissue necrosis expressed as a percentage of the risk zone size (mean +/- SEM, 46.7 +/- 8.2% versus 46.3 +/- 8.2%) for saline and N-acetylcysteine treated rabbits subjected to 45 mins coronary occlusion. Tissue necrosis in rabbits with 45 mins ischemia followed by 3 h reperfusion was not significantly reduced with N-acetylcysteine treatment (36.4 +/- 5.1%) compared to untreated controls (36.5 +/- 6.4%). Risk zone size and hemodynamic parameters were similar between the treatment groups. Thus, treatment before and during short term coronary occlusion did not limit tissue necrosis during acute myocardial infarction.