N-acetyl-cysteine improves anastomotic wound healing after radiotherapy in rats.

ABSTRACTAim: This study was designed to determine the effects of intraperitoneally or orally administered N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on anastomotic healing of irradiated rats. Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups containing 8 rats each: I; standard resection plus anastomosis, II; radiation plus standard resection plus anastomosis, III; radiation plus standard resection plus anastomosis plus oral NAC, IV; radiation plus standard resection plus anastomosis plus intraperitoneal NAC. Four types of assessment were performed: bursting pressure, hydroxiproline (OHP) content, histopathology, and biochemical evaluation, including serum malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Results: Group comparisons demonstrated that bursting pressure was significantly higher in NAC treated rats. The mean tissue OHP concentration in the anastomotic tissue was significantly lower in irradiated rats (...