The preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine on radiation-induced dermatitis in a rat model.

Abstract

PURPOSE: We investigated the potential radioprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) comparing its effects with that of amifostine (WR-2721), as a representative of clinically used radioprotector, in ameliorating skin injury from irradiation in rats (single dose, 18 Gy to the left hind legs of the rats). METHODS: The rats (n=28) were divided randomly and equally into 4 groups: Control (C), Radiation (R), R+WR-2721 (received irradiation and 200 mg/kg of WR- 2721) and R+NAC (received irradiation and 1000 mg/kg of NAC). Acute skin reactions were assessed every 3 days by a radiation oncologist and a biophysicist. Light microscopic findings were assessed by an expert pathologist. RESULTS: Clinically and histopathologically, irradiation increased dermatitis when compared with the control group (p<0.05). The severity of radiodermatitis of the rats in the R+NAC and R+WR-2721 groups was significantly lower than in the R group (p<0.05). The protective effects of NAC and WR-2721 on irradiation-increased dermatitis were clinically and histopathologically similar (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The study gives clues about the beneficial effects of NAC against radiation-induced dermatitis.