Effects of nacetylcysteine on cigarette smoke-induced airway inflammation

AIM: To study the effects of nacetylcysteine on cigarette smoke-induced airway inflammation. METHODS: SD rats were divided into three groups randomly: control, cigarette smoking and cigarette smoking plus nacetylcysteine (NAC). Animals were treated for four weeks. Airway inflammation was assessed with light microscope. The concentrations of IL-8 and glutathione (GSH) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA. The expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the cells of BALF was detected with EMSA. RESULTS: Airway inflammation in NAC treatment group was significantly decreased than that in cigarette smoking group. GSH levels in BALF in NAC treated groups were significantly higher than those in cigarette smoking group. IL-8 levels in BALF in NAC treated groups were significantly lower than those in cigarette smoking group. Expression of NF-κB in the cells of BALF was much lower than that in the cigarette smoking group. CONCLUSION: NAC not only increases oxidative capacity in the bronchial, but also reduces the express of NF-κB, which inhibits the IL-8 production. At last it further reduces the airway inflammation.