Micrographs of rat kidney tissues: (a) Saline group, well-defined tubules and glomeruli; (b) NAC group, similar structure as saline group with normal tubules and glomeruli; (c) 80 mg kg−1 IF group, distorted proximal tubules with sloughing cells (arrows), severe interstitial inflammation and oedema (arrowhead) and degenerated glomerulus (*); (d) NAC+80 mg kg−1 IF, relatively normal morphology of tubules and glomeruli and interstitial inflammation is no longer present. PAS staining, × 200. PAS, periodic acid-Schiff.