Table 2.
Design and key summary findings of experimental studies evaluating N-acetylcysteine in isolated perfused liver models (n= 7)
| First author/year | Species | Experimental model | NAC intervention | Principal outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivot et al. 199332 | Rat | Isolated perfused rat liver with pre, post and pre&post NAC treatment groups. | 100 mg/kg NAC pre-treatment. 20 mg/dL NAC added to perfusate in post-treatment. | NAC associated with lower transaminase in perfusate & improved bile production. |
| Dunne et al. 199433 | Rat | Isolated perfused liver. Sequential cold and warm ischaemia | 100 mg/kg NAC Subcutaneously prior to hepatectomy 100 mmol/l in the UW solution and perfusate | NAC induced transient improvement in blood and bile flow. |
| Nakano et al. 199534 | Rat | Isolated perfused rat liver. 48 h cold & 2 h reperfusion. | intraportal injection of 150 mg/kg NAC pre-hepatectomy. | NAC enhances hepatocyte cysteine & has a protective effect on Kupffer cells. |
| Nakano et al. 199635 | Rat | Isolated perfused rat liver after 24 h of cold storage | Intraportal injection of 150 mg/kg of NAC with or without intraperitoneal injection of BSO before isolation and perfusion | Pre ischemia administration of NAC attenuated hepatic injury. Protective effect lost when NAC at reperfusion. |
| Nakano et al. 199736 | Rat | Isolated perfused liver studies (24 h cold storage 120 min re-perfusion) and left lobar I/R series (60 min clamp) | 150 mg/kg NAC via mesenteric vein 15 min before liver harvest. | NAC before cold storage improved transaminases and bile production in steatotic livers. |
| Nakano et al. 199837 | Rat | isolated perfused rat liver (24-hour cold storage in UW followed by 120 min reperfusion. | 150 mg/kg NAC via superior mesenteric vein 15 min before harvesting | NAC before liver harvesting might prevent cold I/R injury in steatotic liver. (ALT Bile production and liver tissue GSH) |
| Nagasaki et al. 199838 | Rat | isolated perfused liver (cold-storage 48 h and reperfusion for 120 min). | 150 mg/kg NAC via superior mesenteric vein 15 min before harvesting. | Bile production improved significantly in the NAC group. |
BSO, L-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoxamine; ALT, alanine transaminase; GSH, glutathione; NAC, N-acetylcysteine.