[N-Acetylcysteine: low and high doses in the treatment of chronic obstructive lung diseases in Chernobyl accident liquidators].

AIM

To study clinical effectiveness and antioxidant activity of N-acetylcisteine (NAC) in daily doses 600, 1200, 1800 and 2400 mg in Chernobyl wreckers suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cough intensity and expectoration, malonic dialdehyde (MD), plasma calcium ions concentrations were studied in patients taking NAC.

RESULTS

Cough intensity diminished insignificantly. Expectoration improved significantly only after intake of 1200 mg/day NAC. In higher doses expectoration difficulties appeared again. Five patients received a maintenance dose 200 mg/day as a result of which their expectoration improved. MDA in the above patients was 3.3 times higher than normal level, free calcium ion concentration was 1.7 times higher. Only 1200 mg/day dose of NAC brought MDA level to normal, higher doses made it subnormal. Calcium ions concentration decreased but insignificantly. Maintenance dose 200 mg/day returned MDA and calcium to initial level.

CONCLUSION

For patients with radiation-induced affection of the respiratory tracts NAC dose 1200 mg/day is optimal both clinically and in terms of antioxidant activity.