N-acetylcysteine in the prevention of radiocontrast-induced nephropathy.

N-acetylcysteine is a remarkably active agent shown to be useful in a variety of clinical settings. The drug has actions relevant to radiocontrast-induced nephropathy (RCIN) that include vasodilatation, enhancement of renal medullary blood flow, and antioxidant properties. The drug's pharmacokinetics are remarkable for almost complete first pass metabolism after oral administration, resulting in no free drug reaching the circulation. After intravenous administration, extensive reaction with tissue and plasma proteins greatly limits the amount of circulating free drug. Given the difficulty achieving free drug in the systemic circulation, it is highly likely that the drug works via its metabolites. The primary mechanism may be through L-cysteine as a cellular source for glutathione production. Clinical studies of N-acetylcysteine in the prevention of RCIN have yielded highly mixed results; five were dramatically positive, and eight others had no demonstrable efficacy at all. The following will review the individual studies, attempt to reconcile the divergent results, and propose future research needs.