N-Acetylcysteine prevents baker's-yeast-induced inflammation and fever.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

To investigate whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) alters baker's-yeast-induced fever and inflammation.

MATERIAL OR SUBJECTS

Male Wistar rats (26-28 days old) injected with baker's yeast (135 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) or prostaglandin E(2) (300 ng/100 μL, intrathecal).

TREATMENT

Rats were injected with NAC (500 mg/kg, subcutaneous, or 50 μg/100 μL, intrathecal) 1 h before, or 2 h after, pyrogen injection.

METHODS

Rectal temperature changes induced by baker's yeast, PGE(2) and NAC were followed up over time. Four hours after baker's yeast injection, total leukocytes, protein, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nonprotein thiol content were assessed in peritoneal lavage and hypothalamus.

RESULTS

Systemic administration of NAC decreased leukocytes, protein, IL-1β and TNF-α levels in peritoneal lavage, and decreased IL-1β levels in the hypothalamus. The central administration of NAC prevented baker's-yeast-induced fever, but did not alter the febrile response elicited by prostaglandin E(2).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic role for NAC in yeast-induced peritonitis.