N-acetylcysteine antagonizes the development but does not reverse ACTH-induced hypertension in the rat

Clin Exp Hypertens. 2006 Feb;28(2):73-84. doi: 10.1080/10641960500468219.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received NAC (10 mg/L) or water 4 days before ACTH/saline treatment for 13 days (prevention study). In a reversal study, NAC commenced on day 8 of ACTH/saline treatment and continued for 5 days. ACTH increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) in water drinking rats (111 +/- 1 to 131 +/- 3 mmHg, p < 0.001). In the prevention study, NAC + ACTH increased SBP (108 +/- 2 to 120 +/- 2 mmHg, p < 0.001) but less than ACTH alone (p' < 0.05). In the reversal study, NAC had no significant effect (132 +/- 4 to 124 +/- 3 mmHg, ns). Thus, NAC partially prevented but did not reverse ACTH-induced hypertension.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / therapeutic use*
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / toxicity
  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use*
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Hypertension / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Acetylcysteine