N-acetylcysteine attenuates the acute lung injury caused by phorbol myristate acetate in isolated rat lungs

PMA caused severe ALI as evidenced by the marked increases in LW changes, exhaled NO, PCBAL, histopathological changes, and LIS. It also increased the nitrate/nitrite, MG, TNFα, and IL-1β in lung perfusate. Pretreatment with NAC significantly attenuated these changes and abrogated the extent of ALI. Our results suggest that NAC exerts strong protective effects on the PMA-induced ALI and associated alterations. The mechanisms are possibly attributable to its antioxidant actions, inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and restoration of glutathione enzymes.