Effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine and Vitamin C on Kidney Allograft Function Biomarkers Interleukin-18 and Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin

Abstract

Introduction. Delayed graft function (DGF) is a consequence of ischemia-reperfusion injuries in kidney allografts, for which no definite treatment is available. The neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) are introduced as the most promising urine biomarkers to detect DGF. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vitamin C, well-known potent antioxidants that scavenge free radicals, may alleviate kidney injury. This study investigated the protective effects of NAC alone and in combination with vitamin C on DGF, by measuring IL-18 and NGAL in living donor kidney transplantations.

Materials and Methods. Patients transplanted between January 2011and February 2013 were randomly divided into 3 groups to receive routine anti-rejection medication only (n = 32), NAC plus routine immunosuppressive regimen (NAC group; n = 33), and NAC and vitamin C plus routine regimen (NAC and vitamin C group; n = 19). Urine samples were taken 4 hours and 24 hours after transplantation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were utilized for measuring urine NGAL and IL-18.

Results. There were no significant differences in the DGF prevalence and its duration between the study arms. Although the levels of NGAL and IL-18 decreased in the NAC and NAC and vitamin C groups, these reductions were not significant. Glomerular filtration rate at 30 and 60 days after transplantation were not significantly different between study groups, either.

Conclusions. Our results showed that NAC is a safe drug without significant adverse effects in kidney transplant recipients; however, its potential useful effects on urinary biomarkers of DGF were not illustrated in the present study.