Effect of N-acetyl cysteine on liver and kidney function tests after surgical bypass in obstructive jaundice

Abstract

The present study seeks to examine the effect of N-acetyl cysteine on liver and kidney function tests after surgical bypass in patients with obstructive jaundice. Methods & Materials A total of 30 patients with obstructive jaundice who were candidates for bypass surgery were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. In the case group, intravenous N-acetyl cysteine (200 mg/kg in the first 8 h, followed by 100 mg/kg for another 16 h, 48 h totally) was administered postoperatively. Liver and renal function tests (serum AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, creatinine) were compared between the two groups, as well as the incidence of possible side-effects and the duration of hospital and ICU stay. Results There were 8 males and 7 females in each group. The mean age of patients in the case group was 64.33±7.26 years (range, 53-74) vs. 63.87±7.15 years (range, 54-71) in the control group (p=0.86). Postoperatively, decrease in mean serum AST (p=0.01), ALT (p=0.02), ALP (p=0.01), GGT (p=0.05) and bilirubin (total, p=0.02, direct and indirect, p=0.01) levels compared to the preoperative values was significantly higher among cases compared to those in the controls. Changes in serum creatinine, however, did not differ significantly between the two groups (p=0.18). The two groups were also comparable in terms of the mean hospital and ICU stay time. No significant side-effects were documented during the study period.