Early-stage lupus nephritis treated with N-acetylcysteine: A report of two cases

  • Authors:
    • Ming Li
    • Wenjuan Gao
    • Jingjing Ma
    • Yun Zhu
    • Xingfu Li
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 21, 2015     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2510
  • Pages: 689-692
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Abstract

The oxidative-antioxidative status is closely associated with the progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and oxidative stress is customarily found in patients with SLE. N‑acetylcysteine (NAC), a typical antioxidant, is reliable and often applied for clinical treatment. Lupus nephritis (LN) is a kidney disorder associated with SLE, but the treatment of LN with antioxidants is rarely documented. The present report describes two cases of early‑stage LN that were orally treated with 1,200 mg NAC in addition to the standard therapy with hydroxychloroquine and calcitriol. Following the NAC administration, the glutathione level largely increased while the level of the lipid peroxidation biomarker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α declined in both cases. In addition, the routine blood counts, 24‑h urine protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the SLE disease activity index were markedly improved. In conclusion, the present report of two cases has shown that NAC, as an antioxidant, may exert a beneficial effect to modulate the oxidative status in LN; however, the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.
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August-2015
Volume 10 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Li M, Gao W, Ma J, Zhu Y and Li X: Early-stage lupus nephritis treated with N-acetylcysteine: A report of two cases. Exp Ther Med 10: 689-692, 2015
APA
Li, M., Gao, W., Ma, J., Zhu, Y., & Li, X. (2015). Early-stage lupus nephritis treated with N-acetylcysteine: A report of two cases. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 10, 689-692. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2510
MLA
Li, M., Gao, W., Ma, J., Zhu, Y., Li, X."Early-stage lupus nephritis treated with N-acetylcysteine: A report of two cases". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 10.2 (2015): 689-692.
Chicago
Li, M., Gao, W., Ma, J., Zhu, Y., Li, X."Early-stage lupus nephritis treated with N-acetylcysteine: A report of two cases". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 10, no. 2 (2015): 689-692. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2510