Background: N-acetylcystein is known to have beneficial effects in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury through post-ischemic reperfusion injury. The aim of study was to investigate the effects of N-acetylcystein on I/R injury in canine left, single, lung ototransplantation model.

Methods:Twelve adult dogs were divided into two groups. Ischemia was induced for 2 hours by clamping the pulmonary arteries and veins. The left main bronchus was transected and re-anastomosed prior to perfusion. The control group (n = 6) was treated with saline, the N-acetylcystein group (n = 6) was treated with N-acetylcystein which was administered intravenously for 30 minutes before ischemic period. After two hours preservation with 40°C Euro-Collins solution, orthothopic left, single, lung transplantation was performed. During a 5 minute clamping test of the right pulmonary artery, left pulmonary arterial pressure, left pulmonary vascular resistance, arterial oxygen pressure (PaO₂) and alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (A-aDO₂) were measured. Furthermore we measured tissue b N-acetylglucosaminidase and superoxside-dismutese levels.

Results:Left pulmonary arterial pressure, left pulmonary vascular resistance, arterial oxygen pressure (PaO₂), alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference measurement and serum beta N-acetylglucosaminidase and superoxide-dismutase levels were significantly better in the N-acetylcystein group than the control group ( p< 0.05).

Conclusion: N-acetylsystein appears to generate a protective effect on I/R injury in lung oto-transplantation in dogs.

Keywords : Lung ototransplantation, reperfusion injury, N-acetylcystein