Impact of NAC on inflammation and nutrition in hemodialysis

Objective: To assess whether N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)treatment can improve inflammatory markers and nutritional status in patients undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis (MHD). Methods: A total of 71 patients who had been on hemodialysis for more than 6 months were selected and randomly divided into an NAC treatment group (NAC 600 mg, twice daily,41 cases) and a control group (no medication,30 cases). Routine clinical data were collected, and a 3-month observation period was initiated. Inflammatory markers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (h s-CRP), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-10(IL-10), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and homocysteine levels, were measured before and after treatment. Nutritional indicators, such as hemoglobin, serum albumin, and prealbumin levels, were also assessed before and after treatment. Results: After 3 months of NAC treatment in hemodialysis patients, h s-CRP and IL-6 levels significantly decreased compared to pre-treatment levels(both P<0.01).Homocysteine levels also significantly decreased(P<0.05).Hemoglobin, serum albumin, and prealbumin levels significantly increased(P<0.05 and P<0.01,respectively).The reduction in h s-CRP levels in female MHD patients was significantly greater than that in male patients(P<0.01).Conclusion: NAC treatment can reduce inflammatory marker levels and improve nutritional status in hemodialysis patients, thereby benefiting these patients from anti-inflammatory therapy.