Can N-acetylcysteine preserve peritoneal function and morphology in encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis?
Long-term use of the peritoneum as a dialysis membrane results in progressive irreversible dysfunction, described as peritoneal fibrosis. Oxidative stress during peritoneal dialysis has been established in many studies. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by conventional peritoneal dialysis solutions, regardless of whether produced by high glucose, angiotensin II, or glucose degradation products may be responsible for progressive membrane dysfunction. The well-known antioxidant molecule N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is capable of direct scavenging of ROS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of NAC therapy on both progression and regression of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS). We divided 49 nonuremic Wistar albino rats into four groups: Control group-2 mL isotonic saline intraperitoneally (IP) daily for 3 weeks; CG group-2 mL/200 g 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) and 15% ethanol dissolved in saline injected IP daily for a total of 3 weeks; Resting group
