To evaluate the effect of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in newborn rats submitted to hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) conditions in an experimental model of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Eight pregnant rats and their 70 cubs were used (5 groups) and exposed to H/R conditions and received NAC at different times. The animals in the H/R groups were placed in a gas chamber (100% CO 2) for 10 minutes and then reoxygenated for 10 minutes (100% O 2), twice a day for the first three days of life, with a six-hour span between events. On the third day of life, the animals were anesthetized, laparotomized and the intestines were resected.
The H/R and NAC groups showed changes in the intestinal wall in relation to the number, height and width of the villi when compared to the control group (p<0.0001), but with better preservation of structures in the NAC group. There were no differences between groups regarding the number (%) of mitoses.