N-Acetylcysteine Improves Liver Function in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and aims: non-alcoholic fatty liver change is a common disease of the liver in which oxidative stress plays a basic role. studies are largely focused on protecting the liver by means of anti-oxidative material. the aim of this study is to evaluate the role of n- acetylcysteine in the process of liver injury.methods: thirty patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver steatosis were randomly selected to receive either n-acetylcysteine or vitamin c. liver function tests (alanine aminotransfrase, aspartate aminotransfrase and alkaline phosphatase) weremeasured as well as the grade of steatosis, the pattern of its echogenicity, the span of the liver and the spleen and theportal vein diameter before the intervention. patients were followed up using the same method of evaluation repeatedin the first, second and third months.results: the mean age (sd) was 40.1(12.4) in patients receiving nac and 46(10.4) years in patients receiving vitaminc (p = 0.137). nac resulted in a significant decrease of serum alanine aminotransfrase after three months, comparedto vitamin c. this effect was independent of the grade of steatosis in the initial diagnosis. nac was able to significantlydecrease the span of the spleen.conclusions: n-acetylcysteine can improve liver function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. better resultsmay be achievable in a longer follow up.