N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine Reduces Fibrosis and Improves Muscle Function After Acute Compartment Syndrome Injury

Abstract

Introduction: Upon injury, skeletal muscle undergoes a multiphase process beginning with degeneration of the damaged tissue, which is accompanied by inflammation and finally regeneration. One consequence of an injured microenvironment is excessive production of reactive oxygen species, which results in attenuated regeneration and recovery of function ultimately leading to fibrosis and disability. The objective of this research was to test the potential of the antioxidant, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), as a mediator of reactive oxygen species damage that results from traumatic muscle injury in order to support repair and regeneration of wounded muscle tissue and improve function recovery.

Materials and methods: Adult female Lewis rats were subjected to compartment syndrome injury as previously published by our group. Rats received intramuscular injections of NAC or vehicle at 24, 48, and 72 hours postinjury. Muscle function, tissue fibrosis, and the expression of myogenic and angiogenic markers were measured.

Results: Muscle function was significantly improved, and tissue fibrosis was significantly decreased in NAC-treated muscles.

Conclusions: These results suggest that NAC treatment of skeletal muscle after injury may be a viable option for the prevention of long-term fibrosis and scar formation, facilitating recovery of muscle function.