Potential Utility of N-acetylcysteine for Treating Mustard Lung

Abstract

More than a century after the introduction of sulfur mustard (SM), as a chemical warfare agent, it has affected thousands of military and civilians on several occasions. The most notable toxic effects of this easily produced chemical, are lung damage ranges from necrotic, hemorrhagic, and infectious acute-lung injury to chronic conditions (i.e., mustard lung). While there is no definite treatment for individuals exposed to sulfur mustard, corticosteroids, mucolytics, bronchodilators, antibiotics, immunosuppressive medicines, and magnesium are being used to help victims. In the pathophysiology of SM-induced lung conditions, oxidative stress and inflammation play undeniable roles; thus, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) has been used as a treatment. In this narrative review article, we discuss the mechanisms involved in SM-induced lung damage along with the properties of NAC that can help patients recover from these deleterious effects.