Failure of N-acetylcysteine to protect against cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II)-induced hematopoietic toxicity in mice.

In view of the results showing a decrease in cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) nephrotoxicity after administration of thiol donors, this study was carried out to test the possibility that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was active against myelodepressive effects of the anticancer drug. Cis-DDP (15.5 mg/kg body weight, i.v.) was administered to control mice and to mice treated simultaneously or 1 h later with NAC (800 mg/kg body weight, i.v.). At various times after treatment, up to 11 days, assessments were made of peripheral blood cell levels and bone marrow progenitor cell (CFUs and CFUc) concentrations. Cis-DDP caused a decrease in hemopoietic precursor cells in the order of that caused by other hemopoietic precursor cells in the order of that caused by other myelodepressive drugs, whereas there was only a slight decrease in peripheral blood WBC. In this experimental setting, NAC administration did not afford significant protection against platinum toxicity on bone marrow precursors or peripheral blood cells.