Background: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic fibrotic lung disease. Lung
parenchyma and architecture is destroyed, compliance is lost, and gas exchange is
compromised in this debilitating condition that leads to respiratory failure. NAC is a
precursor of L-cysteine that results in glutathione elevation biosynthesis. It acts directly
as a scavenger of free radicals, especially oxygen radicals. This study aimed to evaluate
the possible therapeutic effect of Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells and Nacetylcysteine (NAC) on induced lung fibrosis in adult male albino rats. Methods: Ten
rats were used to isolated adipose-derived stem cells and sixty rats were randomly
divided into five groups. Group I (control group: 20 rats), Group II (affected group:10
rats), Group III (Adipose stem cell group: 10 rats), Group Iv (N-acetylcystiene group:10
rats) and Group v (Adipose stem cell + NAC group: 10 rats). Specimens taken and
histological studies, immunohistochemical and morphometric study were performed.
Results: Group II showed markedly thickened inter-alveolar septa with extensive cellular
begwinfiltration and many collapsed alveoli.There was massive lymphocytic infiltration
around bronchiolar wall.There was a significant decrease (P0.01) in Ki67 expression in group III, IV & V compared to group I.
Conclusion: This work concluded that each of N-acetylcysteine and Adipose-Derived
Stem Cells can ameliorate bleomycin induced lung toxicity, but their co-administration
can give better results.