Inhibitory vs. protective effects of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) on the electromechanical properties of the spontaneously beating atria of the frog (Rana ridibunda): an ex vivo study.

The results of this study have shown that N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a compound used for protection of tissues or cell cultures against the deleterious effects of various environmental pollutants, has certain unusual effects on the contraction of the spontaneously beating atria of the frog isolated in saline (ex vivo): (1) NAC, 6.0 and 10.0mM, eliminated, in a concentration-dependent manner, the contractile properties of the atria (force and frequency) within minutes, without affecting its electrical properties; (2) the IC(50) of NAC for the force was 5.09+/-1.01 mM (n=6) [4.98-5.19 mM, 95% confidence interval (CI)], significantly lower than the IC(50) for the frequency, 6.15+/-1.01 mM, (6.02-6.29 mM, 95% CI), indicating that working atria cells are more sensitive to NAC than autorhythmic cells. The no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) was 1-2mM; (3) the pattern of NAC-induced inhibition of electromechanical activity was similar to that of verapamil, an indication that NAC possibly affects L-type voltage-gated calcium channels; (4) NAC at 2mM protected against cadmium-induced inhibition of atria contraction. The IC(50) for cadmium was 17.9+/-1.1 microM (n=6) (16.9-19.0 microM, 95% CI), while in the presence of 2mM NAC, it became 123.3+/-1.0 microM (n=6) (114.8-132.4 microM, 95% CI). The same concentration of NAC failed to exert any protective effects against rotenone (5 microM)-induced inhibition of atria contraction. The protective effects of NAC are probably due to chelation of cadmium, rather than scavenging of oxidants.