Mucolytic and Antioxidant Effects of Intranasal Acetylcysteine Use on Acute Rhinosinusitis in Rats with an Acute Rhinosinusitis Model

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is effective in the treatment murine model of acute rhinosinusitis in rats. Materials and Methods: Twelve rats were included in the study. The left nasal cavity of all rats was infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Group 1 was the group in which NAC was administered into the left nasal cavity twice daily. Group 2 was selected as the control group. All rats were then sterilely sacrificed under anesthesia after intracardiac blood sampling. After sacrifice, sterile culture samples were collected from the posterior nasal cavity. Results: Total oxidant status and oxidative stress index (OSI), interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels decreased significantly in the treatment group. Total antioxidant status was significantly increased. There was a statistically significant increase in total serum thiol levels and native thiol levels. Histopathologic evaluation showed a statistically significant decrease in submucosal gland hypertrophy in the treatment group. Conclusion: According to our study, intranasal application of NAC can decrease the inflammatory findings in murine acute rhinosinusitis.