Nephroprotective Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Amide against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy through Upregulating Thioredoxin-1, Inhibiting ASK1/p38MAPK Pathway, and Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Rats

Figure 1

NACA attenuated CM-induced morphological changes. HE staining of kidney sections (magnification ×200) from CON rats (a), CIN rats (b), NAC+CIN rats (c), NACA1+CIN rats (d), and NACA2+CIN rats (e). Representative changes of ultrastructure by TEM (magnifications ×4200) from CON rats (f), CIN rats (g), NAC+CIN rats (h), NACA1+CIN rats (i), NACA2+CIN group (j), normal glomerular basement membrane and podocyte in CON rats (k), and CIN rats (l). Note the condensation of the nuclear chromatin (red arrow) and cytoplasm vacuoles (orange arrow) in CIN rats. Blue arrows refer to severe vacuolization of the renal cortex. Figures are representative of 5 to 8 rats from each group.

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