Effects of aerosolized inhalation of N-acetylcysteine combined with high flow nasal cannulae oxygen therapy on inflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive function in patients with severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effects of aerosolized inhalation of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) combined with high-flow nasal cannulae oxygen therapy on serum inflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive function in patients with severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure. Methods: A total of 50 patients diagnosed with severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure were randomly divided into the study and control groups, respectively. Serum oxidative stress, inflammation, and cognitive function were determined after treatment intervention. The effect of aerosol inhalation of NAC combined with high flow-nasal cannulae oxygen therapy was assessed. Results: General clinical data such as age, lung function, etc, did not show any difference between the study and control groups (p > 0.05). Dyspnea was scored in the Study group after treatment. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased (p < 0.05), while cognitive scores and serum total antioxidant capacity of the Study group increased (p < 0.05); There was no significant difference in serum superoxide dismutase levels between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Aerosolized inhalation of NAC combined with high-flow nasal cannulae oxygen therapy has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can improve cognitive dysfunction in patients with severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure, and may provide a new clinical treatment strategy for severe pulmonary infection complicated with respiratory failure.