Acetaminophen Found To Help Prevent Kidney Injuries
(Washington, DC) -- The painkiller acetaminophen can protect kidneys from crush damage injuries of the type experienced during the recent Haiti earthquake. As the body tries to heal itself by breaking down dying muscle in crushed limbs, the kidneys can be overwhelmed by damaging chemicals released by the process. Researchers believe acetaminophen, commonly known by the brand name Tylenol, could offer an inexpensive simple way to help prevent kidney failure among quake victims. The scientists at Vanderbilt University in Nashville made their discovery in tests on rats that had suffered crushing injuries. The rodents were given the painkiller either before or immediately after their injury. Kidney damage was greatly reduced in each case. They believe similar kidney damage caused by a side-effect of statin drugs, commonly used to lower cholesterol levels, might also be prevented with acetaminophen. The full study is published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences." |