NAC-REPAIR: N-Acetylcysteine-facilitated Redox-Immune Modulation for Post-surgical Analgesia and Injury Recovery
University of Arizona
Summary
This pilot asks whether peri-operative N-acetylcysteine (NAC) improves recovery after common outpatient hand/foot-ankle surgery-specifically, does NAC reduce pain and opioid use and enhance function by modulating redox-inflammatory pathways? Primary objectives are to establish feasibility (accrual, adherence, follow-up), estimate NAC vs placebo effects on pain, function, and opioid consumption, and characterize inflammatory signatures that may predict response. Methods: a single-site, double-blind, 1:1 randomized trial (N≈80) comparing NAC 1,200 mg twice daily for 14 days (starting pre-op) vs matching placebo; daily e-diaries for POD0-14; standardized outcomes (PROMIS Pain Interference; QuickDASH or FAAM; PGIC; opioid MME); and small blood draws pre-surgery and at two follow-up visits for cytokine profiling.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Elective outpatient hand/upper-extremity or foot/ankle surgery (single site; same-day discharge) * Baseline visit feasible ≤14 days pre-op * Can complete surveys/blood draw * Provides informed consent * Willing to follow dosing schedule and avoid restricted supplements/meds Exclusion Criteria: * Allergy to NAC/capsule components □ NAC or high-dose antioxidants in past 14 days (unwilling to stop) * Chronic daily opioids ≥3 months or OUD/maintenance therapy □ Pregnant/breastfeeding or no contraception as applicable * Daily nitrates (nitroglycerin/isosorbide) □ Planned \>…