METHODS	Twenty patients ( N-acetyl-L-cysteine group [ n = 10 ] , placebo group [ n = 10 ] ) , 15 male and five female , of mean age 64 + / - 15 ( SD ) yrs and Acute Physiology and Chronic health Evaluation ( APACHE ) II score 33 + / - 6 , with septic shock within 24 hrs of diagnosis .\