METHODS	After a 2-hr stabilization period ( time-zero minus 2 hrs to time-zero ) , patients received either N-acetyl-L-cysteine in 5 % dextrose ( 150 mg/kg in 100 mL over 15 mins , followed by 50 mg/kg in 250 mL over 4 hrs , and then 100 mg/kg/24 hrs in 500 mL for 44 hrs ; N-acetyl-L-cysteine group ) or the equivalent volume of 5 % dextrose ( placebo group ) .\