Effect of NAC treatment on the cystine/thiol ratio, bcm, plasma glutamate, and plasma albumin (study B). The changes in the IL-2 plus NAC–treated group (□) are shown in comparison with the combined patients of the other two treatment groups (▥). The change in bcm was statistically significant only if patients with observation periods >100 days are being compared. The changes were defined by the first and the last examination of each patient.