Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of N-acetyl cysteine on human embryonic kidney cells apoptosis induced by cadmium chloride.MethodsMTT and flowcytcometry were used to measure percentage of apoptosis and relative viability of human embryonic kidney cells induced by cadmium chloride at the dose of 0,10,20,40,80 mmol/L and both cadmium chloride at the dose of 40μmol/L and N-acetyl cysteine at the dose of 1,2,4,8μmol/L.ResultsCompared with controls, the cadmium chloride at the dose of 20,40,80μmol/L could reduce the relative viability of human embryonic kidney cells and decrease the percentage of apoptosis.There was statistical difference between the two doses(P<0.01).Compared with cadmium chloride at the dose of 40μmol/L,both cadmium chloride at the dose of 40μmol/L and N-acetyl cysteine at the dose of 4,8 mmol/L decreased the relative viability of human embryonic kidney cells and reduced the percentage of apoptosis(P<0.01).ConclusionThe apoptosis could be induced by cadmium at certain doses and N-acetyl cysteine could antagonize apoptosis of human embryonic kidney cells induced by cadmium.