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Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Razi Institute for Drug Research (RIDR) of Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services (IUMS)
ISSN: 1735-2657
Vol. 4, No. 2, 2005, pp. 118-123
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Bioline Code: pt05025
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2005, pp. 118-123
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Protective Effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
NARASIMHANAIDU KAMALAKKANNAN, RAJAGOPALAN RUKKUMANI, KODE ARUNA, PENUMATHSA SURESH VARMA, PERIYASAMY VISWANATHAN and VENUGOPAL PADMANABHAN MENON
Abstract
The present study determines the efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on marker enzymes, lipid peroxida-tion and antioxidants in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (3 mL/kg/week) administered subcutaneously to albino Wistar rats for a period of three months significantly increased the activities of marker enzymes in plasma such as aspartate transaminase, γ-glutamyl trans-ferase and alkaline phosphatase and increased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides in plasma and tissues (liver and kidney). A significant decrease in the levels of plasma antioxidants (glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E) was also noted. Further, a decrease in the concentration of glutathione and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the tissues were observed. N-acetyl cysteine (150 mg/kg) was orally administered to normal and carbon tetrachloride-treated rats for a period of three months. N-acetyl cysteine decreased the activities of marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation and improved the antioxidant status in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats. But there were no significant alterations in these parameters in normal rats treated with N-acetyl cysteine. Histopathological observations of the liver also showed the protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The results of this study show the protective action of N-acetyl cysteine in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. This is mainly due to the effective antioxidant potential of N-acetyl cysteine.
Keywords
N-acetyl cysteine, Hepatotoxicity, Carbon tetrachloride
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