This study was carried out to investigate the in vivo protective role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) per se, along with selenium (Se), against lead-induced hepatic, nephritic-oxidative, and neuronal-oxidative damage in rats. Lead acetate at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight administered intraperitoneally for 3 days was preferred as the source of lead. Various oxidative stress markers such as reduced glutathione content, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured to determine the degree of oxidative damage and healing due to NAC (50 mg/kg body weight administered orally) and Se (0.5 mg/kg body weight administered orally) and were studied along with the activities of enzymes such as transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase), δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase, and acetyl cholinesterase activity. The genotoxic effect of lead also was studied in terms of DNA damage using comet assay. The effect of lead was studied in blood biochemical variables such as cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, and creatinine. Our data suggest that supplementation of Se with NAC can improve the lead-induced biochemical oxidative stress in blood and tissue, the burden of lead on the body, and molecular alterations by recoupment in mean DNA damage.

No abstract

Antituberculosis drug (ATD)-induced hepatotoxicity is a major impediment for the effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). All first-line anti-TB medications have adverse effects that interrupt the successful completion of TB treatment. This investigation focuses on the evaluation of the protective role of Nigella sativa (NS) against liver injury caused by ATDs. Female rats were treated with ATDs for 8 weeks (3 d/wk) followed by NS for 8 weeks (3 d/wk). The antioxidant activity of NS was estimated with a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by analyzing total phenolic contents. Qualitative characterization of active compounds of the plant was done by high-performance liquid chromotography (HPLC). ATD-induced adverse effects were associated with sharp elevation in levels of serum transaminases, albumin, cholesterol, urea, uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). ATDs significantly increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], adenosine triphosphatase [ATPase], and glucose-6-phosphatase [G6Pase]) in liver, indicating oxidative stress. Conjoint treatment with NS could reverse the serological biochemistry and inhibit oxidative stress by suppressing LPO and augmenting antioxidant enzyme activity toward that of the control. Histological studies support the above biochemical findings. Results indicate that NS exerts excellent hepatoprotective abilities and can be used as a supplement to improve patient adherence and reduce interruptions in treatment due to ATD-related liver injury.

No abstract

No abstract