N-acetylcysteine attenuates alcohol-induced oxidative stress in the rat

Abstract

AIM:There is increasing evidence that alcohol-induced liver damage may be associated with increased oxidative stress. We aimed to investigate free-radical scavenger effect of nacetylcysteine in rats intragastrically fed with ethanol. METHODS:Twenty-four rats divided into three groups were fed with ethanol (6 g/kg/day, Group 1), ethanol and nacetylcysteine (1 g/kg, Group 2), or isocaloric dextrose (control group, Group 3) for 4 weeks. Then animals were sacrificed under ether anesthesia, intracardiac blood and liver tissues were obtained. Measurements were performed both in serum and in homogenized liver tissues. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was measured by TBARS method. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were studied by commercial kits. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:ALT and AST in Group 1 (154 U/L and 302 U/L, respectively) were higher than those in Group 2 (94 U/L and 155 U/L) and Group 3 (99 U/L and 168 U/L) (P=0.001 for both). Serum and tissue levels of MDA in Group 1 (1.84 nmol/ mL and 96 nmol/100 mg-protein) were higher than Group 2 (0.91 nmol/mL and 64 nmol/100 mg-protein) and Group 3 (0.94 nmol/mL and 49 nmol/100 mg-protein) (P<0.001 for both). On the other hand, serum GSH-Px level in Group 1 (8.21 U/g-Hb) was lower than Group 2 (16 U/g-Hb) and Group 3 (16 U/g-Hb) (P<0.001). Serum and liver tissue levels of SOD in Group 1 (11 U/mL and 26 U/100 mg-protein) were lower than Group 2 (18 U/mL and 60 U/100 mg-protein) and Group 3 (20 U/mL and 60 U/100 mg-protein) (P<0.001 for both). CONCLUSION:This study demonstrated that ethanolinduced liver damage is associated with oxidative stress, and co-administration of n-acetylcysteine attenuates this damage effectively in rat model. Ozaras R, Tahan V, Aydin S, Uzun H, Kaya S, Senturk H. Nacetylcysteine attenuates alcohol-induced oxidative stress in the rat. World J Gastroenterol 2003; 9(1): 125-128

The Relevance of Oxidative Stress Status in One Week and One Month Alcohol Abstinent Patients

“…The protective effects of NAC could be also explained by the fact that it is required for glutathione biosynthesis, thus inhibiting ROS toxicity (35). Additionally, it was de mon strated that alcohol-induced oxidative stress could be inhibited by NAC administration (36,37). More over, it was showed that in fact NAC intake and ethanol abstinence interact synergistically in order to improve the hepatic antioxidant defenses and to decrease the serum lipids concentrations (37).…”

Protective Effect of Aerva jevanica Against Ethanol Induced Hepatic Stress in Rats: A Randomized Control Report

“…Ethanol causes elevation in the level of NADH in mitochondria which further causes an increase in number of superoxide free radicals leaked from oxidative phosphorylation leading to formation of hydroxyl radicals and depleted activities of antioxidant enzymes. [24][25] Antioxidant enzymes viz; CAT, POD, GST, GPx was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in ethanol treated rats group which were recovered by co-administration of 200 mg/kg b.w., AJME significantly (P<0.05) and increased the activity to normal level. Similar reports were obtained by other study.…”

Identification of the Therapeutic Effects of Gamma-Irradiated Chamomile Aqueous Extract Against Alcohol Induced Hepato-nephrotoxicity in Rats

“…Acute alcohol intoxication or chronic alcoholism leads to renal damage. Protein deficiency and enzyme activity impairment with a decreased concentration of serum albumin and alteration in enzyme activities have also been associated with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (Ozaras et al, 2003).…”