The effects of taurine, melatonin and acetylcysteine on nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation and some antioxidants in cadmium induced liver injury

Purpose: Our aim was to investigate both the potential protective and therapeutic effects of taurine, melatonin and acetylcysteine in cadmium induced liver injury. Material and Methods: Ninety male Spraque Dawley rats were divided into nine groups. For the three months treatment period, drinking water was administered to Group 1 whereas 200 ppm CdCl2 to Group 2, 200 ppm CdCl2 and 1% taurine to Group 3, 200 ppm CdCl2 and 0.02% melatonin to Group 4 and 200 ppm CdCl2 and 0.5%acetylcysteine to Group 5. Groups 6, 7, 8 and 9 received 200 ppm CdCl2 in their drinking water for 3 months. After this period, for 7 days, 4% taurine to group 7, 0.08% melatonin to Group 8 and 2% acetylcysteine to group 9 were applied. Results: In liver tissues of cadmium received rats, the levels of glutathione (GSH) and the enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were decreased. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities were increased. While, taurine, melatonin and acetylcysteine increased GSH levels, SOD and GPx activities, it decreased TBARS, NO and iNOS activities. Conclusion: Taurine, melatonin and acetylcysteine may have both protective and therapeutic effects in cadmium induced liver injuries.