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

AIM:There is increasing evidence that alcohol-induced liverdamage may be associated with increased oxidative stress.We aimed to investigate free-radical scavenger effect of n-acetylcysteine in rats intragastrically fed with ethanol.METHODS:Twenty-four rats divided into three groups werefed with ethanol(6 g/kg/day,Group 1),ethanol and n-acetylcysteine(1g/kg,Group 2),or isocaloric dextrose(control group,Group 3)for 4 weeks.Then animals weresacrificed under ether anesthesia,intracardiac blood andliver tissues were obtained.Measurements were performedboth in serum and in homogenized liver tissues.Malondialdehyde(MDA)level was measured by TBARSmethod.Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and superoxidedismutase(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 and155 U/L)and Group 3(99 U/L and 168 U/L)(P=0.001 forboth).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 forboth).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)andGroup 3(16 U/g-Hb)(P<0.001).Serum and liver tissue levelsof 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<0.001for both).CONCLUSION:This study demonstrated that ethanol-induced liver damage is associated with oxidative stress,and co-administration of n-acetylcysteine attenuates thisdamage effectively in rat model.